In the historic city of Lexington, in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, you’ll find one of the best outdoor concert venues: The Lime Kiln Theater. This stunning outdoor amphitheater blends in perfectly with its scenic natural surroundings and offers unbeatable natural acoustics, leading to a memorable concert experience throughout the summer. This turn-of-the-century rock quarry provides a historical backdrop to modern cultural experiences—a juxtaposition of time you can only experience in a place like the Shenandoah Valley.
We love the atmosphere at the Lime Kiln Theater, but concerts here are about more than the show up on the stage. You’ll find diverse and varied performances at the theater throughout the season, but more than that, these concerts offer an exceptional way to connect with our natural surroundings and enjoy a welcoming sense of community. They are truly a celebration of all that we love about the Shenandoah Valley. You’ll feel the special atmosphere created here as soon as the sun sets and concertgoers settle in with their blankets or chairs and picnics, preparing for a fantastic evening under the starry Virginia Sky. It’s an immersive and engaging live music experience in Lexington that we look forward to every year.
Of course, attending concerts at the Lime Kiln Theater each summer is just one of the many great things to do in Lexington, VA. The town is replete with historical landmarks, inviting restaurants, exquisite parks and attractions, and plenty of boutique shopping, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re here to enjoy the outdoors, explore popular attractions like Shenandoah National Park or the Blue Ridge Parkway, or embrace the wine, food, and culture of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, there’s no better place to stay than our Lexington, Virginia Bed and Breakfast. We’re just minutes from downtown Lexington and the best of the Shenandoah Valley. Book your room today!
Live Music at Lime Kiln Theater in Lexington
The Lime Kiln Theater in Lexington, VA, is truly a unique venue unlike any other. The history of this theater dates back to 1967 when two students at Washington and Lee University used this defunct rock quarry as a setting for their production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” From there, an idea was born – and in 1984, the modern Lime Kiln Theater as we know it today was brought to life.
The Lime Kiln Theater brings a diverse and varied lineup of regional and national artists to its intimate outdoor venue every summer. Tens of thousands of patrons have enjoyed the laid-back, scenic concert venue over the years.
The Main Stage at the Lime Kiln Theater, known as The Bowl, has a capacity of 675 seated guests – and the concerts here sell out almost every year. It’s no wonder they are so popular – the immersive experience is second to none.
As you settle in for a concert experience at the Lime Kiln Theater, you’ll be surrounded by natural stone walls, trees, and the starry sky above. There isn’t traditional seating here, which is part of the magic of the performances. Instead, guests are seated on the venue’s wooden benches or chairs and blankets in the surrounding grassy areas.
Food trucks are hosted at the Lime Kiln Theater each season, but guests are also welcome to bring their own picnic dinners as they sit back and enjoy the folk, roots, and blues music from the main stage. The theater also partners with local wineries and breweries, and the grounds are open an hour before the show so that you can enjoy the atmosphere and community.
The annual lineup for this year’s Lime Kiln Theater Concert Series was just released, and tickets are now on sale. Act fast, though, because, as in other years, we expect these performances to sell out quickly.
More Fabulous Things to Do in Lexington, VA
Once you’ve attended a performance at the Lime Kiln Theater, we know it’s something you’ll want to return to year after year. Our Lexington, Virginia, Bed and Breakfast is just minutes away from the venue, making it a great place to stay while you’re in town. And, of course, taking in a show at the theater is just one of the many things you can do in Lexington!
Lexington is the county seat for Rockbridge County and home to two major colleges: Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute. As a bustling college town, you can expect to find plenty of things to do in Lexington, VA. We’ve listed a few of our favorites below!
- Head into downtown Lexington to shop in diverse boutiques. You won’t find chain or brand stores here; instead, you’ll find small businesses and artisans showcasing unique goods characteristic of the Shenandoah Valley.
- While you’re downtown, visit local galleries. It’s an artist’s haven! A few of our favorites include Artists in Cahoots, Nelson Fine Art Gallery, Cabell Gallery, and Earth, Fire, and Spirit Pottery.
- Take a scenic tour of downtown Lexington and learn more about the town’s history on a narrated carriage ride with the Lexington Carriage Company.
- Lexington is home to some of the best breweries in the Shenandoah Valley, including Heliotrope Brewery, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, and Brew Ridge Taps.
- In a town with so much history, you can expect to find plenty of it here. One of the top things to do in Lexington, VA, is to visit the Stonewall Jackson House Museum.
- Once you’ve toured this historic home, head to the Oak Grove Cemetery, where Stonewall Jackson and nearly 3,000 others are buried.
- Head just south of Lexington and enjoy an afternoon at Natural Bridge State Park. It’s a beautiful place to hike and one of the most popular things to do in Lexington, VA.
- One of our favorite things to do in Lexington is walk along the beautiful 7-mile Chessie Trail, which runs alongside the scenic Maury River as it follows the route of the former Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
We’ve barely scratched the surface of great things to do in Lexington, VA, but we’d love to share more hidden gems and fantastic experiences with you when you stay with us at our Lexington, Virginia Bed and Breakfast. Grab your tickets to this year’s concerts at Lime Kiln Theater, and book your room with us today!
