The return of live music is back in full force in Fairfax County! There are hundreds of upcoming shows happening this summer that are perfect for a fun family outing, a date night, or just a nice way to spend time with friends.
And while you can still catch big-ticket performances at renowned performing arts venues like Wolf Trap, Jammin’ Java, George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, and others, you can’t beat free or minimally priced shows in a warm, outdoor setting on most nights of the week.
Here is where to find the music – there is bound to be a series happening near you. Use the below navigation to jump to a certain neighborhood in Fairfax County, or just scroll to see the full array of options!
Annandale | Centreville | Chantilly | Clifton | Fairfax | Fairfax Station/Burke | Falls Church | Franconia | Great Falls | Herndon | Merrifield | McLean | Mount Vernon/Lorton | Reston | Tysons | Vienna
Updated for Summer 2023
Annandale
Image courtesy Fairfax County Park Authority
@ Mason District Park
6621 Columbia Pk, Annandale
Spotlight by Starlight
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 7:30pm
June 16 - August 20
A lineup of free performances ranging from Folk to R&B to Salsa to Blues, plus tribute bands and chamber music, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Arts in the Parks: Children’s Shows
Saturdays at 10am
June 17 – August 19
A free children’s entertainment series featuring puppetry, sing-along music, magic, and more, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ Ossian Hall Park
7900 Heritage Dr, Annandale
Spotlight by Starlight: International
Saturdays at 7:30pm
June 17 – August 19
A lineup of international-themed concerts as part of the Spotlight by Starlight series that highlights a variety of cultural heritage nights from countries such as Peru, Taiwan, Indonesia, Ireland and more. This series is part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ Wakefield Park
8100 Braddock Rd, Annandale
Arts in the Parks: Children’s Shows
Saturdays at 10am
June 17 – August 19
A free children’s entertainment series featuring puppetry, sing-along music, magic, and more, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Centreville
@ The Winery at Bull Run
15950 Lee Hwy, Centreville
Live Music Weekends
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
Enjoy a wine tasting, a bottle, and/or a tour of the historic grounds at this working farm vineyard while listening to an array of live music every weekend, all year long. Keep tabs on the artists and food truck options at wineryatbullrun.com.
@ Trinity Centre
5860 Trinity Parkway, Centreville
Arts in the Parks: Children’s Shows (Performances followed by outdoor movies)
Saturday evenings at 7pm
August 5 - August 26
A free children’s entertainment series featuring puppetry, sing-along music, magic, and more, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Chantilly
@ E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater
5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly
Arts in the Parks: Children’s Shows
Saturdays at 10am
June 17 – August 19
A free children’s entertainment series featuring puppetry, sing-along music, magic, and more, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Clifton
@ Paradise Springs Winery
13219 Yates Ford Rd, Clifton
Live Music Weekends
Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5pm
Ongoing
Enjoy a wine tasting, a bottle, and/or a tour of the bucolic grounds at Fairfax County’s first vineyard while listening to an array of live music every weekend. Live music happens all year long. Performances will be announced at paradisespringswinery.com.
Fairfax
@ Royal Lake Park
5344 Gainsborough Dr, Fairfax
Braddock Nights
Fridays at 7:30pm
July 7 – August 18
Enjoy free performances ranging from Zydeco, Bomba, Salsa, Bluegrass, Jazz, Swing, Honky Tonk and Rock, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax
Evenings on the Ellipse
Thursdays at 5:30pm
July 6 – August 17
A lineup of free performances ranging from World Jazz to Roots to Country and Rock, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ City of Fairfax’s Old Town Square
10415 North St, Fairfax City
Rock the Block Concert Series
Fourth Friday of each month at 6:30pm
May 26 - October 27
Each month, jam to a new band at the City of Fairfax’s popular summer and fall concert series and dine on delectable food from area vendors and restaurants. Alcohol can be purchased on-site and the schedule is subject to change. See schedule here.
