Upper Valley Connections

The Norwich Women's Club has been part of the fabric of Norwich since 1907 -- scholarships, community grants, Nearly New sales, the quiet institutional glue that holds a small town together. This Sunday they're doing something louder: the first Concert on the Green of the 2026 season, 4 to 7 PM at the Norwich village green. It doubles as their Citizen of the Year celebration, with Nick Krembs -- whose nomination reportedly arrived with 28 pages of supporting letters from across the community -- receiving the award at 6 PM. There will be music, neighbors, and a Ledyard Bank check. This is how the Upper Valley opens its summer.

From there, it only gets bigger. Hartford's Parks and Recreation Department runs free Wednesday evening concerts all summer at the Quechee Green and Lyman Point Park in White River Junction, starting at 6:30 PM -- bring a blanket, bring dinner, find a spot near the river. Lebanon's Front Porch Concert Series takes over Colburn Park on Thursday evenings from July 2 through August 20. Lebanon Recreation doesn't play around with this one -- the series advertises nationally renowned and Grammy-nominated artists, which is a serious promise for a free park concert across from City Hall.

Forty minutes up the river in Fairlee, Lake Morey Resort has assembled what may be the most quietly impressive free concert lineup in the region. Thursdays on the resort's front lawn starting June 18 -- a broad, sloping grass with a view of the lake, the kind of setting that makes everything sound better. This summer: Adam Ezra Group (Jun 18), Fitz and the Tantrums (Jun 25), Shaggy (Jul 2), Guster (Jul 9), Larkin Poe (Jul 16), Trampled by Turtles (Jul 23), KALEO (Jul 30), Natasha Bedingfield (Aug 6), The Revivalists (Aug 13), Andy Grammer (Aug 18), Collective Soul (Aug 20). All free. Arrive early for the good spots on the grass.

If you're willing to make a day of it, Do Good Fest lands in Montpelier on Saturday, July 11 -- National Life Group's annual benefit concert for youth mental health on their State Street lawn. This year's lineup: Neon Trees, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Smash Mouth, and Augustana. About 45 minutes from Hanover, a full festival experience with food vendors and local nonprofits, and the music is free.

The Valley has always understood something about summer music that not every place has figured out: it should happen outside, it should cost nothing or nearly nothing, and it should involve your neighbors. That season begins this weekend. The Upper Valley Traditional Music Jam at Howe Library on Saturday afternoon -- 3 PM, free, drop-ins welcome -- is as good a place to start as any. Fiddles, banjos, no ticket required.