Full list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area for 2025

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21-05-2025

One of the great pleasures of living in the Wilmington area is all of the live music we get to enjoy once the weather starts getting warm.
There's nothing quite like an open-air concert, and Southeastern North Carolina has plenty of places to enjoy one, from dockside at the beach with a few dozen patrons to big venues packed with thousands of screaming fans.
From Calabash to Topsail Beach and all points in between, here's a look at places to catch an outdoor concert this year.
As of press time, a few area concert series had not announced their full schedules, but we'll update this story as more information becomes available.
Some concerts require tickets, but many are free.
NEW HANOVER
Super-popular series in a beautiful setting. Concerts run from 6-8 p.m. Fridays, and tickets go on sale the Monday before each concert. (Tickets for Airlie members go on sale earlier.) Parking is off-site at the Northeast Library, 1241 Military Cutoff Road, with free shuttle service to the concerts starting at 5 p.m. Chairs, blankets and picnics are allowed, and guests can purchase food and beverages. Tickets are $10, $3 for ages 4-12, free for ages 3 and under. 910-798-7700.
June 6: Machine Gun (rock, pop)
June 20: Motel Soap ('70s and '80s pop, rock)
July 4: The Cruise Brothers (country, R&B)
July 18: reSoul (R&B, pop)
Aug. 8: Jack Jack 180 (pop, rock)
Aug. 15: Jim Quick and Coastline (beach, "swamp soul")
Sept. 5: TripleWide (rock, jazz, blues, funk)
Late summer/early fall music series is held in the lovely environs of the Blakeslee Air Force Recreation Area in Kure Beach, with its scenic vistas of the Cape Fear River. Concerts are 6 p.m. Fridays. Bring a chair or blanket, food trucks on site. Free.
July 11: Dubtown Cosmonauts (jam)
July 25: British Invaders (British rock tribute)
Aug. 8: Cory Luetjen & The Traveling Blues Band
Aug. 22: Massive Grass (bluegrass)
Sept. 12: Courtney Lynn & Quinn (folk)
Sept. 26: Oc3ans (rock, R&B)
Concerts by area acts are held on the grounds of the CAM by the "Boundless" sculpture. $5 suggested donation, 7 p.m. Thursdays. Christa Gabrielle Faison (violin) is scheduled for May 15, with additional dates for other acts TBA.
Pleasure Island concert series also features fireworks. Concerts run 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk except where indicated. Fireworks on the beach strand start at 9 p.m. Free.
Friday, May 23: Port City Shakedown (R&B, soul)
May 29: Jack Jack 180 (pop, rock)
June 5: Spare Change (party tunes)
June 12: The Conspiracy ('70s, '80s rock)
June 19: Will McBride Group (rock, funk, blues, jazz)
June 26: Machine Gun (rock, pop)
July 3: Port City Shakedown (R&B, soul)
July 10: Bibis Ellison (pop, rock)
July 17: Dalton Davis (country)
July 24: Frank Grant & The Feelin' (reggae, R&B)
July 31: Beatlesesque (Beatles tribute)
Aug. 7: Dubtown Cosmonauts (jam)
Aug. 14: The Bolin Brothers (country)
Aug. 21: Dani Kerr & Skeleton Krew (rock, soul)
Friday, Aug. 29: The Main Event (classic rock)
Some say the beach music genre was born in Carolina Beach, and this annual festival (2025 is the 39th) brings it all back home. This year, for the first time festival organizers are adding a day of reggae to the Beach Music Festival. Beach music day is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7, with The Tams, Band Of Oz and Jim Quick & Coastline. Reggae day is 12:30-6 p.m. June 8, with Ballyhoo!, Tropidelic and Dale and the ZDubs. Tickets are $35 per day, $59 for both days, free for kids 10 and under.
Concert series from downtown beer garden and event space The Eagles' Dare, Third and Red Cross streets. Concerts, which feature a mix of area, touring and tribute acts, start with a 6:30 p.m. opener, with headliners going on at 8 p.m. Gates at 5 p.m. Free as can be.
