Some of the best family memories don’t require expensive tickets, elaborate plans or a night that costs an arm and a leg.
Sometimes all you need is a pizza, a couple of ice cream cones, some lawn chairs and a little live music.
This weekend, families around Lake Norman have three opportunities to turn that simple combination into a night out together. Pick the community that works best for you — Mooresville, Huntersville or Davidson — grab a light dinner, make an ice cream stop and finish the evening with free outdoor music.
Pick your town. Pick your pizza. Find your ice cream. Grab the chairs. We’ll show you where the music is.
Start the weekend a little early at LangTree Lake Norman in Mooresville.
LangTree Live returns Thursday evening with its free outdoor concert series. The August 13 concert runs from 7:00–9:00 PM.
LangTree makes it easy to create the entire evening in one general area. Have an early dinner, find something sweet afterward and settle in for an outdoor concert.
A relaxed summer evening with live music and plenty of opportunity to simply spend time together. It doesn’t have to be complicated — that’s part of the appeal.
The concert itself is free, leaving the family budget primarily for dinner and ice cream.
Build Your Evening:
Start with the LKNConnect Pizza Guide, choose an ice cream stop from our Lake Norman Ice Cream Guide, then head to LangTree for the music.
Friday night takes us to Birkdale Village for Live Under the Oaks.
The free Friday concert series runs from 6:00–8:00 PM in The Plaza. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets; coolers aren’t permitted.
Birkdale gives families a very walkable evening. Dinner, dessert and entertainment can all become part of one outing without spending the night driving from place to place.
Grab something to eat, take a walk through the Village, find that ice cream and then settle in for live music under the oaks.
And if the kids hear something they like, don’t be surprised if sitting on the blanket turns into a little dancing.
Birkdale even offers a Friday-night concierge option for participating restaurants: orders placed in advance can be picked up by Concierge and brought to the concert area at no additional charge.
Saturday evening brings the family to Davidson for Concerts @ the Circles on Jetton Street.
The evening begins with an acoustic performer from 5:00–6:30 PM, followed by Chasing Phoenix, playing rock and variety music from 7:00–9:00 PM. The event is free.
This one can become more than a concert. Davidson lends itself naturally to walking around, grabbing a bite, finding dessert and enjoying the atmosphere before the headline music even begins.
Come early enough and you can turn the whole evening into a family outing rather than racing to arrive just before the concert starts.
Pizza. Ice cream. A walk around Davidson. Then live music.
That’s a pretty good Saturday night.
With acoustic music beginning at 5:00 and the headline band continuing until 9:00, families can decide how much of the evening works for them. Jetton Street is closed to vehicle traffic during the event, creating the concert setting for the evening.
We aren’t going to tell you where you have to eat.
That’s half the fun.
Use the LKNConnect Pizza Guide to find a pizza place that works for your family. Then pull up our Lake Norman Ice Cream Guide and let everybody vote on dessert.
You might even let the kids make the decisions.
Step One: Pizza
Step Two: Ice Cream
Step Three: Free Live Music
Step Four: Spend the evening together
The point isn’t finding the least expensive thing to do.
It’s discovering that a really good family experience doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive one.
Outdoor summer plans around Lake Norman always come with one wildcard: the weather.
Birkdale specifically notes that Live Under the Oaks may be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather.
So keep an eye on the forecast and check the event organizer before heading to the concert.
But here’s what we like about this particular family plan:
Rain doesn’t have to ruin the whole evening.
You’ve still got the pizza.
You’ve still got the ice cream.
You’ve still gotten everybody out of the house and around a table together.
Maybe the concert becomes Plan B for another weekend.
Pizza, ice cream and live music are just one way to spend the weekend together.
If music isn’t your family’s thing — or you’re looking for something to do earlier in the day — we’ve collected plenty more possibilities.
Continue to the LKNConnect Weekend Calendar below for more family activities, community events and things happening around Lake Norman this weekend.
Because sometimes the hardest part of creating family time isn’t finding the time.
It’s deciding what to do with it.
All of this week’s featured activities take place outdoors and are weather dependent. We recommend checking each venue’s official website or social media page before leaving home for the latest weather updates, schedule changes, parking information, and event details.
Our featured recommendations are just the beginning. Below you’ll find the LKNConnect Comprehensive Events Calendar, your complete guide to what’s happening across Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Mooresville, Denver, Troutman, and Sherrills Ford.
From live music and festivals to farmers markets, family activities, community celebrations, and special events, you’ll find everything you need to plan an unforgettable weekend around Lake Norman.
Have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see you next week with three more hand-picked family adventures from around Lake Norman!
Huntersville is just one of many communities waiting to be explored.
LKNConnect makes it easy to create your own perfect weekend with local guides throughout the Lake Norman region.
Explore our guides for:
You’ll also find:
No matter where your weekend takes you, LKNConnect is here to help you discover great places to eat, shop, explore, and create lasting memories together.
Experience Living Lake Norman. Your Community. Your Stories. Your Connections.
These are only our recommendations for an adventure in Huntersvile – We will be featuring adventures in Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, Huntersivlle, Mooresville and Troutman. Mooreville is featured next week
Explore the comprehensive LKNConnect Family Activities Guide for our growing collection of parks, farms, museums, playgrounds, attractions and seasonal destinations throughout Cornelius, Davidson, Denver, Huntersville, Mooresville, Troutman and the surrounding Lake Norman communities.
Then return every Thursday as LKNConnect spotlights New Family Adventures for the coming weekend.
Hours, prices and availability may change. Reservations are strongly recommended when offered. Please confirm current information directly with each destination before leaving home.
Our LKNConnect Weekend Editor’s Picks™ highlight just a few of the experiences we think are especially worth your time this weekend. But they’re only the beginning.
Below you’ll find our Complete Guide to Family Activities Around Lake Norman—a comprehensive listing of festivals, concerts, community events, outdoor adventures, museums, parks, attractions, and family-friendly activities taking place throughout the region.
Whether you’re planning a full weekend itinerary or simply looking for one more great idea, we hope this guide helps you discover something new and make the most of your time around Lake Norman.
