A list of 2023 summer music festivals across North Carolina. Some are free!
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. Some annual festivals (such as the Night in the Country Carolinas Music Festival) are not returning in 2023. But 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
▪ Midtown Park’s Midtown Beach Music Series: On some Thursdays throughout summer, visit Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park in Raleigh for a $5 music festival. Join for beach music, motown, oldies, R&B and more. Where: Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, 4011 Cardinal North Hills St, Raleigh When: April 20 - June 22 Info: visitnorthhills.com/directory/midtown-park
▪ Eastern Music Festival: The Eastern Music Festival’s 2023 season will feature five weeks of daily free and paid programming in Greensboro and Boone. Costs range per event. Where: Location differs per event When: June 24 - July 29 Info: easternmusicfestival.org/festival
▪ Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival: The 2023 summer festival includes events almost daily. Costs range per event. Where: Event locations differ, though many performances are held on the Brevard Music Center Campus in Brevard. When: June 23 - Aug. 19 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: June 24 - July 29 Info: appsummer.org
May 2023: NC summer music festivals
▪ MAY 4-7: The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance — This is a family-friendly music and arts festival in Pittsboro. Early bird day tickets range from $39 to $58, and there are discounts available. Where: Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd. Pittsboro Info: shakorihillsgrassroots.org
▪ MAY 5-6: Breakaway Music Festival — Tickets for this traveling festival of hip-hop, electronica and dance music begin at $104. This is the spring Carolina festival, and the fall festival will be in September. Where: zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway Info: breakawayfestival.com
▪ MAY 11-13: Malpass Brothers Country and Bluegrass Festival — This family-friendly festival is in Denton. Tickets for the three-day festival are $90 in advance or $100 at the door. Where: Denton FarmPark, 1072 Cranford Rd, Denton Info: dentonfarmpark.com/bluegrass-festival
▪ MAY 12-13: NC Brewers & Music Festival — The festival promises “An exciting music lineup that will pair nicely with what we have on tap.” Camping packages available. Tickets start at $25. Designated drivers 16 and older can get in for $20. Where: Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd, Huntersville Info: ncbrewsmusic.com
▪ MAY 12-13: Carolina Indie Fest — This free, two-day outdoor music festival is in Sanford. Performers such as the Five Nines, Hustle Souls and The Pseudo Cowboys are local artists. Where: Hugger Mugger, 229 Wicker St, Sanford Info: carolinaindiefest.net
June 2023: NC summer music festivals
▪ JUNE 3: Carolina Beach Music Festival — You can dance to performers including Jim Quick & Coastline, Band of Oz and CAT5. General admission tickets are $35. The event starts at 9 a.m. Where: Carolina Beach Ocean-Front Stage, 3 Cape Fear Blvd., Carolina Beach Info: eventbrite.com
▪ JUNE 17-18: Juneteenth Jubilee — The Jubilee will lean into the influence of 70s funk and soul, with Sunday’s event highlighting gospel and soul performances. Both days will include local and nationally touring acts. There will be an outdoor skating rink (skates provided), and attendees are encouraged to lace up for an Old School Skate Jam. Where: Fayetteville Festival Park, Fayetteville Info: visitdowntownfayetteville.com
July 2023: NC summer music festivals
▪ JUNE 30-JULY 2: Ocean City Jazz Festival — This three-day festival is at North Topsail Beach. You can purchase single-day tickets (which start at $85 for adults) or a weekend pass. Early bird ticket deals end on Memorial Day. Where: Historic Ocean City Community - Under Pavilion Tent with Seating, North Topsail Beach Info: oceancityjazzfest.com
▪ JULY 1 & 3: 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 Info: enofest.org
August 2023: NC summer music festivals
▪ AUG. 3-5: Mountain Dance and Folk Festival — A different show will be presented live on stage each evening allowing you to appreciate the talent and dedication of the hundreds of musicians, dancers, and storytellers who are preserving the traditions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Three-night packages are $50, and there are discounts available. Where: UNCA Lipinsky Hall, 300 Library Ln, Asheville Info: folkheritage.org
▪ AUG. 4-5: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival — Cary’s festival will feature over 60 beers, over 40 bourbons, barbecue and bourbon tasting events with bluegrass music. Where: Koka Booth Amphitheater, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary Info: boothamphitheatre.com
September 2023: NC summer music festivals
▪ SEPT. 7-9: Hopscotch — This classic music festival is returning for some early September fun in downtown Raleigh. The 2022 musical lineup included Courtney Barnett, Perfume Genius, Kim Gordon and Charley Crockett. This year’s lineup hasn’t been announced, but early bird passes for the 2023 festival are already sold out. Where: One City Plaza, Raleigh Info: hopscotchmusicfest.com
▪ SEPTEMBER: NC Folk Fest — This 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. Dates to be announced. Where: Downtown Greensboro Info: ncfolkfestival.com
▪ SEPT. 29-30: Breakaway Music Festival — Tickets for this traveling festival of hip-hop, electronica and dance music begin at $104. Where: zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte Info: breakawayfestival.com
▪ SEPT. 29-30: IBMA Bluegress Live! — The festival will be at Red Hat Amphitheatre and Downtown Raleigh. Single day passes begin at $50. Where: Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh Info: worldofbluegrass.org/festival
October 2023: NC summer music festivals
▪ OCT. 14: That Music Fest — This music festival will take place at Durham Bulls Athletic Park and feature artists local to North Carolina. Where: Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham Info: thatstation.net/that-music-fest
▪ OCT. 19-22: LEAF Festival — Tickets for the Fall LEAF Festival will open on June 1. Where: 19 Eagle St Suite 120, Asheville Info: theleaf.org
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