If you live in Hampton Roads VA there are a multitude of free concerts to attend this summer season. Here are just a few of your options to choose form around the area.
If you are a music lover in Hampton Roads there are a multitude of free concerts to choose from this summer season. Here’s a look at some of the local, regional and national acts coming your way.
(Did we mention it’s all free?)
COX FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
These concerts at 31st Street park at the Oceanfront in Va Beach feature national recording artists. All shows start at 7 p.m.
The park also hosts local favorites almost daily throughout the summer. For the full schedule, visit 31ocean.com.
July 9, The Wallflowers
July 22, Will Hoge
Aug. 8, Cracker
Aug. 19, Carbon Leaf
Sept., 9, Mae
Sept. 16, Parrots of the Caribbean
THE TIDEWATER WINDS
This group of local musicians is presenting its 25th season of preserving the American Concert Band tradition established by John Philip Sousa more than 100 years ago.
All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. A different program is played each week.
Call (757) 480-0953 or visit tidewaterwinds.org.
July 5, Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
July 6, Great Bridge High School, Chesapeake
July 8, 24th Street Park, Virginia Beach (lawn seating)
July 12, Harrison Opera House
July 13, Great Bridge High School
July 14, Cox High School, Virginia Beach
July 15, 24th Street Park
July 19, Harrison Opera House
July 20, Great Bridge High School
July 21, Cox High School
July 22, 24th Street Park
July 28, Cox High School
July 29, 31st Street Park, Virginia Beach (lawn seating)
July 31, Willett Hall, Portsmouth
MUSIC ON MONARCH WAY
Old Dominion University Real Estate Foundation and The University Village host the concerts are on the lawn behind the Ted Constant Convocation Center along Monarch Way in Norfolk Saturdays through Aug. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Admission and parking are free. Bring a blanket to sit on. Visit oduvillage.com or call 683-4504.
July 11, Jesse Chong, rock, reggae
July 18, Laura Martier with Joe Mapp and the Coordinates, jazz
July 25, Robbin Thompson, national recording artist, rock
Aug. 1, Session Rockers, reggae roots
Aug. 8, Corporate Woods Drive, blues and rock
Aug. 15, Luke Hartman Band, soft rock
Aug. 22, Harwell Grice Band, bluegrass
TOWNE PLACE AT GREENBRIER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Concerts are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays, through Sept. 4, at Towne Place at Greenbrier, on Eden Way North, just off Greenbrier Parkway in Chesapeake.
Beer and wine will be sold at the concerts, with proceeds benefiting CHIP of Chesapeake, an organization that supports local families and children.
Visit towneplaceatgreenbrier.com or contact Joan Rhodes-Copeland at (757) 373-3293 or jrhodescopeland@aol.com.
July 3, Plastic Eddie, rock
July 10, Lewis McGehee, acoustic rock
July 17, The River Boyz Duo, rock
July 24, Rock Star Parking, rock
July 31, Mike Proffitt, classic rock
Aug. 7, Lewis McGehee
Aug. 14, The Fins, Buffett tribute
Aug. 21, Ed Kelleher Duo, rock
Aug. 28, Jesse Chong, rock, reggae
Sept. 4, Lewis McGehee
WHY NOT WEDNESDAYS
The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts at Town Center in Virginia Beach joined with nearby businesses and the Sandler Center Foundation for this concert series.
Shows are 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 9 at the Sandler Center Outdoor Plaza. Visit www.sandlercenter.org.
July 1, Steve Forss, acoustic
July 8, Lewis McGehee, acoustic rock
July 15, The Fins, Buffett tribute
July 22, The Blades, rock
July 29, Luke Hartman, acoustic rock
Aug. 5, Lemondish, rock
Aug. 12, to be determined
Aug. 19, Inside Out, rock
Aug. 26, Joe Maniscalco, acoustic
Sept. 2 and 9, to be determined
T.G.O.V. – THANK GOODNESS IT’S OCEAN VIEW BEACH PARTY
Ocean View Beach Park in Norfolk is the scene for two summer music series hosted by Festevents. On Fridays the focus will be on beach music. Concerts are 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., July 10 to Aug. 28.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Food and drink will be sold. Coolers, food and soft drinks are permitted, but no alcohol or glass containers. Visit festevents.org or call (757) 441-2345.
