Photo: Michael Dwyer

No-cost entertainment abounds in Boston during the warmer months

Macbeth: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s summer tradition of presenting free Shakespeare on Boston Common continues with the Bard’s bloody Scottish tragedy July 19–August 6 at the Parkman Bandstand. The show stars renowned stage and screen actor Faran Tahir in the title role of the power-mad, would-be monarch.

Boston Landmarks Orchestra (pictured above and on July cover): The Boston Pops isn’t the only musical ensemble to perform at the Hatch Memorial Shell every summer—the Landmarks Orchestra has been putting on free shows along the Charles River Esplanade since 2007. Upcoming concerts include a program of Beethoven, Copland and more on July 19; a show focused on Black American women on July 26 that coincides with the NAACP National Convention in Boston that has been curated by local Grammy Award winner Terri Lyne Carrington; works by Gershwin, Dvořák and others on August 2; a new piece from artist-in-residence Fabiola Méndez on August 12; and “Dance Night” on August 23.

Cambridge Jazz Festival: Danehy Park near Fresh Pond is the site of this extravaganza July 29 & 30 beginning at 12:30 p.m. Enjoy tunes in a variety of jazz styles from local and international luminaries, including Mozambican guitarist and singer Albino Mbie, Boston’s own Terri Lyne Carrington and Panamanian artist Danilo Pérez. This family-friendly happening also boasts food trucks, a marketplace for local vendors, the Cambridge Jazz Foundation’s Mobile Jazz Museum, a beer garden and a children’s area all weekend.

Apollinaire in the Park: The Chelsea-based theater troupe presents its annual free outdoor show August 4–19, this time mounting a bilingual (English/Spanish) Hamlet in an active, walk-with-the-actors production that moves throughout Chelsea Square. It all kicks off with pre-show musical performances, food and a beer garden from Everett’s BearMoose Brewing Company beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Boston Jazz Fest: The Seaport’s South Boston Maritime Park welcomes this two-day musical celebration August 25 from 5–10 p.m. and August 26 from noon–10 p.m. Expect a diverse array of jazz artists from near and far along with food, drink and fun for the kids.