Wolf Trap announces summer 2022 season with Sting, Star Wars, and more

(Updated at 3:55 p.m.) There may still be a few traces of snow on the ground from recent storms, but summer is already in the air at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts released an initial slate of popular and classical programming today (Tuesday) that will kick off on May 28 with the Original Kings of Go-Go.

After the COVID-19 pandemic led to a delayed, scaled-down 50th anniversary season, the summer 2022 season appears to be comparable to previous years, with more national and international artists as well as the return of film screenings accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra.

Wolf Trap Opera will also perform in The Barns again after being limited to the open-air Filene Center last year.

“After the past couple of years it is going to be especially important to gather as a community, experience nature, and just enjoy great music,” Wolf Trap Foundation president and CEO Arvind Manocha said. “We look forward to welcoming patrons back to the Park in May — and stay tuned as more can’t miss shows are announced this spring.”

While Wolf Trap ended its capacity limits in August, the park continues to require face masks and proof of vaccination against COVID-19 at all performances. Those policies could change in the coming months, depending on federal, state, and National Park Service guidelines.

Tickets for the summer season will open to the general public at 10 a.m. on Feb. 19. Pre-sales for Wolf Trap members started today.

Highlights of the newly announced schedule include:

Music

• May 28: The Original Kings of Go-Go, headlined by Big Tony and Trouble Funk
• June 4: Black Violin with the Blind Boys of Alabama
• June 9: The Head and the Heart
• June 10-11: Bonnie Raitt with special guest Lucinda Williams
• June 12: Ana Gabriel with special guest Flor de Toloacher
• June 16-17: Sheryl Crow with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• June 19: A Juneteenth Celebration with Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic Orchestra
• June 25-26: Steely Dan with Aimee Mann
• July 17: Barenaked Ladies
• July 28: Andrew Bird and Iron & Wine
• Aug. 4: Little Big Town
• Aug. 7: ABBA the Concert
• Aug. 13: A.R. Rahman
• Aug. 19: Fantasia
• Aug. 24: The Decemberists with special guest Brigid Mae Power
• Aug. 28: The Beach Boys
• Sept. 2-4: Sting
• Sept. 8: Yo-Yo Ma and Paquito D’Rivera with the NSO

Wolf Trap Opera

• June 18, 24 & 26: Weber’s “Der Freischütz” (“The Marksman”), at The Barns at Wolf Trap
• July 15: Verdi’s “La Traviata” with the NSO, at the Filene Center
• Aug. 12 & 14: Floyd’s “Susannah,” at The Barns

Film, Stage, and Comedy

• June 21-22: “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical”
• June 24: Broadway in the Park
• July 16: Sing-a-Long “Sound of Music”
• July 22-23: “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” in Concert
• July 29: “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in Concert
• July 30: Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story” in Concert
• Aug. 20-21: Steve Martin and Martin Short
• Aug. 25-26: Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me

The full calendar can be found on Wolf Trap’s website.