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 2024-2025 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 go on sale Friday, August 16 at 10am 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
Blind Boys of Alabama (photo by Cole Weber, 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 two festive shows this season. Kick off the holiday celebration with the Blind Boys of Alabama, the longest-running group in American music, delivering soul-stirring melodies all night long (December 5). Then, step back into the golden age of radio with WWII Tiki Xmas Canteen by Cherry Poppin' Daddies (December 6).
Broadway at The Barns
Third Reprise, courtesy of Wolf Trap
Join Broadway star Norm Lewis as he takes the stage to perform highlights from his impressive career (October 18 +19). Listen to the resounding voice that has carried Lewis to Broadway, where he’s starred in leading roles in Les Misérables, Porgy and Bess, and A Soldier’s Play. Prepare for a night of new takes on classic Broadway show tunes by Third Reprise as they sing their version of Wicked’s “Defying Gravity,” Phantom of the Opera’s “Think of Me,” and so much more (November 1). Closing out the season is Broadway’s favorite Jersey Boy John Lloyd Young, as he ends the season with a bang, taking the audience back in time to the ’50s and ’60s with his classic hits (April 23).
Pop/Rock/Indie
T Bone Burnett, (photo by Dan Winters, courtesy Wolf Trap)
Don’t miss legendary singer-songwriter Jim Messina as he rocks the stage once more with his hit songs and fan favorites (October 22). Several other popular artists are making their Barns at Wolf Trap debuts this season, including Graham Nash (October 23 + 25 + 26), Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer T Bone Burnett (October 28 + 29), folk music sensation Over The Rhine (November 2), indie musician Jess Williamson (November 6), and vocal pop artists The Doo Wop Project (November 7).
Don't miss the chance to see DC’s finest musicians honor two of the most iconic albums of the 20th century, Pet Sounds and Revolver (November 22 + 23). DC Anthem Singers are taking a quick break from hockey arenas and baseball stadiums to perform right before the holiday season (November 24). Wolf Trap is bringing Nashville to Fairfax County as they welcome six of Nashville’s most-anticipated emerging artists featuring Randall Fowler, Jimmy Woods, Emily Brooke, Tristan McIntosh, Emily Ortego, and Landon Wall (January 31 + February 1).
Comedy and Audience Participation
Second City, courtesy Wolf Trap
NPR’s own Ari Shapiro hosts a cabaret night of songs and stories (February 7). Iconic comedy troupe The Second City will return to The Barns for the 65th Anniversary Show AND for four nights (February 19–22). Get double the laughs at the 36th Annual Evening of Comedy and watch The Barns transform into a comedy club (March 21 +22).
Cultural, World, & Instrumental Favorites
Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, courtesy Wolf Trap
Dive into cultural, instrumental, and dance performances all season long at The Barns, including a night of mariachi music with the Mariachi Herencia de México (November 8), legendary South African sounds of the Abdullah Ibrahim Trio (November 13), the return of the reigning queen of Brazilian jazz, Eliane Elias performing her 2024 album Time and Again (November 21). Kayhan Kalhor, Wu Man, and Sandeep Das in DoosTrio show their ancient traditions of Iran, China, and India through music (February 6). For island sounds, come watch Masters of Hawaiian Music to make you feel like you are in Maui (February 27), don't miss the Latin Grammy-nominated Pan American Symphony Orchestra as they honor Argentine tango (March 8), and witness virtuosic guitar stylings on display at International Guitar Night (March 12 + 13).
Plus, get ready to celebrate St. Patrick's Day through dance with storytelling and songs by Irish Masters of the DC Area (March 14 + 15).
Chamber Music
Wu Han, (photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco, courtesy Wolf Trap)
Chamber Music at The Barns returns for another enchanting season, again curated by artistic advisor and internationally renowned pianist Wu Han. Select performances include Viano Quartet (October 27), Beethoven, Glière, Poulenc, and Reinecke (November 10), Wolf Trap Opera alumnus John Holiday (January 19), Wu Han, David Finckel, & Arnaud Sussmann (February 16), married couple Alessio Bax & Lucille Chung (March 2), and Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet (March 16). Plus, internationally acclaimed violinist Julia Fischer and pianist Jan Lisiecki grace the stage (March 26), Mozart, Grieg, Fauré, and Prokofiev (April 4), and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence wraps up the season (April 25).
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.
