As Noel Coward sang, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. It might be true - but who can blame us, with such a fantastic selection of summer shows to choose from?

Pack a picnic, a couple of bottles of wine, a blanket and treat yourself to an outdoor concert where you can laze around in cool fresh grass as waves of glorious music drift overhead.

There is something to suit every musical taste, from jazz and blues, rock and pop, to classical and opera.

The Guide has a pair of free tickets to give away for every one of these concerts so choose one that takes your fancy and enter the competition below...

As Noel Coward sang, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.

It might be true - but who can blame us, with such a fantastic selection of summer shows to choose from?

Pack a picnic, a couple of bottles of wine, a blanket and treat yourself to an outdoor concert where you can laze around in cool fresh grass as waves of glorious music drift overhead.

There is something to suit every musical taste, from jazz and blues, rock and pop, to classical and opera.

Elton John, Sussex County Cricket Ground, Eaton Road, Hove, Sunday June 25
- The biggie of the season as the legendary Rocket Man finally returns to Sussex. Sir Elton played to more than 100,000 people last Summer - including sold out stadium shows in Galpharm, Britannia and Reebok - and this summer is not going to be any different. Tickets may be sold out but where there's a will (and a big wallet) there is surely a way: A rare opportunity to hear an incredible collection of classic hits from Are You Ready For Love to Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me, straight from the horse's mouth. Starts 2pm. Tickets cost £40-£100. Call 08712 302612.

Il Divo, Petworth House And Park, National Trust, Petworth, Sunday, July 16
- Pop ballads are given an passionate, operatic twist by good-looking young quartet Il Divo. Performing at Petworth House as part of The Summer Open Air Nights Concert Series, this is sure to be a sell-out since Il Divo have become one of the biggest-selling groups ever, with a staggering 26 Number one records and sales of more than 10 million albums worldwide. This concert is part of their first-ever world tour which will see the group perform 18 countries and 58 cities. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £37.50- £40. Call 0870 400 0688.

Simply red, Petworth House And Park National Trust, Petworth, Saturday, July 15
- Mick Hucknall may not be the most popular chap in showbiz (Simon Cowell nominated him "the most irritating popstar", to which Mick replied: "To be honoured in this way by the very man who is singlehandedly responsible for turning the music industry into soap powder was just underwhelming!") Still, you can't knock his voice. The soulful, funky sound of Simply Red has evolved over more than 20 years with ten albums and many more chart-topping singles, so expect to be singing along to all their tunes. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £40. Call 0870 400 0688.

The Chichester Open Air Classical Concert, West Dean Gardens, Chichester, Saturday, July 29
- This concert takes place in the beautiful parkland alongside the 19th Century flint-faced mansion. The estate, with its 35 acres of ornamental gardens, is an impressive backdrop and dramatic setting for the acclaimed Orchestra Viva who will be performing popular classics and music from the silver screen, a dramatic flypast by a Second World War Hurricane and fireworks. Get there as early 4pm to allow yourself plenty of time to set up your picnic and to enjoy the tranquil setting. Starts 8pm. Tickets cost £21-£31. Call 0845 6036343.

Van Morrison, Battle Abbey, Battle, Saturday, August 26
- Musical genius George Ivan "Van" Morrison is one of the world's most brilliant songwriters. His Celtic soul, despite the grumpy exterior, undoubtedly refreshes the parts other musicians fail to reach - just don't expect any friendly between-song banter. The Irishman who first rose to fame with his band Them in the Sixties and has released a solo album almost every year since 1968. While he will undoubtedly throw in a few crowd-pleasers, Van is never one for just churning out all his hits, so you can expect plenty of new material and pleasant surprises. This concert is part of the annual English Heritage Music On A Summer Evening series of picnic concerts - at Battle Abbey for the first time in 2006. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £29. Buy tickets online at www.picnicconcerts.com .

Two-day Recycling 4 Africa Music Festival, Fontwell Park Racecourse, Nr Arundel, Friday, August 4 and Sunday August 6
- Have fun and make a difference too at Fontwell Park Racecourse this summer. Recycling 4 Africa is a charity which regenerates any unwanted mobile phones and sells them to African countries. As well as being good news for the environment, all the profits go to African charities. This two-day event kicks off at 6pm on Friday, with Southern FM warming up the atmosphere before two popular tribute acts The Illegal Eagles and Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, conjure up the sound of the Seventies. On Sunday, X Factor Stars, featuring Chico, Brenda, Andy and Maria, will strut their stuff. Opening the show will be Chico, the cheeky lad from Crawley who knocked Madonna off the Number One spot a few weeks ago with his very own Chico Time. Next up will be Brenda, a woman with a powerful set of lungs. The show continues with the beautiful and talented Maria Lawson, who deservedly has just signed a record deal with Sony BMG and is due to release a single later this month. Last act on the bill will be the former bin man Andy Abraham, whose single Hang Up is tipped to make Number One. Starts 7pm. Tickets cost £20 (£10 for under 16s). Call 0871 2304434.

Jools Holland And His Rhythm And Blues Orchestra, Petworth House And Park National Trust, Petworth, Friday, July 14
- Britain's best-loved boogie-woogie pianist Jools Holland and his Big Band, the Rhythm And Blues Orchestra, are joined by special guests Sam Brown and Ruby Turner. Former member of new-wave pop combo Squeeze, Jools is best known for his Channel 4 show, Later With Jools Holland and his talent for bringing a diverse range of musicians together is unrivalled both on television and on the stage. He's been at the helm of his 18-piece orchestra for more than 15 years and it's one of the longest-running and most successful big bands in the world. Starts 8pm. Tickets cost £32.50. Call 08700 667733.

Summer Magic Proms, Borde Hill Garden, Balcombe Road, Haywards Heath, Saturday, August 5
- A spectacular event in a beautiful setting, Summer Magic Proms returns to Borde Hill Garden for the fifth year in a row. BBC Radio 2 music presenter Frank Renton will conduct and compere the British Concert Orchestra as they perform great works from the world of opera, the classics and much-loved movie and stage show themes. As always, concert-goers can arrive at the venue from 3pm and are free to tour the award-winning landscaped gardens and lakeside at no extra charge (usual admission £6) prior to the opening of the concert field at 5.30pm. A Spitfire, support bands and fireworks complete the bill. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20 (£8 for children). Call 01444 450326.

Last Night Of The Battle Abbey Proms, Sunday, August 26
- A flag-waving last night party celebrating British tradition, encapsulating the spirit of the Music On A Summer Evening series. The all-embracing programme will feature the much-loved classics, Elgar's Pomp And Circumstance, Nimrod, Jerusalem and Rule Britannia. Multiple platinum selling-tenor Russell Watson makes a guest appearance and, as a special celebration of the 70th anniversary of the very first flight of the Spitfire, witness a spectacular choreographed spitfire flight to Walton's Spitfire Prelude And Fugue, followed by a fantastic firework finale. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets cost £22.50. Buy tickets online at www.picnicconcerts.com