1) Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan, successors in a line of country music powerhouses, are set to take the stage at The Birchmere for their Grits & Glamour tour. We spoke with Tillis about the summer tour and her friendship with Morgan, find our interview here. // July 11, 7:30 p.m.; The Birchmere: 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria; $59.50
Photo courtesy of Loudoun County Fair
2) Kick off fair season during the weeklong Loudoun County Fair. Spend your day roaming around the different farm animal showings or stop by and have a blast on the countless rides. And for the foodies, get your feast on with some homemade grub from local vendors. // July 23-28; Loudoun County Fairground: 17558 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg; $5-$35
Polo at Morven Park (Photo by Chas Sumser)
3) Grab the family and head down to Morven Park to watch the third season of Polo in the Park on Saturday evenings in July. Pack a picnic dinner and enjoy a doubleheader of polo, with matches starting at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. // Opening day: July 6; 6-11 p.m.; Morven Park International Equestrian Center: 41580 Sunday Morning Lane, Leesburg; $35-$40
Lady Antebellum (Photo courtesy of Fredericksburg)
4) The Grammy-winning trio Lady Antebellum is stopping by Fredericksburg for the After Hours Concert Series. Sing your heart out to their chart-topping hits “Need You Now,” “Just A Kiss” and “Bartender.” // July 6; 7 p.m.; Marks & Harrison Amphitheater: 5030 Gordon W. Shelton Blvd., Fredericksburg; $30-$99
5) You’ll be singing “It’s a Hard Knock Life” on repeat after seeing Prince William Little Theatre’s production of Annie. Follow the classic adventures of little orphan Annie and her dog, Sandy, as they search for her parents in 1930s New York City. // July 19-28; Times vary; Hylton Performing Arts Center: 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas; $15-$25
Harry Potter-themed tours are held at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (Photo by M. Enriquez for Visit Alexandria)
6) Celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday with events at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Learn about the real science behind author J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. After the tour, stop by Dolci Gelati for a refreshing Butterbeer gelato or buy some magical merchandise from Hooray for Books! // July 28 (family-friendly), Aug. 3 (adults only); 105-107 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria; $7-$20
Providence (Photo by Ryan Smith)
7) Experience what life on the water was like during the Revolutionary War by setting sail on the Providence. This tall ship is a replica of the first ship to serve in the Continental Navy, led by commander John Paul Jones. Cruise around Alexandria and the Potomac River on a family oriented adventure or join Port City Brewing for the “craft brew cruise.” // Arriving early July; 106 N. Lee St., Alexandria
8) You’ll get the Best Cat Mom award after making your feline friend its very own cat toy. Choose from three different toys guaranteed to make your feline purr. The Makerspace Night at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley highlights the Steinlen: Cats exhibition, featuring 19th century artist Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen and his illustrations, which is set to run until Sept. 1. // July 17; 6 p.m.; Museum of the Shenandoah Valley: 901 Amherst St., Winchester; $30
9) Enjoy a relaxing evening at the Rising Sun Tavern as you learn about War & Whiskey. Discuss how the alcoholic beverage was used as medicine and currency, while also being a source for rebellion as you sample a variety of whiskeys. // July 12; 6:30 p.m.; Rising Sun Tavern Museum: 1304 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; $20-$25
Dave Matthews Band (Photo courtesy of Live Nation)
10) Dave Matthews Band is returning home to Virginia for its 2019 North American tour. While the band will be performing its 2018 album Come Tomorrow, fans are sure to hear classics like “Crash Into Me” and “Ants Marching.” Don’t miss out on this homecoming performance. // July 20; 8 p.m.; Jiffy Lube Live: 7800 Cellar Door Drive, Bristow; $49.50-$534.50
11) Get ready for a rockin’ battle at Jammin Java’s Battle of the Bands competition. Listen to the best bands the mid-Atlantic has to offer. The finalists from the four nights will compete again in the final round on Aug. 30 for a chance to win the grand prize of $2,000. // July 5-9; 7 p.m.; 227 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; $10-$20
Melissa Wimbish (Photo by Rel Hunter)
12) The Juliet Letters puts music to the love notes sent to William Shakespeare’s Juliet. Starring Baltimore actress Melissa Wimbish (pictured below), characters from different walks of life present stories of love, loss and betrayal, themes that are still relevant today. // July 11-14; Times vary; Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave., Arlington; $47
13) Calling all sports fans! Stop by the CSA Sports Memorabilia Show at Dulles Expo Center to meet your favorite sports legends. Athletes that plan to be in attendance include boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather, Washington Redskins Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen and Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward. Pictures and autographs are additional. // July 12-14; Times vary; Dulles Expo Center: 4320 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly; $5-$20
Josh Groban (Photo by Brian Bowen Smith)
14) Josh Groban, with music from Bridges (released in September 2018), will take the stage at Wolf Trap. We spoke with him here about his eighth album, Broadway inspiration and his upcoming performance in NoVA. // July 7, 8 p.m.; Wolf Trap Filene Center: 1551 Trap Road, Vienna; $42
Photo courtesy of Firecracker 5K
15) Fourth of July celebrations with food, fireworks and fun are set to dazzle residents across the NoVA area. Click here for our complete guide on patriotic parties and events. // Various locations
Photo courtesy of NOVA Parks
16) Is it really summer if you haven’t gone to a luau? Luckily, the Bull Run Luau has you covered. Play a game of coconut bowling or create a tie-dye shirt to remember the occasion. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the delicious roast pig feast. // July 12-14; Bull Run Regional Park: 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville; free; Luau is only open to those staying on the campgrounds.
17) Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at the National Museum of Marine Corps’ Family Day: To the Moon! Learn about this important day in American space history and see the role the Marine Corps played in these space missions. // July 13; Noon-3 p.m.; National Museum of the Marine Corps: 18900 Jefferson Davis Highway, Triangle; free
18) Get your wine on at the annual Purcellville Wine & Food Festival. Spend the afternoon sampling drinks and dishes from local wineries, vineyards and restaurants from the area as music flows throughout the festival. // July 13; 2-8 p.m.; Bush Tabernacle and Dillon’s Woods: 250 S. Nursery Ave., Purcellville; $5-$250
19) Take the movies outside during the cool summer nights at these cinematic events.
This post originally appeared in our July 2019 issue. Want to know about all the best things to do in NoVA this summer? Subscribe to our semiweekly Things to Do newsletter to stay up to date.
