Virginia Arts Festival Celebrates 30 Years with an Incredible 2027 Season
Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and dozens of world-class performers are coming to Hampton Roads!
The Virginia Arts Festival has announced its 30th anniversary season, and the 2027 lineup is impressive!
For three decades, the Festival has brought internationally acclaimed musicians, dancers, theater companies, and entertainers to southeastern Virginia. What began in a tiny Norfolk office in 1997 has grown into one of the region’s most important cultural organizations.
This anniversary season promises something for just about everyone, with performances throughout Williamsburg, Yorktown, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Hampton.
Some of the Biggest Names Coming in 2027
Here are just a few highlights from the upcoming season:
- March 31: Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax — Opening Night Celebration, Norfolk
- April 3: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis — Norfolk
- April 13–14: Vienna Girls Choir — Virginia Beach and Williamsburg
- April 22–25: Virginia International Tattoo — Norfolk
- April 27–28: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — Newport News
- May 8: Martha Graham Dance Company with Virginia Symphony Orchestra — Virginia Beach
- May 15–16: Yorktown Bluegrass & Beyond — Historic Yorktown
- June 11: Samara Joy — Norfolk
- June 16: Pianopalooza featuring Olga Kern and fellow pianists — Williamsburg
- June 25–27: Williamsburg Live — Colonial Williamsburg
And that’s just scratching the surface!
The season also includes classical music, jazz, opera, Broadway productions, contemporary dance, illusionist Scott Silven, Pink Martini, and numerous chamber music performances.
Two Big Outdoor Music Weekends in Greater Williamsburg
I’m especially looking forward to two events close to home.
Yorktown Bluegrass & Beyond — May 15–16
Making its debut at Yorktown’s Riverwalk Landing, this new festival will celebrate traditional bluegrass and its evolution into progressive bluegrass, Americana, and other contemporary styles.
As a longtime fan of bluegrass and roots music, I’m excited to see this addition to our local music scene.
Williamsburg Live — June 25–27
Returning to the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg Live has become one of our area’s premier summer concert experiences.
The combination of nationally recognized performers, great food, local beverages, and historic surroundings makes for a fantastic weekend.
Artist lineups for both events will be announced later.
Williamsburg-Area Performances Worth Watching
In addition to those two festivals, several performances are scheduled right here on the Peninsula:
- December 16, 2026: Vienna Boys Choir — St. Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg
- March 3: Tenebrae — St. Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg
- April 14: Vienna Girls Choir — St. Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg
- April 17: Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Illustrating Sound — Ferguson Center, Newport News
- April 27–28: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — Ferguson Center, Newport News
- May 28: Dalí Quartet and Olga Kern Coffee Concert — The American Theatre, Hampton
- June 16: Pianopalooza — William & Mary Concert Hall, Williamsburg
More Than Just Great Entertainment
The Virginia Arts Festival has become a major economic and cultural contributor to Hampton Roads.
Each year, the organization presents more than 250 performances, attracts over 110,000 attendees, and generates an estimated $25 million in regional economic activity.
More than a third of ticket sales come from outside the region, bringing visitors to our hotels, restaurants, museums, and local attractions.
That’s a pretty remarkable impact for an organization that started 30 years ago with a big idea and a very small office!
Tickets and the Full 2027 Calendar
Tickets for announced performances are on sale now, with additional concerts and artist announcements still to come.
Full schedule and tickets: Virginia Arts Festival — VAFest.org
Box Office: (757) 282-2822
I’ll be sharing more details about some of these events as the season approaches, particularly Yorktown Bluegrass & Beyond and Williamsburg Live.
As someone who loves live music and spends a fair amount of time helping promote it around Williamsburg, I’m thrilled to see another outstanding season coming our way.
Here’s to 30 years of great performances and many more to come!
About the Author
John Womeldorf | Mr. Williamsburg
REALTOR® | Liz Moore & Associates
Short-Term Rental Owner & Airbnb Host
I’ve called Greater Williamsburg home for more than two decades. Along with helping buyers and sellers navigate our local real estate market, I enjoy sharing the music, restaurants, festivals, and community events that make this area such a special place to live.
Thinking About Making Williamsburg Home?
I’d be happy to help you explore Williamsburg, Yorktown, James City County, and the surrounding communities, compare neighborhoods, and arrange private home tours.
Call/Text: (757) 254-8136
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