Blacksburg’s Summer Arts Festival returns this summer with a vibrant lineup of free performances, films, art exhibitions, and family-friendly events designed to bring the community together through the arts.
“The Summer Arts Festival is intended to have something for everyone,” said Ariana Wyatt, festival director and associate dean for outreach and engagement in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. “We try to offer a wide range of arts experiences – from concerts on the lawn to classical performances and workshops.”
The festival is presented by the Virginia Tech School of Performing Arts in partnership with the Town of Blacksburg. All events are free and open to the public.
“We’re really grateful for the partnership – not just financially, but for how committed the Town of Blacksburg is to supporting these community events,” said Wyatt. “They manage so much of the behind-the-scenes work that makes the festival possible.”
Outdoor Henderson Lawn concerts
Where: Henderson Lawn, corner of Main Street and College Avenue
When: Fridays in June and July from 6-7:30 p.m.
A cornerstone of the festival, the Friday evening concerts invite audiences to bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic, and enjoy live music in an outdoor setting.
June 5: The Domino Band, classic R&B, soul, and old-school funk
June 12: Old Pros Big Band Orchestra, big band jazz
June 19: Toubab Krewe, rock, African traditions, and international folk
June 26: Blacksburg Community Band, concert band selections
July 10: Music Road Co, funk, rock, island reggae, afrobeat, and Latin tunes
July 17: Root Down, funk, blues, soul, and jazz
July 24: Lazy Man Dub Band, reggae
July 31: Solacoustix, blues, R&B, country, and rock
Indoor Classical Concert Series
Where: Creativity and Innovation District Performance Space, 185 Kent St.
When: Thursdays in July from 7-8 p.m.
Curated by Associate Professor Rick Masters, this indoor concert series offers a welcoming introduction to classical music with performances suited for both newcomers and longtime listeners. “We have wonderful musicians in the area, and I’ve worked to create a balanced offering,” said Masters. “Everything on the program is music that anyone can sit down, listen to, and connect to on an emotional level.”
July 2: “American Fanfare: A Patriotic Musical Spectacular” with Roanoke Chamber Brass
July 9: “In the Shadow of Memory: Late-Romantic Violin Sonatas” with Akemi Takayama
July 16: “From the Heart: Beethoven Piano Works” with Hsiang Tu
July 23: “At Sunset: Romantic Masterworks” for voice, cello, and piano
“It’s like a curated walkthrough of different music styles,” said Masters, “just come as you are and enjoy the music.”
Classic movies at the Lyric Theatre
Where: The Lyric Theatre, 135 College Ave.
When: Select Saturdays in June and July at 3 p.m.
Festival audiences can cool off with free classic films at the historic Lyric Theatre, a longtime partner of the festival.
June 6: “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986)
June 20: “Hook” (1991)
July 11: “An American in Paris” (1951)
All films are free and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Live theatre
Where: Theatre 101, 200 College Ave.
Director Robyn Berg presents “The Novelist” by Theresa Rebeck. A sharp, contemporary comedy, “The Novelist” explores creativity, ambition, and personal relationships through the story of a writer navigating artistic and family tensions.
July 18, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
July 19, 2 p.m.
Performances feature a cast and crew of both the Virginia Tech community and greater community, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on collaboration and uplifting local artistic talent. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open 20 minutes before each performance.
Workshops and interactive events:
Summer Community Mural Painting
Where: Outside the Armory Gallery, 203 Draper Road NW
When: June 25 from 2-5 p.m.
Community members of all ages are invited to help paint a collaborative piece created from children’s art during the 2026 Summer Solstice Festival. Following the festival, the finished mural will be displayed at the Armory Gallery alongside the original children’s drawings.
Kid’s Shakespeare Workshop
Where The Lyric Theatre, 135 College Ave.
When: June 25 from 3-4 p.m.
The Summer Arts Festival is collaborates with professional Shakespeare Theatre Troupe, The Rustic Mechanicals. This workshop is designed for students ages 10 and older who are interested in exploring the stage through acting, Shakespeare, and improvisation. For registration information for this free workshop, visit thelyric.com.
Playing with Shadows Workshop
Where: The Armory Gallery, 203 Draper Road NW
When: July 23 from 1-4 p.m.
Join the School of Visual Arts for an all-ages hands-on workshop exploring the magic of light and shadow. The workshop will begin by discovering how artists throughout history have used shadows to tell stories. Then, participants will learn to curate their own shadow narratives. No experience is needed. All materials are provided.
Art exhibitions and gallery programming
“A Line of Breath Between Wood and Light” by artist Jiro Okura
Where: Center for the Arts Grand Lobby, 190 Alumni Mall
This exhibition features a survey of late Japanese minimalist sculptor Jiro Okura (1942-2014) and reconnects this underseen international figure with the Appalachian site in which his creative practice was shaped.
Opening reception: June 4 from 5-7 p.m.
Beyond the Frame gallery tours: June 11, July 9, and August 13 at noon
Live woodworking demonstrations with Rude Graves: July 15 at 3 and 4 p.m. at the Patricia Buckley Moss Lawn
Summer Community Mural Exhibition
Where: Armory Gallery, 203 Draper Rd NW
When: On display June 26-July 17
Running alongside the festival, the community mural exhibition showcases a collaborative “paint-by-number” piece created from elementary student art submissions and community volunteers.
Special events presented by Downtown Blacksburg Inc.
Summer Solstice Fest
Where: Main Street and Lee Street
When: June 20 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Enjoy all the favorites of the season at Summer Solstice Fest on June 20 in downtown Blacksburg. From summer arts and crafts, to lemonade, ice cream, kid’s activities, food vendors and live music on the Atlantic Union Bank Main Stage from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Art at the Market
Where: Draper Road and Farmers Market
When: July 11 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Art at the Market brings 20 of the best local artists to the farmers market on July 11. Grab a mimosa and breakfast sandwich from the Downtown Blacksburg Inc. tent while you peruse fine art and local farm products for sale. This year will feature an emerging artist tent.
Steppin’ Out
Where: Downtown Blacksburg
When: Aug. 7-8 from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Celebrate the 45th anniversary of the free, two-day festival. With five stages of live music, over 250 arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, and activities, this is the perfect end to summer in Blacksburg.
The Summer Arts Festival reflects the School of Performing Arts’ broader commitment to outreach and engagement. “We’re proud to give this to the community, as the School of Performing Arts plays an important role in the arts life of our region,” said Masters.
“The goal is to bring the community together to experience art and performance,” said Wyatt, “I hope people have the opportunity to be in community with one another and find some joy, entertainment, and light in their day.”
Sign up to receive updates about the Summer Arts Festival from the School of Performing Arts.
For more information or questions, visit the Summer Arts Festival website or contact Ariana Wyatt at ariana1@vt.edu.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Emily Baker at emilyrb@vt.edu at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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