City of Groton Concerts in the Park: Diva and the Playboys

City of Groton Concerts in the Park: Diva and the Playboys brings decades of pop hits to Washington Park on Friday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m. The free summer concert pairs a dance-friendly set from one of this year’s newcomers with food trucks, ice cream and plenty of room for families to spread out across the park.

Diva and the Playboys are built for a crowd with a wide age range. Their songbook stretches from Dion and the pop and rock of the 1960s all the way to Dua Lipa and current hits. Rather than concentrating on a single decade or style, the band moves through generations of familiar music, with an interactive show designed to keep people singing and dancing.

The concert is part of the annual Friday night series co-sponsored and co-produced by Groton Utilities and the City of Groton Parks and Recreation Department. Diva and the Playboys are one of four bands making their series debut in 2026, joining Mystic Dead, Branded and Whiskey Boulevard among a schedule that also brings back local favorites including Wild Nights, The Cartells and Wicked Peach.

About Diva and the Playboys

Diva and the Playboys approach the cover-band format with a very broad definition of “pop.”

That means a set can jump across decades instead of spending the night locked into one musical era. The band’s repertoire reaches back to 1960s favorites and moves through classic rock, dance music and later pop before arriving at contemporary artists.

It’s an approach that makes sense at Washington Park. This isn’t a late-night club show aimed at one particular audience. Parents, kids and grandparents can all recognize different parts of the set, and the band’s emphasis on audience interaction keeps the concert moving.

The basketball court also becomes an unofficial dance floor during the summer concerts, so nobody needs to stay planted in a lawn chair once the band gets going.

A Friday Night Tradition at Washington Park

Groton’s summer concerts are designed as inexpensive family nights rather than formal performances.

All shows begin at 6:30 p.m. on Fridays at Washington Park, with spectators encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and settle in for the evening.

There’s room for children to come along without parents worrying about keeping them silent through a concert, and the open park setting gives people the freedom to move around, grab food or head over to the basketball court to dance.

Diva and the Playboys’ August 14 appearance comes near the end of a season that mixes returning regional favorites with several bands appearing at the series for the first time.

Food Trucks for August 14

You don’t necessarily need to eat before coming to the park.

Several food vendors are scheduled for the Diva and the Playboys concert, giving families options for dinner, dessert and coffee during the show.

Scheduled vendors include:

• Taqueria Cinco
• Issa Catering
• Robin’s Ice Cream
• Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck

A concession stand is also part of the concert setup.

With music starting at 6:30 p.m., arriving a little early makes sense if you’re planning to order dinner and find a good place for your chairs before the performance begins.

What to Bring

The concerts take place outdoors in Washington Park, so bring your own lawn chairs or a blanket.

Families planning to stay for the full evening may also want sunscreen for the beginning of the concert and insect repellent as the sun starts going down.

If dancing is more your speed, you won’t have to negotiate your way between rows of chairs. The park’s basketball court provides a large open area where concertgoers can dance during the show.

Weather and Cancellations

Because the concert is outdoors, weather can affect the schedule.

The City of Groton maintains a dedicated concert hotline for current information and cancellation notices. If rain or thunderstorms are threatening Friday evening, call 860-446-4129 before heading to Washington Park.

Event Details

Date: Friday, August 14, 2026

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Performer: Diva and the Playboys

Series: City of Groton Concerts in the Park

Location: Washington Park

Address: Meridian Street, Groton, CT

Admission: Free

Food: Taqueria Cinco, Issa Catering, Robin’s Ice Cream and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck are scheduled for the evening.

Seating: Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

Dancing: The basketball court provides space for dancing.

Recommended For: All ages and families.

Presented By: Groton Utilities and the City of Groton Parks and Recreation Department

Weather/Cancellation Hotline: 860-446-4129

Important Note: This is an outdoor concert. Check the hotline for cancellation information if poor weather is expected.

More Information

For more information, visit the event website using the Event Website link below.