Whether you are ready to dance to the oldies or listen to acoustic music, the Peninsula is alive with free outdoor concerts, four nights a week.
Wednesday
- The Port Warwick Foundation hosts the Virginia Health Services Summer Concert Series in the large gazebo in Styron Square. One side of the 3-acre park is often filled with people in lawn chairs, accompanied by their coolers. The other side is for kids, featuring sidewalk chalk, bubbles and yard games. The square is surrounded by restaurants for a pre-concert dinner and other options include Schlesinger’s grilled hamburger station and food trucks. Patrons are allowed to bring alcoholic beverages; no alcohol is sold at the event. The concerts run from 6 to 9 p.m. National touring artist Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos play the blues on June 11 and Midnight Rain plays all Taylor Swift on July 16. portwarwickevents.com
Thursday
- New this year is the Tech Center Summer Concert Series at the Drillfield Plaza. The plaza has a large stage and dance floor and the series presents eight concerts over six months, featuring an eclectic mix of genres. Bands such as Pressing Strings, from Annapolis, Maryland, will play on July 3. Concerts start at 5 p.m. Food trucks will be on site. No outside alcohol is permitted. innovateattechcenterva.com
- Fort Monroe’s Music By The Bay concert series takes place at Continental Park at the large gazebo. It draws between 300 to 500 people, said Phyllis Terrell, communications director for the fort. Music ranges from military bands, such as the U.S. Army TRADOC band and the U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band, to traditional pop groups. A special Juneteenth performance will be on June 19 to celebrate the holiday. Other shows include a journey back in time with the Liberty Dolls on Aug. 7. The female trio performs World War II classics such as the Andrews Sisters’ “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and “Rum and Coca Cola.”
Boy Scout Troop 31 also sells hot dogs, drinks, chips and candy to raise money for its programs. Occasionally, food trucks are brought in when large crowds are expected, Terrell said. Shows start at 7 p.m. There won’t be a July 3 show in preparation for Fourth at the Fort. fortmonroe.org - Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer concert series is held at Riverwalk Landing. Deirdre Roesch, York County Economic and Tourism Development’s marketing and communications manager, said the crowd is always energized, especially with bands such as Nashville Nights, which will perform on July 17.
The Deloreans, a local band playing 1980s rock, is so popular that people set up lawn chairs more than an hour before the show starts. They perform on August 14. Food trucks will be available and there are restaurants nearby. Alcoholic beverages are allowed in certain areas. The events begin at 6:30 p.m. There won’t be a July 3 show in preparation for the Independence Day Celebration. visityorktown.org
Courtesy of Fort Monroe
Saturday
Hampton hosts Block Party Unplugged. Solo artists and bands will perform on the new restaurant plaza on Queen Street. Outdoor dining became so popular during the pandemic that the city decided to create an upgraded space, said Sarah Martin, events coordinator for the Downtown Hampton Development Partnership.
“It’s a chance to sit outside, have dinner and enjoy music,” she said.
On the second Saturday of each month, starting June 14, the block party will include a flea market with more than 100 vendors. Shows start at 6:30 p.m. downtownhampton.com.
Sunday
- The Groovin by the Bay concert series at Mill Point Park begins June 22. Popular bands include Slapnation on August 17 and The Gentlemen and Their Lady, a Washington, D.C.-based band, on August 31. Shows begin at 5 p.m. hampton.gov
