20+ Virginia Destinations for Music Lovers

From the rolling mountains to the sandy coastal towns, Virginia has been filled with music since its earliest inhabitants entertained with the simplest of instruments. Today, you’ll find rich music experiences in every corner of the Commonwealth, whether you’re looking for a bluegrass band in the Blue Ridge, a jazz festival in the capital city, or a tour through time at a music history museum.

If you consider yourself a true music lover, you need to plan a trip to one of these musical destinations, festivals, and landmarks in the Virginia.

Historic Music Destinations

Learn about Virginia’s legendary music history with a visit to these storied locations.

The Crooked Road

Running from the far southwest corner of Virginia to the town of Rocky Mount, just south of Roanoke, the Crooked Road is a musical heritage trail that celebrates the deep roots of bluegrass, country, and mountain music that can still be heard in the region and connects the venues, museums, and festivals of Southwest Virginia.

Check out these sites to learn more about the Crooked Road—and hear some great music while you're at it.

The Rex Theater—Galax

Opened in 1941, The Rex Theater originally functioned as a movie theater, but the historic building stopped hosting screenings in the 1980s. After closing, the town of Galax decided to renovate the space and put on live bluegrass performances every Friday evening, as well as showing vintage films and doing special events throughout the year.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum—Bristol

Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum covers Bristol’s important contributions to recorded music with exhibits, listening and mixing stations, and theater experiences. Learn about the technology that was used back in 1927 when the Carter Family, Jimmie Rogers, and other notable country musicians recorded the famous Bristol Sessions at this very location.

The Carter Family Fold—Hiltons

Credited as some of the original country music artists, the Carter family recorded over 300 traditional Appalachian songs between 1927 and 1942. Today, you can visit the exact spot where they raised the talented family and hear similar tunes played during shows every Saturday night at the Carter Family Fold.

Floyd Country Store—Floyd

This authentic country shop is over 100 years old, and while the Floyd Country Store functions as a general store and restaurant throughout the week, visitors and residents flock the site for the Friday Night Jamborees, featuring gospel, old-time, and bluegrass bands.

In addition these, there are dozens of venues, exhibits, and festivals along the Crooked Road so you can follow the music. 

Patsy Cline’s Hometown

Another notable spot to visit if you’re a music history buff is the historic Patsy Cline House in Winchester. As the first solo female singer in the Grand Ole Opry and the first woman to be inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Cline is an iconic character in the history of Virginia music. Her small home speaks to her modest beginnings, and visitors can pay tribute to the late country star at her final resting place, right outside the city limits in Shenandoah Memorial Park.

Virginia Musical Museum & Music Hall of Fame

Williamsburg is home to the Virginia Music Hall of Fame, which includes influential musicians from a variety of eras and genres, from the Statler Brothers to Missy Elliot and Pharrell Williams to "The First Lady of Radio," Kate Smith. The museum also has a collection of antique instruments, phonographs, and other artifacts. 

Must-See Venues & Concert Halls

Whether you’re looking for a small, local show or a huge arena concert, there are hundreds of venues in Virginia to see your favorite bands perform.

Arenas & Amphitheaters

Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater—Virginia Beach

Commonly referred to as the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, this venue has been one of the premier East Coast music venues since it opened in 1996. With seating for over 20,000 people, world-famous artists like Dave Matthews Band, Coldplay, U2, and KISS have all played at this massive coastal destination. 

Hampton Coliseum—Hampton

The third-largest convention center in Virginia, the Hampton Coliseum seats about 13,000 people and offers year-round performances and shows. The arena hosts the popular Hampton Jazz Festival each year, drawing thousands of visitors to the music venue for blues, jazz, and soul performances by renowned artists.

Wolf Trap—Vienna

This Northern Virginia outdoor venue brings performances in every genre, from pop and rock to folk, blues, and orchestra. On 117 acres of pristine lands, Wolf Trap has hiking trails that are open year round, although music events are primarily held during the summer months. Check their website for a full list of upcoming artists and show information.

Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront—Richmond

The newest large amphitheater in Virginia is in its capital. Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront sits on a hill overlooking the James River and will host its first acts in summer 2025. 

