There’s nothing better on a warm evening than listening to music outdoors. We are updating a list of outdoor concert series for 2026 in the Triangle. You’ll find live music in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Wake Forest, and more.
Maybe “summer” stretches a little bit into spring and autumn too. Most of these concert series are family friendly. At many you can purchase food from food trucks.
Most of these concerts are free, but we also include some that are low-cost.
Many of the concert series have been been announced yet at the time of this update (March 20, 2026) but we will be checking back regularly to update this list.
Read about some of our favorite outdoor concert series, and then scroll down for a day by day list of every outdoor concert on Triangle on the Cheap’s calendar for the next 60 days. You can jump right to the day by day list if you’d like, and see what’s going on today!
The day by day list includes outdoor concerts at festivals, breweries, and markets as well. Make sure to follow each link for details.
Learn about outdoor movies throughout the Triangle!
Outdoor Concert Series in the Triangle
Read on to learn about some of the outdoor concert series in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Wake Forest and beyond.
Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough
Freight Train Blues
Freight Train Blues Concert Series
Fridays from May 15 to June 12, 2026
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Carrboro Town Commons
301 West Main Street, Carrboro, NC
Free
This concert series pays homage to Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten, the Carrboro blues legend. Donations go to Music Maker Relief Foundation, which helps elderly roots musicians who are living in poverty.
Southern Village’s Sunday Night Live
Sunday Night Live
Check back soon.
Southern Village, 600 Market Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Free
Fridays on the Front Porch
Fridays on the Front Porch
Check back soon.
Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill
Free
Last Fridays Makers Market
Last Fridays Makers Market
Last Friday of the month from April to October, 2026
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Old Courthouse Lawn in Hillsborough, 104 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC
Free
As part of Hillsborough’s Last Fridays Art Walk, Live on the Lawn features live music. There’s also a makers’ market starting in May.
Wind Down Wednesday
Wind Down Wednesday
Wednesdays from April 1 to October 21, 2026
6 p.m.
La Vita Dolce at Southern Village
610 Market Street, Chapel Hill, NC
Free
Kid-friendly, dog-friendly event. Wide variety of live music every week, plus wine specials.
Durham
PLAYlist
PLAYlist Concert Series
Check back soon for the official details. It generally takes place the the first Friday of the month. The opening day for the series is May 1, 2026.
6 p.m.
Durham Central Park
501 Foster Street, Durham
Free
Each evening starts with a DJ spinning tunes live at the park at 7 p.m., and then the headlining band takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. Finally, the DJ closes the night out with a dance party.
Music at the Stack
Music at the Stack
Check back soon to see if this event is returning in 2026.
Stack Alley, at American Tobacco Campus
316 Blackwell Street, Durham, NC
6:30 p.m.
Free
The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle is presenting this concert series, featuring a wide variety of musical artists.
Music in the Gardens
Music Near the Gardens
Check back soon to see if there will be a Music in (or near) the Gardens in 2026.
7 p.m.
Duke’s East Campus, behind the East Duke Building
1304 Campus Drive, Durham, North Carolina.
Free (no reservations required this year.)
Durham Parks and Recreation’s Summer Concert Series
Durham Parks and Recreation’s Summer Concert Series
Dates from June 13 to August 22, 2026. Check back soon for locations and bands.
6 to 8 p.m.
Parks vary
Free
This concert series also featured a rotating lineup of food trucks.
Streets at Southpoint
Music on Main
Check back soon.
5 to 8 p.m.
Streets at Southpoint
6910 Fayetteville Road, Durham
Free
Raleigh
Live After 5
Live After 5
Check back soon to see if Live After 5 is returning.
6 to 9 p.m.
City Plaza
443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Free
Live @ Lake Raleigh
Live@Lake Raleigh
Check back soon to see if this concert series is returning in 2026.
6 p.m.
Lake Raleigh
Main Campus Drive and Campus Shores Drive, Raleigh
Free
This family friendly concert series presented by NC State LIVE features a diverse lineup of bands.
Midtown Beach Music Series
Midtown Beach Music Series
Thursdays from April 16 to July 23, 2026
6 to 9 p.m.
Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street, Raleigh
$8.73, including fees
The concert series features beach music, Motown, oldies R&B and more.
Pop Up Music Series at North Hills
Pop Up Music Series at North Hills
Fridays and Sundays from April 3 to May 31, and from September 11 to October 25, 2025.
Fridays 6 to 9 p.m. and Sundays 2 to 5 p.m.
North Hills, 4321 Lassiter at North Hills Avenue, Raleigh
Free
The Friday concerts are in The Commons and the Sunday concerts are in Midtown Park.
Raleigh Summer Concert Series
Raleigh Summer Concert Series
Select Sundays from May 31 to August 23, 2026
Fletcher Park, 820 Clay Street, Raleigh
Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
6 to 8 p.m.
Cary, Apex and Morrisville
Bands, Bites and Boats
Bands, Bites and Boats
First Friday of month from April to October, 2026 (except July, when it’s July 10)
Time varies a little
Bond Park Boathouse
801 High House Road, Cary
Free
This is a concert series that you can enjoy from land or in a boat on the lake! Each event also features a food truck and brewery.
