Events this week: Free concerts, outdoor movies and the ‘Fun in the Sun Market’

HISTORIC TRIANGLE – A week of summer fun and entertainment is in store around the Historic Triangle as free concerts, outdoor movies and plenty of kid-friendly events are set to take place.

Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series will return to Riverwalk Landing with The Embers, a band that specializes in Beach music.

In Williamsburg, local swing band Good Shot Judy will perform live on the Village Green at Midtown Row.

Down River Southern, a traditional country and rock band, will perform in the Port Warwick Summer Concert Series, and the Peninsula Concert Band will be featured at Fort Monroe’s Music By the Bay.

Bruton Parish Church will also host a Candlelight Early Music Recital.

Several outdoor movies are scheduled to be shown in the Williamsburg area, including “The Shallows” and “Shark Tales” at Upper County Park and “Inside Out 2” at Merchants Square.

The community is invited to attend Yorktown’s Fun in the Sun Market, featuring lawn games, ice-cold drinks, fresh seasonal produce and live music by the One Love Caribbean Steel Drum Band. 

Other highlights this week include a free full moon hike at Freedom Park, the return of Coasters After Dark at Busch Gardens and a National Kitten Week event at Lee Hall Depot.

Williamsburg Regional Library will also a public information session to discuss the potential new library space at the proposed James City County Consolidated Government Center.

See below for our curated guide to events happening in and around the Historic Triangle this week, July 8 – 13.

---

EVENTS THIS WEEK: JULY 8 – 13

Each week, we scour event calendars from across the region and send readers a list of local events and activities worthy of their time. For additional event details, click on the bolded, hyperlinked titles.

Tuesday, July 8

KIDS

• Bubble Art | Yorktown Library | This bubble party features a variety of bubble-themed activities for the whole family to enjoy. Designed for children and accompanying adults. Free. 10:30 – 11:15 am. 
• Terrific Tuesdays | James City County Library | Kids will enjoy the summer sun after puppet storytime with lawn toys and other outdoor games. All ages; weather permitting. Free. 10:30 am – 12 pm. 
• Raúl the Third Virtual Author Talk | Virtual, hosted by WRL | Children are invited to attend this interactive, virtual visit featuring award-winning illustrator, author and artist Pura Belpre. For ages 6 – 12. Free. 4 – 5 pm. 

TEENS

• Teen Tuesday | James City County Library | Join other teens for STEAM-themed learning and fun, every Tuesday. For ages 13 – 18. Free. 10 am – 12 pm.

FILM

• Art House Café: “Black Bag” | Williamsburg Library | This film series brings an art house flavor to your Tuesdays and features special guests who are film experts as well as a discussion after the film. This week’s feature is “Black Bag” (2025, R). 1hr 33min. Free. 2 – 3:35 pm. 

Wednesday, July 9

PUBLIC MEETING

• Public Information Session: Proposed New Library | James City County Recreation Center | WRL is hosting a public information session on July 9 to discuss the proposed addition of a new library at the James City County Consolidated Government Center. This open-house style event will focus exclusively on the library portion of the proposed development and is designed to give community members the opportunity to view floorplans, ask questions and share feedback. 4:30 – 7 p.m.

INFORMATIONAL

• Tips for Being News Savvy Online | Williamsburg Library | This lecture discusses tools to evaluate news sources and review helpful fact-checking sites. No registration required. Free. 11 – 12:30 pm. 

HISTORY

• Toy Making | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Make a toy inspired by the toys on exhibit at the art museums. Free and open to the public. 11 – 11:45 pm.
• Explore the Declaration of Independence | Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg | Explore the Declaration of Independence through objects on exhibit in this guided tour. Free and open to the public. 2 – 2:45 pm. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Port Warwick Summer Concert Series: Down River Southern | William Styron Square | The 2025 Port Warwick Concert Series runs on Wednesday evenings through August 27. This week’s concert features Down River Southern, a rock and traditional country band. Free. 6 – 9 pm

THURSDAY, JULY 10

NATURE

• Stream to Sea Stroll | York River State Park | Take a walk and discover the park’s four different aquatic ecosystems, including a small woodland, a marsh stream, a freshwater pond and a saltwater river. Crustaceans, fish and plant life will be identified. Included with park admission. 10 am – 12 pm. 
• Owl Observations | York River State Park | Join park staff for a short hike to call the owls living at York River State Park. Included with park admission. Call the park office for reservations. 8:30 – 10 pm. 
• Freedom Park Full Moon Hikes: Buck Moon | Explore Freedom Park after dark. Multiuse Trail 3 will remain open for this self-guided hike. A flashlight and bug spray are recommended. No registration required. Weather permitting. All ages. Free. 8:30 – 9:30 pm. 

