Not to argue with Julie Andrews, but it’s not just the hills that are “alive with the sound of music.” The Shenandoah Valley is, too.
Whether your taste runs to classical, bluegrass, soul, jazz or enduring rock n’ roll, there is an ever-growing music festival scene in the Shenandoah Valley. Keep an eye on our Events calendar for festivals as the year progresses, but several majors are already scheduled, as follows:
April 20: Rocktown Beer and Music Festival, Harrisonburg
Held at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion in Downtown Harrisonburg, this festival is organized by Brothers Craft Brewing (formerly Three Brothers Brewing), and the Pale Fire Brewing Company (both members of the Shenandoah Beerwerks Trail). This festival now draws about 3,000 fun-seekers each year. The band lineup so far this year includes Kat Wright, The Accidentals, and Bryan Elijah Smith. Sample around 60 beers and a wide variety of local foods, and listen to good music the whole day. Tickets range from $22 to $75; for more information: e-mail aaron@rocktownfestival.com or call or Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance at 540-432-8922.
May 25: Valley Fest — Massanutten Resort, McGaheysville
Listen to a multitude of live bands, plus enjoy beer, wine, food and arts and crafts with about 4,000 other revelers. Bands include Strong Water, Dell Foxx Company, The Hackens Boys, Slippery When Wet, and more to come. All proceeds benefit the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.
Ticket Notes:
$20 Early Bird
$25 Advance
$20 Military (Valid Military ID required. Military tickets must be purchased in person.)|
$10 Designated Driver & Under 21
Kids 10 & under are Free
$35 At the Gate
Valley Fest is one-day event but with everything there is to do at Massanutten Resort, it makes sense to linger at least a couple of days. Stay at a condo or hotel and enjoy the Indoor/Outdoor WaterPark, two golf courses, a Mountain Bike Park, farm-to-table dining experiences, shopping and a day spa. Taking the kids? There is a Family Adventure Park with Canopy Tours, a Kid’s Adventure Course, ziplining and more.
June 9 – 16: Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival, Harrisonburg
Held on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, this festival is a week-long celebration of Bach and a featured composer, country, era or people. Three featured concerts with orchestra, soloists, and choir; six chamber music concerts; a Leipzig Service; and open rehearsals bring a rare musical experience to the Valley. There are various ticket options; a three-concert package for adults is $65. For more information: call 540-432-4367.
July 19 – Sept. 1: Shenandoah Valley Music Festival, Shenandoah County
The well-known Shenandoah Valley Music Festival presents eight to 10 concerts during the summer months, featuring some of the best artists in country, bluegrass, pop/rock, folk, Americana and classical music. The summer’s artists will be announced soon–but two that are confirmed are The Beach Boys on July 26 and The Oak Ridge Boys August 9th. (Tickets on sale April 2.) Concerts take place at Shrine Mont, a beautiful, historic retreat and conference center in the village of Orkney Springs, Va.
2019 Concert Schedule (Tentative)
Performance dates are as follows:
July 19, 20, 26, 27
Aug. 9, 10, 31
Sept. 1
Dates are subject to change.
June 29: Shenandoah Valley Brews and Blues Festival, Staunton
To be held at the Club Ironwood from roughly 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Enjoy great blues bands along with some of the most popular Virginia microbreweries in the area. Local food and craft vendors will be on hand as well. Band lineup is still in progress. Check our Events page for more details as we get closer.
July 3: Summer Jam, Massanutten Resort, McGaheysville
Live music, food vendors, beer & wine garden, fireworks, and more! Fireworks start at 10:00. Spring Ticket Special — $10 (on sale April 1 – June 1, 2019). Advance — $15. At-Gate — $20. Kids under 7 are free! Beer & Wine Garden — Tickets $4. Bands to be announced.
July 12-14: Red Wing Roots Music Festival, Natural Chimneys, Mt. Solon
Combining organized hiking, running, cycling, yoga and of course three days of live music, this festival is held in the shadow of beautiful Natural Chimneys in Augusta County. Camp out or stay in a nearby Hampton Inn with special concert rates. The 2019 bands include: The Steel Wheels, First Aid Kit, The Wood Brothers, Mandolin Orange, Peter Rowan, The Tim O’Brien Band, The Gibson Brothers, and many others. Ticket info here: info@www.redwingroots.com. Soaring 120 feet upward, the Natural Chimneys are worth a visit even if you don’t get to the festival.
August 16 – 25: Staunton Music Festival
This festival’s 22nd season will present 32 concerts over 10 days! Featured will be 100 works performed by 80 world-class musicians. Highlights include a staged presentation of Handel’s Theodora; world premieres by composers-in-residence; Bach’s St Matthew Passion on period instruments; music by everyone from Hildegard to John Hilliard and from Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony to Bernstein’s West Side Story. The performances are held at different historic sites throughout Staunton. During the Summer Festival, most days include 1-2 free daytime offerings (for which tickets are not required) followed by a longer evening concert. Tickets are available individually by concert or as part of a discounted package. To buy tickets or for more information, call 540-569-0267.
August 30 – Sept. 1: Appaloosa Roots Music Festival, Front Royal
Spectacular mountain views from Skyline Ranch Resort in Front Royal add to the appeal of multiple live bands at this Labor Day weekend celebration. Last year they had 23 bands; lineup for this year is still in progress. Choose from car/RV camping or stay a nearby hotel with rates discounted for the festival. Enjoy local food vendors and a wide variety of local crafts, artwork, etc. Early bird tickets normally go on sale in April. Contact: tickets.appaloosa@gmail.com
Dates to come: Doah Fest, Luray
Three days of music, morning yoga, dance parties, group bonfires, and all the water fun you could want on the Shenandoah River. Various kinds of live music from folk and reggae to soul and Brazilian funk. Your ticket gets you a camping spot on private farmland overlooking the river. Bring your own food and drink (no glass containers) or buy from local food vendors. Minutes from Downtown Luray, Luray Caverns, Wisteria Farm and Vineyard, Shenandoah River Outfitters, Fort Valley Ranch and other alluring sites. Doah Fest was late July last year. We’ll post the 2019 dates as soon as we get them.
Not Precisely a Music Festival, But…
April 26 – May 5: Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, Winchester
Live music and band competitions are an integral part of this landmark Valley celebration—but there are more than 40 events in all–including dances, parades, carnival, dinners, luncheons, a wine festival, a 10K Race, the Coronation of Queen Shenandoah, two large parades, and celebrities.
May 12 – October 27: 1930s – 1960s Music Shenandoah National Park
On Sundays from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., hear musical entertainment for free at the New Market Taproom, Big Meadows Lodge, in Shenandoah National Park.