What mood are your ears in today? Are they hungering to hear Maren Morris, the Indigo Girls, or John Legend? Maybe they’re curious about Josh Radnor’s singing voice or which new-to-you group will emerge victorious from a band battle. Perhaps your little one is crazy about the Okee Dokee Brothers. Or maybe you’re looking for more of an adult, wine-pairing type of vibe.
Fairfax County has got it all. The area is filled with concert venues, from legendary sites like Wolf Trap to uber-cool lounges like Jammin Java to wineries that deliver live bands with spectacular views. So check your mood, then plan your customized epic live music itinerary in Fairfax County!
Mood: Big star energy
Photo courtesy Nate Jackson; Wolf Trap
If you want to see some of the world’s most famous and popular performers, Fairfax County has some unique venues to do so. Check out the calendars of these hot spots and prepare to be starstruck.
WOLF TRAP NATIONAL PARK FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. There is only one National Park fully dedicated to live performances, and its name is Wolf Trap. Consisting of three venues on National Park land, the Filene Center is its majestic amphitheater. Open from May through September, it’s an outdoor venue filled with stars on stage and stars in the sky. Best to buy your tickets ahead of time because many performances sell out in advance. >> Calendar
EAGLEBANK ARENA. George Mason University’s EagleBank Arena is a premier sports and entertainment venue with 10,000 seats and a year-round calendar of diverse headliners (and family-friendly signature events) to fill all those spaces. >> Calendar
CAPITAL ONE HALL. The newest of the three, and a bit smaller-scale, this sparkling stage still attracts some major star power, from tribute bands and indie acts to musicals, comedians, and headliners who prefer a more intimate space. You’ll definitely want to check out its diverse lineup before finalizing your plans. >> Calendar
Mood: A cool, new discovery
Photo courtesy @jokusa; Jammin Java
Two of these venues are the scenes of my two most memorable live music experiences. Music, even music you don’t know, can do that to you. You’ve probably never heard the bands on any radio station, but the music they make, the magic of the venues, and the chance to discover a new-to-you band puts the experience over the top.
JAMMIN JAVA. From the moment this coffeehouse and music venue opened over 20 years ago, it has given other underground venues a run for their money. With family-friendly music by day and rocking, reverberating blues, rock, and indie bands by night, this nondescript venue in Vienna is a gem for live music lovers. >> Calendar
THE STATE THEATRE. Cover bands. Latin rock. Funk rock. Indie performers. Nobody does music quite like The State Theatre. With a historic location in the City of Falls Church just steps from great restaurants, you can pair dinner and a show with a whole lot of fun! >> Calendar
THE BARNS AT WOLF TRAP. If acoustics are your thing, this is the venue for you. Using the wood from two barns built in the 1700s, this space has been perfectly designed to optimize the sound quality of the wide range of performances hosted here, from classical to folk music. The overall effect is intimate and fully immersive. >> Calendar
Mood: Something…unique
Credit Kaiden J. Yu / Courtesy Wolf Trap Media Room
Some venues just defy categorization, but scratch an itch you won’t get scratched elsewhere. Here are two with the added interest of their historic provenances.
WORKHOUSE ARTS CENTER. This former prison turned arts center is one of the region’s most fascinating venues to explore. From sound baths to musical theater, you’ll find a unique mix of melodies that’s different from other music venues. >> Calendar
WOLF TRAP CHILDREN’S THEATRE-IN-THE-WOODS. This charming summer outdoor stage, located within the picturesque woods of the nation’s only National Park for the Performing Arts, is dedicated to children’s programming, from music and dance to puppetry. >> Calendar
Mood: Intimate and immersive
You may not recognize all the performers nor the music they create, but you can feel the bass line and drums echoing within you in these more intimate spaces. Between local bars with live music and outdoor venues with live music all summer long, you can be up close and personal with the kinds of music you love.
LOCAL BARS. Bars are the ultimate live-music-in-the-background venues, melding melodies with drinks and conversation. You really feel in the center of things. A local musician’s recommendations include: JV’s Restaurant, Pete’s Tavern, Mark’s Pub, and Ned Devine’s.
OUTDOOR CONCERTS. Local parks and other outdoor venues host concerts all summer long. If a bar is too loud or social for you, these outdoor concerts may be the perfect alternative. Many are hosted by the county and are very kid- and solo-traveler friendly.
Mood: A groovy vibe
Maybe it’s not all about the music for you. Maybe you like a little atmosphere, punctuated by a cool vibe with people milling about and other sparkly things to grab your attention. If that sounds like you, then our wineries, breweries, and outdoor festivals are for you.
WINERIES. Fairfax County’s two vineyards are set in pastoral, historic locations. They both have award-winning wines. And both have live music. Paradise Springs Winery has live music every Saturday afternoon and plenty of space to spread out and be entranced by melodies. Plus, your dog can get in on the tunes as this vineyard is dog-friendly. >> Calendar. The Winery at Bull Run is steeped in Civil War history and has a museum with thousands of artifacts found on the site (which is adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield Park). Music flows freely every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. >> Calendar
BREWERIES. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as sipping on a local craft beer while listening to live local bands when you’re in town. It really gives you a unique perspective on the local scene. While most craft breweries in the county feature live music, nearby Audacious Aleworks offers Music Bingo, Fair Winds Brewing Company features regular live music, and Bunnyman Brewing features live music and a killer back story.
OUTDOOR FESTIVALS. Between our Summer Festivals and Fall Festivals, chances are good there’s an outdoor fete happening if you visit any time between April and November. Summer brings wine festivals and carnivals galore, while fall features more historic and holiday-themed events. Either way, the music is live and the atmosphere is electric.
Fairfax County is home to some world-class attractions like George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum to visit during the day, but at night, as you can tell, there’s no shortage of ways to rock out. Whether you’re planning a trip or are already here, make your getaway extra memorable with some live music. See you in the mosh pit!
