Grammy-nominated artist among Raleigh’s free concerts this summer
No tickets? No problem. You don’t need money to have summer fun in the Triangle. From bluegrass and jazz to soul and funk, the Raleigh area and its neighbors are offering an impressive lineup of concerts.
Whether you’re looking to unwind with a cold drink, enjoy a family night out or dance under the stars, here’s your guide to free summer concerts happening in and around Raleigh.
Important note: Always check websites before heading out to make sure event details haven’t changed and learn if there are age restrictions at venues.
‘Live After 5’ downtown Raleigh lineup
Third Wednesdays, 6 p.m. | City Plaza, 443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh
Live After 5 is a family-friendly event celebrating North Carolina’s music scene. Located in the heart of Downtown Raleigh, participants can enjoy live music, food trucks and Sip N’ Stroll beverages.
Parking areas are all around downtown but free parking is available all evening for people who arrive at 5 p.m. at Blount Street Deck (314 Blount St.) and City Center Deck (429 S. Wilmington St.).
Coolers and outside drinks are not allowed. It’s recommended to bring your own chairs.
June 18: Rissi Palmer & Duck
Rissi Palmer made her mark in country music in 2007 with her hit “Country Girl” making Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. She has since independently released three albums. Last year, Rolling Stone named her 2019 album “Revival” as one of the Top 25 Country-Soul Albums of all time. She’s also a passionate advocate for artists of color through her Apple Music show Color Me Country and nonprofit grant fund. Palmer contributed to a 2022 children’s album that was nominated for a Grammy.
Duck is a high-energy, funk-infused band from Raleigh known for their upbeat local performances. They’ve built a loyal regional following and are planning to release a new project this year.
July 23: Kooley High & Charly Lowry
Kooley High is a Raleigh-based hip-hop collective formed by six former N.C. State University students. The group has become a staple of North Carolina’s hip-hop scene.
Charly Lowry is a powerful singer-songwriter from Pembroke who represents the Lumbee/Tuscarora Tribes. Known for her advocacy through music, she blends folk, soul and Native traditions.
Aug. 20: Chatham Rabbits & Jack the Radio
Chatham Rabbits is a North Carolina-based Americana group made up of husband-wife duo Sarah and Austin McCombie, who are both from Chatham County. Their latest album is “Be Real with Me.”
Jack the Radio is a roots-rock band from Raleigh known for blending blues, Americana, folk, and country into a soulful Southern sound.
Live music at Raleigh, Durham breweries
Bearded Bee Brewing Company, Wendell
Weekly live music starting at 6 p.m. | 20 E. Campen St. in Wendell
- Saturday, May 31: 22 Strings
Blackbird Brewery, Wake Forest
Live music Thursdays at 6 p.m. | 3608 Rogers Branch Rd. #101 in Wake Forest
- May 29: Tigerlily Acoustic
- June 5: JT Parrothead
- June 12: Larry Karan
- June 19: One Block Over
- June 26: Micheal Hodgdon
Oaklyn Springs Brewery, Fuquay-Varina
Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. | 2912 N Main St. in Fuquay-Varina
- Saturday, May 31: Table Two
- Friday, June 6: Heather Rogers
- Saturday, June 14: 2DIGH4
- Saturday, June 28: Sayer McShane
Sundays at 4 p.m. | 106A S. Greensboro St. in Carrboro
- June 1: Matty Frank
- June 8:Anuraag Pendyal
Fridays at 6 p.m. | 5907 Triangle Dr. in Raleigh
- May 30: Far From Done
- June 6: Ryan Mullaney
- June 13: Jake Potter
- June 20: Steve Holocomb
- June 27: Larry Karan
Fridays at 6 p.m. | 5410 North Carolina 55, Suite V in Durham
- May 30: Tom Neuhauser
- June 6: The Hourglass Kids
Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. | 1979 High House Rd. in Cary
- May 28: The Irish Exits
- June 4: Ewe’s Tree
- June 11: Tom Neuhauser
- June 18: BogTurtle
- June 25: Pamlico
- July 2: Barrowburn
- July 9: The Irish Exits
- July 16: Ewe’s Tree
- July 23: Barrowburn
- July 30: BogTurtle
Live jazz in Raleigh, Durham
Third Mondays at 8 p.m. | Neptune’s Parlour, 14 W. Martin St. in Raleigh
- June 17: Halle Wood
- July 15: The Moon Unit
Soul & Sip Late Night Jazz Experience
Thursdays at 9 p.m. | Lula & Saddie’s 2022 Chapel Hill Rd. in Durham
- June 5: Jacob Boss’ Quartet
- June 19: “Juneteenth” Jazz Experience
Free concerts in Raleigh, Durham this summer
Bynum Front Porch Summer Series
Fridays at 7 p.m. | 950 Bynum Rd. in Pittsboro
- May 30: Jack the Radio
- June 6: Onyx Club Boys
Sundays at 5:30 p.m. | E. Carroll Joyner Park in Wake Forest
- May 25: Blackwater Band
- June 1: Miss Mini & the Sandman Band
More notable free shows around the Triangle:
- Fridays on the Front Porch at The Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill (5 p.m.)
- Saturdays in Saxapahaw Outdoor Series (5 p.m.)
- Live in the District at Park West 14, Morrisville (Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.)
- Music at the Stack at American Tobacco Campus (Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.)
- Thursday Night Music in Angier Depot Square (Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.)
- Sundays at Sundown in Southern Village, Chapel Hill (7 p.m.)
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 10:14 AM.