When people begin searching for concerts in NC, Edenton is probably not the first town that comes to mind. Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington all have great larger venues, and we are not going to pretend otherwise. But if you are planning a stay at our North Carolina bed and breakfast and want to add some local live music to your itinerary, look no further.
In Edenton, live music isn’t a massive production. It’s a community affair. It’s waterfront festivals where the open air carries the tune, a historic theater with only 115 seats, and local spots where neighbors gather to hear a touring Americana band. If you are looking for low-key concerts in North Carolina, here is where to find the best local talent and regional acts during your stay.
The Sounds of Summer Concert Series
If you’re looking for a reason to plan a getaway, the Sounds of Summer concert series is it. It always kicks off with Boogie on Broad Street in April, where the heart of downtown transforms into a street party with food trucks, beer gardens, and enough energy to make you want to stay for another round.
As the season warms up, the music moves to the waterfront. There is something truly special about listening to a live band with the Albemarle Sound as the backdrop. These events are the definition of “easy-going”. Just bring a blanket, find a spot on the grass, and let the evening unfold. Check our events calendar before you book so you can time your visit with one of these bayfront nights.
Fourth of July in Edenton
Independence Day in Edenton is not just a single evening. It is a full week of celebrations that this town takes seriously in the best possible way. The morning of the 4th begins on the lawn of the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse with the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. Standing there on that historic ground, hearing those words read aloud, is a moving experience that never gets old.
As the afternoon rolls on, the waterfront fills with music, food vendors, and a growing sense of excitement. By the time the sun dips below the horizon and the fireworks begin to mirror off the bay, you’ll understand why our guests tell us it’s one of the most memorable Fourth of July celebrations in the South.
The Peanut Factory
For those who love music with a little soul and a lot of history, The Peanut Factory is a hidden gem just outside of town. This creative arts nonprofit is housed in a beautifully preserved historic building and brings in incredible Americana, folk, and roots artists. Because it’s such a small, curated space, these NC concerts feel incredibly personal.
Taylor Theater
Taylor Theater calls itself the Showplace of the Albemarle, and that is not an overstatement. This 115-seat venue in downtown Edenton has built a thoughtful live events calendar alongside its regular film schedule, bringing in a mix of local talent and regional acts for shows that feel up close and personal in the best way. There truly isn’t a bad seat in the house, and the acoustics in that room are a dream for music lovers.
Tickets are affordable and available online or at the box office.
Weekly Favorites and Local Hangouts
You don’t have to wait for a festival to find a good tune in Edenton. Some of our favorite musical moments happen weekly:
The Herringbone hosts live music every Monday night. If you are spending a long weekend in Edenton and Monday falls in the mix, it is a very good reason to walk down to the waterfront for dinner and stay a while. The setting is beautiful, the food is worth the trip on its own, and live music on the water on a Monday evening has a relaxed quality that is hard to find anywhere else.
Edenton Bay Trading Company runs Vinyl Night every Saturday. Grab a drink, settle into a seat near the front windows with a view of the Cupola House gardens across the street, and listen to records played the way they were meant to be heard.
Plan Your Stay Around the Music
One of the things we love most about Edenton is that an evening out here never feels like a production. The venues are close, the crowds are friendly, and you can walk back to the inn when the night winds down without getting in a car.
Inner Banks Inn is right in the heart of downtown, within easy walking distance of Taylor Theater, Edenton Bay Trading Company, The Herringbone, and the waterfront where the Sounds of Summer festivals take place. If you are tired of the hassle that usually comes with concerts in North Carolina, these venues in our quiet corner of the coast offer the relaxing setting you need.
Check our availability and come see (and hear) why evenings in Edenton are so hard to beat. We’d love to have you on the porch for the next set.
Images courtesy of © Visit Edenton
