Outdoor concert season is back. Here are the lineups for Merchants Square, New Town Tunes, Busch Gardens and Sounds of Summer

*A large crowd gathers at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown for the Sounds of Summer Concert Series. (Photo courtesy of Visit Yorktown)*

HISTORIC TRIANGLE – Outdoor concerts are returning to Williamsburg, James City County and York County for the 2026 season, and the highly anticipated schedules have been announced.

Here are the lineups for New Town Tunes, Merchants Square, Busch Gardens and Sounds of Summer.

New Town Tunes

The return of the spring New Town Tunes Concert Series is just days away.

Six free concerts will be held on Wednesday evenings, starting May 6 and running through June 10. All shows begin at 5 p.m.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase onsite. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Pets are welcome.

The lineup:

May 13: The Roadducks
May 20: The English Channel
May 27: Cari Lacey
June 3: Tin Can Fish Band
June 10: Klaxton Brown

Event updates will be posted on the JCC Parks & Recreation Facebook page and at newtownwilliamsburg.com.

Merchants Square Concert Series

The 2026 Merchants Square Concert Series will bring a season of live music to the heart of Colonial Williamsburg.

All concerts are free and will be held on the first Friday of each month through October.

The lineup:

May 1: West Texas Exiles (Americana/Alt-Country)
June 5: Co Pilot (Americana/Pop Rock)
July 3: Alison Brown Quintet (Grammy Award-Winning Bluegrass/Instrumental)
August 7: Amelia Day (Folk Rock/Singer-Songwriter)
September 4: Clay Street Unit (Jamgrass/Country)
October 2: Pressing Strings (Indie Folk Soul)

For more information about the series or the artists, visit merchantssquare.org.

Busch Gardens Concert Series

Busch Gardens Williamsburg has unveiled the lineup for its upcoming concert series.

Kicking off during the annual Food & Wine Festival, this year’s schedule includes nationally acclaimed acts representing genres ranging from rock to pop to hip hop.

All concerts take place on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and are included with park admission.

The lineup:

May 16: Pop 2000 Tour with Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC, O-Town, Ryan Cabrera & LFO
May 30: Hoobastank
June 13: Skillet
September 5: Flo Rida

For more information, visit buschgardens.com/williamsburg.

Sounds of Summer

Sounds of Summer is set to return to Riverwalk Landing with an expanded season this year.

The series will feature 14 free concerts taking place on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

There will be something for every music lover, from rock ‘n’ roll to country to R&B, according to Deirdre Roesche, York County’s marketing and communications manager.

Former America’s Got Talent contestant BJ Griffin will take the stage on the opening night. The season concludes with local ’80s cover band The Deloreans.

The lineup:

May 21: BJ Griffin
May 28: The Embers
June 4: BrassWind
June 11: WonderLand
June 18: En’Novation
June 25: The Main Event Band
July 9: The Gentlemen & Their Lady
July 16: Uncle Jesse
July 23: Tidewater Drive Band
July 30: The Nashville Nights Band
August 6: 10 Spot
August 13: Slapnation
August 20: Band of Oz
August 27: The Deloreans

The family-friendly concert series features a dance floor, cornhole and food trucks.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Coolers are welcome. Tables, tents and umbrellas are not permitted. While alcohol is allowed, it must be consumed in the designated ABC area.

Free parking is available on site at the Riverwalk Landing Parking Terrace, York Hall, York-Poquoson Courthouse, County Administration Building and other designated public lots. The complimentary Yorktown Trolley, which is ADA accessible, operates during each concert until 9:30 p.m.

If inclement weather occurs, updates will be shared to the Visit Yorktown Facebook page or the Event Weather Hotline at 757-890-3520. Additional concert series information is also available at visityorktown.org.