Given the number of free outdoor music options in and around the city this month, it would be wise to keep a “go bag” at the ready—stocked with a picnic blanket, sunglasses, nonperishable snacks and a thermos full of refreshment—so you can run off to soak up sun and songs at the drop of a floppy-brimmed hat.

Definitely choose the music lineup over the lutefisk at Ballard SeafoodFest (seafoodfest.org), especially with local favorites Pickwick, Moondoggies and My Goodness in the mix (7/11–7/12). Indulge the fantasy of sweet freedom from the office cube at one of the many downtown Out to Lunch Concerts (downtownseattle.com), such as The Maldives at Westlake Center (7/10), or Austin Jenckes, of The Voice fame, at City Hall (7/23).

Seattle Art Museum goes audio with concerts at the Olympic Sculpture Park (seattleartmuseum.org/summer), including D’Vonne Lewis (7/9), Julia Massey & the Five Finger Discount (7/16) and Vaudeville Etiquette (7/30). Or up your classical ante with Chamber Music in the Park (7/29), at which the Seattle Chamber Music Society (seattlechambermusic.org) performs works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky in Volunteer Park, enchanting listeners from humans to herons.