May 9: Supply Chain (Warped Tour tribute), with Sloppy Copy
May 16: 40oz to Freedom (Sublime tribute), with School of Rock
May 23: Hey, Johnny Park (Foo Fighters tribute), opener TBA
May 30: Shoot to Thrill (AC/DC tribute), with Faith & Scars
June 6: Parkside (modern country tribute)
June 13: The Petty Thieves (Tom Petty tribute), with reSoul
June 20: Deep 6 (Pearl Jam tribute), with Audiomelt
June 27: Fake Happy (Paramore tribute), opener TBA
July 4: Flying High Again (Ozzy Osbourne tribute), with Jet 22 Refueled
July 11: The Crystal Ship (Doors tribute), with The Adam Hill Band
July 18: Emo Karaoke (emo tribute), opener TBA
July 25: Badmotorfinger (Soundgarden tribute) and Exploder (Audioslave tribute)
1,400-seat amphitheater managed by Live Nation has a full summer of concerts by major touring acts. Purchase tickets in advance, concessions available.
May 8: Fitz and The Tantrums (pop)
May 10: Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder (country)
May 14-15: The String Cheese Incident (jam)
May 16: Matt Kearney (rock)
May 17: The Stews, with The Runarounds (rock)
May 24: Umphrey's McGee (jam)
May 27: Dark Star Orchestra (Pink Floyd tribute)
June 6: Charles Wesley Godwin (country)
June 18: Ziggy Alberts (rock)
June 20: Collie Buddz (reggae)
June 28: Big Something (jam)
July 6: Steel Pulse (reggae)
July 12: Shaky Graves (rock)
July 19: Flipturn (rock)
July 27: Wilderado (rock)
Aug. 3: Drive-By Truckers, Deer Tick (rock, country)
Aug. 14: The Wood Brothers (folk)
Aug. 23: Andy Frasco and the U.N. (rock)
Aug. 24: The Struts (rock)
Aug. 30: Watchhouse (folk)
Sept. 18-19: Trombone Shorty (jazz)
Sept. 22-23: Maren Morris (country)
Sept. 27: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors (rock)
Concerts are held at the Bellamy Mansion Museum downtown on the second Wednesday of each month and start at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, which can purchased at the venue on the day of the concert starting at 6 p.m., are $25, $20 for museum volunteers and members, and $15 for students and active military. Proceeds benefit the Cape Fear Jazz Society and the Bellamy Mansion Museum.
May 14: El Jaye Johnson AllStars
June 11: Darryl Murrill Band
July 9: Randy Johnston Band
Aug. 13: Jasmine Quartet, with Adam Moxley-White
Sept. 10: Teddy Burgh Trio
Oct. 8: Rain date
People do, in fact, get down and boogie at this oceanside concert series, held 5-7 p.m. Sundays at Oceanfront Park, 105 Atlantic Ave. in Kure Beach. Bring a beach chair or blanket. Free. 910-458-8216.
May 18: The Hatch Brothers (rock)
June 1: Folkstone Stringband (country, Americana)
July 15: The Rhythm Bones (New Orleans jazz)
July 20: Randy McQuay (blues)
Aug. 3: Uptown Easy
Aug. 17: Code Red
Sept. 7: Brown Dirt Cowboys (pop, rock)
Sept. 21: Blackwater Band (beach, blues, country)
Oct. 5: David Dixon (pop, rock, soul)
Oct. 19: Mixed Signals
Carolina Beach hotspot has live music multiple times per week on its outdoor stage. Check LazyPirateSportsGrill.com for the schedule.
7,200-seat amphitheater managed by Live Nation has a full summer of concerts by major touring acts. Purchase tickets in advance, concessions available.
