A Travel Guide to Williamsburg, Virginia's Best Concerts & Events

Live Music at the Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre

Tucked away in the woods near the College of William & Mary campus, the Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre (121 Ukrop Way, Williamsburg, VA 23185) is one of the most scenic venues in the state. Overlooking the serene Lake Matoaka, this open-air venue hosts a variety of concerts, from touring national acts to local symphonies and university events. The natural acoustics provided by the surrounding trees and the water create an intimate yet expansive sound experience that music lovers adore. It is a favorite spot for summer evening concerts where the sunset reflects off the water, providing a stunning backdrop to the performance. However, because it is located on a college campus, parking can be tricky for those unfamiliar with the university layout, especially when school is in session or during major events like graduation or homecoming concerts.

By booking a minibus or charter bus with Charter Bus Rental Company Williamsburg, you eliminate the stress of navigating campus parking restrictions and finding your way through the winding university roads. Your driver can drop your group off right near the entrance, allowing you to secure the best spot on the lawn for your picnic blankets and chairs. While you enjoy the show under the stars, your driver handles the vehicle. After the encore, you won’t have to hike back to a distant parking garage or wait in a long line of cars trying to exit onto Jamestown Road. Instead, you’ll board your climate-controlled bus, perhaps watch a recap of the band on the onboard TV screens, and relax on the way to your next destination or hotel.

Seasonal Spectacles at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg, VA 23185) is consistently voted the world's most beautiful theme park, but it is also a premier destination for live entertainment. Throughout the year, the park hosts major event series such as the Food & Wine Festival, Summer Nights, and the terrifyingly fun Howl-O-Scream. During these festivals, the park’s Royal Palace Theatre and smaller stages throughout the "countries" feature performances ranging from chart-topping pop stars and classic rock bands to Broadway-style musicals and acrobatic shows. The sheer size of the park and the popularity of these concerts mean that thousands of visitors flock to Route 60, often resulting in heavy traffic and very expensive parking fees that can eat into your group's budget.

When you rent a charter bus for your group trip to Busch Gardens, you streamline the entire arrival process. General parking lots at the park can be a mile or more away from the front gate, requiring a transfer to a tram system that can be crowded and slow. With Charter Bus Rental Company Williamsburg, your driver can utilize the designated bus drop-off zones closer to the entrance, saving your group time and energy better spent riding coasters or enjoying the concerts. Plus, after a long day of walking through "Italy" and "Germany" in the Virginia heat, there is nothing better than stepping onto an air-conditioned bus with reclining seats. You can store your oversized plush prizes and souvenir cups in the overhead bins and rest your feet while we handle the drive back to your lodging.

The Grand Illumination and Colonial Events

There is perhaps no event more iconic in the region than the Grand Illumination at Colonial Williamsburg. Held annually in December, this massive event features fireworks simultaneously launched from the Capitol, the Magazine, and the Governor’s Palace, signaling the start of the holiday season. The streets of the Historic Area (near 101 Visitor Center Dr, Williamsburg, VA 23185) fill with tens of thousands of spectators, creating a magical atmosphere of 18th-century charm mixed with modern festivity. In addition to the fireworks, there are concerts, fife and drum performances, and special holiday dinners throughout the district. However, the Grand Illumination is notorious for road closures and scarce parking, with visitors often having to park miles away and walk or wait for overcrowded public shuttles.

Charter Bus Rental Company Williamsburg is the ultimate solution for navigating the chaos of the Grand Illumination. We can arrange for your group to be dropped off at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center or other designated group arrival areas, ensuring you get as close to the action as possible without the headache of hunting for a spot in a gridlocked city. Our buses are perfect for large family gatherings, church groups, or corporate holiday parties attending the festivities. Onboard amenities like heating are essential for December nights; your group can warm up on the bus before and after the fireworks display. Trust us to keep your holiday spirit high by removing the traffic frustration from the equation.

