The Virginia Arts Festival is aligning its annual Williamsburg Live concert series with the nation’s upcoming 250th commemoration. To capitalize on the large crowds expected to visit the area for the milestone, the festival has expanded the event to four days, running from Thursday through Sunday.
Concert Details and Venue
The performances will be held on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, offering approximately 2,000 tented seats and over 3,000 lawn spots. Notably, the capacity for the covered “big top” area is exactly 1,776 seats.
The schedule features a diverse lineup of artists:
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Thursday: Melissa Etheridge and Wynonna Judd will perform, preceded by opener Maggie Rose. The pairing of Etheridge and Judd was selected based on positive staff reviews of their recent collaborative performances.
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Friday: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will headline, bringing a New Orleans-inspired sound. The evening begins with a set by Dumpstaphunk. Festival director Rob Cross noted that Trombone Shorty has been a target for the festival lineup for years due to his high-quality musical legacy.
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Saturday: Alison Krauss & Union Station return to the festival for the first time since 2018. They are joined by opening act Theo Lawrence. Cross emphasized that Krauss is a priority booking whenever she is available due to the authenticity and quality of her voice.
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Sunday: Rocker Grace Potter will perform songs from her upcoming album, Trespasser, which explores themes of physical and emotional discovery. Lindsay Lou will open the evening.
Tourism and Economic Impact
The festival’s mission includes driving economic activity for local businesses and the city. The decision to add a fourth day was influenced by local tourism partners, with the goal of encouraging concert-goers to extend their stays through the Fourth of July.
Edward Harris, CEO of Visit Williamsburg, stated that there is a strong expectation that visitors will combine concert attendance with holiday festivities. Due to the historical significance of the 250th anniversary, officials anticipate higher-than-usual crowd sizes in the historic district. This high level of interest has already resulted in the strongest advance ticket sales in the festival’s history, with tented seating filling up quickly.
Visitor Information
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Logistics: The city has a capacity of approximately 10,000 rooms per night. Officials recommend that attendees book lodging and restaurant reservations as soon as possible.
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Parking: Free parking and shuttle services to the concert venue are available at the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitors Center. Paid parking is available in public lots near the site for an event fee of $20.
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Local Attractions: In addition to the concerts, visitors can explore the historic district, the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and a commemorative quilt display at the Visitors Center, where each square represents a personal American journey.
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Ticketing: Tickets for the event range from $54 to $158 for tent seating and $43 to $50 for the lawn. Further information can be found at vafest.org.
