For many people in the area, warm summer nights mean blankets in grassy parks listening to live openair concerts several times a week.

Sundays from May through August mean jazz on the river with the Candlelight Jazz at Riverwalk concerts.

“Candlelight Jazz is a staple for so many because the overall experience is suitable for all ages and adaptable for so many. It's ideal for a romantic date with your sweetheart; the setting is intimate,” said Karen Gordon, event organizer.

Or it can be a great place to bring the family and kids, she said.

This weekend’s concert features Armen Boyajian and Air Apparent in a classic jazz concert. The July 11 concert will feature the smooth jazz of Preston & Weston. The concerts begin at 8 p.m.

Independence Day brings a change to the schedule with a 7:30 p.m. concert starring Jerusalem Sounds at the Augusta Common.

Another concert series will wrap up at the Appleby Branch library on Walton Way Tuesday with Fort Gordon’s Crooked River Dixieland Jazz Band performing at 8 p.m.

This summer marked the 56th year for the concert series.

Across the Savannah River, there are two outdoor concert series each week.

In North Augusta, the Maude Edenfield Park on Buena Vista Avenue is the site of the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council’s Music in the Park series, held May through the end of July.

There is a break in the series on July 1, but on July 8, the Hillarys will be in concert, followed by the blues’ band, Microwave Dave and the Nukes, on July 15. Concerts begin at 7 p.m.

Not only does the park have plenty of space for blankets and picnics, there’s a playground area for children.

Also across the river is the annual Concerts in Hopelands on Mondays.

Held in the Hopelands Gardens unless rain drives it indoors at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center on Whiskey Road, the concert series highlights a variety of musical styles.

The jazz group Preston & Weston will be performing on Monday. Concerts are typically held at 7 p.m. Monday except for the patriotic concert on July 6 with the Marine Corps Band. The series will return to its regular schedule on July 12 with soloist Angela Easterling.