Summer Concert Series at Waverly Place
Summer Concert Series at Waverly Place
Wednesdays from June 3 to 24, 2026
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Waverly Place, 575 New Waverly Place, Cary
Free
Sunset Concert Series at Waverly Place
Sunset Concert Series at Waverly Place
Wednesdays in September, 2026
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Waverly Place, 575 New Waverly Place, Cary
Free
Josh Cellars Jazz Series
KBA Jazz Series
Wednesdays from April 1 to April 22, 2026
5:45 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
$7.38 for lawn tickets. (Plus $3 per order.) Kids 12 and under do not need tickets for the lawn
Live in the District
Live in the District
Check back soon for 2026.
6:30 to 9 p.m.
In front of B&B Theatres in Park West
3400 Village Market Place, Morrisville, NC
Free
Features beach music. Local breweries and food trucks will be at each event.
CaryLive!
CaryLive!
Check back soon for 206.
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Free
Live at Lunch
Live at Lunch
Every other Thursday from March 26 to May 21, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park
327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC
Free
Crossroads Plaza
Crossroads Plaza Weekly Music Series
Check back soon for 2026.
6 to 8 p.m.
Crossroads Plaza (on patio in front of Subway)
213 Crossroads Blvd, Cary, NC
Free
Summer Vibes
Summer Vibes Music Series
Check back soon for 2026.
6 to 8 p.m.
Various parks in the Town of Cary’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department
Free
Music in the Park in Morrisville
Music in the Park
First Friday of the month from May to September, 2026, except for July. There will be an additional concert on June 19 for Juneteenth.
Most are from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Indian Creek Trailhead
101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC
Free
At each event there will also be a food truck.
Other Spots in Western Wake County
Groovin’ in Garner
Groovin’ in Garner
Check back soon for 2026.
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Garner Recreation Center Lawn, 215 W Main Street, Garner, NC
Free
Summer at the Springs
Summer at the Springs
One Friday of the month from May to August, 2026
6 to 9 p.m.
Holly Springs Cultural Center, 300 W. Ballentine St., Holly Springs
Free
FM2FV Concert Series
FM2FV
Four Spring Concerts in April and May, 2026
There is usually a fall concert series as well
6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Centennial Square
102 North Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Free
These fun gatherings in Fuquay-Varina feature beach music.
Wake Forest and Rolesville
Friday Night on White
Friday Night on White
2nd Friday of month from April to September, 2026
6 to 9 p.m.
White Street in Wake Forest, NC
Free
Top 40 and party bands.
Six Sundays in Spring
Six Sundays in Spring
Every Sunday from April 27 to June 1, 2025
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest
Free
Music at Mill Bridge
Music at Mill Bridge (Wake Forest/Rolesville)
Check back soon.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Mill Bridge Nature Park Amphitheatre, 425 Nature Park Drive, Wake Forest
Eastern Wake County
Wendell’s Meet on Main Concert Series
Wendell’s Meet on Main
April 17, May 15, June 19, September 18, 2026
5 to 10 p.m.
Downtown Wendell, NC
Free
Spring Concert Series in Zebulon
Zebulon Spring Concert Series
Check back soon for 2026
6 to 9 p.m.
Lawn of Town Hall, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon
Free
Johnston County
River Jam
River Jam
One Friday of the month from March to June, 2026
7 p.m.
Neuse River Amphitheater
150 S Front Street, Smithfield, NC
Free
Chatham County
Bynum Front Porch Music Series
Bynum Front Porch Music Series
Scheduled on Fridays from May 1 to August 28, 2026
7 p.m.
Bynum Front Porch, 950 Bynum Road, Pittsboro
Free
This concert series takes place outside the old Bynum General Store in Pittsboro, Chatham County. There are also some storytelling events. It’s free but the hat (specifically, the pith helmet) is passed.
MOSAIC
Summer Jam Music Series at MOSAIC
Check back soon.
Music starts at 7 p.m.
MOSAIC event lawn, 367 Freedom Parkway, Pittsboro
Free
Elsewhere
Saturdays in Saxapahaw
Saturdays in Saxapahaw
Check back soon for 2026.
5 to 8 p.m. (music starts at 6 p.m.)
1624 Jordan Drive, Graham, NC
Free
Live music, a farmers’ market, and kids’ activities. If it rains and there’s nothing scheduled for the Haw River Ballroom, the concert will move inside.
Sanford’s Downtown Alive Music Series
Downtown Alive! in Sanford
Check back soon for 2026.
6:30 p.m.
The Depot
106 Charlotte Avenue, Sanford, NC
Free
Beach and Top 40 music.
Ckeeton says
Please cull the listings that no longer apply. Scrolling through lines of text for events that took place a month or two ago is frustrating.
Jody Mace says
Actually, we have a day by day list that starts on whatever day you’re looking at the post! Just jump to the “day by day” list. There’s a jump link to that part of the post before the descriptions of all the concert series. We won’t be removing the descriptions of the concert series, even if they’re over for now, because it’s helpful to see the annual events. But by jumping to the day by day list, you’ll be right where you want to be!