39 concerts to see in the Wilmington area during the month of July
Plus, we've got the debut of a hotly anticipated music festival in a downtown Wilmington social district, a couple of Fourth-of-July-themed shows, and an iconic jazz celebration just a short drive away.
For even more live music options, check out our list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area, many of which do not appear in this story. Link below.
Tunes times: Full list of outdoor summer concerts in the Wilmington area for 2025
July 2 at CFCC Wilson Center: State symphony comes to town for its annual "Stars & Stripes" concert for Independence Day featuring patriotic favorites.
July 4 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Holiday celebration sponsored by the city of Wilmington features rock by the Loud Music Co. at 6 p.m., a classical pops concert of patriotic tunes by the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
July 4-5 at the Palm Room: Asheville brass/funk/rock band rolls into this historic Wrightsville Beach venue for a two-night stand.
The 15th annual Ocean City Jazz Festival returns to North Topsail Beach in Onslow County July 4-6. The three-day event features performances by Adam Hawley, Double Bass, Nathan Mitchell and more.
MyReporter: Where can you see live jazz in the Wilmington area?
July 4, 18 at Airlie Gardens: Popular summer music series returns to this lush setting near Wrightsville Beach. The Cruise Brothers play country and R&B on July 4, with reSoul bringing the R&B, pop and soul vibes on July 18.
July 5 at The Sandspur: Raleigh musician blends good-time Americana with an indie rock vibe for tunes that should fit right in at the backyard of this Carolina Beach hotspot.
July 6 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Grammy-winning guitarist is known for blending rock, blues, soul and more into his own distinctive sound. Opening act is queer singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun.
July 6 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: British reggae band is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding back in 1975.
July 6 at Bourgie Nights: Monthly songwriters' showcase in this downtown venue features positive vibes and melancholy tunes in a listening room environment. July's featured acts are Winston Orz, Karma's Vision and Cardinal Spirit.
July 8 at CFCC Wilson Center: Grammy-winning jazz singer and pianist from Canada is best-known for her platinum-selling 1999 album "When I Look in Your Eyes."
July 9 at the Bellamy Mansion: The Randy Johnston Band plays this monthly jazz series at one of downtown Wilmington's most historic structures.
July 11 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Virginia jam band has drawn notice for its blend of musicianship and wacky humor. With Underground Springhouse.
July 11 at The Sandspur: Wilmington songwriter brings his dreamy folk rock songs to this Carolina Beach venue.
July 12 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Popular roots country act is touring in support of the 10th anniversary of its album "And the War Came." Opening act is Chicago-based duo Whitney.
July 12 in the Brooklyn Arts District: Brand-new music festival in the burgeoning Brooklyn Arts (social) District is coming strong in its first year with a packed lineup of bands on three stages that includes roots-jammers Railroad Earth, funk stalwarts Lettuce, bluegrass traditionalists Yonder Mountain String Band, genre-mashers Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, reggae band Signal Fire, Asheville electro-funk supergroup Electro Lust and more. With food, drink, artists/vendors, yoga/wellness and more.
July 12 at CFCC Wilson Center: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original summer blockbuster with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra performing the iconic score live.
July 12 at The Sandspur: Double bill features metal-adjacent Wilmington rock acts Black Mantis and Record Highs; the latter is the new band of Charles Krueger of Wilmington legends Thunderlip.
July 13, 17, 24 and 31 at the Ocean Grill & Tiki Bar: The endless summer continues at this beloved Carolina Beach venue, with Triangle folk-rockers The Old Ceremony on July 13, country-flavored Americana from The Fontanelles on July 17, beachy indie-rock from Summer Set on July 24, and gritty, sweaty, poppy rock jams from Kicking Bird on July 31.
July 17 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Kidz Bop, which for more than 20 years has been turning out kid-friendly versions of popular songs, brings its live show to Wilmington's biggest stage.
July 18 at Bourgie Nights: Longtime North Carolina roots and bluegrass band has been playing Wilmington since not long after they formed in 2003.
July 18 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: UNCW baseball player turned country singer has songs like "My July," which pays twangy tribute to a beachy summer love affair.
July 18 at Live at Ted's: North Carolina act brings its traditional bluegrass sound to this Castle Street listening room.
July 18 at The Sandspur: Wilmington punk act will play its smart, incisive rockers at this Carolina Beach spot.
July 19 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Poppy Florida rock act is touring in support of recent album "Burnout Days."
July 19 at Bourgie Nights: Jammy Charlotte act blends a variety of styles into its laid-back sound, which should be perfect for the heart of summer. With opening act Late Night Special, which also hails from Charlotte.
July 19 at Live at Ted's: Coastal Carolina singer and songwriter plays what she calls "funk finger style guitar folk."
July 21 at CFCC Wilson Center: Grammy-winning Alabama singer and songwriter returns to Wilmington to play his well-crafted Southern rock songs for the second straight year after packing the house at the Wilson Center in February of 2024.
Concert review: With a polished, heartfelt set, here's how Jason Isbell wowed a loving Wilmington crowd
July 22 at CFCC Wilson Center: Singer, songwriter and producer known for both pop hits ("Hello, It's Me") and for sprawling, progressive rock jams brings tunes from his 50+ year career to Wilmington.
July 24 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Country star in the white hat known for such hits as "Whiskey Lullaby" and "She's Everything" brings his Truck Still Works Tour to Wilmington. Opening acts are Walker Hayes and Alexandra Kay.
July 25 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Dare to be stupid when the clown prince of pop parodies brings his Bigger & Weirder Tour to town.
July 25 at Bowstring Burgers & Brewyard: Canadian pop band will bring their shagtastic style and groovy vibes to this Soda Pop District hotspot.
July 26 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion: Veteran weirdo rock band led by bassist/vocalist Les Claypool had unlikely hits with off-kilter 1993 novelty "My Name is Mud" and its accompanying album, "Pork Soda," and they've been in the pop culture convo ever since. With opening act MonoNeon.
July 26 at Bourgie Nights: Mississippi duo plays a hard-blues show billed as The Legend of T-Model Ford after Stud Ford's late grandfather, who made a splash with Fat Possum Records in the 1990s.
July 26 at Live at Ted's: All-star Wilmington combo blends jazz, funk, R&B, hip-hop and more.
July 27 at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater: Indie folk and rock band from Oklahoma has a pleasantly poppy sound and a chill vibe.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What concerts are happening in Wilmington, NC, during July 2025?
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