There are many ways to immerse yourself in a new destination – eating or drinking, adventuring, or museum-going among them. But perhaps one of the best is living in the moment and taking in some live music.
The Williamsburg area hosts noteworthy free entertainment most nights a week year-round, so there’s always something that’ll fit into your vacation lineup.
For the jazz lovers
Who needs karaoke when you’ve got free live jazz at Silver Hand Meadery? Whether you’re in town for just a few days or call Williamsburg home, everyone is welcome to join in monthly jam sessions on the second and fourth Friday of the month with an instrument (or their vocal cords). Keep it ultra-local and grab a glass of honey wine produced here from the output of local bees before or during the show from 6-8 p.m.
Mix it up, stir it up
Copper Fox Distillery isn't just about the delicious whisky; it's also a destination for fantastic live music all summer long. Local musicians take the stage, offering a variety of genres with no cover charge. Just bring your friends, enjoy expertly crafted spirits, and settle in for an evening of great tunes and good vibes.
Tunes for TGIF
Start your weekend with toe-tapping music at Alewerks Brewing Company on select Fridays. Talented Virginia musicians and bands will be performing a mix of popular covers and their own original songs. Come and experience an evening filled with live music, excellent beer, and a welcoming atmosphere. We hope to see you there!
Have a ball at the Corner Pocket
Racking your brain for something fun to do on Saturday nights? Queue up for a rotation of funk, soul, blues, and Motown tunes from Williamsburg musicians from 7-10 p.m. at the Corner Pocket. Play your own – game of pool, that is – as you sip a local craft beer or enjoy upscale pub grub-like burgers and spicy mains that put the “jam” in jambalaya.
Seasonal specials
Williamsburg Live
Get ready for an electrifying summer of live music in Williamsburg in 2025! The highly anticipated Williamsburg Live, a cornerstone of the Virginia Arts Festival, is set to ignite the Lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg from June 20th to June 22nd. This incredible weekend kicks off on Friday, June 20th, with a dazzling tribute to the iconic sounds of ABBA. The energy continues to soar on Saturday, June 21st, with a powerhouse performance by the Grammy-winning country sensation, The Band Perry. And to cap off this unforgettable weekend on Sunday, June 22nd, the legendary The Beach Boys will bring their timeless hits to the stage, promising a tidal wave of good vibes. Mark your calendars – this is one musical event you won't want to miss!
Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer
There are no wet blankets – only picnic blankets – at Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer concerts each Thursday from 6:30 - 9 p.m. through August. You can also pull up your own chair and settle in for beachy melodies, country, jazz, and R&B on the stage, which will even feature its own adjacent dance floor for those feeling the groove. Come early to try one of Historic Yorktown’s waterfront restaurants, including Water Street Grille, Carrot Tree Kitchens, and Yorktown Pub – or check out to-go meals from a rotating selection of food trucks if you watch the acts and have a snack. The concert series includes free parking options and a complimentary, wheelchair-accessible Yorktown Trolley that runs from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Merchants Square Concert Series
It’s common to hear the echo of fife and drums through historic Williamsburg’s streets, but summertime brings other distinct kinds of entertainment to Duke of Gloucester Street. Hit up the the heart of Merchants Square for a concert series featuring the hits of today and yesteryear, with acts playing everything from folk harmonies to rock anthems on the first Friday month.