Fairfax Station/Burke
@ Burke Lake Park Amphitheater
7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station
Arts in the Parks: Children’s Shows
Saturdays at 10am
June 17 – August 19
A free children’s entertainment series featuring puppetry, sing-along music, magic, and more, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Springfield Nights
Wednesdays at 7pm
June 28 – August 23
A lineup of free performances ranging Americana to Blues Rock to Party Bands and more, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Beer sales available by 2 Silos Brewing Company, ice cream from Petersen's Ice Cream, and eats from local food trucks. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Falls Church
Image courtesy The State Theatre
@ The State Theatre
220 N Washington St, Falls Church
Free Outdoor Shows
Varies – check schedule
The State Theatre is a landmark of the DC area and the centerpiece of Falls Church's Historic District. Enjoy their free outdoor shows with local favorites playing hit tunes. Keep tabs on the schedule here as new shows are added all the time.
@ Cherry Hill Park
312 Park Ave, Falls Church
Concerts in the Park Summer Series
Thursdays at 7pm
June 22 – August 3
Celebrating 31 years of live music, Falls Church’s Summer Concerts in the Park Series highlights a variety of musical genres including Rock, Funk, Bluegrass, and more at Cherry Hill Park. Bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy the night! See lineup and parking info here.
Franconia
@ Franconia District Park
6432 Bowie Dr, Springfield, VA 22150
Franconia Nights
Wednesdays at 7:30pm
July 5 – August 23
A lineup of free performances ranging from Indian dance and music to Blues to Go-Go, and Jazz, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Great Falls
Image courtesy Great Falls Village Centre/Facebook
@ Great Falls Village Centre Green
776 Walker Rd, Great Falls
Concerts on the Green
Sundays at 6pm
May 28 – September 24
Pull up a chair or blanket at Great Falls’ free summer concert series, featuring a variety of bands, soloists, and musicians. Performances subject to change. Keep up with weather-related changes here. See the lineup here.
Herndon
Image of Friday Night Live!, courtesy Laura B. Poindexter
@ Frying Pan Farm Park Kidwell Farm
2709 West Ox Rd, Herndon
Hunter Mill Melodies
Thursdays at 7:30pm
July 6 – August 17
A lineup of free performances ranging from Folkloric music and dance to Jazz to Bluegrass and Pop/Rock, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center Pavilion
2739 West Ox Rd, Herndon
Arts in the Parks: Children’s Shows
Wednesdays at 10am
June 21 – August 16
A free children’s entertainment series featuring puppetry, sing-along music, magic, and more, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ Arrowbrook Centre Park
2351 Field Point Rd, Herndon
Music at Arrowbrook Park
Saturdays at 7:30pm
July 8 – August 26
A lineup of free performances ranging from Jazz to R&B to Funk and Bluegrass, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ Herndon Town Green
777 Lynn St, Herndon
Friday Night Live!
Fridays at 6:00pm
May 5 – August 25
This free outdoor concert series produced by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Herndon features the most popular local acts from up and down the East Coast, from rock and roll cover bands to classic and modern rock tunes. Food from local restaurants will be available for purchase as well as a variety of draft beers. Performance schedule subject to change. Check out the lineup here.
McLean
@ McLean Central Park Gazebo
1468 Dolley Madison Blvd, McLean
Summer Sunday Concerts in the Park
Sundays, 3pm
June 11 - July 30
Summer Sundays in the Park, produced by the McLean Community Center, features a variety of artists from the Washington Metropolitan Region each Sunday. From a nationally acclaimed all-female acapella group to classic rock, check out the lineup here.
Merrifield
@ Mosaic District
Strawberry Lane
Mosaic Live at Mosaic District
Saturdays, 6pm
June 24 - August 19
New this year, the Mosaic Live series at Mosaic District brings everything from Latin Pop to Dance Party Disco to Strawberry Lane. With so many amazing restaurants just a couple of steps away, it's the perfect way to grab dinner and enjoy the musical stylings of local artists. See the lineup here.
