Concerts on the Square

CotS! CotS! CotS!
Concerts on the Square is one of my favorite things about Madison. Wednesday nights in the summer the Madison Chamber Orchestra puts on a FREE concert on the capitol square. Most people put out a blanket and bring a picnic. Wine and beer is allowed as well.
If you are there for the music you can get pretty close as long as you get there early. But concert goers spread out across the majority of the square and socialize a lot as well.
It’s a great event for people of all ages.

One of the best things about Summer in Madison. The people watching is great. The conversations that go around are fun. Oh, and the music is wonderful each time.
I prefer to bring my chair and sit in the street or sidewalk. But the blanket folks have a great time too. Me and my friends usually find some good food items and enjoy trying new wines as we listen to the music program.
There are great vendors available if you don’t bring your own dinner. There are sandwiches, salads, Pad Thai and curry, BBQ, popcorn and the famous Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream.

This is a special gem happening Wednesday nights in July. Gather around Madison’s beautiful Capitol square with your lawn blanket or short-​legged chairs. Pack a picnic (don’t forget beer and wine) or purchase dinner from one of the vendors, and listen to the Madison Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra accompanies other musicians, typically singers or an instrument soloist.
It’s an idyllic way to spend a summer evening with your friends and neighbors. It’s a fantastic and easily accessible way to expose yourself to beautiful music.
Tip 1: arrive early, as blanket spaces fill up quickly, especially those near the stage. You can place your blanket and (no taller than 6 inch leg) chairs on the lawn starting after 3 PM. Many people reserve their space and return to work for a couple of hours.
Tip 2: take the city bus or ride your bike. City parking garages fill quickly.
Tip 3: purchase a bottle from Square Wine Co, but bring your own corkscrew. It’s illegal for you to walk out with an uncorked bottle.
Tip 4: if you arrive empty handed, enjoy a boxed dinner from one of a variety of vendors. There’s also a tent selling beer from Wisconsin Brewing Co. and wine from Wollersheim. Beer is sold in 16 oz cups and wine is sold by the cup or bottle.
Tip 5: enjoy!

One of the best summer activities in Madison. Bring a blanket, bring a picnic, bring some friends, and enjoy a free concert by the Madison Chamber Orchestra.
You can put blankets out as early as 3 PM, and if you’re there right at 3 you have a great chance of getting a spot in view of the stage. The etiquette is generally that if you sit in view of the stage, you’ll keep quiet during the performance. If you’d rather be a bit more casual and chat, aim for spots across from Brocach or the Old Fashioned.
The MCO is lovely, and the programming does a great job of mixing new material and crowd favorites (I’m pretty sure every season from now until the end of time will feature the «1812 Overture» — no complaints here).
The 2015 season opener was my first time sitting close enough that I could see the stage, and after years of hearing Andrew Sewell’s charming voice it was a pleasure to actually see him conduct. The soloist, a 14-​year-​old violinist, was impressive. Not just impressive for a kid, but genuinely a beautiful musician who played with his whole body.
Looking forward to more lovely nights in the shade of the Capitol dome this summer!

Great time provided weather holds. Friendly people, tasty snacks and drinks, and less crowded than you would think. Family friendly as well as pets.
Overall, an enjoyable evening for a $ 2 donation.

I was in town for training and accidently found this concert. Def. a very classy place to listen to some music and support local hot spots!

One of my favorite activities during the summer in Madison. Grab a blanket, bring some food and a beverage or two (note that alcohol is allowed) and lay back and enjoy. It’s a great social scene to be apart of.
Tip: You can start claiming spots starting at 3:00 pm by laying down a blanket. Spots fill up quick, so if you are a large group, best to get down there early!

Pack a picnic and grab some wine! Concerts on the square is a great way to spend a warm summer night in Madison. Concerts are Wednesday nights in June/​July — check the website for dates.
You can start putting blankets down at 3pm to save a spot. Most people put a blanket down and come back around 5 or 6pm. Traffic is terrible. If you can avoid it, I wouldn’t recommend driving.
There are lots of food tents serving delicious food if picnics aren’t your style.
If you run out of wine, head over to Square Wine Co. to grab another bottle!

Always a good time!
There are some rules about how early you can stake out a spot and other rules about general courtesy, otherwise, it is pretty much a free for all.
Get there early (or get your friends to get there early), and don’t forget your wine and cheese!

Concerts on the square is one of those things that makes Madison, «Madison.»
Do you like picnics? I do. With wine? Yep. The Wisconsin Symphony? Yes, please.
This is the superbowl of picnicking. Better bring your game. People go all out to execute the perfect picnic. BYOP – 3 course minimum. Cheese and meat plates for appetizers, some awesome main dish out of one of those summer cooking magazines, and a fruit cobbler for dessert. This is my routine (with help of the girlfriend). ((lots of help from the girlfriend)).
They’re held on Wednesdays. You’re allowed to show up as early as 3pm to put down your blanket to claim a spot. Most people will return around 6pm to start munching and wine sipping. The orchestra starts at 7pm and lasts till about 8:30.
Such an awesome way to enjoy the summer. I think they have only 5 concerts per summer… don’t miss it!

A Madison summer classic.
Grab a picnic blanket, some snacks (I recommend cheese, sausage, & crackers), and a bottle of wine and enjoy an evening outside listening to music!
It doesn’t get much better than that.

Yes.
More.
Like MONTHS more.
Why, why must you end after 5 weeks.
(such a tease)

It is wonderful to hear good music and share good food, drink and conversation with good friends. This is one of the best things about a great town. When our mothers were alive, they loved to go with us to the concerts. It gave them a chance to help feed us, which ranked as high on their favorite things to do as spending time with us. Remembering them also adds a nice dimension to the experience.

I love attending Concerts on the Square!
Every Wednesday, typically from late June through early July, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra sets up stage on the Capitol grounds at 7pm to provide Madisonians with a weekly free concert. Each week is themed (from Classical to Disney and everything in between).
Get there a little early, brings chairs or a blanket, have a picnic or enjoy food and drinks from local vendors. A great way to spend a nice summer’s eve!