There’s no shortage of things to do in Williamsburg–sometimes, the only challenge is figuring out where to start. Summertime and early fall especially is a great time for live music lovers, and whether you’re into pop, Motown, jazz, or rock covers – or all of the above – there’s something for every listener to fill their dance card every night of the week.
Wednesdays
Everything old is new again in New Town, where the gazebo serves as center stage for New Town Tunes from 5-8 p.m. A selection of rotating local bands present classics from the ‘50s through the ‘90s, and listeners are encouraged to pull up a lawn chair and stay awhile (although anyone inclined to dance is certainly welcome to get on their feet!). New Town Tunes features a selection of local craft beers and food trucks to make it a dinner-and-show experience.
Thursdays
Make the lawn your dancefloor at Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer concerts each Thursday from 6:30 - 9 p.m., where the fun gets into full swing as the sun sets on York River. Each week’s lineup skews upbeat, with toe-tapping country, jazz, R&B, and the most apropos beach music with harmonies reminiscent of an adolescence spent in sand and surf. Make it a whole day by kicking off at Yorktown Beach nearby, then hitting up Historic Yorktown’s waterfront restaurants like Water Street Grille or Carrot Tree Kitchens for lunch. The concert series brings even more yummy options with a rotating selection of food trucks. Drivers can find several free parking options and a complimentary, wheelchair-accessible Yorktown Trolley that runs from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Bring man’s best friend along (on a leash) – or make a new pal – when you hit up the Music in Midtown concert series on the second Thursday of the month from 6-8 p.m. Long before there was Apple Music or Spotify, there was the radio, which offered up a lot of surprises when it came to learning about new artists. In Midtown, the same is true, and the lineups feature local Americana and country acts, a 5-piece blues and folk band featuring upbeat lap steel guitar and mandolin for dancing, and an ‘80s tribute band. Hit up the Village Green for all the hits before checking heading to Super Chix and beating the heat with the week’s new frozen custard flavor rotation.
Fridays
The weekend kicks off by kicking it up a notch at Sweethaven Lavender’s Twilight Concert Series through June. Indulge your ears – and your nose – 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 Virginia vintner Hampton Roads Winery – or try a particularly summery treat with one of their wine slushies.
In the 17th century, what is now Merchants Square would have been an epicenter of both commerce and communication. The town thoroughfare was where people went to socialize just as much as to do business. Today, there are still plenty of ways to do both, and the Merchants Square Concert Series brings merriment monthly to the heart of it all. Duke of Gloucester Street hosts nationally recognized acts on first Fridays from 6-8 p.m., including everything ranging from “cosmic country” to the soulful and spiritual, and poetic storytelling. Here’s the full lineup.
Saturday (and a Sunday Funday)
Colonial Williamsburg will also host one of the area’s biggest musical happenings of the year on the art museum lawn when the Beach Boys kick off the longest day of the year in grand style on June 21. The Williamsburg Live surfing safari starts at 5:30, but music lovers are encouraged to come early and grab a spot before hitting up food trucks and craft beer stands. The fun continues Saturday at 5:30 with another powerhouse band that’s been headlining since the 1960s: Tower of Power. They’ll be joined by Oyster Bay-based TAUK, a bluesy funk and soul band. Make the world your oyster on Sunday night with a trifecta of musical entertainment courtesy of the Virginia Arts Festival, featuring Laufey. The Icelandic-Chinese artist is inspired by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and none other than Taylor Swift herself.
See more big names in big lights onstage at Busch Gardens®, where the Summer of Wonder Concert Series every Saturday through August 10 includes everything from Christian tunes to classic rock and country. Park admission is a free ticket to 7 p.m. entry at the Royal Palace Theatre, which hosts Flo Rida, LOCASH, Bret Michaels, Montell Jordan, and more.
Friday Eves come fall
There’s no need to stop the party when September starts, thanks to the Rhythms on the Riverwalk concert series, held every Friday eve from 6:30 to 8:30. Enjoy a traditional Thirsty Thursday in style with craft beer trucks (or BYOB, here that means bring your own blanket or beer). Food trucks will join the take-out options from Historic Yorktown restaurants, which will also be open for dine-in for early birds or night owls. For details on the lineups, parking, and free transportation options on the Yorktown Trolley, click here.
