One of the best ways to enjoy summer evenings with kids? Outdoor concerts! They’re relaxed, fun, and often totally free. You’ll usually find food trucks, community vibes, and space for little ones to dance and run around. I highlight concerts like these weekly in my Weekend Family Fun calendar, so be sure to check that out to stay up to date.
And with our temperate North Carolina weather, many of these outdoor concert series continue into September and October!
Here’s a roundup of free summer concert series happening around the Triangle:
Music in the Park – Morrisville
📍Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Dr
🗓 Fridays: 5/2, 6/6, 6/20, 8/1, 9/5, 6:30–8:30pm
Bring your blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a family-friendly show paired with themed food trucks. Every concert has a unique flavor!
Bands, Bites, and Boats – Cary
📍Bond Park Boathouse, Cary
🗓 One Friday per month | April–October 2025
Enjoy live music, food trucks, and after-hours boat rentals at the Bond Park Boathouse! Whether you want to float on the lake during golden hour or relax with friends and family onshore, it’s the perfect way to spend a Friday evening in Cary. Bring a lawn chair or blanket—and your appetite!
🗓 2025 Schedule:
• Friday, April 4 | 5:30–7:30pm
• Friday, May 2 | 6:00–8:00pm
• Friday, June 6 | 6:00–8:00pm
• Friday, July 11 | 6:00–8:00pm
• Friday, August 1 | 6:00–8:00pm
• Friday, September 5 | 5:30–7:30pm
• Friday, October 3 | 5:30–7:30pm
Friday Night on White – Wake Forest
📍Downtown Wake Forest
🗓 2nd Fridays: April – September 2025 | 6:00–9:00pm | Free
A local favorite since 2016, Friday Night on White brings the party to downtown Wake Forest with high-energy live music on the second Friday of each month. Enjoy performances from regional bands playing everything from classic rock and pop to R&B, Motown, and Top 40 hits.
Grab your friends, bring the kids, and get ready for a fun night out under the stars!
LIVE in the District – Park West Village, Morrisville
📍In front of B&B Theatres
🗓 Thursdays: 4/17–5/22, 6:30–9pm
Expect beach music, tasty food trucks, and craft beer. Great for dancing or just lounging with the family.
Midtown Beach Music Series – North Hills, Raleigh
📍Midtown Park
🗓 Thursdays: 4/10–6/26
This popular series runs through the warmest spring days. Come early to grab a good spot and enjoy the atmosphere with friends, coworkers, or kids in tow.
Waverly Place Summer Music Series – Cary
📍Waverly Place
🗓 Wednesdays in June, 5–8pm
Live music in the park from local bands. A fun option for a midweek family outing or a low-key date night with kids in tow.
Live After 5 – Downtown Raleigh
📍City Plaza, Fayetteville Street
🗓 Wednesdays: 5/21, 6/18, 7/23, 8/20
It’s a block party with live bands, food trucks, drinks, and vendors—and it’s Sip n’ Stroll friendly.
Live @ Lake Raleigh – Raleigh
📍Lake Raleigh on NC State’s Centennial Campus
🗓 Thursdays: 4/10, 4/24, 5/8, 5/22
Gorgeous lake views + local music + food trucks = a perfect evening. Concerts start at 6pm, food trucks at 5pm.
CaryLIVE! Concert Series – Downtown Cary Park
📍Downtown Cary
🗓 Select Saturdays: 4/26, 5/17, 6/28, 8/23, 10/18
Free concerts featuring emerging national artists. Bring a blanket or chairs and make a night of it.
Groovin’ in Garner – Garner
📍Garner Recreation Center Lawn, 215 W Main Street
🗓 Fridays: June 13, August 8, September 12, 2025 | 6:30–9:30pm | Free
Groovin’ in Garner is a free outdoor concert series held once a month during the summer and early fall (skipping July). Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and friends for a fun evening of live music on the lawn in Downtown Garner. Local food vendors will be on-site to round out your night!
First Friday Market & Movie Night – Raleigh
📍Moore Square
🗓 Fridays: 5/9, 6/6, 7/4, 8/1, 9/12, 10/3, 11/7
This one’s a full evening event! Music, a movie under the stars, food trucks, games, and local vendors.
FM2FV (Follow Me to Fuquay-Varina)
📍Downtown Fuquay-Varina
🗓 Thursdays: 4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5/15
Family-friendly fun in the heart of town. Great music, great food, and a warm small-town vibe.
Fridays on the Front Porch – Chapel Hill
📍The Carolina Inn
🗓 Every Friday, May–October, 5–8pm
A charming Chapel Hill tradition. Enjoy music, food trucks, and community on the historic inn’s front porch.
PLAYlist Concert Series – Durham
📍Durham Central Park, 501 Foster St
🗓 First Fridays: 5/2, 6/6, 7/11, 8/1, 9/5, 10/3
Presented by WNCU 90.7FM, this beloved series brings great energy to downtown Durham—rain or shine!
Music Near the Gardens: The Pinhook Edition – Durham
📍SE Corner of Duke’s East Campus
🗓 Wednesdays, May 28 – June 25 | 7pm
This special summer concert series from Duke Arts moves to East Campus while Sarah P. Duke Gardens is under renovation. Enjoy free, live music every Wednesday evening, featuring two acts each night plus a free after-party concert at The Pinhook.
Each night also includes the Since4Eva Market, spotlighting local creatives and Pinhook partners like Downtown Durham Inc (5/28), Country Soul Songbook (6/4), and more.
