Hugger Mugger, 229 Wicker Street, Sanford, NC, is hosting Carolina Indie Fest, a FREE two-day, outdoor music festival, on May 15 and 16, 2026. Look for updates on Carolina Indie Fest's Facebook page. Sanford is a bit to the southwest of the Triangle, but it's close enough to make a very easy day trip. It's a 43 minute drive from Raleigh, a 30 minute drive from Apex, and a 22 minute drive from … [Read more...] about Carolina Indie Fest — free music festival in Sanford May 15 and 16
outdoor concerts
PLAYlist Concert Series at Durham Central Park returns May 1 with Kaleta Y Super Yamba Band
Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, will host PLAYlist Concert Series again in 2026. The concerts take place the first Friday of the month from May to October, 2026, except for July, when it takes place the 2nd Friday. It's free to attend. There are restrooms at Durham Central Park and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Parking is free in a lot next to the park. Local … [Read more...] about PLAYlist Concert Series at Durham Central Park returns May 1 with Kaleta Y Super Yamba Band
Music in the Park in Morrisville: Story Charlemagne on May 1
The Town of Morrisville is hosting Music in the Park at the Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, North Carolina. The concerts take place on the first Friday of the month from May to September in 2026. An additional concert will be held on June 19, for Juneteenth. There is no concert in July. The time varies a little bit. See below. A food truck will be on site each … [Read more...] about Music in the Park in Morrisville: Story Charlemagne on May 1
Beach Music Series at MOSAIC in Pittsboro: The Catalinas on May 1
Beach Music Series 2026 These free concerts start at 7 p.m., except when otherwise indicated. The event lawn opens one hour before the concert start time. These events are free, but ticketed. Get tickets here. This event is brought to you by Title Sponsor, Brightspeed. … [Read more...] about Beach Music Series at MOSAIC in Pittsboro: The Catalinas on May 1
Fridays on the Front Porch at Carolina Inn: The Back Roads on May 1
Carolina Inn, at 211 Pittsboro Street, on the UNC campus in Chapel Hill, hosts Fridays on the Front Porch, a free outdoor concert series. The Carolina Inn announced that the series will be returning on May 1, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the band The Back Roads performing. It's free to attend. Food trucks will be on site. Band and Food Truck Schedule for Fridays on the Front Porch in … [Read more...] about Fridays on the Front Porch at Carolina Inn: The Back Roads on May 1
PeakFest at new location
PeakFest returns to Apex on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Please note that this year it's at the Apex Town Hall campus, 73 Hunter Street, Apex, North Carolina. New parking spaces recently added in the downtown Saunders Lot and Moore Street lot are a short walk away from Town Hall. The festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Features of PeakFest: Stage Schedule Arch … [Read more...] about PeakFest at new location
Saturday Slowdown Market and Open Farm Day at RambleRill Farm in Hillsborough May 2
RambleRill Farm, at 913 Arthur Minnis Road, Hillsborough, is hosting a monthly event, Saturday Slowdown, at RambleRill Farm. Several farms join RambleRill Farm to sell their products, as well as local artisans. It takes place the first Saturday of the month, from May to December of 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow RambleRill Farm on Facebook for updates about each month's event. The … [Read more...] about Saturday Slowdown Market and Open Farm Day at RambleRill Farm in Hillsborough May 2
Freight Train Blues Concert Series in Carrboro returns May 15
Music Maker Foundation's Freight Train Blues Concert Series is returning in 2026. This series features roots musicians steeped in the diverse traditions of the Carolina Piedmont. It will take place on Friday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., from May 15 to June 12, 2026, at Carrboro Town Commons, 301 West Main Street, Carrboro, NC. This is a free concert series. Food and beer will be … [Read more...] about Freight Train Blues Concert Series in Carrboro returns May 15
Arts on East: Free outdoor concert series on Duke University East Campus
Duke Arts is presenting a free outdoor concert series, Arts on East. Arts on East concerts will take place every Wednesday from May 27 through June 24, 2026, at 7 p.m., on Duke’s East Campus. Previously called Music in the Gardens, this series has been renamed to reflect its new location. Concerts are held outdoors on Duke’s East Campus, located behind White Lecture Hall and the East Duke … [Read more...] about Arts on East: Free outdoor concert series on Duke University East Campus
FM2FV Concert Series in Fuquay-Varina in April and May
FM2FV Concert Series is a free outdoor concert series at Centennial Square, 102 North Main Street, Fuquay-Varina. The concerts, which are scheduled for the spring and fall each year, take place from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. FM2FV Spring Concerts 2026 No pets or coolers are allowed. There will be a number of food trucks and beer vendors at each concert. … [Read more...] about FM2FV Concert Series in Fuquay-Varina in April and May
