WORTH THE DRIVE

An Evening with David Byrne — Who is the Sky Tour

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne brings his Who is the Sky Tour to Durham for two nights. Low ticket alert — these will sell out. A bucket-list show if you can make the drive.

DPAC · Monday & Tuesday · May 11 – 12 · 8:00 PM · Low ticket alert

An Intimate Evening with JJ Grey & Mofro

JJ Grey & Mofro deliver Florida-soaked Southern swamp soul in an intimate Music Hall setting. About a 90-minute drive from Wilmington — easy round trip for the night.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Friday · May 1 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Soulja Boy: The Drip Tour with Lil Xan

Soulja Boy's Drip Tour rolls into North Myrtle Beach with special guest Lil Xan. Throwback hip-hop nostalgia with a 2000s flavor — 90 minutes south of Wilmington.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Sunday · May 3 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Sevendust: One Tour

Atlanta hard-rock heavyweights Sevendust hit the Music Hall as part of their One Tour. Three decades of riffs and a notoriously loud live show.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Saturday · May 9 · 6:00 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Black Label Society

Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society bring their wall-of-amps assault to Myrtle Beach. Mother's Day weekend gift idea for the metalhead in your life.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Sunday · May 10 · 6:30 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Lorna Shore

Deathcore titans Lorna Shore at HOB. One of the most talked-about heavy bands in the world right now — the live show is a spectacle.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Tuesday · May 12 · 6:00 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Molly Hatchet

Southern rock legends Molly Hatchet ride into Myrtle Beach. 'Flirtin' with Disaster' and a full set of classics in store.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Saturday · May 16 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

A Flock of Seagulls & Strangelove

80s synth-pop double bill — A Flock of Seagulls plus Depeche Mode tribute Strangelove. New wave nostalgia 90 minutes from Wilmington.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Saturday · May 23 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Buckethead

The masked guitar virtuoso returns. Buckethead shows are unlike anything else — instrumental shred, robot dance breaks, and chicken buckets.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Friday · May 29 · 7:30 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Insane Clown Posse

Whoop whoop. ICP brings the Faygo to North Myrtle Beach for a full Juggalo gathering. You know whether this one's for you.

House of Blues Myrtle Beach · Saturday · May 30 · 6:00 PM · Tickets via House of Blues

Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience

Tribute act Double Vision recreates the Foreigner catalog at the Grand Strand's premier theater. 'Hot Blooded,' 'I Want to Know What Love Is,' all the hits.

Alabama Theatre · Friday · May 1 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via Alabama Theatre

All About Joel: The Billy Joel Tribute

David Clark stars in this full-throttle Billy Joel tribute at the Alabama Theatre. Piano Man singalongs and a band that nails the catalog.

Alabama Theatre · Saturday · May 2 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via Alabama Theatre

Sweet Dreams: Mandy Barnett Sings Patsy Cline

Grand Ole Opry favorite Mandy Barnett delivers a tribute to Patsy Cline with full orchestration. Mother's Day weekend pick — classic country at its finest.

Alabama Theatre · Saturday · May 9 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via Alabama Theatre

Bruno Mars: The Romantic Tour

Bruno Mars headlines Bank of America Stadium on his Romantic Tour. Major stadium show — 24K Magic, Uptown Funk, the whole catalog. ~3.5 hr drive from Wilmington.

Bank of America Stadium · Wednesday · April 29 · Evening · Tickets via venue

SatchVai Band ft. Joe Satriani & Steve Vai with Animals As Leaders

Two of the greatest electric guitarists alive on one stage with prog-metal phenoms Animals As Leaders opening. Guitar nerd nirvana — also playing DPAC April 30.

Ovens Auditorium · Wednesday · April 29 · Evening · Tickets via venue

Riley Green: Cowboy As It Gets Tour 2026

Country breakout Riley Green at Charlotte's amphitheater. 'Bury Me in Dixie,' 'I Wish Grandpas Never Died' — heartland country with a serious crowd singalong factor.

Truliant Amphitheater · Thursday · May 7 · Evening · Tickets via venue

Disclosure (Live)

UK electronic duo Disclosure brings 'Latch,' 'You & Me,' and a decade of dance-floor anthems to Raleigh's downtown amphitheater. Outdoor venue at its best.