Local Favorites

Beacon Theatre—Hopewell

Opened in 1928, the Beacon Theatre is a historic landmark in the small town of Hopewell, located about 20 minutes south of Richmond. The venue holds only 637 people at its maximum capacity, but the stunning art-deco architecture adds an elegance and style that few remaining music destinations can capture.

The Birchmere—Alexandria

Just minutes from Washington D.C., The Birchmere hosts some of the biggest names in country, rock, and folk music, as well as comedic talent. The venue was established in 1966 and is known throughout the world for its past shows. 

The NorVa—Norfolk

Just a few blocks from the waterfront in downtown Norfolk, The NorVa brings acts of every genre and size to its stage, from rock and rap to bluegrass and pop. 

There are dozens more local live music venues around the Commonwealth that are hot spots for acts of all sizes. Many breweries and wineries also double as live music venues on occasion. Keep an eye on your local brewpub or winery event listings to find out about shows in your region.

Virginia Cities For Music Lovers

From the smallest town to the capital city, Virginia has plenty of destinations for live music. With various venues and festivals happening throughout the year, these incredible cities invite music lovers to come experience live music almost every single night.

Richmond

The capital city is filled with musical talent on any given night. You’ll discover both local bands and nationally recognized artists playing throughout the city. Small venues like The Broadberry, The Camel, The Tin Pan, and Richmond Music Hall host a range of shows including up-and-coming artists, local favorites, and even big name shows with a more intimate viewing style.

For larger shows, music lovers head to venues like the The National and outdoor event spaces, including Maymont and Brown’s Island, which hosts a popular Friday night summer music series called Friday Cheers. Summer 2025 will also see the debut of the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, a new venue promising to bring big-name acts to the banks of the James. 

Multi-day festivals like the Richmond Jazz Festival and the Richmond Folk Festival draw thousands of people to the city, making it a must-see music destination.

Look up the event calendars for the individual venues to see if your favorite bands are coming to Richmond.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville often hosts some of the biggest names in music, including hometown hero Dave Matthews. The bigger concerts are held at John Paul Jones Arena and the Ting Pavilion off the Downtown Mall. Local acts often perform at the Paramount Theater and Jefferson Theater.

Charlottesville also has Porchella, held each year in April, and many of Charlottesville’s wineries, breweries, and restaurants are also popular spots for live shows, letting you taste and hear the best that Virginia has to offer simultaneously.

Discover a few more music towns to add to your travel itinerary this year.

Top Concerts & Festivals

Want to see a variety of your favorite bands all in one place? Get tickets to these incredible festivals for an unforgettable music experience!

Rooster Walk—Martinsville

Date: May 22-25, 2025

The four-day Rooster Walk is a family-friendly festival that features a variety of genres, including rock, country, blues, reggae, funk, Americana, and bluegrass. Overnight camping is available on-site, and kids can enjoy arts & crafts booths and activities throughout the live music performances.

Oceanfront Concert Series—Virginia Beach

Date: Summer 2025

Combine your beach trip with some live music and be on look out for national bands of all genres during this summer-long series.

FloydFest—Floyd

Date: July 23-27, 2025

Attend FloydFest for five days of nonstop music, artisan workshops, demonstrations, and a whole lot of fun. The 80-acre festival campus is filled with everything you need to get the most out of this musical event, like a “Global Village” that encourages visitors to learn about the Blue Ridge region’s foods, artists, and lifestyle. Stay in the festival campgrounds for a fully immersive festival experience.

Richmond Folk Festival—Richmond

Date: October 10-12, 2025

The Richmond Folk Festival has brought national and international groups to Richmond's riverfront for over 20 years. The free weekend festival ushers over 200,000 people to the area for music, dancing, food and drink, and an artisan market.

MACROCK—Harrisonburg

Date: April 11-12, 2025

Started in 1996 by the James Madison University student-run radio station WXJM, MACROCK is still going strong today with the intention of promoting independent music and the DIY culture. In addition to performances, there are panels and events for local artisans, businesses, and authors to discuss their crafts.

With countless venues, festivals, and music-filled destinations, the Commonwealth has everything a music lover needs for a memorable vacation. Discover your reason to LOVE Virginia’s music scene when you plan a trip this year.