There’s nothing better on a warm evening than listening to music outdoors. Here’s a list of free summer concert series for 2022 in the Triangle. You’ll find live music in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Smithfield, 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’ve also included some that are low-cost.
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 90 days. This list includes outdoor concerts at festivals and market as well. Make sure to follow each link for details.
Outdoor Concert Series in the Triangle
Read on to learn about some of the outdoor concert series in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest and beyond. There are more that should be announced soon, and we’ll add them here.
Freight Train Blues
Freight Train Blues Concert Series
Fridays from May 13th to June 10th, 2022
6:30 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 Foudnation, which helps elderly roots musicians who are living in poverty.
Raleigh Summer Concert Series
Raleigh Summer Concert Series
Select Sundays from May 15th to August 14th, 2022
6 p.m.
Pullen Park, 520 Ashe Avenue, Raleigh
Fred Fletcher Park, 820 Clay Street, Raleigh
Free
PLAYlist
PLAYlist Concert Series
First Friday of the month, from May to October, 2022
7 p.m.
Durham Central Park
501 Foster Street, Durham
Free
Each evening starts with DJ Travis Gales spinning his Friday Night Mix live at the park, and then the headlining band takes the stage at 8 p.m.
Live @ Lake Raleigh
Live@Lake Raleigh
Four Thursdays in April and May
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, from Indie Pop to Americana to Latin Music to Hip Hop.
Bands, Bites and Boats
Bands, Bites and Boats
First Friday of month from April to October
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.
Saturdays in Saxapahaw
Saturdays in Saxapahaw
Saturdays from May 7th to August 27th, 2022
5 to 8 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.
Sundays at Sundown
Sundays at Sundown
Sundays from April 10th to May 29th, 2022
7 p.m.
Southern Village, 600 Market Street, Chapel Hill
Free
This concert series features a wide variety of genres, from country to jazz.
Midtown Beach Music Series
Midtown Beach Music Series
Thursdays from April 21st to June 23rd, 2022
5 to 9 p.m.
Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street, Raleigh
$5 in advance, $10 day of event (age 13 and under free)
The concert series features beach music, Motown, oldies R&B and more.
Friday Night on White
Friday Night on White
2nd Friday of month from April to September (3rd Friday in July)
6 p.m.
White Street in Wake Forest, NC
Free
Top 40 and party bands.
KBA Jazz Series
KBA Jazz Series (AKA Josh Cellars Jazz Series)
Wednesdays from April 6th to May 4th, 2022
5:45 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre
8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
$5 for lawn tickets. Kids 12 and under do not need tickets for the lawn
Performers include The Mint Julep Jazz Band, All Strong Quintet, Peter Lamb & the Wolves, and more.
Wind Down Wednesday
Wind Down Wednesday
Wednesdays from April 6th to October 19th, 2022
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.
Bynum Front Porch Music Series
Bynum Front Porch Music Series
Full list of dates TBA
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.
FM2FV Concert Series
FV2FV
Three spring concerts (April 7th to May 12th) and three fall concerts (September 8th to October 13th)
6:30 p.m.
Centennial Square
102 North Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Free
These fun gatherings in Fuquay-Varina feature beach music.
Sanford’s Downtown Alive Music Series
Downtown Alive! in Sanford
Three spring (April 22nd to May 6th) and three fall concerts (September 8th to 22nd)
6:30 p.m.
The Depot
106 Charlotte Avenue, Sanford, NC
Free
Beach and Top 40 music.
Rock the Park
Durham Parks and Recreation’s Rock the Park
Concerts on select Saturdays in June, July and August
6 p.m.
Parks vary
Free
Rock the Park also features outdoor movies, on different dates.
Six Sundays in Spring
Six Sundays in Spring
Every Sunday from April 24th to May 29th, 2022
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
E. Carroll Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest
Free
This year there will also be an art market at each event.
Cary Live
Cary Live
These Saturdays: July 9th, September 10th, October 22nd, 2022
7 p.m.
Cary’s old library site, 310 South Academy Street, Cary
Free
There will be a variety of food and drink vendors at each event.
Park After Dark
Park After Dark
These Wednesdays: June 15th, July 20th, August 17th, September 21st, 2022
7 p.m.
Cary’s old library site, 310 South Academy Street, Cary
Free
There will be some food and drink vendors at each event.
Kevin Kidd says
Peak City Band
Sat, Apr 24 @ 7:00PM
Saints and Scholars, 909 spring Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC
Come out to Saints and Scholars for a great evening of great food, drink and rocking music. A great venue and we’re happy to be back after a long break. Look forward to seeing you!
Peak CIty Band says
The temperature is hot and Peak City Band will be heating it up with edgy classic rock and blues tunes! Come out and join us and bring a friend or two!
Look forward to seeing you!
08/07 Sophie’s Grill and Bar 2734 NC Hwy 55 Cary,NC 9:00pm- until
08/14 The Peak of the Vine 301 N Salem St Apex,NC 7:00pm – 10:00pm
08/21 Brueprint Brewing 1229 Perry Rd Apex, NC 4:00pm- 7:00pm