Enjoy a Family-Friendly Evening of Symphonic Music under the Stars from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [May 14, 2025] The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform 12 free concerts this summer across Hampton Roads. The concerts will take place in scenic outdoor venues – including Town Point Park, Neptune’s Park, Yorktown Riverwalk, Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre, and more.
This year’s concerts are presented in partnership with Virginia Beach Neptune Festival; Norfolk Festevents; the City of Williamsburg and the College of William & Mary; Celebrate Yorktown Committee; the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism of the City of Chesapeake, Virginia; and the City of Portsmouth. The performances take place from June through September and are free and open to the public.
Highlighting Soprano Symone Harcum, Opera and Oz features beloved pieces like, “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi, “Home” from The Wiz, “The Rainbow Connection”, and Selections from Wicked. Conducted by Brandon Eldredge, this concert will be performed in the early summer on June 6th at Chesapeake City Park, June 7th at the Gloucester Arts Festival, June 8th at the Historic Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach, and June 13th at Portsmouth City Park.
In July, The VSO will explore what makes a “hero” and a “villain” in Heros, Villains, and Virtuosos. With John Williams’s “Superman March”, Grieg’s music from Peer Gynt, selections from West Side Story and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, and more, this concert will be performed July 10th at Neptune’s Park in Virginia Beach, and July 20th at Town Point Park in Norfolk, conducted by Alexander Chen.
Additional performances include Symphony by the Sea on August 14th, conducted by Helen Martell, and 28th, conducted by Chia-Hsuan Lin, at Neptune’s Park. Symphony Under the Stars on August 30th at the Yorktown Riverwalk, August 31st at Chesapeake City Park, and September 5th at Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre at William & Mary in Williamsburg, all conducted by Chia-Hsuan Lin.
Learn more at https://virginiasymphony.org/free-summer-concerts/
Summer Concert Schedule:
Opera & Oz: Symphony Under the Stars
Chesapeake – Chesapeake City Park
June 6, 2025 – 8:15PM
Presented by City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Opera & Oz: Symphony Under the Stars
Gloucester – Gloucester Outdoor (6254 Main St., Gloucester, VA 23061)
June 7, 2025 – 8PM
Presented by Gloucester Arts Festival
Opera & Oz: Symphony on the Lawn
Virginia Beach – Historic Cavalier Hotel
June 8, 2025 – 7:45PM
Hosted by The Historic Cavalier Hotel and Presented by TowneBank
Opera & Oz: Symphony on the River
Portsmouth – Portsmouth City Park
June 8, 2025 – 7:30PM
Presented by City of Portsmouth
Heroes, Villains, and Virtuosos: Symphony by The Sea
Virginia Beach – Neptune’s Park
July 10, 2025 – 7:30PM
Part of the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series presented by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Heroes, Villains, and Virtuosos: Symphony Under the Stars
Norfolk – Town Point Park
July 20, 2025 – 8PM
Presented by Festevents
Symphony by The Sea
Virginia Beach – Oceanfront
August 14, 2025 – 7:30PM
Part of the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series presented by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Symphony by The Sea
Virginia Beach – Oceanfront
August 28, 2025 – 7:30PM
Part of the Symphony by the Sea Concert Series presented by the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Symphony Under the Stars
Yorktown – Riverwalk Landing
August 30, 2025 – 7:30 PM
Presented by the Celebrate Yorktown Committee
Symphony Under the Stars
Chesapeake – Chesapeake City Park
August 31, 2025 – 7:30PM
Presented by City of Chesapeake Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Symphony Under the Stars
Williamsburg – Lake Matoaka Amphitheater
September 5, 2025 – 7:30 PM
Presented by the City of Williamsburg and William & Mary
Symphony Under the Stars*
Kill Devil Hills NC – First Flight High School
September 6, 2025 – 7:30 PM
*This is a ticketed, indoor event
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As the region’s most celebrated musical, educational, and entrepreneurial arts organization, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be. Innovation and excellence are at the heart of the VSO’s narrative. The VSO has received national attention for its unique mission serving a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and its commitment to adventurous programming, the VSO and its musicians have been highlighted in the media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and BBC Worldwide News.
As the largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events annually for more than 100,000 residents and visitors. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and adopting welcoming concert environments for those who are neurodiverse. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, its programming, and its leadership.
The selection of the young and dynamic conductor Eric Jacobsen as music director in 2021 was another bold step forward for the VSO, further expanding its vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins in the role of Principal Guest Conductor, reflecting the VSO’s commitment to tell its community’s stories and advance the important conversations that will promote understanding and belonging among all residents.
