The Best Places to Hear Live Music This Summer in Boone
There’s something about live music in the mountains that hits different—especially in summer.
Boone brings the soundtrack, whether you're in the mood for laid-back bluegrass under the trees, intimate acoustic sets in a garden, or bigger stage productions that draw a crowd.
If your perfect summer evening includes a blanket, a beer, and some local tunes floating through the High Country air, you’re in the right place. These are the spots locals know and love for making summer sound good.
Summer Concerts at the Jones House
This downtown favorite has become a tradition for Boone locals. Every Friday evening, the lawn outside the historic Jones House fills with families, students, and longtime residents—all gathering for free live music that ranges from folk and Americana to bluegrass and acoustic rock. There’s no stage, no hype—just musicians playing on the porch of a 1908 home as the sun sets over King Street.
📍 604 W King St, Boone, NC 28607
Best For: Small-town summer nights, local music discovery, and front porch charm.
Local Tip: Bring a chair or blanket, and pack snacks or grab takeout from a nearby spot like Wildwood Community Market or Lost Province (grab a pizza to go!).
View Jones House summer schedule
Roots in the Garden at Daniel Boone Native Gardens
A newer addition to the Boone music scene, Roots in the Garden is hosted by Daniel Boone Native Gardens and features a beautifully curated setting for local sounds—think acoustic folk, bluegrass, and rootsy singer-songwriters. The garden backdrop makes it feel like a hidden gem, with blooms, golden-hour light, and that unmistakable Boone community feel.
📍 651 Horn in the W Dr, Boone, NC 28607
Best For: Nature lovers, mellow music fans, and romantic garden evenings.
Local Tip: Bring your own picnic or grab something from the food trucks typically parked nearby. Beer and wine are available for purchase, so you can sip while you sway.
Check out Roots in the Garden’s summer schedule
Music in the Valle
A short drive from Boone lands you in Valle Crucis, where Friday night concerts at the park have been a summer ritual for years. Set in a wide-open field along the river, Music in the Valle is easy, free (donation-based), and very local. Expect kids running barefoot through the grass, families sprawled on picnic blankets, and upbeat tunes drifting across the fields—everything from folk to bluegrass to high-energy family bands.
📍 2892 Broadstone Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Best For: Community vibes, barefoot dancing, and family-friendly fun.
Local Tip: Pack bug spray, a cooler, and cash for the donation jar—it helps keep this tradition going.
See the Music in the Valle schedule
Booneshine Brewing Co.
Booneshine recently leveled up their already-loved beer garden with a brand-new outdoor stage—and it’s become the perfect backdrop for their summer concert series, Tunes on Tap. Most Thursday evenings, you’ll find free live music, fresh beer, and plenty of mountain air. Bring your friends, grab a pint, and settle in—it’s the kind of summer night you’ll want to repeat.
📍 465 Industrial Park Dr, Boone, NC 28607
Best For: Chill hangs, brewery vibes, golden hour sunsets, and casual live music with friends (and probably a dog or two).
Local Tip: Settle in at a picnic table, order a round of East Boone Pilsners, and hit up the food truck for smashburgers and crispy fried cheese curds.
AMB (Appalachian Mountain Brewery)
AMB feels like someone turned a backyard party into a brewery—and then added a stage. They host live music most weekends in their covered outdoor area, where you’ll find bands playing everything from bluegrass to jam sessions.
📍 163 Boone Creek Dr, Boone, NC 28607
Best For: Group hangs, casual weekend outings, good beer + better vibes.
Local Tip: Grab a picnic table under the lights, order a cider (or a CBD/THC drink), and let the evening unfold. The Farm-to-Flame food truck is always on-site for wood-fired eats.
An Appalachian Summer Festival
App State’s annual arts festival is a cultural highlight of the summer, offering everything from symphonies to singer-songwriters to big-name performances. It spans the entire month of July, with events hosted on campus at venues like the Schaefer Center and the Rosen Concert Hall. It’s more polished than your average outdoor jam, but just as inspiring.
📍 733 Rivers St, Boone, NC 28607
Best For: Arts lovers, date nights, and elevated summer culture.
Local Tip: Some events are ticketed and do sell out—plan ahead and snag seats for acts you don’t want to miss.
Boone doesn’t just do summer well—it sounds good while doing it. Whether it’s banjos on the porch, vocals in the garden, or an evening of music under the stars, these shows are part of what makes this place feel alive.
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