Outdoor summer concerts take the stage in the Hudson Valley

Every summer crowds flock to area parks, shopping malls, racetracks and other venues to experience entertainment in the great outdoors. The Hudson Valley hosts dozens of concert series where guests can rock out (or sprawl out) as local and national music acts perform.

Here are places where you can attend an outdoor concert and the summer schedule of shows, separated by location (Westchester, Rockland and the Hudson Valley) and the day of the shows.

WESTCHESTER

Monday

The Town of Pelham Summer Concert Series offers everything from Motown to swing. The series features acts like the Bookends (July 30) and the Westchester Swing Band (Aug. 13). Concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Sept. 3. Admission and parking are free. Info: Town House Park, 20 Fifth Ave., Pelham; 914-738-0153; pelhamrecreation.com

Rye Playland features two outdoor concerts in July -- Toby Love (July 18) and Gavin DeGraw (July 23). Doors open for both Monday shows at 5 p.m. with the concerts starting at 6 or 7 p.m. Fireworks follow both shows. Tickets for the Gavin DeGraw show, $30-$75, are available on the Ticketmaster site. Info: Rye Playland’s Music Tower Theater, 1 Playland Pkwy., Rye; 914-214-4537; ryeplayland.org

Tuesday

At the Cross County Summer Concert Series, kids are invited to boogie right in front of the stage to acts like the plaid-shirt-wearing rock band, The Nerds (Aug. 7). Concerts are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 14. Admission and parking are free. Info: Cross County Shopping Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers; 914-968-9570; crosscountycenter.com

Wednesday

Food vendors including The Cookery’s DoughNation pizza truck and Orissa, an Indian bistro, will be selling delectable dishes at the 13th annual Dobbs Ferry Summer Music Series. Artists, including Hearts & Bones (July 25) and the Chris Pasin Quintet (Aug. 15), perform in the shows, held 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 22. Admission and parking are free. If it’s raining, concerts will be at the Embassy Community Center (60 Palisade St.). Info: Waterfront Park, Dobbs Ferry; 914-631-1000; jazzforumarts.org

The Summer Sounds Concert Series in New Rochelle will feature shows like the Fabulous Sixties Rock Show (July 11) and the Virgil Scott Big Band (Aug. 1). Concerts are scheduled for Wednesdays at 7 p.m. from July 11 to Aug. 29. Admission and parking are free. Info: Hudson Park Bandshell, 1 Hudson Park Rd., New Rochelle; 914-654-2087; newrochellearts.org

Rock your socks off to acts including The Chris O’Leary Band (July 18) at the Riverfront Green Park Concert Series. Concerts take place Wednesdays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 1. Admission and parking are free. Info: Riverfront Green Park, Hudson Ave. and Route 9, Peekskill; 914-734-4228; cityofpeekskill.com/parksandrecreation

Thursday

On the Lyndhurst mansion lawn, jazz lovers are invited bring a picnic and listen to the sounds of Cuban pianist and composer, Manuel Valera (Aug. 2), as well as other talented acts at the Sunset Jazz at Lyndhurst concert series. Concerts are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursdays from Aug. 2 to 23. Admission is free and parking is $10. If it rains, concerts will be held under a courtyard tent. Info: Lyndhurst Estate, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown; 914-631-4481; lyndhurst.org

Families will enjoy the Open Air Family Music Series at Greenburgh Nature Center in Scarsdale. The three Thursday night shows (July 12, July 26 and Aug. 9) run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and feature Americana music, Irish-Celtic music and Australian Didgeridoo-Jazz music, respectively. Everyone is invited to bring a picnic dinner or purchase food and drinks from California Pizza Kitchen at the event. Tickets are $6 for members and $8 for nonmembers, $4 for children ages 2 to 14 and free for kids under 2. Info: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale; 914-723-3470; greenburghnaturecenter.org

