There’s some sort of free or mostly free music somewhere in the QC almost every day during the summer. Here are our picks, sorted by Day of Week.
Thursdays
Atherton Nights at Atherton Mill
- South End Summer treat as Atherton hosts a series of Night Markets along the Rail Trail
- featuring over 30 vendors and live music
- At Trolley Barn Fermentory every 4 weeks on Thursday until July 14
Music at the Met
- 1111 Metropolitan Avenue, Charlotte
- Located adjacent to Dressler’s.
- Free parking and admission.
- Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Thursdays thru September 29- 6 to 9 p.m. Specific Bands here.
Ballantyne Live Music Series
- Thursdays thru June 23, 2022
- Ballantyne Village 6 PM – 9 PM
Thursdays Live in MORA
- The Embrace Sculpture, 6621 Monroe Road, Corner of Monroe Rd and Conference Dr
- 3rd Thursdays thru September 6 to 8 p.m.
- June 16 – Caleb Wolfe
- July 21 – DJaM Collective
- August 18 – Ultimanota
- September 15 – The Queens Court
- Bring a blanket/chair, the kids, and the pup.
River Jam
- Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays to September 22 Various times
- U.S. National Whitewater Center – 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
- Outside food and beverage is not permitted on Whitewater Center property including the parking lots.
- Pets are always welcome at the USNWC and must remain on leash.
- Band Schedule HERE
- No ticket or pass is required to access the Whitewater Center property, though the Whitewater Center charges a parking fee for guests who enter the facility by automobile.
- Daily Parking Fee: $6 per vehicle
- Oversized vehicles: $18
- Annual Parking Pass: $60 (valid From January 1 – December 31 each year)
Main Street Live
- First Thursday of the month – 5 to 9 p.m.
- Downtown Rock Hill – Live music on Main Street with all the downtown shops and restaurants, and a handful of food truck vendors.
- Thursday, June 2
- Thursday, July 7
- Thursday, August 4
- Thursday, September 1
Anne Springs Close Greenway Summer Concert Series
- Thursdays thru June 30 – 6-9 pm
- Anne Springs Close Greenway Comporium Amphitheater Dairy Barn Entrance 288 Dairy Barn Lane Fort Mill, SC 29715
- Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the Gateway Canteen’s food truck.
- Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
- No glass, tents or outside alcohol is allowed.
- Bags and coolers will be checked.
- Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome to attend; please remember to Leave No Trace.
- $6 per adult, $4 ages 5-12, Members and children 4 and younger are free. $5 parking per vehicle
Charlotte Symphony Community Concert – NOT FREE (?)
- CSO @ PINEVILLE LAKE PARK June 30 | 8:30 pm | Pineville Lake Park
Fridays
Camp North End
- music at one of their venues every Friday evening
- link here a few days prior to get the upcoming act / location
Matthews Beats ‘n Bites
- The last Friday of the month through September – 5-9 pm
- Stumptown Park at 200 South Trade Street, Matthews
- Get dinner from 5-6 eclectic area trucks, relax in the park, listen to good music, and enjoy the downtown vibe
- Follow on Facebook at “MatthewsBeatsnBites” to see the line-up each week and keep up with your favorite food trucks.
- No Pets or Outside Alcohol Allowed at Special Events per Town Ordinance
- June 24: The Embers ft. Craig Woolard
- July 29: DeCarlo (Boston & Styx covers)
- August 26: Bless the Rains (Toto tribute)
- Sept 30: Rattle and Hum (U2 tribute)
Waxhaw’s Jammin’ By the Tracks
- First & third Friday of the month from June to August – 7-9 pm
- Downtown under the Water Tower in Waxhaw
Mecklenburg County SUNDOWN SOUNDS Free Concerts in the Parks
- Friday, August 5- Band TBA- Park Road Park- 7pm-10pm
Birkdale Village Live Under the Oaks
- Fridays June 10 – October 28 6PM – 8PM
- The Grove across from Kilwins
- A bar will be onsite in the designated area provided by Red Rocks Cafe. We recommend bringing your own lawn chairs and blankets
- June 10th- StellaRising
June 17th- Heroes at Last
June 24th- Pushh - July 1st- Tim Cook
July 8th- The HC Oakes Band
July 15th- Stormin’ Norman
July 22nd- Joseph Gallo
July 29th- Melonbelly
Charlotte Symphony Community Concert
- CSO @ MCGUIRE NUCLEAR STATION June 17 | 8:30 pm | McGuire Nuclear Station
Belmont Friday Night Live
- June 10, June 24, July 2 – 6 – 10 pm
- Friday Night Live concerts have a new location: The Upper Field of Stowe Park.
- Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy great food, cold drinks, and rockin’ music!
- For more information, click here.
- June 10 | Abbey Road Live
- June 24 | 120 Minutes
- July 2 | Java Band
Saturdays
Mecklenburg County SUNDOWN SOUNDS Free Concerts in the Parks
- All concerts are from 6-9pm unless otherwise posted.
- Pack a picnic or enjoy a tasty treat from the vendor onsite.
- Chairs, blankets and hammocks are welcome
- please refrain from alcohol and tobacco use.
- Check ahead for construction traffic and parking locations.
- Saturday, June 4- Band TBA- Reedy Creek Park
- Saturday, July 9- Band TBA- First Ward Park
Stonecrest Summer Concert Series
- Fridays, 7 pm to 10 pm at the FOUNTAIN PLAZA ~ Located in the plaza between Pearlz Oyster Bar and Basil Thai Cuisine.
- Saturdays, 6 pm to 8 pm at the PLAZA CORNER ~ Located in between True Crafted Pizza and Tap & Vine (formerly Civetta), near Regal Cinemas.
- Outside food and drink are PROHIBITIED.
Music on the Green at Promenade on Providence
- Fridays and Saturdays July 30 thru September 24 – 7 – 10 pm
- 10844 Providence Road, Charlotte
- All shows are free and open to the public.
- Make sure to bring your chairs and blankets.
- Seating is first come first served.
- Leashed and friendly pets are always welcome at Promenade.
- Concert is rain or shine. Check Facebook for weather updates!
- Band schedule here.
Mint Hill Family Fun Nights
- 3rd Saturday of month from June to September
- Family Fun starts at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:00 p.m.
- Mint Hill Veterans Park, 8850 Fairview Road, Mint Hill
- Family Fun Nights are free and open to the public.
- In addition to the concert, the event includes a kid zone, food trucks and family games.
- June 18, 2022 — Groove Machine
- July 16, 2022 — Pluto for Planet
- August 20, 2022 — Red Dirt Revival
- September 17, 2022 — Jay Hoff & Company
Camp North End
- Saturday performances as well, link here a few days prior to get the upcoming act / location.
Charlotte Symphony Neighborhood Spring Concert – Jazz Combo
- Saturday, June 11th at 12 pm
- Amity Presbyterian Church 2831 Sharon Amity Road
Charlotte Symphony Community Concert – NOT FREE (?)
- CSO @ BAILEY ROAD PARK June 18 | 8:30 pm | Bailey Road Park
Davidson’s Concerts at the Circles
- Jetton Street by Clean Juice
- First & Third Saturdays, thru October – 5-9 pm
- Band schedule HERE
Davidson’s Second Saturdays at the Square
- South Main Square
- Second Saturdays thru October 8, 6-8 pm
- Band Schedule HERE
Tega Cay Concert Series
- Saturday Concerts – June 11, August 27, September 24 – 6 – 10 pm
- Runde Park, 5116 Windward Drive, Tega Cay
- Parking will be available at Runde Park along with overflow parking located at the lower level tennis courts and Tega Cay Golf Course.