Red Hat Amphitheater · Thursday · April 30 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via venue

Bilmuri: Kinda Hard Tour

Bilmuri's genre-bending live show — country, metalcore, sax solos, and TikTok-fueled chaos — at Red Hat Amphitheater. Also playing Skyla CU Amphitheatre Charlotte May 7.

Red Hat Amphitheater · Friday · May 8 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via venue

Ole 60

Kentucky country/Americana outfit Ole 60 — viral song 'Picture Frames' — at Red Hat. Fast-rising act and easily one of the buzz shows of the spring.

Red Hat Amphitheater · Saturday · May 16 · 7:30 PM · Tickets via venue

STING 3.0 Tour

Sting headlines Red Hat Amphitheater on his stripped-down 3.0 Tour. Police classics, solo hits, and the quintessential outdoor-show experience.

Red Hat Amphitheater · Tuesday · May 19 · 8:00 PM · Tickets via venue

Iration

California reggae-rock favorites Iration kick off Memorial Day weekend in Raleigh. Beach vibes, sunset show, perfect outdoor lineup.

Red Hat Amphitheater · Friday · May 22 · 6:00 PM · Tickets via venue

Young the Giant — Victory Garden Tour with Cold War Kids

Indie rock co-headline night with Young the Giant and Cold War Kids in downtown Raleigh. 'Cough Syrup,' 'Hang Me Up to Dry,' and a packed catalog of 2010s favorites.

Red Hat Amphitheater · Saturday · May 30 · 6:30 PM · Tickets via venue

Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton

Soul and R&B double bill featuring two North Carolina natives at Fayetteville's Crown Coliseum. Featured concert on Visit Fayetteville's calendar.

Crown Coliseum · May (see venue) · May TBD · Evening · Tickets via Crown

John Legend — An Evening of Songs & Stories

John Legend in storyteller mode — intimate songs-and-stories show in Charlotte. Also playing Greensboro May 16 if Charlotte sells out.

Bojangles Coliseum (TheBOplex) · Sunday · May 17 · 8:00 PM · Tickets via Live Nation

Willie Nelson & Family

Willie Nelson & Family at the gorgeous Firefly Distillery outdoor venue near Charleston. Living legend — see him while you still can. About 3 hrs south of Wilmington.

Firefly Distillery · Sunday · May 24 · 7:30 PM · Tickets via Live Nation

MGK: Lost Americana Tour

Machine Gun Kelly headlines Charleston's Credit One Stadium on his Lost Americana Tour. Memorial Day weekend stadium show ~3 hrs south of Wilmington.

Credit One Stadium · Saturday · May 30 · 6:30 PM · Tickets via Live Nation

'Weird Al' Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour

Weird Al's biggest tour yet — Bigger & Weirder. Multiple costume changes, parody hits, and accordion solos. Also playing First Horizon Coliseum Greensboro June 5.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena · Saturday · May 30 · 8:00 PM · Tickets via Live Nation

Pitbull — I'm Back Tour with Lil Jon

Mr. Worldwide brings back-to-back hits and Lil Jon as opener to Charleston. Pure party-stadium energy — wear white. About 3 hrs from Wilmington.

Credit One Stadium · Sunday · May 17 · 7:15 PM · Tickets via Live Nation

The Great Gatsby (Broadway Touring)

The Roaring Twenties come alive in this Broadway touring production of The Great Gatsby. Six-day run at DPAC — tickets going fast. Worth the 2-hour drive to Durham for a proper Broadway night.

DPAC · Tuesday – Sunday · May 5 – 10 · Times vary · From $41.50

Hamilton (Broadway Touring)

Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical returns to DPAC for a nearly month-long run. Tickets going fast — the Wednesday and Thursday performances tend to have the best availability.

DPAC · Wednesday – Sunday (multi-week run) · May 20 – June 14 · Times vary · From $52

Chelsea Handler: The High and Mighty Tour

Chelsea Handler brings her High and Mighty Tour to DPAC for a night of sharp, no-holds-barred stand-up. About a 2-hour drive from Wilmington to Durham. Good seats still remain.

DPAC · Saturday · May 2 · 8:00 PM · Tickets via DPAC

John Crist: Live!

Comedian John Crist brings his clean, clever stand-up to DPAC. Good seats still remain. About a 2-hour drive from Wilmington.

DPAC · Saturday · May 16 · 7:00 PM · Tickets via DPAC

Ali Siddiq: The Custom Fit Tour

Storytelling stand-up master Ali Siddiq returns to DPAC. Second show added due to demand — tickets going fast for both performances.

