Next Stop: The Weekend | Your Guide to Venues, Vibes, and Transit
Summer in Hampton Roads is bursting with activity, and there’s no shortage of free, family-friendly events going on. From the Southside to the Peninsula, there’s truly something for everyone, and Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is ready to get you straight to the fun.
Summer Success
If you need proof that public transportation is the smartest way to travel this season, just look at how we kicked off the summer. One of the biggest events of the year was Sail250 Virginia, a massive three-day festival celebrating America’s 250th birthday that encompassed the Juneteenth holiday and the 50th Annual Norfolk Harborfest.
According to organizers at Festevents, about 500,000 people attended this historic celebration. Tens of thousands of those visitors took advantage of public transit to reach Downtown Norfolk. Nearly 34,000 riders chose the Elizabeth River Ferry while another 24,000 took the Tide Light Rail.
Those visitors learned what locals already know: when you take public transit, getting there is half the fun. Between free concerts at the Oceanfront, music festivals along the Norfolk waterfront, and block parties in Hampton, there is plenty of summer left to enjoy – all easily accessible by bus, light rail, trolley, and ferry.
Tidewater Winds Bring Music to Everyone
Among the incredible talent taking the stage this season is Tidewater Winds, a professional concert band that has spent more than 40 years offering high-quality musical programming to our communities. Composed of 55 local musicians, the Winds are deeply committed to serving seniors, military families, and anyone for whom access to the arts might otherwise be out of reach.
Right now, the group is wrapping up its America 250 concert series, featuring the world premiere of local composer Buddy White’s, Give Me Liberty!, featuring local veterans.
Michael Williams, Executive Director of Tidewater Winds, sees a parallel between public transit and community music. Just as HRT works to make transit accessible to everyone, the Winds’ goal is to make music available to everyone. Williams notes that these free concerts are truly unifying events.
“The audience is pretty diverse,” Williams said. “You do see a lot of retirees, seniors, veterans, and military families. People come alone or in groups. They show up in everything from shorts and T-shirts to tuxedos, and we love it.”
Proximity to public transit plays a massive role in making these performances a reality for the community.
“Not everyone has a car, it’s expensive, and gas prices have been high,” Williams remarks. “It’s just easier to take public transportation to get to a concert.”
Your Summer Transit Playbook
Ready to head out? Here’s how to catch many of the major summer events without the parking headache:
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Beach Events is hosting concerts all summer long, along with family-friendly events like Beach Blanket Cinema at 29th Street Beach. Tidewater Winds is also currently in residence at the 24th Street Stage.
- The Route: The VB Wave Trolley is the absolute way to go. Parking at the beach is at a premium, but the Oceanfront trolley is still just $4.50 for unlimited all-day rides.
- The Stops: The VB Wave includes stops at all three major Oceanfront music venues: 17th Street Park, 24th Street Park, and 31st Street Park.
Downtown Norfolk
If you’re heading to Downtown Norfolk, the waterfront at Town Point Park serves as the ultimate hub for outdoor music festivals, cultural events, and summer concerts along the Elizabeth River.
- The Route: Skip the downtown parking garages and the gridlock by taking The Tide Light Rail directly into the city.
- The Walk: Hop off at either the MacArthur Square or Civic Plaza Stations. From there, it’s just a short, scenic walk down to the water, where you can step right into the center of the festival grounds.
Downtown Hampton
The summer vibes aren’t just limited to the Southside. Almost every Saturday evening, the newly revamped East Queens Way comes alive with the Downtown Hampton Block Party, featuring local bands, outdoor dining, and an energetic street festival atmosphere.
- The Route: Avoid looking for street spots downtown by hopping onto local routes like the 101 or 115, which drop you off just steps away from the music on East Queens Way and Kings Way.
We’re incredibly excited about the rest of the summer. Ditch the car keys, grab your beach blanket, and we hope to see everyone out on a route soon!
