via Venture Richmond / Facebook Photo Credit: Dave Parrish PhotographyWith spring well under way and summer just on the horizon, concert series in Richmond have already begun! From live music at local shopping centers and parks, to larger venues featuring some of the nation’s top rock, pop, R&B, and country names, summer in Richmond was truly made for music lovers.
While some concert series have a charge for tickets, many of these concerts are free and almost all concerts are family-friendly. To find times, dates, and music line-ups for Richmond’s top summer concert series, be sure to check our list below. And of course, if you know of a concert series that we might have overlooked, we would love to know about it! Send us the details at cs@richmondmom.com and we’ll add it to our list!
Friday Cheers
Brown’s Island
May and June
Every Friday, 6pm – 9:30pm
For 35 years, Friday Cheers has been one of Richmond’s most popular and beloved summer series. As the longest running and largest event of its kind in Richmond, Friday Cheers showcases some of the nation’s hottest touring bands and all-time regional favorites. The only summer concert series held along the James River, Cheers draws 3,000-6,000 people per week to Richmond’s picturesque Brown’s Island, a park-like setting situated between the Canal Walk and the scenic James River in downtown Richmond, Virginia. Friday Cheers takes place every Friday in May and June. This family-friendly event has been named Style Weekly’s “Best Concert Series” in Richmond the last seven years in a row – so don’t miss the fun!
Schedule:
May 10 – Chicano Batman with Mikrowaves
May 24 – Tinnarose, Calvin Presents, and lliterate Light
May 31 – Colter Wall with Thorp Jenson
June 7 – The War and Treaty and The Tesky Brothers
June 14 – The Budos Band with Piranha Rama
June 21 – Robert Glasper with Kenneka Cook
June 28 – Lucy Dacus and Deau Eyes
Cost: $5 or $10 depending on the show or $45-$55 for a season pass. Children 12 and under are free. Get tickets here.
Location: 500 Tredegar St, Richmond, VA 23219. Get parking information here.
Innsbrook After Hours
Innsbrook Servpro Pavilion
May through September
Showtimes and dates vary, see schedule below
One of Richmond’s most popular concert series, Innsbrook After Hours, is back and better than ever! From now until September, head to Innsbrook for some of the biggest names in rock, pop, and country music right here in Richmond. Feel free to bring a chair or blanket, but remember, food, beverages, coolers, baskets, knapsacks, tents and pets are not allowed! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Schedule:
Saturday, May 18 (3pm) – 311
Friday, May 31 (6pm) – Kane Brown with Special Guest, Ryan Hurd
Wednesday, June 5 (6pm) – Collective Soul & Gin Blossoms
Friday, June 21 (6pm) – Brett Eldredge with Special Guest, Riley Green
Saturday, June 22 (4pm) – Justin Moore
Thursday, June 27 (6pm) – Jake Owen
Wednesday, July 17 (6pm) – Jonny Lang & JJ Grey & Mofro
Thursday, July 18 (6pm) – Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
Wednesday, July 25 (6pm) – Killer Queen & Abba The Concert
Wednesday, July 31 (6pm) – Earth Wind & Fire
Friday, August 2 (6pm) – John Butler Trio+
Thursday, August 8 (6pm) – Brett Young
Wednesday, August 21 (6pm) – Boyz II Men
Saturday, August 31 (6pm) – Chris Young
Saturday, September 7 (6pm) – Little Big Town
Saturday, September 14 (6pm) Brantley Gilbert
Friday, September 20 (6pm) – Gary Allan
Cost: Cost varies by show. Get tickets here.
Location: 4901 Lake Brook Dr. Glen Allen, VA
Music in the Park
Forest Hills Park
May through October
One Sunday a month, 6pm – 8pm
This popular summer concert series takes place one Sunday each month from May until October. Music in the Park Concert Series is all about fun, family, friends, and neighbors congregating one Sunday evening a month to picnic, recreate, relax, and enjoy great music! Bring chairs and a picnic to enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship.
Sponsored by the Forest Hills, Westover Hills, and Woodland Heights Neighborhood Associations along with the City of Richmond Parks and Recreation.
Schedule:
May 12 (Mother’s Day) – Series kickoff with Villages (L.A.-style alt-country)
June 2 – Piranha Rama (garage rock)
July 7 – Mikrowaves (mash-up of R&B and Electronica)
August 4 – Easter Stanard Time (D.C. Ska/Rocksteady favorites)
September 8 – Brass in Pocket (Pretenders tribute band)
October 6 – The Bush League (North Mississippi-style blues)
Cost: Free
Location: 4021 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23225
Rock & Roll Summer Concert Series
The Pad at West Broad Village
May 31 – June 28, 2019
Every Friday, 7pm – 10pm
Grab your family and friends and head out to West Broad Village this summer for music, games, and fun. West Broad Village’s Rock & Roll Summer Concert Series is held every Friday from the May 31 kick off until June 28 at The Pad. This year features their most diverse lineup of local musicians. Plus, you can enter raffles to win incredible prizes from acac, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Ray’s Italian Water Ice & Frozen Custard, Burger Bach and more!
Schedule:
May 31- The Here and Now (80’s & 90’s Rock Band)
June 7 – Main Street Station (Country)
June 14- Dance Candy (Disco/Top 40)
June 21- Crowded Streets (Dave Matthews tribute)
June 28 – Flat Elvis (70’s, 80’s, 90’s Party Band)
Cost: Free
Location: 2301 Old Brick Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Stony Point Fashion Park Summer Concert Series
Stony Point Fashion Park, Triangle Park
May through September
Every other Thursday, 6pm – 8pm
Bring the family out for a night of music and relaxation at Stony Point Fashion Park’s Triangle Park. Take a stroll, shop, dine, or just sit back and enjoy local music. Beer and wine will be available for purchase and all sales will benefit Wine for Cures. But please note, No outside food or drink is permitted.
Schedule:
May 23 – KOS (beach music, motown favorites and music of the 70s through today)
June 6 – Groove Motive (R&B, pop, rock, motown and funk)
June 20 – Dundies (variety of genres, ranging from oldies, country, classic rock)
July 11 – InsideOut (dance hits, classic Motown and oldies.)
July 25 – Harley Boone (modern country)
August 1 – Flashback (oldies, Motown, Beach Music, Disco, Big Band, Swing, Rock, and Country)
August 15 – Ron Moody & Centaurs (beach music)
August 29 – Tight Slacks (80s rock and Motown)
September 5 – GOOD SHOT JUDY (classic swingin’ big band hits)
September 19 – Abbey Road (Beatles music)
Cost: Free
Location: 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Richmond, VA 23235
Summer Concert Series at Short Pump Town Center
Main Plaza at Short Pump Town Center
May through July
One Friday each month, 5:30pm – 8pm
With the concert series kick off happening May 3 and featuring Sister Hazel, Short Pump Town Center’s Summer Concert Series promises to be a good one. One Friday each month (June and July), bring your family and friends to the Main Plaza at Short Pump Town Center to enjoy live music – for free! Plus, enjoy Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant wine tastings and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery beer tastings on the patio from 5:30-8PM. This experience is brought to you by Capital One Café.
Schedule:
Friday, May 3 – Sister Hazel
Friday, June 7 – Three Sheets to the Wind
Friday, July 26 – Phil Vassar LIVE
Cost: Free
Location: 11800 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23233
Westchester Commons Summer Concert Series
The Village Green at Westchester Commons
May through October
Every other Friday, 5:30pm – 8:30pm
The Westchester Concert Series returns for its 5th year and you’re invited every other Friday night to enjoy great friends, food, fun, and, of course, live MUSIC! All events are FREE to attend, and there will be food and beer/wine available for sale. (Please, NO outside alcohol is allowed at these events!) As of now, concerts are held on the Village Green, near Plaza Azteca and Noodles & Company.
Schedule:
May 17 – Southern Tide
May 31 – En’Novation
June 14 – Red Neck Pool Party
June 28 – Diamond Heist
June 29 – 5 Second Rule
July 12 – Totally Random
July 26 – The Embers
August 9 – Spectrum
August 23 – South of James
September 6 – MSB, featuring Steve Bassett
September 20 – Flashback
October 4 – The Voltage Brothers
Cost: Free
Location: 15786 WC Main Street, Midlothian, VA 23113
Richmond Symphony’s Summer Recital Series
Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse at Dominion Energy Center
July and August
Thursdays, July 11 – August 15; all shows begin at 6:30pm
The Summer Recital Series is a collaboration among the Richmond Symphony, the University of Richmond Department of Music and VCU | School of the Arts | Department of Music. The series was created as a way to showcase the talents of the professional musicians associated with these institutions. This year’s theme, Exploring America, features American composers and the diverse range of musical voices that make up the American classical music canon. A cash bar is available both before and after the performance. These concerts often sell out, so get your tickets early!
Schedule:
July 11 – Ron Crutcher, Cello and Joanne Kong, Piano
July 25 – Adrian Pintea, Violin & Russell Wilson, Piano
August 1 – Sara Reese and Aleksandr Haskin, Flute, with Yin Zheng, Piano
August 8 – Shawn Welk, Oboe & Molly Sharp, Viola, with Daniel Stipe, Piano
August 15 – Meredith Riley, Violin and Magda Adamek, Piano
Cost: $20 Adults; $12 Child (18 and under); $12 College Student (must present valid student ID); single tickets go on sale June 3; subscriptions on sale now.
Location: 600 E Grace St, Richmond, VA 23219
Dogwood Dell Festival of Arts
Dogwood Dell at Byrd Park July and August
June through August; Dates TBA
Since 1956, the Festival of Arts has been a treasured Richmond tradition. Every summer from June through August, the festival presents live performances at the Dogwood Dell outdoor amphitheater. Performances include classical music and dance; drama, comedy, and musical theatre; and reggae, pop, swing, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz and contemporary music concerts. There will also be a children’s series with performances at the nearby Ha’ Penny stage. Children’s programs include music, theatre, juggling, story-telling and more. While the 2019 schedule has not yet been announced, you can click here for updates.
Ideal for families, friends, and anyone who loves live performance, Festival of Arts brings Richmond musicians, actors, performers, and supporters of the arts together for a magical summertime series. For more information or to check on weather cancellations, call (804) 646-1437, call the Dell hotline at (804) 646-DELL, or follow the festival on Facebook.
Schedule: TBA
Cost: Free
Location: 600 South Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220
Southside Summer Series at Pop’s Bar and Grill
Music begins at 6:30pm
Cost: Free
Location: 210 Giant Drive, Richmond, VA 23224