Mount Vernon/Lorton
@ Grist Mill Park
4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria
Mount Vernon Nights
Fridays at 7:30pm
June 2 – August 25
@ Workhouse Arts Center
9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton
Mount Vernon Nights
Saturdays at 7:30pm
June 3 – August 26
Both of these locations offer lineups of free performances ranging from Roots Rock to String Bands to Salsa music to Acoustic Blues, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Be on the lookout for wine, beer, and other snack sales at both locations. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
Reston
@ Reston Station
1901 Reston Metro Plz, Reston
Take a Break Concert Series
Thursdays at 7pm
June 1 – August 31
*special kickoff show Friday, May 26
Head to Reston Station, adjacent to the Wiehle-Reston Metro station, for the Take a Break Concert Series! Enjoy live music from a variety of musical acts. Free parking in the ParkX garage up to three hours with validation. Schedule subject to change. See lineup here.
Fab Fridays Live Music
Fridays at 7pm
June 2 – September 1
At the same location, you can also enjoy Summerbration's Fab Fridays! Free parking in the ParkX garage up to three hours with validation. Schedule subject to change. See lineup here.
@ Reston Town Square Park (Corner of Market Street and Explorer Street)
11900 Market St, Reston
Family Fun Entertainment Series
Saturdays at 10am
June 17 – August 5
This great family-friendly entertainment series offers everything from magic to sing-alongs to comedy! Parking is free in Reston Town Center garage on Saturdays. Schedule is subject to change. See lineup here. (Use the calendar filters to search for this Series.)
Sunday Art in the Park
Sundays at 7pm
June 11 – August 27
This Sunday music series will feature vocal trios, pianists, opera, and violins. We can’t think of a more relaxing way to end your week! Schedule subject to change. Lineup can be seen here. (Use the calendar filters to search for this Series.)
@ Reston Town Center
Pavilion, 1818 Discovery Street
Reston Concerts on the Town
Saturdays at 7:30
May 20 - August 26
From folk-rock to reggae, from vocalists to jazz, enjoy free concerts at the Pavilion at Reston Town Center. Free garage parking onsite. Get the schedule here.
Tysons
@ The Boro Tysons
8350 Broad St, Tysons
Summer Live Music Series
Thursdays at 5:30pm
June 1 – August 24
Head to Tysons’ newest urban village, The Boro, for a free live music series featuring local musicians plus other entertainment. Head to the Upper Promenade near Boro Park for the live music setup, as well as the onsite pop-up bar. Schedule subject to change. More info & events here.
@ The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center
1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons
SummerFest on the Plaza
Monthly: June 17, July 15, August 19 at 7pm
Find live music on The Plaza all summer long as part of Tysons Corner Center’s Summer Concert Series. Each month, the Center will welcome local musicians to perform. Subject to change. More details here. Check out the main SummerFest page for even more summer activities, like Family Movie Nights, Wellness Sundays, Art Wednesdays, Game Night Thursdays, and Music & Dance Fridays.
Vienna
@ Nottoway Park
9537 Courthouse Rd, Vienna
Nottoway Nights
Thursdays at 7:30pm
July 6 – August 24
A lineup of free performances ranging from Bluegrass to Blues, as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Entertainment Series. Performances subject to change. See lineup here and more summer park performances at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.
@ Vienna Town Green
144 Maple Ave, E, Vienna
Summer on the Green Concert Series
Fridays at 6:30pm
June 2 – September 15
A local favorite of Vienna residents, the free Summer on the Green Concert Series features a wide range of musical genres, from military bands to women who rock, plus gospel music and classic rock. Pull up a chair or blanket and enjoy the sounds of the season. Schedule subject to change. More info here.
@ Church Street
Church Street, Vienna
Chillin’ on Church
Every third Friday, June - September at 6:30pm
June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15
Vienna’s happening block party returns! This event includes live music, food, local beer and wine, and other family-friendly activities for a fun and free Friday night. Learn more here.
Where will you take in free or affordable live music this summer? Did we miss an awesome concert series you know about? Tell us in the comments below! And don't forget to share your photos and experiences on social with us at @VisitFairfax and #FXVA!
*Header photo courtesy of Friday Night Live! / Laura B. Poindexter
