There’s music in the air throughout the Bay Area this summer, and much of it is free.  In San Francisco alone, there are hundreds of free concerts, theatre and movie screenings from now through October.  Here’s a sampling:

Stern Gove Festival
The oldest free concert series of its kind in America and a beloved San Francisco tradition, The Stern Gove Festival offers a diverse selection of outdoor performances.  Weekly Sunday afternoon concerts include performances by the San Francisco Ballet (8/6) and Opera (8/23), as well as the Bollywood music of Delhi 2 Dublin (8/2) and Colombian beat of Totó La Momposina (8/9).  There’s something magical about listening to great music among the giant eucalyptus trees—so take a picnic and enjoy the experience.

People in Plazas
This series presents local performers in more than 150 free lunchtime concerts through the end of September.  Performances are slated for some 16 downtown plazas, including 101 California, Crocker Galleria, Two Embarcadero Center and Rincon Center.  It’s the perfect noontime fat-free refresher.

Golden Gate Park Band
A tradition that dates back to 1882, the Golden Gate Park Band performs every Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park.  Concerts offer a variety of music–classical favorites, marches, show tunes, swing music, international tunes—with frequent soloists and guest performers.

Yerba Buena Gardens Festival
More than 100 free events are scheduled for this “urban oasis” at Fourth and Mission.  Opera, performance art, dance, music, theatre, puppet shows, jazz: there’s something interesting going on almost on a daily basis.

This coming Sunday (7/19) the San Francisco Symphony will perform a free concert in Dolores Park at noon.  Bring your blanket, hit the Buy-Rite Market on 18th  for some nibbles, then get cultured.

Photo: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra