Winston-Salem offers great live music year-round, but the city truly hits its stride in the warm-weather months, when festivals and weekly concert series take center stage. Here are some of the biggest music events happening from May through early fall 2026 — many of them completely free to attend.

SummerLark (May 9)
This annual benefit concert is held in early May in downtown's Bailey Park, with all proceeds going to Atrium Health's Cancer Patient Support Program. The 2026 Summerlark will be Saturday, May 9, and feature chart-topping rock band The Fray, who join join an impressive list of past performers including Barenaked Ladies, Chris Lane, and Old Crow Medicine Show.

Gears & Guitars (May 22-23) 
Billed as “the biggest party of two wheels,” the annual Gears & Guitars festival happens each Memorial Day Weekend, bringing world-class cyclists and popular music acts along with it. The multi-day festival features pro racing events, community bike rides, and lots of live music. The 2026 lineup features a mix of regional favorites and rising national stars, and all concerts are 100% free to attend:

• May 22: Friday concerts will be at Merschel Park, just in front of Kaleideum, and headlined by alt-country rising star  Ruston Kelly
  • Noon –  Ears to the Ground
  • 2 p.m. – High School Reunion
  • 5 p.m. –  Ruston Kelly (headliner
• May 23: Saturday concerts take place in downtown’s Bailey Park, featuring a lineup of regional favorites along with leading indie-pop band Saint Motel
  • Noon –  Ears to the Ground
  • 2 p.m. – High School Reunion
  • 5 p.m. – Gods of Grunge
  • 9 p.m. – Saint Motel (Headliner)

1Love Festival (June 25-27) 
1Love is a multi-day celebration of African Diasporic culture that blends creative workshops with immersive live performance. Concerts at The Ramkat feature world-class musicians, DJs, poets, and artists in a dynamic showcase of sound and storytelling. Daytime workshops at Wake Forest add a deeper cultural dimension, making 1Love one of the city’s most distinctive events. Details on the 2026 lineup will be announced in late spring; visit the 1Love website for updates and tickets.

Fairground Indoor Concert Series (May–August) 
While the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena is better known for ice sports in the winter, it transforms into a summer concert hotspot thanks to its annual Indoor Concert Series. The series typically features a mix of iconic country artists, classic Soul, and R&B legends. While admission isn't free (like the series listed below), tickets remain extremely affordable. Here's a look at the 2026 lineup so far:

• May 22: Chris Janson with Easton Corbin (country)
• June 19: Craig Morgan with Neal McCoy (country)
• June 20: October London with Leela James (R&B)
• Aug. 22: MAZE with The Whispers (R&B)

Concerts in the Coalpit (May–September)
Set against the backdrop of downtown’s iconic smokestacks, "CoalPit Live" transforms the massive concrete courtyard next to Incendiary Brewing into a premier concert venue. Held on Saturdays, the series deliver a high-energy "big-show" atmosphere with pro staging, lighting, and sound crews. While the full 2026 lineup is in the work, early shows include Tan & Sober Gentlemen (May 30), a Prince tribute by the Vagabond Saints Society (June 13), and Killers tribute band Hot Fuss (June 27).

For a more casual vibe, the brewery also hosts its "Weekly Music Series" every Thursday and select Fridays from May through October. While more scaled-back than the CoalPit Live productions, this series showcases exceptional regional talent ranging from blues and acoustic acts to symphony performances. Both series are free to attend; check Incendiary’s website for updated schedules.

Downtown Summer Music Series (May–September)
For nearly three decades, this beloved tradition has brought free live music to the heart of the city. Running from late May through early September, the program features two distinct concert series that typically alternate weeks. Best of all, both series are free to attend. Keep an eye out for the 2026 schedule and lineup, which will be announced by late spring. Here's what to know about both series: 

• Downtown Jazz. Every other Friday from 6:30–9:30 p.m., Corpening Plaza transforms into a vibrant concert venue, hosting top-tier jazz artists. It is the perfect spot to set up a lawn chair or blanket, enjoy a mix of local food and drink vendors, and soak in the atmosphere.
• Summer on Fourth: On alternating Saturdays (7–10 p.m.), the scene shifts to a high-energy block party directly in front of Foothills Brewpub. These nights showcase the region’s most popular party bands, from West End Mambo to Souljam and others.

Salem Band Concert Series (May–September) 
A staple of Winston-Salem’s summer soundtrack for generations, this annual concert series features the Salem Band — the nation's oldest mixed-wind ensemble, which originated in the late 1700s. 

Most concerts take place on select Tuesday evenings from May through September in Salem Square at Old Salem. Each concert offers a unique theme and are free to attend. There is no formal seating, so bring along a blanket or lawn chair. Food trucks are on-site, or you're welcome to bring a picnic supper.

• The 2026 summer series begins with a May 26 concert featuring Paperhand Puppet Intervention. The schedule then takes a patriotic shift in honor of America's 250th birthday, as Salem Band is dedicating much of the summer to a "Stars & Stripes" tour throughout Forsyth County, including a July 4th concert in Old Salem Square. See more upcoming shows here

Piedmont Wind Symphony concerts (March-December) 
The Piedmont Wind Symphony (PWS)—an ensemble of the region's top wind musicians — offers everything from expansive classical works to intimate chamber performances. 

On May 1, PWS presents  Pictures at an Exhibition (with Film) at Wake Forest's Brendle Recital Hall (7:30 p.m.). This immersive concert features Gala Flagello’s "The Bird-While," a virtuosic work blending vivid soundscapes with storytelling.

This is just one of many unique experiences planned for the 2026 season. Other highlights include a series of family-friendly "Pops" concerts at Incendiary Brewing, lively "Beer & Brass" performances at Footnote Coffee & Cocktails, and an immersive series of chamber concerts at Kernersville’s historic Körner’s Folly. FInd more details and purchase tickets by visiting their 2026 concert series page.

Music Venues & Concert Halls

The best spots to catch a live show in Winston-Salem

The Ramkat
Every respectable city has an iconic music club—and in Winston-Salem, that club is The Ramkat. Opened in 2018 in the former Ziggy’s space, this 1,000-capacity concert hall  is renowned for its excellent sightlines and acoustic adaptability. The stage has hosted national headliners like The Wallflowers, Melissa Etheridge, and Third Eye Blind, alongside a diverse array of local and regional talent ranging from folk and indie to hardcore metal. Beyond the main hall, the venue features Gas Hill, an intimate, 100-capacity upstairs lounge perfect for smaller sets.

LJVM Coliseum
The region’s largest indoor arena, the "LJVM Coliseum" (or "The Joel"), seats over 14,000. While best known as a sports hub—hosting Wake Forest basketball, rodeos, and monster truck rallies—it is a major stop for global music icons. The massive venue has hosted legends ranging from Elton John and Garth Brooks to the Dave Matthews Band..

Monstercade
Dubbed “the strangest bar in North Carolina,” this campy venue in the Washington Park neighborhood is a destination for the unconventional. It spotlights original acts—spanning metal, grunge, and punk—that you won't hear elsewhere in the city. Between the zany décor, top-notch sound system, and intimate stage, it has earned a devoted local following.

Earl’s Whiskey Bar
This lively space in downtown’s Industry Hill area features live country music on Fridays and Saturday evenings, plus Thursday evenings occasionally. It also hosts a popular Open Mic Night each Monday evening. Aside from music, food is another big draw at Earl's. You can find a mix of Southern comfort food and pub standards on the menu, along with a wide selection of whiskeys. 

Muddy Creek Café & Listening Room
In the heart of Old Salem, Muddy Creek pairs a beloved restaurant with an intimate concert venue. The "Listening Room" offers a rare chance to see national talent in a cozy, 60-seat space. Specializing in acoustic folk, bluegrass, and old-time acts, weekend shows frequently sell out. Booking online is suggested, though remaining tickets are sold at the door.

