18 free outdoor music series you need to hit this spring and summer

Alive After Five

The city’s largest happy hour is back for its 18th year, kicking off this Thursday, April 5, with a performance by Diamonds & Whiskey.

Location: The EpiCentre
Dates: Every Thursday through September
Time: 5-10 p.m.
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Bearden Music Series

Every last Saturday of the month during the summer, the series will explore a new genre. This summer’s lineup: Blues Beatles, Sidecar Social Club, Orquesta Mayor and Chubby Carrier.

Location: Romare Bearden Park
Dates: June 30, July 28, August 25, September 22
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Friday Night Live

This year’s lineup includes Coming Up Brass, Blackwater Rhythm & Blues and Steve Owens & Summertime.

Location: Stowe Park, Belmont
Dates: May 4, 18; June 1, 22
Time: 6 p.m.
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Front Porch Friday

Spend the evening on Catawba’s patio for award-winning beer, live music and food trucks. The lineup includes acts like Greg Adams, Matt Bush & Mike Nolan, Province of Thieves and Crystal Fountains.

Location: Catawba Brewing Co.
Dates: Every Friday beginning this Friday, April 6, through October 26
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Lake Norman Summer Concert Series

Hang out at D9 Brewing for live music, food, beer and games.

Location: D9 Brewing Co.
Dates: Every last Saturday of the month, May-October
Time: 5-10 p.m.
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LangTree Live

This 22-week concert series will hear every type of genre, from 80’s pop to Billy Joel and The Eagles tributes.

Location: LangTree Lake Norman
Dates: Every Thursday, May-September
Time: 7-9 p.m.
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Live at The Family Tree

Join NoDa Company Store and artists like Manolamb, Chandler Martin and Christy Snow for this 5-concert series.

Location: NoDa Company Store
Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 18
Time: Times vary, but most start at 8 p.m.
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Live on the Green

First Ward Park will be home to this rock-, Americana- and bluegrass-centered concert series. Lineup includes Sinner & Saints, Trongone, Chris Jacobs and Donna the Buffalo.

Location: First Ward Park
Dates: June 1, 2, 15, 29; July 13, 27; August 10, 24; September 14, 15
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Music at the Fountain

Make your way to StoneCrest for this 6-month long series that sees performers like Dukes & Smith, Brubakers, Flute Praise and Greg Lilley.

Location: StoneCrest at Piper Glen
Dates: Every Friday and Saturday through September 29, beginning this Friday, April 7
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Music Box Lunch

Head to the park for some easy listening over your Tuesday and Friday lunch breaks. Linup includes Tom Stainkamp, J’Michael Peeples, Minsky Delmonte and Colby Dobbs.

Location: Romare Bearden Park
Dates: Every Tuesday and Friday through August 31
Time: 12-1:30 p.m.
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Party in the Park

Spend a few summer nights at Romare Bearden listening to a lineup that includes The Band of Oz, The Tams and The Catalinas.

Location: Romare Bearden Park
Dates: Every Wednesday night through August 29
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Picnic in the Park

Beat the Sunday Scaries with an afternoon concert. Lineup includes Todd Murray, Maya Beth Atkins, Jeff Brown and Jeremy Davis.

Location: Fourth Ward Park
Dates: Every Sunday from June 3 to August 26
Time: 4-6 p.m.
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River Jam

Wrap up your day at the Whitewater Center with a show at the Center’s outdoor concert venue in the middle of the whitewater river. Genres include rock, americana, bluegrass and more, with a lineup that sees the Jon Stickley Trio, Mike Strauss Band, Elonzo Wesley and Nora Jane Struthers.

Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Dates: Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, May-September
Time: 7-10 p.m.
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Spring Concert Series

TGIT every week on University City’s boardwalk beginning tomorrow, April 5. Lineup: Straight Fire,  Minutes and Years, Too Much Sylvia and Voltage Brothers.

Location: Shoppes at University Place
Dates: April 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Spring Concert Series

You’ll find the city’s newest music venue on South Boulevard between SouthBound and Mac’s Speed Shop. Acts include Zack Mexico, Black Masala and Swift Technique.

Location: The Music Yard
Dates: Every Saturday beginning April 7, through May 26
Time: 6 p.m.
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Summer Jazz Series

The hit concert series is back for another season at Freedom Park with a lineup that includes The Brubakers, Jonathan Fritzén, J’Michael Peeples, Art Sherrod Jr., Adrian Crutchfield and Gerald Veasley.

Location: Freedom Park
Dates: June 16, July 14, August 11
Time: 6-9 p.m.
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Summer Music Series

Lineup includes Hipshack and Leslie and Friends.

Location: Blakeney Village Green
Dates: Every Friday and Saturday, May-September
Time: 7 p.m.
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Sunset at Metropolitan

Soak in the sunset and the skyline view with this 5-concert lineup on the stage between Dressler’s and Hickory Tavern. Genres include top 40, classic rock, jazz and soul.

Location: The Metropolitan (between Dressler’s and Hickory Tavern)
Dates: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Time: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
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