Are you ready for some positive energy? Want a unique experience that’s proven to improve your mood? It’s summer and the chances to hear live music are amping up. Listen in the great outdoors and safely experience the sense of community and togetherness we’ve been craving for so many months. So what are you waiting for? Grab your blanket and snacks, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready to have fun. Here’s a roundup of this summer’s best live music along the Beerwerks Trail.
Fourth of July Events
- Stable Craft Brewing is sure to be a fun destination over the 4th of July weekend. Not only can you hear the Eli Cook Band live on July 2nd, there will be seasonal new releases, and a whole lineup of events and friendly competitions like wheelbarrow races, giant beer pong, hula hooping, and cornhole golf.
- Skipping Rock Beer Company has a weekend of live music planned over the 4th of July. Americana fiddle, guitar, and mandolin duo MandaCyn will play on July 2nd, and Shagwüf will rock out on July 3rd. Food trucks will be onsite both nights: German Bratwurst Food Truck (Friday), Gonzo’s Pollo (Saturday).
- Chad Cash will be playing at Seven Arrows Brewing on July 3.
- Celebrate Independence Day on July 3 with a “funky rock and roll dance party” featuring Disco Risqué in Basic City Beer Co.’s illuminated beer garden. Check the events calendar for upcoming performers in the Outdoor Concert Series like Empty Bottles, a “sultry and soulful group will put the wind back in anyone’s sails with grooves from legends such as Kenny Loggins, Hall and Oates, and the Doobie Brothers.”
- Brothers Craft Brewing 4th of July Celebration (July 3) will have lots of special taps, live music, and fun, including Cousin Jimmy’s String Band.
- Cave Hill Farms Brewery is celebrating with music by The Seven Bends Band (July 2) and Thieves of Burden (July 3).
- Hurry and buy your tickets to July 3rd’s Summer Jam at Massanutten. This year’s fun event has a lineup of great music, fireworks, beer, wine, food trucks, and kids’ activities like face painting, arts and crafts, Jenga, and Connect 4. Headliner Kanye Twitty will wow the audience with an eclectic mix of country, rock, hip hop, pop and party favorites. They’ll be joined by Red Dirt Revolution playing popular country hits, and Kevin Davis & BanCaribe, “ an exciting blend of Afro-Cuban, Latin, Caribbean and Soulful Rhythm and Blues, all held together with pulsating percussion.” Proceeds from Summer Jam benefit the Rockingham/Harrisonburg SPCA.
- Buena Vista’s Glen Maury Park will host a July 4th Concert & Dance from 7-11 p.m. The festivities include a performance by the Dundies as well as a huge fireworks display that’s expected to be visible for six miles. Tickets to the concert can be purchased at the gate.
- If you want to revisit the holiday a week later, check out the fireworks at Waynesboro’s Sunset Spectacular on July 10!
- Head to Broadway’s Heritage Park for the 8th annual Red, White and Brew Festival (July 10). The festival will have beer, wine, cider, food trucks and music from Thieves of Burden and Spencer Hatcher.
Other Summer Music
Lexington-Rockbridge
The Lime Kiln Theater Summer Concert Series has been selling out most of its shows for the past six years and this season offers more chances to enjoy music and theater in the trees and under the stars. Originally an abandoned turn-of-the-century lime quarry, the venue is now a prime spot for local, regional, and national outdoor music and performance art. This year the Lime Kiln welcomes Seldom Scene, Watkins Family Hour, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Bush Band and more. Click here for the entire 2021 schedule. Purchase tickets individually or spring for a season pass. Concerts extend through October 2nd. Food trucks as well as wine and beer will be available onsite.
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Rockbridge area breweries with regular live music:
Great Valley Farm Brewery and Winery
Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery hosts live music on Sundays called “Uncorked.”
Waynesboro
Waynesboro Parks and Rec’s Groovin’ at the Greenway at Constitution Park is a wonderful way to get outside, listen to music, and celebrate the spirit of community. The Thursday night concert series presents a variety of artists and genres including rock, blues, funk, swing, soul, alt country, and more. You’ll hear the rock and alt country sounds of Thieves of Burden, the funky horns of Every Day People, and more. Concert attendees should bring blankets or chairs and order food from the onsite food truck. The event is family friendly and Blue Ridge Children’s Museum will have activities to occupy the kids. The concerts are from 6-8 p.m. and extend through July 29.
The Wayne Theatre’s Wayne on Main also provides outdoor live music to the public. Musicians will set up under the Wayne marquee and play a variety of genres on the last Wednesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. The 500 block of Main Street will be closed to vehicles during the shows, so concertgoers can set up chairs in the street. Upcoming performances go through September 29 and include Lil Boy Blue Band, The Skill Billy’s, and Blue Ridge Thunder.
Waynesboro area restaurants and breweries that regularly host live music:
- Basic City Beer Co.
- The Fishin’ Pig
- E&J’s Deli Pub (indoor)
- Plaza Antigua (new outdoor space!)
