Your guide to the DMV's outdoor summer concerts
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Many D.C.-area outdoor music venues just dropped their summer concert lineups — meaning it's time to plan which tickets you want to buy.
Why it matters: Bringing a picnic to Wolf Trap or taking the Rally Bus to Jiffy Lube are something of a D.C. summer rites of passage.
Here's what you need to know before summer concert season begins:
Merriweather Post Pavilion
The Columbia music venue kicks off its warm-weather season April 21 with a performance by New Orleans group Tank and the Bangas and the Howard County Youth Orchestra.
Other shows we're pumped for:
- Alanis Morissette (June 29, 30), Mt. Joy (July 20), and Mitski (Aug. 30, 31, Sept. 1)
Zoom in: For some shows, only lawn chairs without legs are allowed, and you can't bring coolers with outside food or drinks.
Wolf Trap
The venue, operated in part by the National Park Service, launches its summer series June 1 at its outdoor amphitheater, the Filene Center. The first show: A singing extravaganza featuring several area choirs. (Audience participation encouraged!)
Other shows we're pumped for:
- Gary Clark Jr. (June 9), Wilco (June 20) and Waxahatchee (Sept. 6)
Plus: The Out & About Festival on June 22 celebrates LGBTQ+ artists and allies, with performers like Brittany Howard, Jenny Lewis, and Okan.
- And little ones can check out the Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods for summertime puppet shows and concerts.
Zoom in: Picnics and drinks (alcoholic and non) are allowed, although bevvies must be poured into covered Wolf Trap cups. Lawn chairs and blankets are also OK.
Jiffy Lube Live
Summer season at the Bristow amphitheater begins with Neil Young and Crazy Horse May 11.
Other shows we're pumped for:
- Chris Stapleton (June 7) Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire (Aug. 2), and Hootie & the Blowfish (Aug. 17)
Zoom in: The venue has a clear bag policy, and while you can bring in some snacks, water, lawn chairs, and blankets, no coolers or alcohol are allowed.