Fall comes bearing crisp weather, fall festivals, and pumpkin fever, but one precursor to autumn that we love around here is Wolf Trap's season announcement for its smaller, historic venue, The Barns. The popular local venue just released its first set of shows for the 2025-2026 season and the lineup does not disappoint.
Here are a handful of the plethora of shows we're excited about this season. Get the full lineup at www.wolftrap.org/barns. Tickets are now on sale and additional shows are likely to be added throughout the fall.
There's nothing like seeing a show at The Barns at Wolf Trap, as the space is comprised of two 18th-century barns that were reconstructed on this property after being found in upstate New York by Wolf Trap founder Catherine Filene Shouse. The intimate and rustic space is noted for its acoustics and historic charm. Learn more about the secrets of The Barns on our blog.
Holiday Tunes
JOHNNYSWIM, courtesy Wolf Trap
As the chilly nights set in, it's the perfect time to start enjoying holiday music. Thankfully, The Barns is giving us an early Christmas gift with several festive shows this season. Kick off the holiday season early with Jim Brickman's distinctive piano style and captivating live performances (November 5-6) or celebrate An Appalachian Christmas at the Barns with Mark O'Connor's An Appalachian Christmas featuring Maggie O'Connor (December 4). And, for the first time ever, the Barns welcomes JOHNNYSWIM for a special Christmas show (December 6). Composed of Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano Ramirez, the pair have become well-known for their folk-pop albums and their beloved Christmastime shows.
Pop/Rock/Indie
North Mississippi All Stars, courtesy Wolf Trap
Kick off the season at the Barns with Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary (October 16). Several other popular artists will grace the Barns stage, including Virginia's own Pat McGee Band (October 18), country soul fusion duo The War and Treaty (October 23), and the juke joint country rockers North Mississippi Allstars (November 8). Enjoy the music of Simon & Garfunkel when Newmyer Flyer brings together six of DC's finest musicians to pay homage to the classic songbook (October 29-30). Don't miss a one-night-only event with singer/songwriter Natalie Merchant, formerly of 10,000 Maniacs (November 20) or take your pick of a five-night residency with The Del McCoury Band (January 16-18, 20-21).
DC Anthem Singers Shine are taking a quick break from hockey arenas and baseball stadiums to bring their sounds to the Barns (February 1). And Wolf Trap brings some of Nashville's most anticipated artists to Fairfax County again this year during the Nashville Emerging Artists Night (February 5-7). This year's docket includes Brooks Huntley, Redwood Twins, Carlyle Griffin, Kyleigh, Donny Van Slee, and Billy Dutch, with percussionist Jack Dratch. Get ready for 2 nights of progressive bluegrass when Yonder Mountain String Band comes to town (February 19-20).
Comedy, Broadway, & Audience Participation
Travel back in time to the 1950s and 60s with John Lloyd Young, the award-winning Broadway star of Jersey Boys (February 4). Iconic comedy troupe The Second City brings the laughs over five nights with their Laugh Harder Not Smarter tour (February 25-28). In the spring, get double the laughs at the 37th Annual Evening of Comedy (April 10-11).
Cultural, World, & Instrumental Favorites
Dirty Dozen Brass Band, courtesy Wolf Trap
Channel your inner zen with Chandrika Tandon's Divine Ecstasy Tour (October 19). This globally recognized artist and humanitarian's music radiates love, joy, and transcendence. Her music blends religious Vedic chants, Sanskrit mantras, and classical traditions into soul-stirring contemporary compositions. Get groovy with a night of musical gumbo when New Orleans-based The Dirty Dozen Brass Band comes to town (October 25). Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the masked marvels of instrumental rock, Los Straitjackets (March 13). Witness the virtuosic guitar stylings on display at International Guitar Night (March 11-12).
Chamber Music
Chamber Music at The Barns returns for another enchanting season with a new Artistic Advisor at the helm. Internationally acclaimed violinist Daniel Hope succeeds pianist Wu Han in this role. Select performances include Anne Sofie von Otter and Kristian Bezuidenhout (October 9), a Viola Celebration of Beethoven, Vaughan Williams, and Mozart (November 16), Boccherini & Beethoven (January 30), Imani Winds (February 8), Daniel Hope, David Finckel & Wu Han (March 8), and Quintet Revelations of Arensky, Viotti, Saint-Saens (April 24).
Tickets for all of these performances, as well as newly announced shows and additional venue information, can be found at wolftrap.org. Who are you most excited to see at The Barns at Wolf Trap this fall and spring? Tell us in the comments below and share your experiences with us on social media using #FXVA or @VisitFairfax.