FILM

• Throwback Thursday: “A Foreign Affair” | Williamsburg Library | This series screens classic films for an adult audience. This week’s feature is “A Foreign Affair” (1948, NR). In the film, a U.S. congresswoman is sent to investigate troop morale in Germany after WWII and is shocked to find evidence of collusion between army personnel and civilians. 1hr 56min. Free. 2 – 4 pm. 

KIDS & FAMILIES

• Magician Rob Westcott | Tabb Library | Award-winning professional comedy magician Rob Westcott presents a fun, fast-paced magic show. This family-centered program requires an adult to be in attendance. Free. 2:30 – 3:30 pm. 

SAFETY

• Shopping and Travel Safety | Yorktown Library | Deputy Kevin Taylor of the York Poquoson Sheriff’s Office will present an educational program on shopping safety and travel safety. Citizens are encouraged to take notes and ask questions. Free. 6 – 7 pm. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Music In Midtown: Good Shot Judy | 200 College Row | Williamsburg | Good Shot Judy is the Mid-Atlantic’s #1 high-octane swing band! Don’t miss this fun night of music. Well-behaved leash dogs are welcome. Bring a lawn chair. Free. 6 – 8 pm.

• Sounds of Summer Concert Series with The Embers | Riverwalk Landing | Yorktown’s Sounds of Summer Concert Series runs every Thursday evening through August 14. This week’s performance features The Embers, a group that focuses on the beach music genre. Food trucks will be on site. Free. 6:30 – 9 pm.

• Music By The Bay: Peninsula Concert Band | Fort Monroe | Enjoy live music in a beautiful, historic setting every Thursday evening. This week, the Peninsula Concert Band performs. Free. 7 – 8 pm.

• Organ Recital: Dr. John Lowe | Bruton Parish Church | Enjoy a candlelit recital presented by Dr. John Lowe, Music Director & Organist at St. Mary’s on the Highlands Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. Free; freewill donations gratefully accepted. 8 – 9 pm. 

Friday, July 11

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Shark Week Dive-In Movie: “The Shallows” | Upper County Park | Attend a thrilling shark-themed movie night. Register early. The July 11 showing is “The Shallows” (PG-13). $10/person. 7 – 9 pm. 
• Coasters After Dark: Moonlight Madness Edition | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Enjoy a spine-tingling night of thrills. The legend of the Big Bad Wolf comes to life as guests ride under the full moon. 9 pm – midnight.  

NATURE

• Pick your Paddle | York River State Park | Explore the beautiful wetlands or river at York River State Park. Included with park admission. See the website for canoe and kayak rental prices. 10 am – 12:30 pm. 

KIDS & FAMILIES

• Green Thumbs | Yorktown Library | This program will teach children how to grow and care for a variety of flowers and plants. Designed for children in grades K-5 and accompanying adults. See the website to register. Free. 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. 
• Up, Up, & Away Storytime | Waltrip Williamsburg Executive Airport | Kids are invited to attend an all-ages storytime at the airport. Free. 10 – 11:30 am. 
• Captain Brewster’s Kids | Historic Jamestowne | Children ages 6 and up are invited to join in the ranks with Captain Brewster to train and defend Jamestown! Included with paid admission to the Preservation Virginia portion of Historic Jamestown. 12:30 – 1:15 pm.
• Family Fitness: Move Your Way | James City County Recreation Center | This fun family fitness series includes 30 minutes of dance-energy Zumba and 30 minutes of BAM Fitness Drumming. For all ages (5+) and fitness levels. $3. 5:30 – 6:30 pm. 

Saturday, July 12

SPECIAL EVENTS

• Yorktown Market Days: Fun in the Sun Market | Riverwalk Landing | This special market features outdoor games, ice-cold drinks, a photo station and the season’s freshest produce. Children will enjoy a kids’ craft, inflatables, a balloon artist and bubbles. There will be a cooking demonstration by Persnickety Crane Cafe, as well as live music by One Love Caribbean Steel Drum Band and The Fifes and Drums of York Town. Free. 8 am – 12 pm. 

