A list of 2022 summer music festivals (some are free!) in North Carolina
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Get outside!
Check out this roundup of the top outdoor concerts, movies, festivals, patios and rooftop bars to enjoy around the Triangle this summer.
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Pack your sunscreen and your favorite pair of shades. Summer festivals are here!
We put together a list of festivals not just in and around the Triangle, but across the state — and many of them are inexpensive or free to attend.
We’ll update this list throughout the summer, so bookmark it online and check back in. If you see something we missed that you think we should include, let us know by emailing ask@newsobserver.com.
Important: In all cases, please check the website for each event or venue prior to heading out to verify hours of operation (which can change) and to learn more about rain dates and COVID safety guidelines.
Summer-long NC Summer Festivals, Live Music events
▪ Eastern Music Festival: The Eastern Music Festival’s 2022 will feature over 60 performances in Greensboro and Boone. Costs range per event. Where: Location differs per event When: June 25 - July 30 Info: easternmusicfestival.org/festival
▪ Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival: The 2022 summer festival includes events almost daily. Costs range per event. Where: Event locations differ, though many performances are held in Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium in Brevard. When: June 24 - Aug. 20 Info: brevardmusic.org
▪ An Appalachian Summer Festival: This is an annual celebration of performing and visual arts that takes place across July at the university campus in Boone. Costs range per event. Where: Appalachian State University, Boone When: July 1-30 Info: appsummer.org
▪ Pass the Aux: This free summer-long event, which is a part of the Beats n Bars Festival, will take place every third Friday. Where: 705 Willard St., Durham When: 8 p.m., every third Friday of the month Info: beatsnbarsfestival.com
▪ Diggin in the Crates: This free summer-long event, which is a part of the Beats n Bars Festival, will take place every first Friday. Where: 705 Willard St., Durham When: 7-10 p.m., every first Friday of the month Info: beatsnbarsfestival.com
June 2022: NC Summer music festivals
▪ JUNE 4: Carolina Beach Music Festival — The first band will hit the stage at 11 a.m. General admission tickets are $40. Where: Carolina Beach Ocean-Front Stage, 3 Cape Fear Blvd., Carolina Beach When: June 4, gates open at 10 a.m. Info: eventbrite.com
▪ JUNE 18: Juneteenth Jubilee — This free full-day street festival will highlight nationally touring headliners, local musicians and more. On June 19, there will be a ticketed event, the Juneteenth Jubilee Heritage Brunch, which will showcase Black chefs and culinary students serving a Black southern cuisine brunch. Where: Fayetteville Festival Park When: June 18 Info: visitdowntownfayetteville.com/juneteenth-jubilee
▪ JUNE 24-25: That Music Fest — This two-day, three-stage music festival will take place at Durham Bulls Athletic Park and feature artists local to North Carolina. You can purchase single-day tickets (which start at $45) or a weekend pass. Where: Durham Bulls Athletic Park When: June 24-25 Info: thatstation.net
▪ JUNE 24-26: Music at Midsummer — This three-day festival, hosted by Valley Bear Collective, is in Balsam Grove. You can purchase a day pass (which starts at $40) or a weekend pass. Where: Valley Bear Farms, 218 Bald Rock Rd., Balsam Grove When: June 24-26 Info: valleybearcollective.com/events/music-at-midsummer
July 2022: NC Summer Festivals
▪ JULY 2-3: Ocean City Jazz Festival — This two-day festival is at North Topsail Beach. You can purchase single-day tickets (which start at $75 for adults) or a weekend pass. Where: Historic Ocean City Community - Under Pavilion Tent with Seating, North Topsail Beach When: July 2-3 Info: oceancityjazzfest.com
▪ JULY 2 & 4: Festival for the Eno — This annual festival features live music and river activities. Tickets begin at $10. Where: West Point on the Eno - Durham City Park, 5101 N Roxboro Rd., Durham When: July 2 & 4 Info: enofest.org
August 2022: NC Summer Festivals
▪ AUGUST 25-27: Night in the Country Carolinas Music Festival — This country music festival returns Aug. 25-27 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring. Single-day passes begin at $125, and three-day passes begin at $170. Where: Tryon International Equestrian Center, Mill Spring When: Aug. 25-27 Info: nightinthecountrycarolinas.org
September 2022: NC Summer Festivals
▪ SEPTEMBER 9-11: NC Folk Fest — This three-day, free Greensboro festival isn’t only for folk music lovers. Attendees can enjoy music from hip-hop, Afrobeats, Cajun, funk, country, indie rock artists and more. The “Not Your Average Folk Contest” invites local musicians (of any genre) to apply to perform at the festival. Where: Downtown Greensboro When: Sept. 9-11 Info: ncfolkfestival.com
▪ SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 1: IBMA Bluegress Live! — The festival will be at Red Hat Amphitheatre and Downtown Raleigh. Single day passes begin at $50. The 2022 main stage will include The Infamous Stringdusters, The Jerry Douglas Band (with special guests), Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and more. Where: Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh When: Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Info: worldofbluegrass.org/festival
October 2022: NC Summer Festivals
▪ OCTOBER 6-9: The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance — This is a family-friendly music and arts festival in Pittsboro. Day tickets range from $35 to $53, and there are discounts available. Where: Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd. Pittsboro When: Oct. 6-9 Info: shakorihillsgrassroots.org
Free NC Summer Festivals 2022
These are mentioned in the daily schedule above, but we grouped them in a “free pile” for your convenience.
▪ Pass the Aux: This free summer-long event, which is a part of the Beats n Bars Festival, will take place every third Friday. Where: 705 Willard St., Durham When: 8 p.m., every third Friday of the month Info: beatsnbarsfestival.com
▪ Diggin in the Crates: This free summer-long event, which is a part of the Beats n Bars Festival, will take place every first Friday. Where: 705 Willard St., Durham When: 7-10 p.m., every first Friday of the month Info: beatsnbarsfestival.com
▪ Juneteenth Jubilee: This free full-day street festival will highlight nationally touring headliners, local musicians and more. Where: Fayetteville Festival Park When: June 18 Info: visitdowntownfayetteville.com/juneteenth-jubilee
▪ NC Folk Fest: This three-day, free Greensboro festival isn’t only for folk music lovers. Attendees can enjoy music from hip-hop, Afrobeats, Cajun, funk, country, indie rock artists and more. The “Not Your Average Folk Contest” invites local musicians (of any genre) to apply to perform at the festival. Where: Downtown Greensboro When: Sept. 9-11 Info: ncfolkfestival.com
This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 2:08 PM.