- Heritage on Main
- Benny Stivale’s
Staunton
The historic Blackburn Inn’s SummerStage concert series brings you great music under the stars. Listen to the sounds of Americana, roots, country, folk, and bluegrass bands during the weekly Friday night concerts, which extend through Labor Day. Dine on gourmet picnic boxes and sip beverages from local breweries, cideries, and vineyards. The series will feature artists like The Quebe Sisters, David Wax Museum, Bonnie Bishop, Hackensaw Boys, and more. Get your tickets today!
Outdoor music has returned to the Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand this summer. This year, visitors can hear free live music four nights a week. On Monday nights, hear marches and other big band classics from the historic 70-piece Stonewall Brigade Band. On Tuesday nights in July and August, Linden Heights Baptist Church puts on the annual southern gospel, gospel bluegrass, and contemporary gospel concert series Praise in the Park. Wednesday night brings July and August bluegrass to the park. Local and regional entertainers will get your toes tapping with energetic tunes and banjo picking. Relax on Thursday nights with the Jazz in the Park concert series. You’ll hear classic jazz standards performed by S.P.L.A.A.A.T. Quartet, amazing stride/boogie pianist William Hayes performing with The Boogie Kings, and more.
The Heifetz Institute’s Festival of Concerts is made up of 50+ concerts, including performances by Heifetz students, alumni artists, celebrity faculty members, and special guests from around the world. The music will range from chamber music, to Fourth of July music, to the multi-genre Heifetz Hootenannies. Concerts will take place both indoors and out and extend through August 6.
Redbeard Brewing Co.’s Live Summer Concert Series will fill the last Saturday night of each month with music from now until October. Drink your favorite craft beers while listening to the sounds of Six Shot Rebellion, The Findells, The Judy Chops, and more.
Queen City Brewing hosts a weekly (Wednesday) open mic night on their patio.
Augusta County
If you keep up with the music festival scene, you’ve surely heard of the annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival (July 9-11). The family-friendly event sets some of the biggest names in folk music against a stunning backdrop of 120-foot limestone towers at Natural Chimneys Park. Listen to The Steel Wheels, Tim O’Brien Band, Son Little, Ragged Mtn String Band, and over 40 more as they play sets on five stages. Buy a day pass or make it a weekend and camp in the Natural Chimney’s campground or nearby. Enjoy a beer garden and food and craft vendors. Besides the music, the festival boasts outdoor activities like daily group bike rides, hikes, morning yoga, fun runs, a climbing wall, lawn games, and other activities for kids.
Bring the whole family to Valley Pike Farm Market’s 5th annual Music at the Market series on select Saturdays in July and August. Groove to bands like Thieves of Burden, Relentless, Big City Band, and more!
Restaurants and breweries that host regular live music:
Rockingham County
This year’s EPIC Fest Beer & Wine Festival will take place at the Elkton Landing on August 14 and will feature beer, wine, and music by Who Shot John and Big City Band. Buy tickets online or at the door. Drink tickets will cost $5.
The Rockingham County Fair is the largest annual event in the Shenandoah Valley. You’ll want to attend all the exhibits, sideshow acts, livestock displays, food, and carnival rides and games by Deggeller Attractions. But you should also add the live music events to your calendar. On August 15, come see a gospel concert and the music of “country, bluegrass, gospel dream team” Jimmy Fortune, Bradley Walker, Mike Rogers, and Ben Isaacs. Ticket holders can also catch Tracy Lawrence with Kentucky HeadHunters (August 16), Jimmie Allen with Matt Stell (August 17), and HARDY with The Hackens Boys (August 18). Track and bleacher seating is available.
September 18 marks the 20th annual ValleyFest Beer & Wine Festival on the slopes of Massanutten. Join the fun to listen to live music, drink craft beer and wine, gnosh on delicious festival food, and peruse the booths of vendors. Purchase tickets in advance or at the gate. This year’s lineup includes country music singer/songwriter Michael Christopher and dance-floor filler DJ FINKS who mixes everything from contemporary dance songs, to house, afrobeats, and the best music from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. You’ll also hear rock party cover band Bombshell RVA’s “fun crowd interaction, spicy vocals, and energetic infectious music.” Finally, you’ll love hearing the hits from Fleetwood Macked, the “most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute band in the U.S.” as they bring you music from the 70s to today.
Rockingham County breweries and vineyards that regularly host live music:
- Bluestone Vineyard (Toast the Weekend)
- CrossKeys Vineyards
- Cave Hill Farms Brewery (Fridays & Saturdays)
- Elkton Brewing Co. (Fridays & Saturdays)
- Brix and Columns Vineyards
Harrisonburg
The 6th annual Sing Me High Music Festival celebrating music and faith is happening August 27-28. Bands with local or faith backgrounds will provide the soundtrack, and there will be plenty of fun, food, and fellowship for the whole family. Festival attendees can buy food and ice cream from vendors and food trucks, take part in kids activities including a giant slip ‘n slide, bid on a guitar in a raffle, and win a pie auction during a hilarious variety show. Musical acts Walking Roots Band, John Schmid, Ebony Nicole, Good Company, Honeytown, and more will perform.
Restaurants and breweries that host regular live music:
