Raleigh holds so many local art events during the summer. From the visual arts to the performing arts, our city is sure to have something for everyone. Not only are these events great, they are also easy on your wallet! Admission to every event on this page is free!

Oak City 7

Oak City 7 is a free summer concert series in downtown Raleigh. It is located in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street, and the events take place from 5 p.m. to 10:30pm on Thursdays. The series features tribute bands to different artists each week. The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, May 28^th, 2015

Thursday, June 11^th, 2015

Thursday, June 25^th, 2015

Thursday, July 9^th, 2015

Thursday, July 23^rd, 2015

Thursday, August 6^th, 2015

Thursday, August 20^th, 2015

You can find more information at http://oakcity7.com.

Pickin' in the Plaza

Pickin' in the Plaza is downtown Raleigh's free summer bluegrass concert series. The shows also take place in City Plaza on Fayetteville Street from 5pm to 10:30pm. The dates are on alternating Thursdays. The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 4^th, 2015

Thursday, June 18^th, 2015

Thursday, July 2^nd, 2015

Thursday, July 16^th, 2015

Thursday, July 30^th, 2015

Thursday, August 13^th, 2015

Thursday, August 27^th, 2015

You can find more information at http://pickinintheplaza.com.

Summer in the Park

The City of Raleigh is holding the Summer in the Park concert series at Pullen and Fletcher Parks this summer. Shows start at 6:00pm and there is no admission fee for any of the shows. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, June 7^th, 2015 at Pullen Park

Sunday, June 14^th, 2015 at Fletcher Park

Sunday, June 21^st, 2015 at Pullen Park

Sunday, June 28^th, 2015 at Fletcher Park

Sunday, July 12^th, 2015 at Pullen Park

Sunday, July 19^th, 2015 at Fletcher Park

Sunday, July 26^th, 2015 at Pullen Park

Sunday, August 2^nd, 2015 at Fletcher Park

Sunday, August 9^th, 2015 at Pullen Park

Sunday, August 16^th, 2015 at Fletcher Park

Monday, August 24^th, 2015 at Pullen Park

You can find more information about the series here.

Midtown Beach Music

The Midtown Beach Music series is held in North Hills shopping center on Thursday evenings in the summer. The free event features shag dancing and is a fun outdoor activity for summer nights! The schedule is as follows:

Thursday, June 4^th, 2015

Thursday, June 11^th, 2015

Thursday, June 18^th, 2015

Thursday, June 25^th, 2015

Thursday, July 2^nd, 2015

Thursday, July 9^th, 2015

Thursday, July 16^th, 2015

Thursday, July 23^rd, 2015

Thursday, July 30^th, 2015

Thursday, August 6^th, 2015

You can find more information here.

Midtown Music Fest

The Midtown Music Fest is a celebration of all things Raleigh. There will be local vendors, a spring fashion show, and of course, local music. The Raleigh bands include American Aquarium, Four Founders, and The Jason Adamo Band. The event will take place in North Hills from 2pm-8pm on Sunday, June 7^th, 2015. There is no admission fee.

You can find more information at http://visitnorthhills.com/event/midtown-music-fest/.

Movies in the Garden

Raleigh Little Theatre is offering free outdoor movies in the Stephenson Amphitheatre at RLT. They will be held on select Sundays in July and August, and the movies start at 8:00pm! Gates and pre-show activities open at 7:00pm. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, July 19^th, 2015: Charlotte's Web (G)

Sunday, July 26^th, 2015: A Streetcar Named Desire (PG)

Sunday, August 2^nd, 2015: Into the Woods (PG)

Sunday, August 9^th, 2015: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (PG)

(Rain dates: August 16^th and August 23^rd)

You can find more information here.

First Friday

Raleigh's First Friday is a “free self-guided tour of downtown's cutting edge cultural hot spots." The event runs from 6:00pm-9:00pm, but specific venue hours may vary. Local art studios, galleries, venues, and museums stay open late on the first Friday of every month for the community to appreciate and learn more about Raleigh's art world. Not only is there local art, there is local food and live music as well. The First Friday's of the summer are as follows:

Friday, June 5^th, 2015

Friday, July 3^rd, 2015

Friday, August 7^th, 2015

You can find more information about Raleigh's First Friday events at http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/first-friday-raleigh/about.

Whatever you choose to do this summer, have fun and be safe!