Friday

Celebrating its 10th year, the Jazz at Patriots Park concert series in Tarrytown invites jazz lovers to enjoy a picnic as they listen to music for a relaxing night outdoors. Concerts take place at 6:30 p.m. Fridays from July 13 to July 27. Admission and parking are free. Info: Patriots Park, North Broadway, Tarrytown; 914-631-1000; jazzforumarts.org

The Beczak Environmental Center in Yonkers presents three jazz events in August on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. (Aug. 3, 10 and 17). Admission and parking are free. Events are held rain or shine. Info: Beczak Environmental Center, 35 Alexander St., Yonkers; 914-377-1900; beczak.org

Sunday

Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the Mohegan Lake Motors / Audi 2012 Summer Concert Series, hosted by the Yorktown Lions Club. Acts scheduled to perform include Stayin’ Alive, a Bee Gees tribute band (July 29) and the Showtime Dance Band (Aug. 26). During the concerts, Yorktown Lions Club members will be grilling up hot dogs and burgers for anyone craving some summertime fare. Concerts are scheduled for alternate Sundays at 6 p.m. through Aug. 26. Admission and parking are free. Info: Jack DeVito Memorial Park, Yorktown Heights; 914-962-5876; yorktownny.lionwap.org

The Summer Nights on the Sound concert series returned to Mamaroneck July 8 with free shows at 7 p.m. Sundays. The five-week series features Pocket Change and the Soundettes (July 22) and the Bensen Scott Band (Aug. 5), among others. The July 29 Family Fun Night includes kayak rides, beach volleyball and a food truck serving Louisianna cuisine. Admission and parking are free. Rain dates are Aug. 12 and 17. Info: Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck; 914-826-1360

The Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway has launched its first ever summer concert series, which features acts including The Spin Doctors (July 15), Pat Benatar (Aug. 12) and Otis Day & the Knights (Aug. 19). Concerts are scheduled for Sundays at various times through Aug. 26. Tickets are $22.50 to $50 per show and can be purchased online at the Empire City Casino site. Info: Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, 810 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers; 914-968-4200; empirecitycasino.com/summerconcerts

Various days

At the first ever Ridge Hill Summer Concert Series, attendees can boogie to acts like Bernie Williams (July 16) and a James Taylor tribute band, You Can Close Your Eyes (Aug. 15). Concerts happen at various dates and times through Aug. 24. Admission is free and mall parking is $3 for six hours. Info: Westchester’s Ridge Hill, 1 Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers; 914-207-2900; westchestersridgehill.com

The Cararmoor International Music Festival, which brings acts including Brooklyn Rider (July 20), Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio (Aug. 4), and a weekend Jazz Festival (July 28-29) to the Katonah venue, runs through Aug. 8 on various dates. Ticket prices vary and can be purchased on the Caramoor website. Info: Venetian Theater, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, 149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; 914-232-1492; www.caramoor.org

The Katonah Museum of Art features live music at two recurring summer events -- Second Saturdays (July 14 and Aug. 11) and Shades of Jazz (6:30 p.m. Aug. 1 and Aug. 15). Admission to both events are $10 for members and $20 for nonmembers. Info: Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St., Katonah; 914-232-9555; katonahmuseum.org

ROCKLAND

Tuesday

Nonprofit organization The Friends of the Nyacks hosts The Mostly Music Concert Series at 7:30 Tuesday nights in Nyack’s Memorial Park. Haitian band Nu Faze (July 17), the Westchester Jazz Orchestra (July 24) and the Richard Reiter Swing Band (Aug. 7) are among the performers scheduled to play in the series, which ends on Aug. 14. Admission and parking are free, but donations are welcome. If it’s raining, the concerts move inside to the Nyack Center, at the corner of Broadway and Depew Avenue. Info: Memorial Park, Nyack; 845-358-4973; friendsofthenyacks.org

Thursday

The town of Haverstraw brings a Summer Concert Series to Bowline Point Park at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. The shows, which run through Aug. 30, feature The Barons (July 12), Alive N Kickin (Aug. 16) and In the Pocket Band (Aug. 30). A final show is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. Admission and parking are free. Info: Bowline Point Park, 130 Samsoneale Ave., West Haverstraw; 845-429-2200; townofhaverstraw.org

