Summer Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Some places are just made for enjoying outdoor music and Virginia Beach, Virginia is one of them. Matter of fact, there aren’t many places to enjoy live music in the resort city that aren’t outdoors.
The primary spot for music al fresco in Virginia Beach is Farm Bureau Live. Still known to many locals by its original name of Virginia Beach Amphitheater, this outdoor venue is an extremely popular place to enjoy concerts. The selection of offering is always great, with a good variety of music types.
The venue has featured a Country Mega Ticket package the last few years that brings in top acts. This year’s county music offerings include Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently, Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Toby Keith, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, and Brad Paisley. But it’s not all about country music here. The 2015 concert line-up at Farm Bureau Live also includes Billy Joel, Train, Fall Out Boys, Def Leppard, the Vans Warped Tour, the Dave Matthews Band, Slipknot, and 5 Seconds of Summer.
If the amphitheater at Farm Bureau Live doesn’t provide enough outdoor entertainment for you, there’s also a pretty extensive schedule of beachfront festivals. The resort area festivals are either held right out on the beach or at one of the city’s many parks located along the oceanfront boardwalk. There’s a beach music cruise-in in May. “Sandstock” in June features tribute bands on dueling stages. There’s a Latin Fest in late June and a Funk Fest in August. The biggest beachfront festival of the year is the annual American Music Festival held on Labor Day weekend. The American Music Festival takes place on four stages along the oceanfront. Performers at the 2014 festival included Train, Hunter Hayes, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and Blues Traveler.
Neighboring cities don’t miss out on an opportunity to take advantage of nice weather and beautiful settings either. The cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, which are located directly across the Elizabeth River from one another, both host outdoor concerts. Norfolk’s large Town Point Park is the place to enjoy outdoor festivals. The park stretches along the banks of the Elizabeth river and has lots of grassy areas for concert-goers to stretch out and enjoy some music. Music-oriented festivals include Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival, the Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival, and the Norfolk Latino Music Festival. Norfolk’s biggest annual festival is Harborfest, which covers the length of the waterfront park and includes lots of entertainment.
Look across the river from Norfolk’s Town Point Park and you’ll see the white tent-like structure of Portsmouth’s nTelos Wireless Pavilion. The nTelos Pavilion is a much smaller amphitheater than Farm Bureau Live and a provides a great venue for smaller acts. The 2014 line-up at nTelos included Nickel Creek, Chicago, O.A.R & Phillip Phillips, and Phish.
Plan Your Visit:
- Hampton Roads Concert Calendar – Includes Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Portsmouth.
- Farm Bureau Live (Virginia Beach Amphitheater) – 2015 concert announcements.
- Hampton Roads Visitor – Provides information on events and things to see and do in Virginia Beach and the surrounding area that includes Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Williamsburg.
Hotels:
Oceanfront Hotels – Hotels on Atlantic Avenue, which is the closest road to the beach. Hey, you’re not going to spend all your time at concerts, right? Select from the many hotels available in the Virginia Beach oceanfront resort area and you’ll be close to the beach and lots of dining options.
Farm Bureau Live – There aren’t many hotels located really close to the Amphitheater. Pick a nice place near the oceanfront and enjoy the beach while you’re there.
Town Point Park – Several downtown Norfolk hotels are in convenient walking distance of the waterfront Town Point Park and all the festivals held there.
nTelos Pavilion – The Renaissance Hotel is located right on the waterfront in downtown Portsmouth and within walking distance of the Pavilion. There are a few other options available too.
