Day by day list of outdoor concerts in Charlotte (mostly free)

In most years there’s no shortage of outdoor concerts in the warmer months. In 2020, there was a shortage! The concerts are slowly coming back in 2021, but some will start out a little bit differently.

Some of the concerts are no longer free. Instead, attendees must purchase tickets in “pods” or “rings,” for a small number of people. This is to keep the crowds down, and to promote social distancing. Some concerts are still free, but you have to reserve tickets.

For this reason, make sure to look at the information below about the concerts, and follow the links. Purchase your tickets in advance, as they’re subject to selling out.

There are a lot of annual summer concerts that haven’t been announced yet, and we note some of them below, as we wait to hear.

After the descriptions of the concerts, which is organized by area, scroll down to see a day-by-day list of outdoor concerts all over the Charlotte region. Again, make sure to follow the links to get the information that you need in order to attend.

University City and North Charlotte Concert Series

Shoppes at University Place

Shoppes at University Place usually hosts a spring and fall concert series. Also, there will almost certainly be live music at Camp North End.

We’ll update as soon as we hear something.

South Charlotte and East Charlotte Outdoor Concert Series

Party at the Park at Mint Museum Randolph
Last Sunday of month through November, 2021
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road
Enjoy live music on the lawn of Mint Museum Randolph, as well as food trucks and a cash bar. Admission to the museum is also free at this time.
Free

Midtown

Music at the Met
Thursdays from April 29th to September 9th, 2021
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Metropolitan, 1111 Metropolitan Avenue, Charlotte
Enjoy acoustic music on the patio overlooking Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Enjoy takeout from one of the restaurants at Metropolitan.

Matthews and Mint Hill Outdoor Concert Series

Matthews Outdoor Concert Series
2nd and 4th Friday April through September
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Stumptown Park
200 South Trade Street, Matthews
Tickets are sold in pods. The price varies from $6 to $24, depending on the location and size of the pod. Each one is for 2-4 people.

Lake Norman Outdoor Concert Series

Jazz Concert Series
Saturdays in April: April 10th, 17th, 24th
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Veterans Park, Huntersville
$10 to reserve a table, which can seat up to 6 people. You get a $10 coupon for the food truck.

LaLaCaboosa
Select Thursdays twice a month from June to August, 2021
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Veterans Park, Huntersville
Fun party bands
Free

Birkdale Village Live Under the Oaks
Fridays from April 9th to October 29th, 2021
Fridays and Saturdays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Birkdale Village, Birkdale Commons Parkway and Sam Furr Road, Huntersville
Tickets are $25 for a social distancing ring, for up to 4 people

Cabarrus County Outdoor Concert Series

The Cities of Kannapolis and Concord, usually host outdoor concerts throughout the summer. We’ll update when we hear about them.

Rockin’ the Burg
One concert announced so far: The Embers featuring Craig Woolard
May 8th
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Harrisburg Park
191 Sims Parkway
Free, but you need to register (follow above link)

South Carolina Outdoor Concert Series

Tega Cay Concert Series
One Saturday a month from April to September, except July. April 17th, May 15th, June 19th, August 21st, September 18th, 2021.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Runde Park, 5116 Windward Drive, Tega Cay, SC
Also, food trucks and drink vendors
Free

Anne Springs Close Greenway Summer Concert Series
Thursdays from May 6th to July 29th, 2021
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, in Fort Mill, South Carolina
$6 for non-members. Free for members. $5 for parking

Union County Outdoor Concert Series

Downtown Waxhaw’s Jammin’ By the Tracks
Two Fridays a month from June to August, 2021
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Under Water Tower in Waxhaw
Free

West and Southwest Charlotte Outdoor Concert Series

River Jam
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, May 6th to September 30th, 2021
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte
Free (parking is $6)

Uptown Outdoor Concerts

Check back soon! There are usually a lot of great concert series in Uptown Charlotte, and we’ll add them here as soon as we hear about them.

Ballantyne Outdoor Concert Series

Several shopping centers in Ballantyne host summer concert series every year. When we hear that these have been scheduled, we will update here. There are usually concert series at Stonecrest, Blakeney, Promenade on Providence and Ballantyne Village.