Friday

Outdoor concerts take place at 7:45 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 10 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Orangeburg. Performers include The Chiclettes (July 13) and The Mystical Majesty Band (Aug. 10), among others. Admission and parking are free. If it rains, the concerts move into the auditorium at Pearl River High School. Info: Veteran’s Memorial Park, 81 Hunt Rd., Orangeburg; 845-359-6503; parks.orangetown.com

Various days

Rock out to the sounds of big names like Big & Rich (July 13) and Smash Mouth (Aug. 17) at the Ramapo Concert Series at Pomona’s Provident Bank Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. for happy hour, where there will be drink specials and $5 burgers. Concerts take place at 7:30 p.m. on various dates in July and August. Tickets are $25 to $60 and parking is $5. Info: Provident Bank Park, 1 Provident Bank Park Dr., Pomona; 845-364-0009; rocklandboulders.com

HUDSON VALLEY

Wednesday

Attendees at the Music in the Parks Summer Concert Series are welcome to enjoy an evening of outdoor music at Hyde Park historic sites. The Four Guys in Disguise will perform at Vanderbilt Mansion (July 18) and the Riverbank Banjo Band will perform at the Mills Mansion (July 25), among other shows. Concerts take place on Wednesdays at 6:30 or 7 p.m. through Aug. 15. Admission and parking are free. Info: Vanderbilt Mansion or Staatsburgh State Historic Site, Hyde Park; 845-229-8086; hydeparkny.us   

Thursday

The Mahopac National Bank Sunset Concert Series features a wide variety of acts, from country rock to swing. Performers include rock-n-rollers Andrea & the Armenian Rug Riders (July 26) and classic rockers, Dead End (July 19). Concerts take place Thursdays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 2. Admission and parking are free. Info: Mahopac Chamber Park, Corner of Route 6 & 6N, Mahopac; 845-628-7888; www.carmelny.org/recreation

Friday

Organized by Lake Carmel resident and Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter, Kati Mac, the Arts on the Lake Summer Concert Series’ pay-what-you-wish policy allows large families to enjoy the event freely. Artists like Tiki Daddy (July 13) and Ada Dyer (July 20) take the newly rebuilt stage on the shore of Lake Carmel. Concerts rake place on Fridays at 7 p.m. from July 13 to 27. Admission is pay as you wish and parking is free. Info: Lake Carmel Arts Center, 640 Route 52, Kent Lakes; 845-228-2685; artsonthelake.org

The Village of Wappingers Falls Summer Concert Series will feature acts like pop performer, Matt Jordan (July 20) and The Cagneys (Aug. 17). Concerts take place 7 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 31. Info: Meiser Park & Homestead, E. Main St. & Route 9D; 845-297-8773; wappingersfallsny.gov

Saturday

Bring lawn chairs and a picnic basket to Pawling’s Music by the Lake summer concert series. Alongside park activities, including swimming in the lake and a playing at the playground, attendees can enjoy the sounds of acts including Rendition (July 21) and The River Rats (Aug. 18). Concerts happen on various Saturdays at 6 p.m. through Aug. 25. Admission and parking is free. If it rains, the concerts will be held in the Lathrop Building. Info: Lakeside Park, Pawling; 845-855-1131; pawling.org

Sunday

Now in its 195th season, the West Point Band presents its outdoor concert series, Music Under the Stars, Sunday nights at 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 2. Concerts take place at the Trophy Point Amphitheater, which overlooks the Hudson River. There is a fireworks display after the Sept. 2 show. Admission is free. Info: West Point, Trophy Point Amphitheater, 600 Thayer Rd., West Point; 845-938-2617; westpointband.com

Various days

In celebration of its 35th year, East Fishkill’s Summer Outdoor Concert Series is hosting acts including country band Stolen Heart (July 13). Concerts take place on various dates and times through Sept. 2. Admission and parking is free. Info: East Fishkill Recreation Park & Red Wing Park, Hopewell Junction; 845-226-8395; eastfishkillny.org