Intimate Performances at the Kimball Theatre

Located directly in Merchant’s Square, the Kimball Theatre (424 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185) is a cultural gem that offers a more intimate setting for concerts, film festivals, and lectures. Originally opened in 1933, this historic venue hosts everything from the William & Mary Symphony Orchestra to local jazz ensembles and touring folk artists. It sits right in the heart of the shopping and dining district, making it a perfect anchor for a dinner-and-a-show evening. However, parking in Merchant’s Square is highly competitive, with street parking limited to short durations and nearby lots filling up hours before showtime, especially on weekends.

For groups attending a performance at the Kimball, a private shuttle bus rental is the most sophisticated way to travel. Imagine enjoying a fine dining experience at a nearby restaurant like The Trellis or Fat Canary, and having your bus waiting to take you just around the corner to the theatre if the weather turns, or simply picking you up right after the final curtain call. We can create a custom itinerary that allows your group to explore the shops of Merchant’s Square before the show without worrying about moving vehicles or feeding parking meters. With plush seating and a driver, your evening out feels like a VIP experience from start to finish.

2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival

For a taste of the local vibe, the 2nd Sundays Art & Music Festival transforms the streets of downtown Williamsburg into a vibrant celebration of creativity. Held on the second Sunday of almost every month, this street fair takes over Prince George Street and North Boundary Street, featuring live music on multiple stages, street performers, and over 150 artisans selling everything from photography to handcrafted jewelry. It’s a fantastic, family-friendly event that draws locals and tourists alike. Because the event involves closing down several city blocks, traffic detours can be confusing for those driving personal vehicles, and parking garages nearby reach capacity very quickly.

A charter bus rental from Charter Bus Rental Company Williamsburg is perfect for community groups, senior centers, or social clubs looking to spend a leisurely Sunday at the festival. We can drop your group off at a safe, accessible point near the festival perimeter, allowing everyone to wander the stalls and enjoy the bands at their own pace. If your group decides to buy large pieces of art or heavy crafts, the ample undercarriage storage on our full-size charter buses provides the perfect place to stow these treasures safely for the ride home. You can enjoy the local craft beer and wine sold at the festival responsibly, knowing you have a designated driver ready to take everyone home at the end of the day.

Virginia Arts Festival and Regional Events

Williamsburg is a key participant in the regional Virginia Arts Festival, which brings world-class performing arts to the area every spring. Events are often held at venues like Kaplan Arena (751 Ukrop Way, Williamsburg, VA 23185) or the Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall. These performances can range from the Dance Theatre of Harlem to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. These events draw connoisseurs from all over the East Coast, meaning hotels fill up and traffic on Richmond Road spikes. Furthermore, many groups choose to stay in Williamsburg but travel to nearby Norfolk or Virginia Beach for other Arts Festival events, necessitating reliable travel between cities.

Charter Bus Rental Company Williamsburg is your partner for regional festival travel. If your itinerary involves seeing a matinee in Williamsburg and an evening performance in Norfolk, we can handle the logistics of the I-64 corridor with ease. Our motorcoaches are equipped with restrooms and WiFi, making the hour-long drive between the Peninsula and the Southside comfortable and productive. You can discuss the performance, read playbills, or simply relax while your driver navigates the bridge-tunnels and highway traffic. We ensure that your cultural excursion remains focused on the art, not the asphalt.

Book Your Williamsburg Event Transportation Today!

Don’t let traffic jams on Monticello Avenue or full parking lots at Colonial Williamsburg ruin your group’s experience. Whether you are planning a massive corporate retreat to Busch Gardens, a wedding party transfer to a reception at the Williamsburg Winery, or a simple field trip to the historic sites, Charter Bus Rental Company Williamsburg has the fleet and the expertise to get you there. Our reservation specialists are available 24/7 to answer your questions, build a custom itinerary, and provide a free, no-obligation quote.

We are ready to help you explore the Historic Triangle with modern comfort and historic hospitality. Call us today to secure your bus rental and make your next Williamsburg event a resounding success!