July 10, The Janitors
July 17, The Showmen
July 24, The Catalina’s
July 31, Slapwater
Aug 7, Power Play
Aug 14, Michael Clark Band
Aug 21, Craig Woolard Band
Aug 28, Mark Roberts & Breeze Band
BIG BANDS ON THE BAY
This Festevents music series, also at Ocean View Beach Park, features big band music. Concerts are at 7 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 6. The finale ends at 10 p.m., and the others end at 9 p.m.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Food and drink will be sold. Coolers, food and soft drinks are permitted, but no alcohol or glass containers.
And be ready to dance.
July 5, Atlantic Fleet Jazz Ensemble
July 12, Terry Chesson Orchestra
July 19, Top Hats Orchestra
July 26, Don Case & the Satin Sounds Orchestra
Aug. 2, The Continentals
Aug. 9, Glen Boswick & the Sounds of Swing
Aug. 16, Top Hats Orchestra
Aug. 23, "Dancing with the Ocean View Stars" with Don Case & the Satin Sounds Orchestra presented with The Evelyn Ott Dance Studio.
Aug. 30, The Continentals
Sept. 6, Terry Chesson Orchestra
SATURDAY SUMMER STREET FEST
Downtown Hampton throws this party on Queensway from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 5.
In addition to the music, there are street performers and free activites for children, and refreshments for sale. Visit vasc.org.
July 4, Black, White and Blues Band
July 11, Slapwater, beach music
July 18, Excess Baggage, rock
July 25, The Lost Trailers and the Heather Edwards Band, country
Aug. 1, Coolin’ Out, beach music
Aug. 8, Zion Wave, reggae
Aug. 15, Octane 80, rock
Aug. 22, The Deloreans, ’80s rock
Aug. 29, Off the Record, disco
Sept. 5, Slapwater
SUFFOLK TGIF SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
These concerts, at 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays, will be held at Constant’s Wharf Park, behind the Hilton Garden Inn & Suffolk Conference Center, until July 17. The concerts from July 31 to Aug. 28 are at Bennett’s Creek Park, Shoulders Hill Road in Suffolk.
Bring your own seating. People can also bring coolers and food. Call (757) 514-7267 or (866) SEE-SUFK, or visit Suffolk-Fun.com
July 10, SAB, beach music
July 17, Hotcakes, variety
July 31, The Rhondels, beach music
Aug. 7, Cedar Creek, country
Aug. 14, Overtime Band, variety
Aug. 21, English Channel, British invasion rock
Aug. 28, Island Boy, variety
FRIDAYS @ THE FOUNTAIN CONCERT SERIES
These concerts are held in Newport News at the City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza. Free parking, but no pets or outside beverages are allowed. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., concerts are 6 to 8:30, except for Aug. 28. There also are two Saturday matinees at City Center Market Stage on Mariners Row. Visit citycenteratoysterpoint.com.
July 3, Borderline Crazy, rock
July 10, City Center Jazz All-Stars
July 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Code Blue Bluegrass
July 17, City Center Jazz All-Stars
July 18, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Rust City Ramblers Dixieland Jazz Quartet
July 24, Spin City, top 40
July 31, The Rich Whiskey, rock
Aug. 7, The Rhondels, beach music
Aug. 14, Slapwater, beach
Aug. 21, Butter, rock
Aug. 28, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Sept. 4, Tailgate Down, country
Sept. 11, Slapwater
NAVY CONCERT SERIES
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Morale, Welfare and Recreation offers a series of free country music concerts to sailors, their families, and the Hampton Roads community. Gates open at 5 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m.
Attendance does not require a base pass or Department of Defense sticker. Tail-gating, coolers, glass containers, video equipment or pets are not permitted. All bags, backpacks, blankets, chairs and other items may be searched. Visit www.discovermwr.com/Discover or call (757) 462-7665.
July 3, LeAnne Rimes, Norfolk Naval Base
July 11, Josh Turner, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base
Aug. 7, Jason Aldean, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base
Aug. 21, Gretchen Wilson, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base
Sept. 26, Miranda Lambert, Oceana Naval Air Station.
I will try to post more in the future.