May 9: Michael Franti & Spearhead (rock)
May 13: Wilco, with Waxahatchee (rock)
May 14: Teddy Swims (pop)
May 15: Coheed and Cambria, with Mastodon (rock)
May 25: Mike. (hip-hop)
May 31: Dan + Shay, Hailey Withers, Austin Snell (country)
June 8: Dispatch, John Butler (rock)
June 11: The Black Keys (rock)
June 13: Riley Green (country)
June 14: Slightly Stoopid (rock, reggae)
June 15: Glass Animals (pop)
June 17: Goose (rock)
June 19: Dwight Yoakam (country)
June 20: Rainbow Kitten Surprise (rock)
June 27: Parker McCollum (country)
July 6: Gary Clark Jr. (rock)
July 17: Kidz Bop (pop)
July 24: Brad Paisley (country)
July 25: Weird Al Yankovic (comedy)
July 26: Primus (rock)
Aug. 10: Cypress Hill, Atmosphere (hip-hop)
Aug. 15: Red Clay Strays (country)
Aug. 31: Caamp (rock)
Sept. 12: Billy Currington, Kip Moore (country)
Sept. 17: Vance Joy (folk)
Sept. 30: Lake Street Dive (pop)
Oct. 3: Gavin Adcock (country)
Oct. 22: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Little Feat (rock)
Oct. 29: John Legend (R&B)
Carolina Beach spot has been holding concerts on the remnants of the former Center Pier for more than 20 years. Concerts are 7-9 p.m. Thursdays except where noted. Admission is free, food and beverages available for purchase.
June 5: CoverLip (rock)
June 12: Birdwell Beat (surf rock)
July 19: Horizontal Hold, Shelby Smoak (indie rock)
June 26: The Sardines (rock, pop)
Sunday, July 13: The Old Ceremony (folk, rock)
July 17: The Fontanelles (folk, country)
July 24: Summer Set (indie rock)
July 31: Kicking Bird (rock, pop)
Aug. 7: Entrez Vous, Paint Work (indie, garage)
Aug. 14: The Shoaldiggers (folk, Americana)
Aug. 21: The Dew Drops (country)
Held on the Crystal Pier at the Oceanic restaurant in Wrightsville Beach. Concerts are 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and noon-3 p.m. Sundays May 8-Sept. 21. Free. Full schedule at OceanicRestaurant.com.
Weekly outdoor music series at Wrightsville Beach hotspot Bluewater Grill, located right on the Intracoastal Waterway. Concerts are 4-8 p.m. Sundays, free. Full schedule at BluewaterDining.com.
Carolina Beach spot is a great place to see live music, which is performed on a covered outdoor stage. Music on multiple nights per week all summer long, check schedule for details.
Weekend concert series at The Boatyard, 18 Harnett St., located behind Marina Grill & Tequila's Waterfront just off the Wilmington Riverwalk. Shows are 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. With vendors on site, bring a chair. Free.
May 9: Jet 22 Refueled
May 10: Port City Shakedown (R&B, soul)
May 16: Petty Mac Revue
May 23: Jesse Stockton Duo
May 24: Machine Gun
May 30: Delia Stanley
May 31: BeMyFiasco
Additional dates TBA
Concerts in Wrightsville Beach Park are 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Bring a lawn chairs or blanket. Picnics welcome food trucks on site. Coolers allowed, but no alcohol.
June 12: Machine Gun (rock, pop)
June 19: CMB
June 26: reSoul (soul, R&B)
July 3: Southern Trouble (country, rock)
July 10: No Regretz
July 17: Jack Jack 180 (pop, rock)
July 24: Port City Shakedown (R&B, soul)
July 31: Island Time Band
Aug. 7: Rain date
BRUNSWICK COUNTY
Concerts are 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Calabash Town Park, 868 Persimmon Road. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Free. 910-579-6747.
June 3: Band of Oz (beach)
June 17: Chocolate Chip & Co. (R&B)
June 24: Too Much Sylvia (variety)
July 1: The Extradordinaires
July 15: Thomas Road Band
July 22: The Main Event Band
July 29: J.B. and the Get Down Browns
Aug. 5: The Tonez
Concerts run 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday evenings at Bridgeview Park on Holden Beach. Bring a blanket or a chair. Call 910-842-6488 for details. Free.
May 25: The Embers featuring Craig Woolard (beach)
June 1: Too Much Sylvia
June 8: Carolina Kool
June 15: Gary Lowder & Smokin Hot (beach)
June 22: The Main Event Band
June 29: The Extraordinaires
July 6: The Tams (beach)
July 13: Jim Quick and Coastline (beach, "swamp soul")
July 20: The Sand Band
July 27: Continental Divide
Aug. 3: Blackwater Band (beach, blues, country)
Aug. 10: Band of Oz (beach)
Aug. 17: The Entertainers
Aug. 24: North Tower
Aug. 31: Chairmen of the Board, featuring Ken Knox (beach)
Concerts run 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays, unless otherwise noted, at the Middleton Park Amphitheater. Blankets, lawn chairs and picnics allowed. Free.
