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.
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
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.
Durham Parks and Recreation’s Summer Concert Series
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 April 9, April 23, May 7, May 21, 2026
6 p.m. (Food trucks open at 5 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.
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
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.
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
