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 and at the downtown Bicentennial Park as well! Shows are free and music begins at 7 pm. This fun and relaxed series will have refreshments available on site. There will be five free shows this year, ranging from May through July. Please bring your own seating, sunscreen and bug spray.
May 17, Pioneer Park
The Indigos
May 30, Bicentennial Park
The Phil Pierle Trio
June 7, Pioneer Park
Bonham-Holdman
June 13, Bicentennial Park
My Yellow Rickshaw
June 21, Pioneer Park
The Doo!
July 12, Pioneer Park
45 RPM
July 18, Bicentennial Park
Chickenbone
July 26, Pioneer Park
Stella Luna & The Satellites
CITY OF MARTINSVILLE
DOWNTOWN FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
This year's downtown summer concert series in Martinsville will feature 8 free live music events. Concerts will be held this year at the brand new performance venue at the corner of Jefferson and Pike Streets, adjacent to the Art Sanctuary of Indiana. Food is available from downtown eateries and admission is free. Bring your own seating. Music begins at 7:30 pm; onsite food and drink vendors open at 6 pm. The final concert of the season will be a gospel celebration beginning at 2 pm.
May 10
Toy Factory
May 31
King Bee & The Stingers
June 14
Big Rosco & The Hammers
June 28
Karma
July 19
Powerhouse
July 27 (During Artie Fest)
Jake Dodds
Tyloer Poe
The Volunteer Railroad
August 3
Main Street
Pance
The HeartBreakers
The Jaywalkers
August 25, beginning at 2 pm
DownPour
Six Local 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.
HOOSIER QUE FREE CONCERTS
Live music returns to the beautiful Foxcliff Golf Club! This gorgeous golf course just north of Martinsville is open to the public for golf, but also serves up great food from Hoosier Que along with a brand new free live music series on most Saturdays throughout the year. Stop in any time to enjoy an evening of live entertainment, tasty treats and great company! Watch our calendar to see who's playing.
FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS:
LYKKE SUMMERFEST
The Mooresville Arts Partnership hosts this annual summer festival based on the Danish concept of Lykke, which means happiness and good fortune! The event is held at the Mooresville Arts Partnership property on Indianapolis Road in Mooresville, just a bit south of Pioneer Park. There's always several great vendors, arts and crafts activities, good food, a kids' zone, and of course, live music!
June 22. 10 am to 3 pm
Performer TBA
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
Paul & McCartney
Split Rail
GrooveSmash
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
Rose O'Neal
Two for the Show
90 Proof
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 15), featuring Martina McBride, Tracy Lawrence & Diamond Rio (tickets available online), but did you know the Fair itself also hosts live music on their Free Stage just about every day of the event? This year's fair dates are July 8-13. 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, August 7-9 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.
August 1-4
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 100th 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.
August 30-September 1
Performers TBA
ADDITIONAL VENUES
Keep an eye on our calendar of events for additional free shows that pop up at area venues. There are occasional free shows presented by local bars and eateries, such as Gather Around BBQ and Greek's Pizzeria & The Groggy Goat in Martinsville, Route 67 Bar & Grill in Mooresville, Frenchy's Pub in Morgantown, Trackside 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 participating in Visit Indiana's Culinary Trails Passport program, you'll want to get those check-ins while you're in the area - here's a handy list of Morgan County trail members.