• Firearms Safety Class | James City County Law Enforcement Center | The James City County Police Department invites the public to attend a free one-session Firearms Safety Class, open to all ages. This course does not include hands-on training and participants should leave personal firearms securely stored at home. Free. 9 am – noon. 

• Citizen Science Family Day | Jamestown Settlement | Participants will learn to think like a citizen scientist, compare what we see today to the early 1600s and share their findings. This program is included with museum admission. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg receive free admission with proof of residency. 10 am – 4 pm.

• National Kitten Day | Lee Hall Depot | This family-friendly program features Chessie the railroad cat and will include a themed puppet show, photo ops and a craft. The Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter will have kittens and cats available to pet, play with and adopt. Free for Hampton Roads-area library card holders; all others pay regular museum admission. 10 am – 4 pm. 

• Shark Week Dive-In Movie: “Shark Tales” | Upper County Park | Celebrate Shark Week with a fun movie night. Register early. The July 12 showing is “Shark Tales” (PG). $10/person. 7 – 9 pm. 

MARKETS

• Williamsburg Farmers Market | Merchants Square | The Williamsburg Farmers Market, founded in 2002, features the finest Virginia-grown and Virginia-made produce, plants and products. The event also features live music and children’s programming. Free admission. 8 am – 12 pm.

• Toano Open Air Market | 7891 Richmond Road | Toano | Shop from various vendors selling their finest products. Located on the Village Green near Hohl. 9 am – 12 pm.

• Hilton Village Farmers Market | 10260 Warwick Blvd | Historic Hilton Village’s weekly market on Main is held every Saturday, year-round. Free admission. 9 am – 12 pm. 

KIDS

• Summer Birthday Celebration | Tabb Library | This fun event celebrates forgotten summer birthdays. There will be music, a story, decor and crafts. Free. 10:15 – 11:30 am.

• Super Smash Tournament | Williamsburg Library | Tweens and teens will compete in a Super Smash Bos. tournament. No registration required. For ages 9 – 18. Free. 1 – 3 pm. 

• Storytime & Craft | James City County Library | Children will listen to stories and make a craft during this storytime series. Reserve a ticket at the Youth Services desk starting 30 minutes before the program begins. Free. 2 – 3 pm. 

NATURE

• River Seining | York River State Park | Meet up with rangers at the park and discover what is in the water. Included with standard park admission, 10 am – 12 pm

• River Life | Visit live creature displays of fish and shellfish captured recently in the York River. Learn about their role in the ecosystem. Included with park admission. 1 – 3 pm. 

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION

• Summer Bash Dance | James City County Recreation Center | This fun dance-themed event features a DJ and light refreshments. For ages 18+ with disabilities. 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

LIVE MUSIC

• Saturday Night Sets: The Ben Phelps Project | Virginia Beer Company | Enjoy live music by The Ben Phelps Project. Jessica’s Lutong Bahay Filipino food truck will also be on site. 6 – 9 pm. 

• Jeremy Camp | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | This concert features Billboard’s #2 Christian artist of the decade. Free with park admission. 7 pm. 

• Candlelight Early Music Recital | Bruton Parish Church | Attend a candlelit early music recital featuring Raphael Seligmann, Baroque Violin, and Charles Lindsey, Harpsichord. Free; freewill donations gratefully accepted. 8 – 9 pm. 

Sunday, July 13

SPECIAL EVENT

• Merchants Square Movie Series: Inside Out 2 | Merchants Square | Enjoy a screening of the Pixar film “Inside Out 2” (PG). Begins at sunset (approx. 8:20 p.m.) Free.

STREET FESTIVAL

• Second Sundays | Downtown Williamsburg | This street fair, open to all ages of people and well-behaved pets, features over 180 artisans, musicians, street performers and food vendors. Free. 11 am – 4 pm. 

KIDS

• Animal Adaptations Storytime with Debra Shumaker | James City County Library | Author Debra Shumaker will provide a special storytime reading of one of her books. Kids will learn about the adaptations that help animals survive in the wild. Space is limited; reserve a ticket at the Youth Services desk starting 30 minutes before the program. Free. 2 pm.