South Bend Venues Parks & Arts is kicking off its annual Summer Concert Series and Fridays by the Fountain events this week, offering residents free live entertainment throughout the summer.

The Summer Concert Series begins Thursday and runs through September, featuring live music, food trucks and community activities at several city parks.

Concerts will be held Thursdays at Howard Park from 6 to 8 p.m., Sundays at Seitz Park from 3 to 5 p.m., and Sundays at Potawatomi Park from 6 to 8 p.m. Additional performances will take place on the first Friday of each month at either Howard Park or Seitz Park.

Meanwhile, Fridays by the Fountain returns Friday at the Jon R. Hunt Plaza outside The Morris Performing Arts Center. The free lunchtime concerts will run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. from June through August and will also feature food trucks.

A complete schedule of performances is available on the South Bend Venues Parks & Arts website.