Bonus: Concerts will be broadcast live on WXDU!
Rhythm & Reels Concert & Movie Series – Durham
📍Various Parks
🗓 Summer 2025 Dates TBA
Durham Parks & Recreation’s Rhythm & Reels is a beloved summer tradition featuring free outdoor concerts and movies at scenic parks across the city. Whether you’re into live music or blockbuster hits, there’s something for everyone.
Bring a blanket, your favorite snacks (or grab bites from local food vendors), and enjoy a fun, laid-back evening with friends and family.
Stay tuned—2025 dates and locations will be announced soon!
Pop-Up Music Series – North Hills, Raleigh
📍Midtown Park & North Hills Commons
🗓 Spring/Summer: April 4 – June 1, 2025
🗓 Fall: September 5 – October 26, 2025
🕒 Fridays 6–9pm | Sundays 2–5pm | Free
Enjoy spontaneous acoustic performances throughout North Hills during the spring and fall! Pop-Up Music adds a lively, relaxing soundtrack to your shopping, dining, or strolling experience. It’s the perfect surprise entertainment for a casual evening out or a Sunday afternoon with the family.
96.1 BBB Summer Jam Music Series @ MOSAIC – Pittsboro
📍MOSAIC Family Commons, 367 Freedom Parkway
🗓 Select Fridays | April–August 2025
Head to the event lawn at MOSAIC in Chatham Park for free evening concerts filled with great music, local food, and family-friendly fun. The lawn opens one hour before showtime, and concerts begin at 7pm unless otherwise noted. Food and drinks will be available for purchase (no outside food or beverages permitted).
🗓 2025 Schedule:
• Friday, April 18
• Friday, May 2
• Friday, May 16
• Friday, May 30
• Friday, June 13
• Friday, June 27
• Friday, August 22 (Back to School Bash)
Bring your chairs or blanket and enjoy the evening under the stars!
Freight Train Blues Concert Series – Carrboro
📍Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St
🗓 Fridays: May 16 – June 13, 2025 | 6:30–8:30pm | Free
Celebrate the rich musical heritage of the Carolina Piedmont with five free Friday night concerts featuring incredible roots musicians. Hosted by the Music Maker Foundation and the Town of Carrboro, this family-friendly series offers live music, food, and local beer for purchase.
Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic, and enjoy a relaxed evening outdoors in downtown Carrboro. Free public parking available nearby.
Sundays at Sundown – Chapel Hill
📍Southern Village Green, 600 Market Street
🗓 Sundays at 7pm | April 13 – May 25, 2025 | Free (tips encouraged)
Enjoy live music under the evening sky at Sundays at Sundown, a weekly concert series featuring local talent on the Southern Village Green. Bring a blanket or folding chair and settle in for a relaxed evening of great tunes.
Concerts will continue into summer and fall—stay tuned for additional dates!
Music at the Stack – Durham
📍Stack Alley, American Tobacco Campus
🗓 Wednesdays at 6:30pm | April 30 – May 21, 2025 | Free
Presented by the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, this free concert series brings live music to the heart of downtown Durham. Join the fun every Wednesday evening at Stack Alley for a relaxing midweek break filled with great performances. Bring a chair, enjoy the atmosphere, and explore nearby dining options!
May Music Series at Crossroads Plaza – Cary
📍The Patio in front of Subway, Crossroads Plaza
🗓 Thursdays in May | 6:00–8:00pm | Free
Enjoy free live music every Thursday evening in May at Crossroads Plaza! Grab dinner nearby and head to The Patio for a relaxing spring evening with great local performances.
☔ In case of inclement weather, performances will be canceled. Check Crossroads Plaza’s Facebook page for updates.
Meet on Main Concert Series – Wendell
📍Downtown Wendell
🗓 Fridays: April 11, May 16, June 20, September 19, 2025
🕒 6:30–10:30pm (Kids Zone & food open at 5pm) | Free
Join the fun in Downtown Wendell for Meet on Main, a free outdoor concert series with live music, a kids’ zone, a food truck rodeo, and beer and wine available for purchase. It’s a lively night out for the whole family!
Saturdays in Saxapahaw – Graham
📍1624 Jordan Drive, Graham, NC
🗓 Saturdays: May 3 – August 30, 2025
🕔 Farmers Market & Festivities: 5–8pm | Live Music: 6–8pm | Free
Saturdays in Saxapahaw is a beloved free outdoor concert and community market series that takes place every Saturday evening all summer long. Enjoy performances by local bands, a thriving farmers’ market, and plenty of family-friendly fun along the Haw River.
🌽 The weekly festivities feature:
• Fresh local produce, eggs, baked goods, honey, and flowers
• Handmade arts and crafts
• Locally brewed microbrews
• Food trucks, ice cream, and more!
🎶 While admission is free, donations for the musicians are appreciated. Look for the iconic “Swan Buckets” on stage or contribute via Swan Venmo to support the performers.
Six Sundays in Spring – Wake Forest
📍E. Carroll Joyner Park Amphitheater, 701 Harris Road
🗓 Sundays: April 27 – June 1, 2025 | 5:30–7:30pm | Free
Bring your blanket, picnic, and the whole family for Six Sundays in Spring, a free outdoor concert series sponsored by ARTS Wake Forest. Enjoy six consecutive Sundays of live music in a beautiful park setting.
Concerts take place rain or shine and offer a fun, relaxed way to end the weekend with friends, kids, and great music.