Fall on the Northshore means live music drifting through cool evenings and leafy backdrops. Grab a blanket or your favorite fest chair, stretch out on the lawn, and let the music carry you—sing along, dance with friends, or just soak it in. Some spots even welcome pets and BYO drinks, so check before you go. Here are a few of the outdoor concert series lighting up the season!
Slidell's Heritage Park
The City of Slidell hosts free concerts in Heritage Park, including Bayou Jams and other shows. Admission is free and picnic dinners and ice chests are welcome. 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. with free admission.
The Lineup:
Sep. 7 - Redline
Sep. 14 - Fat City Swing
Sep. 21 - Southern Roux Band
Sept. 28 - OZONE Music Foundation Artists
Oct. 5 - Audio Beach
Oct. 26 - Monster Crawfish
Nov. 9 - Northshore Community Orchestra*
Dec. 7 - Vince Vance and the Valiants
Additional Concerts:
Nov. 9: Veterans Day Concert with Northshore Community Orchestra
Jazz'n the Vines at Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard
The Jazz'n the Vines outdoor concert series at Wild Bush Farm + Vineyard is a great evening for a date night, family outing or a get-together with friends. Vineyard wines are available for tasting and purchase, and local food trucks serve up some good eats. Bring your fest chairs, blankets and battery powered candles, but no bonfires, pets, sky lanterns or outside drinks. Concerts are 6:30-9 p.m. Admission is $12 for ages 18+, $5 for ages 13-17 and free for ages 12 and under.
The Lineup:
Sep. 20: Charmaine Neville
Oct. 4: T. Marie & Bayou Juju
Oct. 18: Spoonfed Jr.
Nov. 1: Midriff
Nov. 22: Charlie Halloran & Los Tropicales
Mandeville Live! Free Friday Concerts at the Trailhead
Mandeville Live! is a collection of free concerts on Fridays in September and October at the Mandeville Trailhead, starting at 6:30 p.m. The launch point along the Tammany Trace (675 Lafitte Street) is a hub for special events, live concerts and seasonal activities throughout the year.
The Lineup:
Sep. 19 – Flow Tribe
Sep. 26 – Chase Tyler Band
Oct. 3 – Bottoms Up
Oct. 10 – Little Freddie King
Oct. 17 – Jourdan Blue
Rockin’ the Rails at Covington Trailhead
Rockin’ the Rails free concerts are held every fall and spring on Thursdays in downtown Covington, with the first concert of each season kicking things off in Peter Atkins Park, 701 N. Tyler St., and all at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. Hampshire St. The vibe is relaxed and joyful at Rockin' the Rails shows, where you'll see older couples dancing at the edge of the stage, young families lining the New Hampshire Street sidewalk for shade and space for strollers and coolers. Locals bring a lawn chair and claim a spot on the lawn or under the awning, or comfortable shoes to roam the perimeter from stage to food truck to beer wagon to visit with friends.
The Lineup:
Sep 25: The Brass-A-Holics (at Peter Atkins Park)
Oct 2: The Blenderz
Oct 9: Hard 8
Oct 16: Bobby Ohler
Oct 23: The PKW Band
Oct. 30: The Yat Pack
Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall
The historic Dew Drop Jazz & Social Hall is more than a music venue, it is an experience. If you’ve been, you know exactly what we mean. You can feel the history and magic inside this 1895-era building, the world's oldest, virtually-unaltered rural jazz hall in the world. The quaint space fills up quickly, but large crowds overflow in the nearby green spaces to hear the show through open windows. Bring your appetite: delicious, home-cooked meals by the ladies of the First Free Mission Baptist Church next door are available for purchase (while supplies last!).
The Lineup:
Sep. 27 - Thais Clark
Oct. 11 - Washboard Chaz Blues Trio
Oct. 25 - Victor Campbell
Nov. 8 - NOLA Sweetie Pies
Nov. 22 - Rev & the Congregation
Dec. 6 - Northshore Gospel Choir featuring Dr. Valerie Francis
Sunset at the Landing
Every third Friday in Covington, you can take in a free concert at the Columbia Street Landing, at the foot of Columbia Street in downtown Covington (100 North Columbia Street.) Here you can listen to local artists play alongside the beautiful Bogue Falaya River at sunset. Artists announced on their Facebook page one or two weeks in advance of each show.
No Worries about the Weather: Indoor Concert Series in Slidell and Abita
While these concert series are indoors, we couldn't leave them off this list and and risk your miss out on two venues that feature both local and touring artists from around the country: The Lobby Lounge at The Harbor Center, and Abita Springs Opry at Abita Springs Town Hall.
The Lobby Lounge at The Harbor Center
The Harbor Center's Lobby Lounge is an intimate space inside Slidell's largest convention arena, featuring nationally touring acts in a Bohemian-style, smoke-free venue with tables and plush seating in the tradition of an old-style listening room. Artists from the worlds of indie, folk, country, jazz, blues music and more perform acoustic or lightly amplified music. Advance ticket sales only.
The Lineup:
Oct. 14: Mikayla Braun
Nov. 20: Amanda Shaw
Dec. Hannah Belle
The 2026 series begins January 20 with monthly performances through the year.
Abita Springs Opry
Louisiana roots music, country, bluegrass, gospel, zydeco, Cajun, swamp pop and more are highlighted at Abita Opry, held on three Saturday nights in spring and fall at Abita Springs Town Hall. Tickets are $20, all ages, all seats, and doors open at 5:15 p.m. with shows at 7 p.m. and free performances on the hall’s front porch from 4:45-6:45 p.m. weather permitting. Homemade dinners are available; proceeds benefit the town's cultural programs.
The Lineup:
Sep 20: Steve Anderson Band, Jessie Brown Family Band, The Crybabies and The Cottonmouth Kings
Oct 18: Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, Crosswind, Miss Martha and Her Good Time Gang and Johnny J. and The Hitmen
Nov 15: The Spring Chickens, Faubourg Playboys, Sally Baby's Silver Dollars and The Zion Harmonizers
These concerts and the many like them put us on the map as a destination with great live music to be heard. And as festival season ramps up, you’ll have many opportunities to catch your favorite local and traveling bands in town.
For even more, visit our event calendar and plan your next fall night out.