Note: The venues above are just a sampling of Winston-Salem’s live music scene. Breweries are also a great bet (more on that below), while additional options can be found just outside the city in places like Clemmons and Kernersville. Other in-town spots that often feature music include:

• Bar Nola
• East of Texas
• Easy Tiger Beer Garden
• Fair Witness Fancy Drinks
• Miller's on Trade
• The Remedy — to name a few!

Brews & Bands: The Best Breweries to Hear Live Music

Winston-Salem’s brewery scene doubles as one of the city’s most reliable sources for free live music. While nearly every brewery hosts performances from time to time, a few have built especially strong reputations for regular weekend shows, outdoor parties, and crowd-pleasing local acts. In addition to Incendiary — highlighted above for its CoalPit Live concert series — these are some of the top spots to catch tunes with your pint.

• Foothills Brewing – Foothills’ original downtown brewpub and adjacent Footnote Café remain go-to spots for weekly music, especially the popular jazz-themed Siren Series each Monday. Meanwhile, the brewery’s Tasting Room also hosts regular weekend concerts ranging from rock and country to Latin and soul. Check Foothills' calendar for upcoming shows at all three venues.
• Joymongers – One of the city’s most dependable live music stops, with bands most Thursdays through Saturdays and frequent Sunday events. Expect everything from acoustic sets to popular regional cover bands.
• Radar – This hidden gem stands out by mostly prioritizing original acts over cover bands. The space is perfectly suited for singer-songwriters and smaller setups, though full bands occasionally play outdoors on the patio area.
• Wise Man – An Industry Hill staple known for bringing in some of the area’s best-known bands. Live music most Fridays and Saturdays, with outdoor patio shows and occasional multi-band festivals.
   

Favorite Spots Outside the City 

Forsyth County's music scene doesn't end in Winston-Salem. From Clemmons to Kernersville, here are some top options.

Live Music in Kernersville 

On the east side of Forsyth County, Kernersville has plenty of standout spots to catch a show. 

It starts with Gypsy Road Brewing, one of the town's two craft breweries, which features bands nearly every weekend. A mile away is The Emporium, a self-professed "nerdy rock & roll bar" that regularly features original artists and a popular Wednesday Jam night. In downtown Kernersville, Folly's has a mix of rotating bands each Friday and Saturday while nearby Breathe Cocktail Lounge offers occasional live music, comedy shows, and other performances.

Live Music in Lewisville & Clemmons

Concert-goers also have several strong options in western Forsyth County. 

Whiskey, Taps & Tails in Clemmons regularly features some of the region’s top bands, along with golf simulators and a late-night food menu. About a mile away, Village Square Tap House also hosts live bands while offering pool, darts, and arcade games. 

In neighboring Lewisville, Incendiary Lewisville features live music on its outdoor patio most Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting. Nearby, Old Nick Williams Distillery hosts weekend performances at its attached cocktail lounge, the Busted Barrel, which includes a multi-tiered patio deck (pictured).

Side Notes: More on the Music Scene

The spaces and series highlighted here are just a sampling of live music offerings in Winston-Salem. Popular venues come in other forms too, with several prominent event spaces often holding concerts — among them downtown's Millennium Center,  The Barn at Reynolda Village, and Truist Stadium.

Looking for large-scale, arena-style shows? You’ll find them at LJVM Coliseum and neighboring Allegacy Stadium (pictured), the 35k-seat home of Wake Forest football. The stadium has welcomed several big-name acts in recent year, including Billy Joel, Guns N' Roses, and Paul McCartney. Meanwhile, many of top performing arts groups — including the Winston-Salem Symphony — take the stage at historic Reynolds Auditorium while downtown's iconic Steven's Center undergoes a renovation.

For a look at more live music events in town, check out our online Events Calendar