In summer, Williamsburg’s outdoor concert season is in full effect. Whether you’re into pop, R&B, jazz, blues, country, or rock covers, here’s where to enjoy live music outdoors almost any day of the week.
Unwind at Williamsburg Live
Friday, June 20 – Sunday, June 22
Catch the annual Williamsburg Live music festival, one of the area’s biggest music events of the year, held on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. This year’s exciting lineup features The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on June 20, Grammy® Award-winning The Band Perry: A Homecoming on June 21, and music icons The Beach Boys on June 22. Come early to grab a spot!
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Turn up the Tunes in Sullivan Square
Wednesday Evenings
Everything old is new again in New Town Williamsburg, where the gazebo in Sullivan Square serves as center stage for New Town Tunes. Held Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m., early May through mid June, this free concert series features a rotating mix of local bands playing classics from the ‘50s through the ‘90s. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to kick back, then tap into the local craft beers and food trucks to make it a dinner-and-a-show experience.
Enjoy Live Music with a View at Riverwalk Landing
Thursday Nights
The lawn is your dance floor at Yorktown’s free Sounds of Summer concerts, held at Riverwalk Landing on Thursdays from 6:30-9 p.m. between late May and mid-August. The fun gets into full swing as the sun sets on the York River. The diverse lineup skews upbeat, with toe-tapping country, jazz, and R&B and the most apropos beach music, with harmonies reminiscent of an adolescence spent in sand and surf.
Food trucks offer delicious, casual bites. There are several free parking options, and the complimentary, wheelchair-accessible Yorktown Trolley runs from 5-9:30 pm. Make a day of it by starting at nearby Yorktown Beach, then have lunch at one of historic Yorktown’s waterfront restaurants like Water Street Grille or Carrot Tree Kitchens.
Jam to Music in Midtown
Thursday Nights
Bring man’s best friend along (on a leash) – or make a new friend – when you hit up the Music in Midtown concert series on the second Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m. The lineups include a local party band, a swing band, a New Wave ‘80s band, and a beloved blues act. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and head to the Midtown Row Village Green for all the hits, then beat the heat with frozen custard from Super Chix.
See a Twilight Concert at a Lavender Farm
Friday Nights
Start the weekend right at Sweethaven Lavender’s Twilight Concert Series, happening through the month of June. It’s a feast for the senses with a ticket that includes a you-pick bouquet. The perfect date night then heads from the fields to the barn for a rotating lineup of local bands and snacks like charcuterie and dessert samplers (available by preorder). Pair treats with wine by the glass or bottle from a local Virginia vintner, or try a summery treat with one of their wine slushies.
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Shop & Dine to Music in Merchants Square
Friday Nights
Enjoy an eclectic mix of music in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, where the Merchants Square Concert Series brings merriment monthly to the historic hub. Duke of Gloucester Street hosts nationally recognized acts on first Fridays from 6-8 p.m., ranging from “cosmic country” to the soulful and spiritual, and poetic storytelling. Be sure to check out the boutique shops, specialty stores, and local restaurants and cafes of Merchants Square.
Raise a Glass at Silver Hand Meadery
Friday Nights
Check out Silver Hand Sessions: Jazz Jams, happening the second and fourth Friday every month from 6-8 p.m., May to July. Silver Hand Meadery hosts this event featuring relaxing tunes and special seasonal food offerings that highlight their unique honeys and pair perfectly with your favorite meads.
Pair Craft Beer & Live Music at Alewerks Brewing Company
Saturday Nights
Head into the beer garden at Alewerks Brewing Company for the Hopped Up Summer Concert Series one Saturday a month from May – Aug. Concerts are from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. and family-friendly so bring the kids to play games. Be sure to try the buttery and delicious scratch-made pretzels with a side of signature beer cheese.
Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown offer a diverse music scene, from traditional fife and drum performances to modern cover bands. For more musical happenings in the Historic Triangle, see the full collection of live music events.
