Staunton Soundtrack: Your Guide to Live Summer Music 

What kind of music is on constant repeat on your summer playlist? Is it upbeat, local sounds that make you want to dance under the stars? Is it a mellow jazz vibe for a picnic in the park? Does it feature classical masterpieces played on antique instruments? Maybe it’s pure patriotic country flair for fireworks nights?

One great thing about Staunton is that your playlist can include an eclectic mix of genres. We have massive roots festivals, quiet background jazz, and even chances to catch your neighbors strumming their guitars. Here is your guide to Staunton’s live summer music.

Major Festival Highlights (Plan Ahead!)

These are the large-scale, must-see events that anchor the season:

• Red Wing Roots Music Festival: (June 19-21) Don’t miss this annual celebration of roots music at Natural Chimneys Park. Join fellow fans for a family-friendly weekend featuring headliners like The Wood Brothers, The Beths, Lucius, Big Freeda, Squirrel Nut Zippers, and The Steel Wheels. Beyond the incredible lineup, enjoy craft beer, food vendors, bike rides, yoga, a climbing wall, a toddler zone, yard games, and more!

• Heifetz Institute’s Festival of Concerts: (June 25 – August 1) With over 50 public performances featuring Heifetz students, faculty, and impressive guest artists, you’ll hear everything from classical chamber ensembles to contemporary solos. Friday night Celebrity Series concerts start with happy hour followed by performances by world-renowned Heifetz faculty. Heifetz students demonstrate their exceptional skills in the Stars of Tomorrow Series. Don’t miss the free Chamber Music Matinee for an intimate performance paired with conversation. Celebrate the nation’s 250th at the free Anthems from Home & Abroad concert. Admission is free to all events for children 12 and under!

• Happy Birthday America: (July 4) Celebrate our nation’s milestone 250th birthday at the Happy Birthday America’s on Independence Day at Gypsy Hill Park! This free, family-friendly event features food, fun, and live music from local favorites as well as from country headliners Wilson Fairchild. Festivities also include a 5K race, a lively parade, a parent/child baseball game, vesper’s service, a beauty pageant, and more.  An exciting fireworks display will end the night on a grand scale. 

• Staunton Music Festival: (August 14-23) Prepare for a deep dive into musical history showcasing “eclectic, compelling programs from the Middle Ages to world premieres!” The 28th season of SMF brings together composers, historians, and performers to explore over 600 years of classical music. Expect period instruments, historical accuracy, and spectacular performances in venues like Trinity Episcopal Church and the Blackfriars Playhouse, which are chosen for their superior acoustics. This year’s festival highlights opens with a concert celebrating both Bach and Brazilian jazz and closes with a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with vocal soloists, chorus, and period orchestra.  Other concerts explore marginalized voices, the impact of gay composers, tango music, music associated with plants, and much more. Festival goers will have chances to meet composers, share cocktails, and even sign up for cooking classes. While some evening events require tickets, many daytime experiences are free.

Regular Community Beats: 

• Redbeard Brewing Company: Groovin’ in the Garden: From now through October, this is your Saturday destination! Enjoy craft beer and food truck eats while listening to live bands like Dun-Dried Opossum (5/9), Bloo Lagoon (5/23), The Judy Chops (7/4), The Findells (9/5) and more! They also host a Music in the Taproom series, Saturday Karaoke, and Monday Music Bingo.

• Summer Bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park: Bring your chairs and picnic blankets! These community concerts are free and cover all bases:
  • Monday Night Stonewall Brigade Band (June 1 – August 31) – Staunton’s historic 70-member Stonewall Brigade Band is the oldest-continuous community band in the U.S. Originally a marching band, the SBB added woodwinds after the Civil War and became the concert band it is today. It first played in what is now Gypsy Hill Park in 1889. Concerts featuring marches and big band classics begin at 7:30 pm. Look for themed shows like Cowboys, Pioneers & the Wild West, Music of Movie Composers, Into the Beyond (Space!), and Shenandoah Valley & Local Composers. Here’s the full schedule.
  • Tuesday Night Praise in the Park (July 7 – August 25) – Linden Heights Baptist Church’s annual Praise in the Park concert series brings contemporary and southern gospel as well as gospel bluegrass. Listen to favorites like Nikki & Chip Headley from Tennessee & Shenandoah Valley Bagpipes, Streets of Gold Quartet, Southern Hospitality Shenandoah Valley Band, Heaven’s Mountain Band, and more, including a Kid’s Ministry Show on August 11. Concerts begin at 7 pm. See the full schedule here.
  • Wednesday Night Blue Grass in the Park (July 8 – August 26): Tap your feet to energetic tunes and banjo picking at Bluegrass in the Park! Most concerts include sets by two different local and regional groups. Bands include Mark Templeton Band, David Parmley Continental Divide , Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass, Nothin Fancy and more. Concerts begin at 7 pm. See the full schedule here.
  • Thursday Night Jazz in the Park (July 9 – September 3): Celebrate hot summer nights with the Jazz in the Park summer concert series. You’ll hear classic jazz standards, fresh New Orleans street jazz, and more. Performers include Sentimental Journey Big Band, Jstop Latin Soul, Le Hotclub, and the Greg Moody Quartet. See the full lineup here.

Casual & Culinary Grooves

For those days when you want to wander and discover music organically, these regular spots are your best bet:

• Marino’s Lunch is a century-old Staunton restaurant, bar, and musical hotspot. Known for casual food and drinks, its weekly bluegrass and Irish jam sessions are a great way to listen to live, spontaneous sounds and to meet the musicians who make them. Look also for upcoming performers like The Crybabies, Ash Devine, Mojo Parker, and The Judy Chops. 

• Queen City Brewing hosts live music and weekly Acoustic Open Mics. Sign up to perform and relax and listen. Both go great with craft beer!
• Connect with your friends at Baja Bean Co. for Tex-Mex, craft beer, and cocktails. Check the schedule for live music, usually on Friday and Saturday nights.

• Staunton Farmers’ Market: Start your Saturday with fresh produce and live music! The market hosts musicians alongside the best artisan goods in town. Check Facebook to see who’s performing each week.

• Sit on the deck at Ciders from Mars and take in a view of the wharf while sampling local ciders and catching pop-up music events. Check Facebook for a monthly schedule of music, food trucks, trivia, and more.

• Check out Queen City Music Studios for all your music essentials, classes, performances and gatherings.
• Don’t forget to explore the surrounding area for more sounds: Barren Ridge Vineyard, Valley Pike Market, Stable Craft Brewing, Waynesboro Parks and Rec, and Lexington’s Lime Kiln Theater often host live music. 

What are you waiting for? Grab your dancing shoes, pack a picnic blanket, and heck, even an instrument if you play one! Start developing your Staunton summer soundtrack!