Music lovers are in for a cozy treat this fall on the Northshore. Across the parish, you’ll find outdoor concert series that celebrate the season with tunes under the crisp autumn skies.
Grab a blanket or your favorite fest chair, settle in on the lawn, and enjoy the sounds of the season. Whether you’re there to listen quietly or to get up and dance with a partner, these concerts have something for everyone. Some venues even welcome pets and allow you to bring drinks—just be sure to check their website or social media before heading out.
With a variety of genres on offer, these performances cater to music lovers of all ages. There’s nothing like the magic of live music set against a backdrop of fall colors, whether you’re listening to classic covers or discovering new original songs.
Check out some of the Northshore’s top outdoor concert series below. For a full list of live music events, visit our event calendar and plan your next fall night out.
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:
Oct 5: The Iguanas
Nov 2: The Walrus
Nov 16: Pine Leaf Boys
Nov 23: The Krickets
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 27: Mixed Nuts
Oct 4: Four Unplugged
Oct 11: Gregg Martinez
Oct 18: Phunky Monkeys
Oct 25: Sugar Shaker
Nov 1: Deacon John
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 26: The Rumble (at Peter Atkins Park)
Oct 3: Groovy 7
Oct 10: Bruce Daigrepont
Oct 17: Jay & The Causeways
Oct 24: Lost in the '60s
Oct. 31: Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces
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.
Bayou Jam Lineup:
Sep 27: Typically Booked
Oct 11: The New Orleans Mystics
Dec. 13: Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance & The Valiants
Additional Concerts:
Nov. 10: Veterans Day Concert with Northshore Community Orchestra
Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall
The historic Dew Drop 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 28: Palmetto Bug Stompers
Oct 12: Tremé Brass Band
Oct 26: Seva Venet & The Storyville String Band
Nov 9: Mem Shannon
Nov 30: Doreen's Jazz New Orleans
Dec 7: John Boutté & Northshore Gospel Choir
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
An intimate space inside Slidell's largest convention arena, The Harbor Center, The Lobby Lounge features nationally touring acts in a Bohemian-style, smoke-free, 118-seat venue with table, sofa and chair 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. 8: Minos the Saint
Nov. 13: Amanda Shaw
The 2025 series will kick off January 22 and continue monthly through November.
Abita Springs Opry
Louisiana roots music, country, bluegrass, gospel and Cajun music are all highlighted at the 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 21: Steve Anderson Band, Kendall Rogers Celtic Band, Jonathan and John Gideon Trio, and Ben Redwine Jazz Band
Oct 19: Bad Penny Pleasuremakers, Cactus Thief, Natalie and Southern Accent, and Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers
Nov 16: The Spring Chickens, Big Daddy O, The Scampwalkers and Mid-City Aces
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.
Live music aside, spring on The Northshore is filled with events for foodies, families, couples and more. Check out our event calendar a dig in!
