Free outdoor concerts are returning to the Historic Triangle. Here’s when, where and who’s performing

The weather is warming up, and that means the return of free concerts in the Historic Triangle, including the 2025 Merchants Square Concert Series in Downtown Williamsburg, New Town Tunes in James City County and Sounds of Summer in historic Yorktown.

Merchants Square Concert Series

The 2025 Merchants Square Concert Series is set to kick off on May 2.

An eclectic mix of music, ranging from blues to rock to singer-songwriters, is in store for the 2025 Merchants Square Concert Series at Colonial Williamsburg this year.

Concerts will be held at 6 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, May through October.

Here’s the lineup:

• May 2: Cam Clark (Singer-Songwriter)
• June 6: Driftwood (Rock)
• July 3: Fantastic Cat (Americana)
• August 1: Cristina Vane (Acoustic Blues)
• September 5: Jenny Don’t and the Spurs (Alt-Country)
• October 3: Kevin Burt and Big Medicine (Blues)

Nearby restaurants will be open for food and drinks before and after the show. Bring a chair for seating. For updates and announcements, stay tuned to the Merchants Square Facebook page.

For additional information about the series, visit merchantssquare.org.

New Town Tunes

The spring New Town Tunes concert series kicks off on May 7, with outdoor, evening concerts slated to be held every Wednesday evening, starting at 5 p.m., through June 11. Food and beverages will be available for purchase onsite.

Here’s the lineup:

• May 7: The Fuzz Band
• May 14: London and Woah (double feature)
• May 28: Slapnation
• June 4: Wilder Horses
• June 11: The Nashville Nights Band

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Dogs are welcome.

Concerts will be held in Sullivan Square, 4301 New Town Avenue. 

The series is made possible by James City County Parks & Recreation, in partnership with CultureFix VA and New Town Commercial Association.

For more information, visit newtownwilliamsburg.com.

Sounds of Summer

The Sounds of Summer Concert Series kicks off at Yorktown’s Riverwalk Landing on May 22. Concerts will run on Thursday evenings, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., through August 14. There will be no concert on July 3 as Independence Day preparations will be underway.

This year’s series offers something for everyone, with a mix of Motown, R&B, beach music, pop and more.

Here’s the lineup:

• May 22: Brasswind
• May 29: The Band of Oz
• June 5: The Tiki Bar Band
• June 12: En’Novation
• June 19: The Main Event Band
• June 26: The Gentlemen & Their Lady
• July 10: The Embers
• July 17: The Nashville Nights Band
• July 24: Tidewater Drive Band
• July 31: BonJourneyNY
• August 7: Slapnation
• August 14: The Deloreans

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or a blanket. Coolers are permitted, though alcohol is only allowed within the designated concert areas. Food trucks will be on site each week. 

Free parking is available at designated parking lots throughout town, including York Hall, York-Poquoson Courthouse, and County Administration Building. 

The Yorktown Trolley will be running until 9:30 p.m. for this event.

Additional information about the Sounds of Summer Concert Series is available at visityorktown.org.