The light at the end of the tunnel is almost in sight. We’re officially only two months away from warmer weather, firework season, and of course, the greatest food combo known to mankind: hot dogs and cold beer.
While these next 10 weeks may seem agonizingly long right now, Memorial Day weekend is the next best opportunity to give yourself a little getaway and celebrate the three-day holiday to its fullest potential. If you’re in need of a vacation or want to save yourself the stress of slaving away at the grill all day while fighting off every insect known to mankind– look no further.
The annual Patriotic Festival will return to the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, this upcoming May 22-24 with three amazing headlining acts, including Zach Top, Brooks & Dunn, and Red Clay Strays. Friday nights, Top led show will be supported by Mackenzie Carpenter, followed by country music’s biggest duo on Saturday night, joined by Lanie Gardner, and rounding out the weekend on Sunday, the “Wondering Why” band will take the stage along with the sister group, The Castellows.
Beyond the unbeatable opportunity to see these three big-name acts live, per its name, the fest offers a wide variety of patriotic-heavy activities celebrating all branches of the Armed Forces. Before the show, concertgoers can explore the festival’s number of giveaways, product samplings (including lots of free alcoholic testers), live entertainment, and watch the Military Working Dogs in action.
This is also the perfect opportunity to get started on a base tan for the summer by heading down to the Virginia Beach coastline, which is just 20 minutes away from the arena. Given that pre-show activities don’t open to the public until 3 pm each day, there’s plenty of time to put on your swimsuit and enjoy a relaxing day in the sand before getting ready to sing your heart out at night. Not to mention the expansive opportunities in the surrounding area that are at hand, from exploring the boardwalk, top-notch golf courses, or immersing in marine life at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.
There’s arguably no better way to kick off the unofficial start to the summer than with these three amazing concerts. Rising star Zach Top is bound to put on an incredible show full of his belting-worthy fan favorites, “I Never Lie” and “Use Me” alongside the latest tracks from his August 2025 album, Ain’t In It For My Health, and of course some unbeatable ’90s country classics. Brooks & Dunn are another unbeatable act, still putting on one of the most high-energy performances in country music, even in their 70s.
Closing things out with their stellar vocals, Red Clay Strays will continue to prove they’re one of country music’s most underrated groups. Crowd favorites like “Wondering Why” and “Wanna Be Loved” are sure to leave you hooked on lead singer Brandon Coleman’s voice after hearing them live.
For those still not convinced this is the perfect Memorial Day opportunity, now is the optimal time to bite the bullet and snag your three-day tickets. The festival is offering a special buy-one-get-one-free offer throughout April 6 when you use the code “EASTER” while purchasing on Ticket Master. According to the Patriotic Festival, there’s “Less than 200 left,” so get to making travel arrangements and planning those red, white, and blue outfits now!