May 23: The Entertainers
May 30: Christine Martinez Band (rock)
June 6: Jim Quick and Coastline (beach, "swamp soul")
June 13: Wicked Fire (Santana tribute)
June 20: Too Much Sylvia (variety)
June 27: Julio & The Saltines
Tuesday, July 1: Chairmen of the Board, featuring Ken Knox (beach)
July 11: The Embers, featuring Craig Woolard (beach)
July 18: The British Invaders
July 25: Rivermist
Aug. 1: The Sand Band
Aug. 8: The Extraordinaires
Aug. 15: The Salty Dawgs
Aug. 22: 52nd Street Band
Saturday, Aug. 30: The Main Event Band
Also known as the Peggy Hughes Summer Concert Series, shows are Friday evenings (5 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. show) at Town Center Park, 11 E. Second St. in Ocean Isle Beach. Free. Food vendors on site. Chairs allowed, no smoking, vaping or pets.
May 25: The Main Event Band
June 6: Christine Martinez Band (rock)
June 13: The Entertainers
June 20: The Tonez
June 27: Blackwater Band (rock, blues, country)
June 30: The Extraordinaires
July 11: The Catalinas
July 18: Chocolate Chip & Co. (R&B)
July 25: Too Much Sylvia (variety)
Aug. 1: Band of Oz (beach)
Aug. 8: Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot (beach)
Aug. 15: The Embers, featuring Craig Woodard (beach)
Aug. 22: Special Occasion Band
Aug. 31: Continental Divide
Concerts runs 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at Mulberry Park, 123 Mulberry St. in Shallotte.
July 3: The Catalinas
July 10: Too Much Sylvia (variety)
July 17: Chocolate Chip & Co. (R&B)\
July 24: The Tonez
July 31: Thomas Road Band
Aug. 7: Julio & The Saltines
Aug. 14: The Entertainers
Aug. 28: The Band of Oz (beach)
Sept. 4: The Extraordinaires
Series in downtown Southport holds concerts 6-8 p.m. Thursdays in Franklin Square Park. (That's a change from last year, when it was Sundays on Fort Johnston's Garrison Lawn.) First concert is May 29, last concert is Aug. 28, no concert July 3. Bring picnics, chairs, blankets. Free, with food trucks on site. Schedule of performers is to be announced.
Concerts are held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Sunset Beach Town Park, 206 Sunset Blvd. Bring a chair. Free.
May 28: North Tower Band
June 4: Rivermist
June 11: The Mercenaries Band
June 18: Chocolate Chip and Co. (R&B)
June 25: The Switch
July 2: The Extraordinaires
July 9: Band On Fire
July 16: Devin Dove Band
July 23: The Entertainers
July 30: JB & The Get Down Browns
Aug. 6: Julio & The Saltines
Aug. 13: MacDaddys
Aug. 20: Too Much Sylvia (variety)
Aug. 27: 52nd Street Band
PENDER COUNTY
All concerts will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays on the Pender County Courthouse Square, downtown Burgaw. Food vendors on site. Free. 910-259-1330.
May 22: The Pink Slips (beach, rock, country, R&B)
June 5: Thirsty Horses
June 19: Chocolate Chip & Co. (R&B)
July 17: Autumn Tyde
Concerts are 6:30 p.m. Fridays at Kiwanis Park, 586 Sloop Point Loop Road in Hampstead. Bring blankets and chairs. Food trucks on site. Alcohol not allowed. Free.
May 16: The Entertainers (beach, R&B)
May 30: Carl Newton's Review (R&B)
June 13: The Pink Slips (beach, rock, country, R&B)
June 27: The Konnection (variety)
Concerts are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Topsail Beach Town Center, 624 S. Anderson Blvd. in Topsail Beach. Bring a chair. Free.
May 27: Dear MariBella & The Pigkickers (bluegrass)
June 24: The Cruise Brothers
July 22: Taylor Bissette
Aug. 26: Bacon Grease (rock)
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Outdoor summer concerts in and near Wilmington, NC, 2025