The Port City has so many free concert series during the summer, it’s almost hard to keep up. So, if you’re visiting or local, you’ll benefit by checking out (and bookmarking) this Guide To Free Summer Concerts In Wilmington, NC.
For more help planning your trip, check out all of our Wilmington posts.
One of the best parts of Wilmington, NC in the summer is the live music.
When we first moved here, there was the Downtown Sundown concert series, a free Friday night concert where a local band would open followed by a national, touring, cover band.
It was amazing.
The block would be shut down, you could purchase alcohol (to drink on the courthouse steps!) and our favorite food truck would set up every week. It was the best way to spend our Friday nights.
Due to construction, the concert series was paused. But, in its place, a ton of other venues started hosting free outdoor concerts.
So, to make your summer easier, we put together this guide of free concerts in the area.
Wilmington is a great place to visit because there are so many fun activities all the time. Maybe a little too many.
If you need help narrowing it down, check out the Wilmington, North Carolina Travel Guide we put together. It’s filled with tips about what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and more.
A Guide To Free Summer Concerts In Wilmington, NC
Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.
Drugstore Divas has no association with any of the venues or concert series. So, be sure to check each one’s website for any changes.
Quick Guide: Free Summer Concerts Around Wilmington
| Concert Series | Location | Day | Season/Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boardwalk Blast | Carolina Beach | Thursday | Summer |
| Sounds of Summer | Wrightsville Beach | Thursday | Summer |
| Summer Concert Series | Southport | Thursday | Summer |
| Summer Concert Series | Fort Fisher | Friday | August to October |
| Free Concert Friday | Downtown Wilmington | Friday | Summer |
| Sunset Series | Downtown Wilmington | Saturday | Summer |
| Boogie in the Park | Kure Beach | Sunday | May to October |
Best Free Summer Concert Series in Wilmington, NC
Boardwalk Blast (Carolina Beach)
Where: Carolina Beach Gazebo Stage (Carolina Beach Ave S, Carolina Beach)
Dates/Times: Thursdays from May 28 to August 27, plus Friday of Memorial Day Weekend (May 22) and Labor Day Weekend (September 4) | 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Details: There’s a little bit of seating around the stage, but most people bring their own beach chairs. Fireworks start at 9 pm every concert, so it’s a very cool experience to listen to the band while you watch the fireworks.
Parking: There’s a bunch of paid public parking around the boardwalk area.
Insider tip: There’s one way in and out of Carolina Beach, so leaving is very slow because of all the traffic. Definitely pack your patience.
Boogie In The Park (Kure Beach)
Where: Ocean Front Park (105 Atlantic Ave, Kure Beach)
Dates/Times: The 1st and 3rd Sunday, May through October | 5 pm to 7 pm
Details: There’s a little bit of seating around the stage, but bringing your own seats is a good idea.
Parking: There’s a bunch of free parking around Kure Beach.
Insider tip: There aren’t any shows on the July 4th or Labor Day weekends.
Fort Fisher Summer Concert Series
Where: Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area (118 Riverfront Rd, Kure Beach, NC)
Dates/Times: Second and Fourth Friday from August to October | 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Details: Various food trucks will be at the family-friendly event. You’re encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Parking: Parking is free at the rec area.
Insider tip: Kure Beach has one way in and out, so be prepared for slow moving traffic.
Free Concert Friday (Wilmington)
Where: The Eagle’s Dare (420 N 3rd St)
Dates/Times: Fridays: May 1 to July 31 | 6 pm
Details: Food trucks will be available during the concerts.
Parking: There is free street parking. Eagle’s Dare does have a parking lot, but it’s not accessible when there are concerts there.
Insider tip: There are folding chairs set up in front of the stage that you can sit at if you get there early enough.
Sunset Live (Wilmington)
Where: The Boatyard | Marina District (10 Harnett Street; Wilmington)
Dates/Times: Fridays and Saturdays: April 3 to October 16 | 6 pm
Details: Anyone 21+ can purchase drinks for consumption on the pier. Also, there’s a small section in the back of the pier that’s reserved for anyone who wants to bring their own lawn chairs.
Parking: There isn’t any parking at the venue. There is street parking nearby and public lots that are within walking distance.
Insider tip: You’re able to access Marina Grill and its indoor bar during the concert. The drinks in there are cheaper and you’re able to bring them onto the pier. No outdoor food and drink is allowed, but Marina Grill is on site, so it’s allowed.
Holden Beach Summer Concert Series
Where: Bridgeview Park to start the season, but it will move to Block Q mid-season
Dates/Times: Sundays from May 24 to August 30 | 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Details: Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged as there’s no other seating.
Parking: Parking is free in Holden Beach after 5 pm, so you shouldn’t have to pay for parking to attend the concerts.
Insider tip: We’ve never been to Holden Beach for this series, so don’t hold us to that parking tip.
Sounds Of Summer Concert Series (Wrightsville Beach)
Where: The Park at Wrightsville Beach Park (321 Causeway Dr, Wrightsville Beach)
Dates/Times: Thursdays from June 11 to July 30 | 6:30 pm to 8 pm
Details: Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed at the park, although alcohol isn’t. Rotating food trucks will be at each concert.
Parking: Parking is $6 an hour at Wrightsville Beach.
Insider tip: Definitely bring chairs. There’s nowhere to sit otherwise.
Southport Summer Concert Series
Where: Franklin Square Park (130 E West St)
Dates/Times: Thursdays from May 28 to September 3 | 6 pm to 8 pm
Details: The summer concert series held annually in Southport was moved to the fall for a few seasons, but it’s back to summer now.
Parking: There’s a lot of free street parking in the area.
Insider tip: This is right on the water, so even though it’s still summer, it gets cold when the sun goes down, so bring a jacket.
Summer Concerts in Wilmington, NC: Frequently Asked Questions
All of the concerts on this list are free.
There are two really large concert venues in Wilmington (Live Oak Bank Pavilion and Greenfield Lake Amphitheater) that host ticketed concerts during the year, so they’re not included on this list.
Airlie Gardens, one of Wilmington’s two local botanical gardens, has concerts during the summer. They’re free to members, but visitors need a ticket, so that’s not on this list either.
Yes. All of the concerts in this post allow you to bring your own chairs.
We suggest foldable captains chairs (that’s what we always called them, but I know some people calling them camping chairs) because they fold and fit into a bag with a strap, so they’re easy to carry. You’ll see a lot of people with backpack chairs too, especially at a beach town concert.
We also like to bring a foldable table with a bag to the concerts at Carolina Beach and Kure Beach because we have our dinner at the concert too.
All of the summer concerts in Wilmington are family friendly. We always see kids dancing in front of the stage and making memories.
Just make sure that you are watching your kids because some of the concerts get very crowded and you don’t want your child to get lost or disrupt other people.
The only concert on this list that has fireworks every week is the Boardwalk Blast at Carolina Beach.
More Things To Do In Wilmington, NC:
If you’re visiting Wilmington and you’re looking for more things to do, there are a ton of local events happening all the time. Be sure to check out list of Festivals in Wilmington, NC. Hopefully there’s one happening when you’re in town.
Also, our 24 Hours In Wilmington post will help if you’re only in town for a quick trip.
Which of these Free Summer Concerts In Wilmington, NC are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.