Smithsonian Folklife Festival
June 27-July 1 & July 4-8
Since 1967, this staple of summer has filled the National Mall with performances, demonstrations and other interactive activities that celebrate our diverse cultural heritage, including daily performances of international musicians. // Washington, D.C.
Capital Fringe Festival
July 7-29
The annual Fringe Festival has offered the Metro-D.C. area avant-garde and alternative visual arts, dance and performance art since 2006, premiering more than 600 performance pieces since its inception and drawing audiences of roughly 40,000 each year. // Washington, D.C.
Pasture Palooza
July 12-15
If a night at Wolf Trap just isn’t enough, head to this idyllic setting, and bring a sleeping bag—the name of the game at this weekend-long live music and arts festival is camping. // Berryville
Red Wing Roots Festival
July 13-15
Live music. Camping. Yoga. Biking. Kids events. And of course, food and drink. Red Wing Roots brings together some big names in Americana, blues and indie rock, with Josh Ritter and the Steep Canyon Rangers on this year’s roster. // Mt. Solon
Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
Select weekends July 20-Sept. 2
For more than five decades, this festival at the Shrine Mont retreat center has presented summer concerts under the stars in a range of genres. On the 2018 docket are The Temptations, Mary Chapin Carpenter and an orchestral performance of Pink Floyd. // Orkney Springs
Purcellville Wine and Food Festival
July 21
For seven years, this marriage of two sacred elements—food and wine—has given locals yet another reason to love Loudoun County. Try an assortment of area wines, enjoy music and art, and eat a good meal. (And if wine isn’t your thing, they also have some craft brews on hand.) // Purcellville
FloydFest 18-Wild
July 25-29
This festival’s mission is “to be the best music festival experience of our time.” Lofty? Maybe. But FloydFest 18-Wild stands a good chance of coming close, with a lineup that includes Foster the People and Old Crow Medicine Show, eight performance stages and a variety of outdoor activities (kayaking, disc golf, hiking). // Floyd
DoahFest
July 26-29
DoahFest’s motto is “unplug and connect,” inviting attendees to set aside all the chatter that clogs their daily lives and pull up an inner tube. Attractions include riverfront camping, sunrise yoga and concerts by the water, with a roster of performances ranging from reggae to New Orleans punk. // Luray
Vans Warped Tour
July 29
The Vans Warped Tour is a summer institution, toting rock musicians across the country each year since 1995. As 2018 marks the final full tour, this is your last chance to get the Warped experience. Hosted at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the fest includes Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake. // Columbia, Maryland
Manassas African-American Heritage Festival
Aug. 4
This free festival hosted by the African American Foundation of Prince William County has enriched the greater community for 27 years with music, exhibits and artwork that honors African-American culture. // Manassas
Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont
Aug. 9-12
Now in its ninth year, the Richmond Jazz Festival presents an impressive slate of jazz, funk, blues and hip-hop outside a gorgeous historic estate. This year’s roster includes Brian McKnight, Butterschotch and Dee Dee Bridgewater. // Richmond
Staunton Music Festival
Aug. 10-19
If you’re looking for an outdoor chamber music festival, you’ll find it in Staunton this summer. In its 21st season, the fest includes Handel’s opera Hercules, a day of Mozart and a bit of Gershwin. // Staunton
Moonrise Festival
Aug. 11-12
Leave the mandolins and upright basses at home—this is a dance music festival. With Diplo, Kaskade and Phantogram on the lineup, Moonrise, held at the Pimlico Race Course, is the ideal space for pink hair clip-ins and glow sticks. // Baltimore
Flying Circus Airshow and Balloon Festival
Aug. 18-19
Music festivals not your thing? Instead of setting up camp, climb aboard a hot air balloon at this annual balloon festival, which also sports an airshow each day. // Bealeton
Lockn’ Festival
Aug. 23-26
The 2017 Best of NoVA winner for Best Adult Music Festival returns to Infinity Downs with lots of craft beer and a performance roster that includes George Clinton, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sheryl Crow and Blues Traveler. // Arrington