Ah, yes, the lazy days of summer. Gone are the days of sitting through boring PowerPoint presentations as the professor reads the text word for word from each slide (I mean really, what’s the point of that?) and writing thesis papers about topics you don’t really care about. But now that you don’t have to get to class by 9 a.m. (OK, fine, by 1 p.m., and only if you feel like it) anymore, what are you going to do with yourself?

Of course, you could while away your days partying until your liver gives out, but that could get expensive and in this economy, maybe that’s not such a great idea. You could also try getting a job, but how much are you going to want to spend your hard earned cash after the government has already taken a third of your earnings?

So how about a night of free music on the town instead? Every summer, a few select parks and museums organize a series of free concerts, some of which last well into September.

Take LACMA’s Friday Night Jazz (5905 Wilshire Blvd.; lacma.org), for example. Now in its 18th season, this weekly concert showcases Los Angeles’ finest jazz musicians and is held in the Los Angeles Times Central Court (you know, the one with the streetlights) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. through November. Come after 7 p.m. for free parking in the garage on 6th Street and bring your laptop for the free Wi-Fi. Stay afterwards to check out the art.

There’s also Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Center (1200 Getty Center Drive; getty.edu), where you can enjoy the city views while sipping cocktails from the cash bar or nosh on treats from the Garden Café from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (free parking after 5 p.m.). Of course, Getty food can be pretty pricey, so you might want to bring a picnic to eat on the lawn instead. There are only three concerts left (July 11 and 25, Aug. 8) in this summer’s series running every other Saturday, but keep checking the Getty’s Web site for updates and additional dates, including Sept. 26 and Oct. 10.

Rounding out our listing of concerts being held at museums is Also I Like to Rock, being held every Thursday (when admission is free!) through July 23, and Jazzpop, from July 30 until August 13, in the courtyard at the Hammer Museum (10899 Wilshire Blvd.; hammer.ucla.edu). Seating is on a first come, first served basis, so you might want to get there a little early. Concerts start at 8 p.m., and parking is only $3 below the museum after 6 p.m.

The Skirball Cultural Center (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.; skirball.org) is celebrating musical traditions from around the globe with its Sunset Concerts from July16 to Aug. 13. From Malian musical great Issa Bagayogo (July 16) to Middle Eastern artist Omar Faruk Tekbilek (Aug. 13), soak up the sounds from beyond our borders. Concerts start at 8 p.m. and parking is $5.

On Thursdays nights at Burton Chace Park (13650 Mindanao Way) in Marina del Rey, Frank Fetta and the Marina del Rey Symphony will be playing at 7 p.m. every other week from July 9 through Aug. 20. Every other Saturday at 7 p.m. is reserved for pop, July 18 through Aug. 29.

If you’re looking for more of a dance party, you might want to check out the Santa Monica Twilight Dance Series at the Santa Monica Pier (santamonicapier.org). Running every Thursday in July and August, this pier-side concert is an annual neighborhood institution now in its 25th season. The concerts run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and with sponsors like Amoeba Music, you know this party’s guaranteed to be a good time. Come early to do some window shopping at the Third Street Promenade or just catch some rays on the beach.

If Santa Monica’s too far, but you’ve still got that jitterbug, then maybe Dance Downtown at the Music Center (135 N. Grand Ave.; musiccenter.org) is more up your alley. Held in the Music Center Plaza, these bi-monthly dance classes feature everything from swing to samba accompanied by live music or DJs from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. every other Friday starting July 10. Parking is $8 in the Music Center’s garage and admission is first come, first served. Be sure to check the Web site to see the night’s theme.

Of course, if you’re in the San Fernando Valley, there’s always Concerts in the Park at Warner Ranch Park (5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd.; valleycultural.org). Happening every Sunday in July and August (except on July 4 with fireworks instead of July 5), these concerts always draw a crowd of locals. Almost all of the concerts start at 6 p.m. and parking is $8 at three nearby parking structures. But really, the Westfield Promenade is only a block away, and for free parking, why not enjoy the summer evening and walk?

The L.A. County Arts Commission offers free concerts at public venues everywhere from Pasadena to Downtown. Dedicated to offering musical quality and diversity to the public, these concerts are scheduled on various days and showcase artists ranging from R&B to mariachi and everything in between. Dates and times are subject to change, so for full, up-to-date details, visit lacountyarts.org.

There are also all sorts of concerts striking up in Pershing Square (532 S. Olive St.; laparks.org/pershingsquare) at the Downtown Stage from July 15 through Aug. 23. Pershing Square presents musical offerings on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. With so many nights to choose from, you’re bound to find something you like. Parking can be tough, though, so public transit might be your best bet.

Want music accompanied by alcohol? Check out Grand Performances at California Plaza (350 S. Grand Ave.; grandperformances.org), where patrons are allowed to bring alcohol (except for red wine, for fear of staining) to these weekend (plus some Thursdays and Fridays) concerts. Most concerts start at 8 p.m., but seating opens two hours in advance.

If you like to take your music with a bit of shopping, head on over to Space 15 Twenty (1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd.; space15twenty.com) for Thursdays in the Courtyard from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Shop at Urban Outfitters or wander around Gallery Space while listening to a new band (or sometimes DJ) each week. Parking for these concerts is free for one hour with validation.

If you’re looking for something a little more popular, be sure to drop by the Hollywood & Highland Center for Wine, Jazz & Moonlight. Every Tuesday through August, this megalithic shopping center (and popular tourist destination) is offering up their courtyard to a new jazz musician sponsored by KJAZZ 88.1 FM. Project Angel Food is also providing two glasses of wine and a box of crackers for a $10 donation during these 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. performances. Parking is $4 for two hours with validation from any Hollywood & Highland shop.

With so many events happening in and around Los Angeles, why not check one out, or even make it a weekly group event? At the very least, it’ll be a good excuse to get yourself out of the mass of blankets you’ve been sitting in for the past two weeks, dig around in your bathroom until you find your toothbrush and head out of the house for an evening of fun.