9 free concerts bring Sounds of Summer to Surrey parks, plazas, gardens

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Also check out the calendar of community picnics and Park Play events at Surrey parks this summer

Admission is free at the nine concerts in Surrey's 2025 Sounds of Summer series, an annual showcase of local talent at various parks, plazas and gardens in the city.

The July/August series features diverse sounds of jazz, R&B, classic rock and more every Wednesday evening for 90 minutes, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Concert-goers can pack a picnic, chair or blanket, or just dance to the music, as the late Sly Stone sang.

Sounds of Summer kicks off Wedneday, July 2 with Ben Jazz Trio at The Glades Woodland Garden, 457 172 St. in South Surrey, featuring dynamic bandleader Ben Dunnill.

The four other concerts in July are Connor Nelson at Francis Park in Fleetwood with opener Glisha (July 9), Ayla Tesler-Mabé at Newton Athletic Park with opener Ivan Hartle (July 16), the musical Finn-Morris twin sisters of Fionn at Bear Creek Park with opener Royal Oak (July 23) and Brayson Wong with The Boot Scooters Line Dancing at Surrey Civic Plaza on July 30.

The August concerts feature Cookin' With Brass at Darts Hill Garden Park in South Surrey (Aug. 6), a Music City Showcase at Clayton Community Centre (Aug. 13), Sukoon Band at T.E. Scott Park in East Newton with opener Sharanjeet Singh Mand (Aug. 20) and, in the Sounds of Summer series finale for 2025, Mazacote Salsa Band at Surrey Civic Plaza (Aug. 27).

The concerts, band biographies and other details are posted on surrey.ca/soundsofsummer, or call 604-501-5050.

Also this summer in Surrey, community picnics are planned at 11 parks, Thursdays from June 19 to Aug. 28, starting with Hazelnut Meadows Community Park (14069 68 Ave.), from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. "Celebrate caring for your local park and get outdoors with your friends and family to enjoy a picnic meal and fun park activities," says a post on surrey.ca, where all dates and park locations are listed (search Community Picnics), or call 604-501-5100.

Meantime, Surrey's Park Play program launches for 2025 on Saturday, June 21 at Adams Road Park from noon to 2 p.m. and T.E. Scott Park from 4 to 6 p.m. "Bring your family and friends out to enjoy fun games, borrow a play kit and get to know your Park Play staff," says a post on surrey.ca.

Park Play, in July and August, offers self-directed and staff-led park activities for families to enjoy, and has provided free activities to children and youth in Surrey's parks since 2006.

From July 2 to Aug. 28, find Park Play on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. at Holly Park (10706 148 St.), Tuesdays from noon to 2 p.m. at Adams Road Park (18160 68 Ave.), Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. at Hazelnut Meadows Community Park (14069 68 Ave.) Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Picnics at various parks (starting June 19), and Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. for "next-level Park Play at Friday Fun Days with themed games, crafts and more" -- on June 27 at Hazelnut Meadow Community Park, July 4 and 11 at T.E Scott Park, July 18 and 25 at Redwood Park (17900 20 Ave.), Aug. 1 and 8 at Fleetwood Park and Aug. 15 and 22 at Robertson Drive Park (12714 92 Ave.).