- This year’s food truck vendors include Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Baltimore Crab Cake Co, Cousins Maine Lobster, Hog N Dog Too, Ken’s Famous Italian Ice, KO Food Truck, Maki Taco, Pelicans, Pizza for Pyros, Sal’s Roadside Eatery, That Won Truck, King of Fire, Annie Cakes, JamRock JerkSpot, Bubba Jacks, First Due Food Co., Gnam Gnam Gelato, Krave, and Wilbur’s Last Ride.
- NO BYOB, grills or pets allowed.
Sundays
Party at the Park at Mint Museum Randolph
- Last Sunday of month thru November – 1-5 pm
- Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road
- Enjoy free admission to the museum, food trucks, and live music and a cash bar on the front terrace (weather permitting).
Davidson’s Concerts on the Green
- Concerts on the Green take place the first and third Sundays through September (two Saturdays instead, see schedule details)
- Concert hours are 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- Concerts take place on the town green in downtown Davidson at the corner of Main Street and Concord Road, on the Davidson Public Library stage.
- All concerts are free, family-oriented, and open to all ages.
- All concerts are “rain or shine.”
- Food and beverages are available for purchase.
- Coolers and picnics are welcome.
- Band Schedule is HERE
Charlotte Symphony Neighborhood Spring Concert – Jazz Combo
- Sunday, June 5 at 6 pm
- Five Points Plaza at 1803 West Trade Street
- Enjoy a Neighborhood Spring Concert with musicians from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at Amity Presbyterian Church on Saturdays and at Five Points Plaza on Sundays. Reserve your free spot to a live performance HERE, open to community members of all ages.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at Stumptown Park
- Annual performance of the Charlotte Symphony in Matthews
- Friday, June 10 at 8:30 pm
- Stumptown Park at 120 S. Trade Street in Matthews
- No Pets or Outside Alcohol Allowed at Special Events per Town Ordinance
- Prelude act at 7:00pm
- Symphony performance at 8:15pm
- Bring a blanket or chairs, and enjoy dinner from area food trucks
Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops SUNDAY PERFORMANCES – NOT FREE
- SWING INTO SUMMER June 12 | 8:15 pm | Symphony Park at SouthPark
- HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD June 19 | 8:15 pm | Symphony Park at SouthPark
- OPERA MASTERPIECES June 26 | 8:15 pm | Symphony Park at SouthPark
Early Weekdays
Mecklenburg County SUNDOWN SOUNDS Free Concerts in the Parks
All concerts are from 6-9pm unless otherwise posted. Pack a picnic or enjoy a tasty treat from our vendor onsite. Chairs, blankets and hammocks are welcome; please refrain from alcohol and tobacco use. Check ahead for construction traffic and parking locations.
- Monday, June 1 The Band of Oz- Beach at Pearl Street Park
- Wednesday, June 8 Gino Castillo-Salsa Jazz at Pearl Street Park
- Wednesday June 15- Band TBA- Pearl Street Park
- Wednesday June 22- Davy Knowles- Blues at Ramsey Creek Beach
- Wednesday June 22- Bless the Rains- Toto Tribute Band at Pearl Street Park
- Wednesday June 29- The Terence Young Experience- Jazz at Pearl Street Park
- Wednesday July 13- Band TBA- Clarks Creek Community Park
- Wednesday July 27- Band TBA- Ramsey Creek Beach
- Wednesday July 27- Band TBA- Eastway Regional Recreation Center
- Wednesday August 10- West End Mambo- Latin at Midtown Park
- Wednesday August 24- Dante Lewis- Jazz at Midtown Park
- Wednesday August 24- Todd Johnson and The Revolvers- Rock at Ramsey Creek Beach
Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops WEEKDAY PERFORMANCES – NOT FREE
- ON TAP @ CABARRUS TUESDAY June 14 | 7:30 pm | Cabarrus Brewing Co.
- CELEBRATE AMERICA! WEDNESDAY June 22 | 8:30 pm | Truist Field
- ON TAP @ TRIPLE C TUESDAY June 28 | 7:30 pm | The Barrel Room at Triple C
