Summer is here and the livin’ is easy, especially in Loudoun, where our scenic wineries, breweries and restaurants are up and running, public pools and waterparks are opening and star-studded summer concerts, food festivals and pro sports events are ready to entertain.
Here we select some not-to-miss summer events in Loudoun. For a complete list of activities, visit our events page here: https://www.visitloudoun.org/events/
Rugby and Soccer at Segra Field
Fledgling Major League Rugby pro team Old Glory DC made the 5,000-capacity Segra Field in Leesburg its home ground this year, drawing in new fans from across the region. Old Glory take on New Orleans Gold on Saturday June 12, San Diego Legion on Saturday, July 10 and the Austin Gilgronis on Saturday July 17, all games starting at 5pm. Loudoun United, feeder team to Major League’s DC United, was the first pro team to be based at Segra Field. Local fans can catch the team play against Charleston Battery on June 8, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC June 30, and Miami FC July 11. The DC area’s female pro soccer team, Washington Spirit, play some home games at Segra Field as well, with big summer games coming up against Chicago Red Stars on July 2 and New York/New Jersey’s Gotham FC on July 18.
Summer Camp
For Adults
Days away at camp as a kid created some of the best summer memories and life-long friendships. Rekindle your love of summer camp this June as The Wine Reserve at Waterford launches its Summer Camp program. For the first two June weekends, The Wine Reserve will have extended hours filled with outdoor activities including a movie in the vineyard, wine tie dye, "Color Wars" themed wine flights, food trucks, yoga, live music and more. As part of the series, the winery will also partner with women-owned, Loudoun-based business Wild Tribe Co., which will be providing special tents for people to reserve.
For Kids
Parents worried about the drama of having their kids home all day through summer should sign them up for some professional drama. From June 21-July 2, StageCoach Theatre Company in Ashburn is hosting a Shrek the Musical Summer Camp for students aged 10-18. Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, camps run from 9am to 5pm each day and culminate in live performances of the musical. Break a leg!
Juneteenth
Saturday, June 19 (12noon-6pm) is the inaugural Juneteenth Celebration at Ida Lee Park presented by the Burg Family Reunion Club. A day-long celebration commemorating the end of slavery, it will feature guest speakers, food vendors and multiple live music performances, including from the legendary Chuck Brown Band. Visit https://thebfrc.com/juneteenth-celebration for more information.
Summer Music
After a quiet 2020, summer music is back with a bang this year. The Tarara Summer Concert Series at the popular Potomac River-front vineyard starts July 3 and takes place every Saturday evening through September. Featured bands will include 80s cover act The Reflex and raucous party rockers Gonzo's Nose. 868 Estate Vineyards will host live performances every weekend throughout the summer as well as two benefit concerts. Sunday June 13 is the Nova MusicFest benefitting Cancer Can Rock while Sunday, September 5 is the annual LoCo Musicians Festival, which raises funds for Loudoun’s musicians. Performers this year include sultry blues rocker Juliana MacDowell and jazz songstress Emma Rowley and Friends.
Polo in the Park
Tailgates, picnics, rosé wine, designer hats and horses – you know it is a Loudoun summer when Polo in the Park returns to Morven Park. Saturday July 10 kicks off the fourth season of the popular series at the historic Leesburg property’s International Equestrian Center. Polo takes place for six consecutive Saturdays; join socialites, fans and VIP guests in corporate tents or picnicking on grass banks as they cheer on leading national and international players.
Art in Middleburg: The Ocean Shore Exhibition
Middleburg may be horse country, but July through August the flagship Byrne Gallery will host Ocean Shore, a collection of seascape paintings from veteran impressionist Gerald Hennesy, now in his 100th year. A Navy veteran of both World War 2 and Korea, Washington D.C.-born Hennesy is listed in the Who’s Who in American Art and had his work in the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Museum. The exhibition will also feature glass sculptures by Kyle Goodwin.
Virginia Craft Spirits Roadshow
Oatlands Historic House & Gardens south of Leesburg – famous for guided tours of its 19th Century mansion and its 4.5 acre landscaped “pleasure gardens” – hosts the traveling Virginia Craft Spirits Roadshow on Saturday, August 14. Attendees get to sample artisan craft spirits and signature cocktails from up to 10 Virginia distilleries including Loudoun’s own Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. There will be craft beers on offer too. Tickets for the event include a tour of the aforementioned gardens. Cheers!
"Family Reunion" at Salamander Resort & Spa
From August 19-22 Chef Kwame Onwuachi, author of spellbinding culinary memoir Notes from a Young Black Chef, hosts this multi-day event aimed at developing and celebrating racial and ethnic diversity within the next generation of hospitality professionals. Sign up for this weekend-long event featuring cooking classes and demonstrations, wine tastings and dinners and thought-provoking panel discussions with world-class chefs, sommeliers and industry leaders including Onwuachi, Carla Hall and New Orleans’s Nina Compton.
2021 World Heritage Festival and Festival of Kites
Make your way to Ida Lee Park, Leesburg on August 21 for this cultural jamboree: more than 80 artists displaying everything from fine art to jewelry and ceramics to crafts alongside a variety of ethnic food stands, folk-dance performances and a spectacular kite flying display. The world comes to Loudoun!