NC State’s very popular free, family-friendly, outdoor concert series, LIVE @ Lake Raleigh, is returning in April and May of 2026.
It takes place at Lake Raleigh, Main Campus Drive & Campus Shores Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Gates will open at 5 p.m., and food trucks will be on site at that time. The concerts start at 6 p.m.
Love outdoor music? Check out our huge day by day list of outdoor music around the Triangle! Most of the shows are free.
LIVE @ Lake Raleigh Schedule
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Duck
Get your boogie on when Duck takes the stage for our first LIVE at Lake Raleigh concert of the season! This funky, bluesy, jazzy band brings the party. Like their t-shirts say, it’s time for DUCK, DUCK, GROOVE. And you’ll be catching them LIVE the night before their new album (“Funk Prayer”) drops.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Kaira Ba with Jennifer Curtis
Kaira Ba ecstatically explores the spiritual songs, stories, and rhythms of Senegal’s millennia-old Mandé culture. Headed by Diali Cissokho, who comes from a long line of prominent griots, the band integrates the traditional sounds of the kora with guitars, keyboard and an exuberant rhythm section. Kaira Ba will be joined by violinist Jennifer Curtis, described as a “multi-genre maverick” by the San Diego Union Tribune.
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Laura Gonzqui
North Carolihna singer Laura Gonzqui was born in Venezuela. Her Latin-fusion sound incorporates jazz, soul, blues, salsa and world music. Noted for her performances at multiple renowned festivals, she enchants audiences with her rich vocals and dynamic presence. Laura is making her second appearance on the LIVE at Lake Raleigh series.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Palmyra
For the final concert of the 2026 LIVE at Lake Raleigh series, we welcome the Virginia-based Americana/folk rock band Palmyra. This trio – first seen by our team at Raleigh Wide Open last October – exists at the intersection of indie rock and raw folk music. They explore the fusion of traditional folk string instruments, lush harmony, and earnest songwriting.
Map and Parking for LIVE @ Lake Raleigh
All of Centennial Campus offers free parking after 5 p.m. There’s street and lot parking throughout Centennial. Consult the map, below, on parking lots and decks near the concert.
Food and Drink
Food trucks will be on site. They’ll be announced on the Live @ Lake Raleigh website.
In addition, you’re welcome to bring your own food, but no grills or open flames. You can also bring your own beer and wine but no glass, and no liquor or spirits.
Local breweries will be selling beer on site as well.
Accessibility
There is a place to drop off patrons near the front gate. The event is an open field with a slight slope. There are no sidewalks, but the grass is not thick and wheelchairs are able to roll through the grass.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Outdoor Music in the Triangle
Learn all about outdoor music in the Triangle, or take a quick look at some of the upcoming outdoor concerts here:
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