A Durham summer isn’t complete without some good outdoor concerts. The music, the people, the food trucks. Ahhhh, I love it! Here’s a lineup of where you can see some free outdoor concerts in Durham this Summer 2018.

Back Porch Music on the Lawn at American Tobacco Concert Series

318 Blackwell St.
Enjoy free concerts, 6-9 p.m., on the American Tobacco Amphitheater select Thursdays May 11-Sept. 14. Picnics and coolers are welcome-no glass. American Tobacco’s restaurants will be open, and beer and wine are available for purchase.
2018 Dates: June 14, June 21, Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.

Click here to see the full ATC Calendar

Summer Concert Series at Brightleaf Square

Concerts are held from 7pm – 9pm in the courtyard

Concert Schedule

June 8 – Crush
June 22 Moonlight Rescue Band
July 6 – TBD
July 20 – Mo Jazz
August 3 – The Ellerbe Creek Band
August 17 – Squandered Bongos
August 31 – 8 Track Minds
September 7 – Smile

HistoricBrightleaf.com

Northgate Jams

1058 W. Club Blvd.
​A community music collaboration event on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. at Northgate Mall. Musicians and music enthusiasts are invited to come jam.

facebook.com/NorthgateJams

Duke Performances’ Music in the Gardens

420 Anderson St.

Ok, this is the only option that isn’t free but it’s pretty cheap and it’s in Duke Gardens, one of our favorite spots, so I thought it was worth mentioning. Full price tickets are $10, Duke Employees and Students are $5, and kids 12 and under are free. Listen to regional indie rock and folk groups in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens on select Wednesdays in June and July. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m. Chairs and picnics are allowed

Buy tickers at tickets.duke.edu Tickets will be available at the door if not sold out.

Durham Central Park PLAYlist Concert Series

501 Foster St.

PLAYlist is Durham Central Park’s 10 week summer concert series with shows every Friday night from 6-8pm, rain or shine.

The lineup covers a broad range of musical styles and features local and national acts. And each show will have a great mix of local craft beer vendors and food trucks.

June 8th-Gabriel Garzón-Montano
June 15th- Laura Reed
June 22nd- Aztec Sun with stArt of Cool
June 29th- Valerie June with Opener Kamara Thomas
July 6th- Mamis & the Papis with Gemynii
July 13th- Joshua Gunn
July 20th- Devon Gilfillian
July 27th- Empire Strikes Brass
August 3rd- Al Strong & The Fresh Five
August 10th- Kyshona Armstrong

durhamcentralpark.org/playlist

Rock the Park Concert & Movie Series

Durham Parks and Recreation offers a summer concert and movie series in various Durham parks on Saturdays during June 9-Aug. 18. Both series are free and open to the public. Food vendors will be on site and food will be available for purchase. Check the website for locations, dates and times.

Saturday, June 9, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Duke Park, 106 W. Knox Street
Band: ReggaeInfinity

Saturday, July 7 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Forest Hills Park, 1639 University Drive
Band: N2U Band

Saturday, Aug. 4, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Southern Boundaries Park, 100 Third Fork Drive
BAnd: Shursoundz

More Info

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The Streets at Southpoint’s Music on Main

8030 Renaissance Pkwy

Listen to free concerts featuring adult contemporary, beach and light jazz music at Cinema Circle (across from South Point Cinemas) Saturdays April 214 – Sept. 29, 6-9 p.m.

  • June 2 – Konnection
  • June 9 – Holiday Band
  • June 16 – Mel Melton
  • June 23 – Mason Lovette
  • June 30 – Lauren Light
  • July 7 – Bigtime
  • July 14 – Jim Quick & Coastline
  • July 21 – The Davis Messina Band
  • July 28 – Bounce
  • August 4 – Casablanca Orchestra
  • August 11 – The Troupers
  • August 18 – Megan Doss
  • August 25 – Steve Owens & Summertime

More Info 

Katelyn Belch
Author: Katelyn Belch

Founder of Best of the Bull and Shop Durham. It’s my chief goal to keep you in the know about all things Durham.