There’s nothing better on a warm evening than listening to music outdoors. Here’s a list of summer concert series for 2023 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, 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, 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 4th to June 23rd, 2023
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
Check back soon
PLAYlist
PLAYlist Concert Series
First Friday of the month, from May to October, 2023
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 After 5
Live After 5
Third Wednesday of the month, from April to July, 2023
5 to 8 p.m.
City Plaza
443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Free
80s and 90s nostalgic music, with vintage clothing vendors on site.
Live @ Lake Raleigh
Live@Lake Raleigh
Four Thursdays in April and May, 2023
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, Afro-Brazilian to Bluegrass.
Bands, Bites and Boats
Bands, Bites and Boats
First Friday of month from April to October, 2023
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 6th to August 26th, 2023
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.
Live in the District
Live in the District
Thursdays from April 20th to May 25th, 2023
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.
Downtown Siler City Music Series
Downtown Siler City Music Series
3rd Friday of the month, April to October (except May and September)
6:30 p.m.
Rotary Stage, at 223 N. Chatham Avenue, Siler City, NC
Free
Sundays at Sundown
Sundays at Sundown
Check back soon.
Southern Village, 600 Market Street, Chapel Hill
Free
This concert series features a wide variety of genres, from country to jazz.
Fridays on the Front Porch
Fridays on the Front Porch
Fridays from April 7th to October 27th, 2023
5 to 8 p.m.
Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill
Free
Each week there will be one band and two food trucks.
Midtown Beach Music Series
Midtown Beach Music Series
Thursdays from April 20th to June 22nd, 2023
5 to 9 p.m.
Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal at North Hills Street, Raleigh
$5 (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, 2023
6 p.m.
White Street in Wake Forest, NC
Free
Top 40 and party bands.
Josh Cellars Jazz Series
Josh Cellars Jazz Series
Wednesdays from April 5th to May 3th, 2023
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
Wind Down Wednesday
Wind Down Wednesday
Wednesdays from April 5th to October 11th, 2023
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– generally Fridays from May to October
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
Four Spring Concerts from April 13 to May 11th, 2023
There is usually a fall concert series as well
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
Four spring (April 20th to May 11th) and four fall concerts (September 7th to 28th) in 2023
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 30th to June 4th, 2023
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
Check back soon.
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
Check back soon.
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