Washington can be an expensive place to live — especially when you’re a summer intern being paid in workplace experience. So while the five-star restaurants and trendy bars might be a little out of reach, interns can listen to live music virtually any time throughout the summer without paying a single cent.

[IMGCAP(1)]From Farragut North to Arlington, Va., free concerts abound in Washington, treating residents to the best summer tunes that the metro area has to offer.

Sounds in the Square
Farragut Square Park

This diverse lineup of concerts, taking place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday nights in June and July, features a broad range of musical styles from some of Washington’s most up-and-coming bands. Listeners are welcome to bring food and nonalcoholic beverages as they take in the sounds of every genre from modern country to salsa. Each concert will conclude with raffles for gift certificates and other prizes. For more information, go to gtbid.com.

Sunset Serenades
National Zoo

On three Thursday nights — July 9, 16 and 23 — the National Zoo will host a free concert from 6 to 8 p.m. on its Lion/Tiger Hill. The concerts will feature a different group each week and maintain a mellow, easy listening motif, with mostly acoustic folk, jazz and reggae sounds. For more information, visit the National Zoo’s Web site at nationalzoo.si.edu.

Jazz in the Garden
National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will host a series of evening jazz concerts from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each Friday through Sept. 11. The concerts cover the entire spectrum of jazz, from Brazilian bossa nova to jazz-rock fusion. Acts include a wide array of vocals, instrumentals and tributes to legends like Duke Ellington. In case of rain, concerts will be held inside the Pavilion Cafe. For more information, visit the National Gallery’s Web site at nga.gov.

Air Force Band Summer Concerts
Air Force Memorial

The U.S. Air Force Band will play free concerts at the Air Force Memorial at 8 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday, beginning June 3 through Aug. 28. The shows include tributes to some of music’s greatest masters such as Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. The series also features several themed programs with focuses on patriotic anthems and Broadway show tunes. For more information, visit the band’s Web site at www.usafband.af.mil.

Marine Corps Evening Parade
Marine Barracks

One of the longest-standing free musical traditions in Washington is back for the summer, as the Marine Corps Barracks hosts another season of the evening parade. This military spectacle, first performed in 1957, showcases the finest music and precision marching that Marine Corps has to offer. The parade is held at 8 p.m. every Friday night from now until Aug. 28. Participants include “The President’s Own— United States Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own— United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Ceremonial Marchers, and Lance Cpl. Chesty XIII, the mascot of Marine Barracks Washington. For more information, visit Marine Barracks Washington’s Web site at mbw.usmc.mil.