“If I’m going to go, it better be worth it.”
Sound familiar? Yeah, us, too. Well, we’re happy to tell you that these Shenandoah Valley summer music festivals are definitely worth the drive. We’ll give you the vibe for each one and you go ahead and pack accordingly. This is going to be a great summer!
Held at Natural Chimneys Park, the geologic formation is a fantastic backdrop for the event. Red Wing Roots Music Festival is hosted by The Steel Wheels, a Shenandoah Valley “Americana Roots Folk Rock band.” The festival features five stages of music over three days.
Red Wing Roots Music Festival. Photo by Jay Sansone and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
The Vibe: Granola Outdoorsy
The Music: Roots, Bluegrass, Folk, Soul
The Schedule: Organized morning activities include yoga, biking, running, hiking, geology walks, and hoop dancing; Music across five stages from 1 p.m. until midnight (daily schedule available on the 2024 Artist Line Up page)
For the Kids: The Kinfolk Stage features entertainment geared toward the younger fans and Shady Grove is a play destination with many, many fun opportunities. Red Wing Academy is a four-day intensive instrumental camp by The Steel Wheels’ Eric Brubaker. The camp occurs prior to the festival and students perform during the festival.
Accommodations: Multiple camping and glamping options
View this post on Instagram
You won’t be camping the entirety of this festival, we don’t think. Rather, choose a single event or maybe a back-to-back weekend of concerts to enjoy at Shrine Mont in picturesque Orkney Springs.
The Vibe: Settle In and Tap Your Toes; Dance if You Want To
The Music: Country, Orchestra, Soul, R&B
The Schedule: Most concerts begin at 8 p.m.; a great time as the day cools into night. This year’s entertainers include Marty Stuart, Dionne Warwick, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mavis Staples, Steve Earle, and more.
For the Kids: They are welcome and appreciated, but there are not special activities. Lawn seating is ideal for families.
Accommodations: Overnight stays are available at Shrine Mont.
View this post on Instagram
This one thing is entirely unlike the others. The Staunton Music Festival is all about classical music. This is where one gets away to enjoy the works of Mozart, Bach, and their contemporaries performed by world renowned musicians who are masters of their instruments.
“… all music was once ‘modern.’” – Staunton Music Festival
The Vibe: “Dinner & A Show” Date Night
The Music: Baroque, Renaissance, Classical
The Schedule: Free noon performances and ticketed afternoon and evening performances at various venues in Staunton.
For the Kids: This festival is not ideal for small children.
Accommodations: Various hotels, bed and breakfasts, and guest suites across Staunton
View this post on Instagram
Skyline Ranch Resort in Front Royal is the venue for the Appaloosa Festival hosted by Scythian. Their slogan for Appaloosa is #WhereYouFindTheNextBigThing, and it seems to be working. Find some longtime favorites (Carbon Leaf, anyone?) and discover a break-out artist or two over Labor Day weekend. This festival is also a multi-stage setup.
Appaloosa Music Festival. Photo by Scott Murrish, IG account: @scott_murrish_photography; courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
The Vibe: Backyard Outdoorsy
The Music: Bluegrass, Americana, Celtic
The Schedule: TBA, but look forward to musical workshops with participating artists.
For the Kids: Kid’s Zone with bounce houses and activities, Kid’s Stage with entertainment geared toward them, petting zoo, fishing pond, and horseback riding
Accommodations: Multiple camping options and VIP cabins
View this post on Instagram
Did you find your vibe? If so, book your overnight and snag your tickets; there are #EpicExperiencesAhead in the Shenandoah Valley this summer!
Header Image: Red Wing Roots Music Festival. Photo by RubySky Photography and courtesy of Virginia Tourism Corporation.