DPAC · Friday · May 1 · 7pm & 9:30pm · Tickets via DPAC

Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend

Four-day Blue Ridge Mountains tour of 8 vineyards, 2 cideries, a meadery, and an apple orchard. Pricey to drive (5+ hrs) but a true weekend-trip experience for wine lovers.

Hendersonville (multiple locations) · Thursday – Sunday · April 30 – May 3 · All weekend · Tickets via Visit Hendersonville

Charlotte Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

60+ beers, 40+ bourbons, and BBQ from across the region in Charlotte. The original of the Beer/Bourbon/BBQ traveling festival circuit and a great food-focused day trip.

Ballantyne's Backyard · Saturday · May 9 · 12:00 PM · From $47.53

Truist Championship (PGA Tour)

PGA Tour stop at one of the country's premier private courses. Five days of top-tier golf in Charlotte. Worth the drive if you're a fan or want a full sports-travel weekend.

Quail Hollow Club · Wednesday – Sunday · May 6 – 10 · All day · Tickets via PGA

Carolina Clay Matters Spring Pottery Festival

Free outdoor pottery festival at Charlotte's Camp North End. Dozens of NC ceramic artists, demos, and shopping. Pair with brunch in NoDa for a great day trip.

Camp North End · Saturday · May 9 · Daytime · Free

Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series

NASCAR's longest race and Memorial Day weekend tradition. 600 miles of stock car racing under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway — a bucket-list event for racing fans.

Charlotte Motor Speedway · Sunday · May 24 · Afternoon · Tickets via NASCAR

The Soccer Tournament (TST)

Dubbed the 'Coachella of Soccer' — six days of 7v7 soccer, 140+ matches, three $1M winner-take-all prizes. High-energy, fan-first, totally unique. Memorial Day weekend in the Triangle.

WakeMed Soccer Park · Wednesday – Monday · May 27 – June 1 · Multi-day · Tickets via TST

44th Annual Fayetteville Dogwood Festival

Fayetteville's signature spring festival — live music, food vendors, carnival rides, and the iconic dogwood blooms. Final day. ~90 min drive from Wilmington.

Festival Park · Sunday · April 26 · All day · Free

2026 Fort Bragg Fair

Annual fair on Fort Bragg with rides, food, midway games, and live entertainment. Open to the public — family-friendly day or evening trip.

Fort Bragg · May (multi-day) · May TBD · Daily · Tickets at gate

40th Annual Smithfield Ham & Yam Festival

Pig races, BBQ, three stages of free live music, and full-day hometown celebration in Smithfield. ~2.5 hr drive from Wilmington but worth it for the food and the vibe.

Downtown Smithfield · Saturday · May 2 · 9am – 9pm · Free

Lovin' Life Music Fest

Charlotte's signature spring music festival. Multi-day, multi-stage uptown takeover with major touring acts. ~3.5 hr drive from Wilmington.

Uptown Charlotte · Friday – Sunday · May 1 – 3 · Multi-day · Tickets via festival

Parrots and Pirates Music Festival

Trop-rock/Buffett-vibes festival at scenic Lake Lure. Tiki energy, lakeside stages, and a built-in pirate theme — ridiculous and fun.

Lake Lure · Friday – Saturday · May 1 – 2 · Multi-day · Tickets via festival

Ocean Fest

Coastal NC music festival at Surf City — easiest drive on the list (just up the coast from Wilmington). Beach, music, food, all the trimmings.

Surf City · Saturday · May 2 · Daytime · Free

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance

Beloved four-day Pittsboro festival — bluegrass, folk, world, dance. Camping, family-friendly, low-key magical. About 3 hrs from Wilmington.

Shakori Hills · Thursday – Sunday · May 7 – 10 · Multi-day · Tickets via festival

Beaufort Music Festival

Coastal NC's charming downtown music festival. Easy 90-minute drive up the coast — pair with a weekend on the Crystal Coast.

Downtown Beaufort · Friday – Saturday · May 15 – 16 · Multi-day · Tickets via festival

Bear Shadow Music Festival

Mountain festival in Highlands — top-shelf indie/Americana lineup, scenic Blue Ridge backdrop, Memorial Day weekend perfection. Long drive (6+ hrs) but a destination event.

Highlands · Friday – Sunday · May 29 – 31 · Multi-day · Tickets via festival