Who's ready for FREE summer concerts?
Between area communities' free summer concert series, informal live music at local eateries and summer festivals and events, there's a plethora of live music to enjoy this year with zero admission charges! From Pioneer Park in Mooresville to downtown Martinsville, with a variety of festivals in between, there's sure to be a show you'll enjoy. Plan to bring your own seating for most events. This list will take you through the summer, but be sure to come back to check out what's happening this fall with free live music at several fall festivals in the area as well.
All events are subject to changes by organizers. You can always find the latest information on our Calendar of Events, which is updated nearly daily.
MOORESVILLE FREE
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Mooresville's annual free summer concert series is back! The series will continue to take place at beautiful Pioneer Park, however there will be no shows at Bicentennial Park this year due to a downtown Mooresville construction project on Main Street. Shows are free and music begins at 7 pm. This fun and relaxed series will have refreshments available on site. There will be six free shows this year, ranging from May through August. Please bring your own seating, sunscreen and bug spray. There will be food and beverages available on site, including wine and beer. Picnics and small coolers are welcome. No outside alcohol.
May 28
Jennie DeVoe
June 11
Cook & Belle
July 16
Big Rosco & The Hammers
July 30
Soul Street
August 8
The Regulators
August 20
Tastes Like Chicken
CITY OF MARTINSVILLE
DOWNTOWN FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
This year's downtown summer concert series in Martinsville will feature a total of seven free live music events. Concerts will be held this year at The Venue, an outdoor performance venue at the corner of Jefferson and Pike Streets, adjacent to the Art Sanctuary of Indiana. Food is available from downtown eateries as well as on site vendors and admission is free. Bring your own seating. Music begins at 7 pm; onsite food and drink vendors open at 6 pm. All concerts will be held on Thursday evenings, with the exception of the final concert of the season, which will be a gospel celebration on a Sunday afternoon in October, beginning at 2 pm.
May 14
Electric Rose
June 25
Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio
July 2
The Big 80s
September 3
Flannel Jane
September 17
Toy Factory
October 1
BIGG Country
October 19, beginning at 2 pm
DownPour & Praise Groups From Area Churches
BLACK DOG BREWING COMPANY FREE CONCERTS
Mooresville's local brewery, located on State Road 67 just south of town, Black Dog Brewing Company serves up live music just about every Saturday. Watch our calendar for who's playing each week, but you can expect to find live performances beginning at 7 pm on Saturdays year around. Don't miss indulging in their tasty flat bread pizza and local brews while you're there!
CEDAR CREEK WINERY & BREWERY FREE CONCERTS
Don't forget to also check out the schedule for Cedar Creek Winery, Brew Co and Distillery - their ticketed Drink at the Creek Concert Series takes place May through October. (Shows are affordable and very family friendly, with kids age 12 and under free!) But, did you know Cedar Creek also has free shows just about every weekend? Any time there isn't a ticketed show scheduled, there's music at "The Creek" all weekend long - typically music begins at 6 pm on Fridays, 4 pm on Saturdays and 2 pm on Sundays, though timing is occasionally different. Check our calendar of events for upcoming shows and times.
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS:
CITY OF MARTINSVILLE FREE
4th of JULY ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment for the City of Martinsville's annual Independence Day celebration at Jimmy Nash City Park will feature live music, followed by fireworks. This is a free show. Entertainment will begin at 6 pm. Food vendors will be available onsite; bring your own seating. Music will conclude prior to fireworks beginning at approximately 10 pm. For those who may wish to watch from a distance, fireworks are launched from the top of the large hill inside the park, so they should be visible from a variety of locations outside the park as well. Live entertainment schedule is listed below
July 4th Entertainment
Powerhouse, Rose O'Neal Trio
Fireworks Show at Jimmy Nash City Park, 10 pm.
MOORESVILLE FREE
4th of JULY ENTERTAINMENT
Mooresville will also host their annual July 4th celebration at Pioneer Park featuring live music from three performers, followed by fireworks. Food vendors will be available on site as well. Please bring your own seating. Music begins at 6 pm, with fireworks following at dusk. Live entertainment schedule is listed below. This is a free event.
July 4th Entertainment
Michael McCartney Band, Ellie Grayce Trio
Fireworks Show at Pioneer Park, 10 pm.
MORGAN COUNTY FAIR
Yes, the Morgan County Fairgrounds will be the site of this year's big country music concert (June 13), featuring Scotty McCreery, Josh Turner, Lorrie Morgan, and BIGG Country (this one's not free - tickets available online), but did you know the Morgan County Fair itself hosts live music on their Free Stage just about every day of the event? This year's fair dates are July 10-18. The schedule is still being confirmed, but rest assured there will great music on that stage this summer!. There will also be all the fair food you can imagine available on site. (Grandstand events will also take place during this time period.) Free Stage performers typically include local groups like the Martinsville Community Band, Martinsville Community Choir, Silly Safaris Live Animal Show, The Gold Dust Band, clogging groups and more.
OLD SETTLERS PICNIC & FAIR
Taking place in Mooresville, July 30 to August 2 at Pioneer Park, the annual Old Settlers Picnic & Fair always includes a variety of fun! There will be carnival rides, game booths, vendors, lots of tasty food and of course, live music! The live music is free and open to all and typically begins each night around 6 pm..
July 30 - August 2
Performers TBA
PARAGON HOMECOMING FESTIVAL
Each year on Labor Day weekend, the small town of Paragon hosts their annual Paragon Homecoming Festival, and this year's festival is the 102nd Annual, so you know it'll be better than ever! This event includes lots of great food, vendor booths, activities and, you guessed it, free live entertainment. The schedule of performers isn't available just yet, but there will be live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening beginning at 8 pm, usually featuring popular local and regional acts.
September 4-6
Performers TBA
ADDITIONAL VENUES
Keep an eye on our calendar of events for additional free shows that pop up at area venues. There are frequently free shows presented by local bars and eateries, such as 1915 Steakhouse & Bar, Main Street Grill and Greek's Pizzeria & The Groggy Goat in Martinsville, Frenchy's Pub in Morgantown, Main Street Grill in Monrovia, 67 Boars Nest in Paragon, and others. Also watch for even more festival venues - fall festivals and events also feature lots of live musical entertainment!
AREA LODGING & DINING
Want to make it a weekend, or just looking for ideas on where to refuel for the drive home? Check out our list of area lodging options and locally-owned restaurants. Morgan County is also home to several Indiana Foodways Alliance member restaurants, so if you're in doubt, you can know those are always safe bets for great dining!
