Virginia Ukapalooza 2025 is an action packed 2 day ukulele festival with a unique set of activities:
- Extensive playing opportunities for all registered ukulele groups and all attendees
- Performances by 9 community uke groups from all around VA
- 16 different workshops taught by expert musicians in the ukulele community, for ukulele players specifically geared for beginner, intermediate, and advanced abilities. Repeats of several workshops will be provided to maximize opportunities to take as many workshops as you’d like!
- Concerts by nationally known and regional uke performers
- “Jam Party'' for all attendees to play in a giant ukulele group with everyone (we will provide song charts!), which will be filmed and posted to YouTube. Therefore, everyone that attends Ukapalooza and participates will be included in at least one video that is posted to YouTube!
- Open mics – one on the main stage (geared for players with prior open mic experience), and another for a smaller intimate audience (geared for players without prior open mic experience)
- Uke karaoke and dance party — a brand new addition to Virginia Ukapalooza! – sing a song in front of a small audience (like karaoke), while the audience strums ukuleles (active audience participation) and a bass and percussion also accompany the singer. Dancing along is optional but encouraged.
- Individual mentoring sessions – get feedback from a ukulele pro on anything ukulele related. Limited slots available. Attendees may purchase a slot (Add-On item on Eventbrite)
- Multitrack audio and multi camera video recording of performances; each registered community uke group will be provided with a professional multitrack audio recorded video posted to YouTube of one of their songs (additional songs may be purchased)
Limited seating is available for some workshops/activities, and workshops will fill up on a first-come-first-serve basis. A workshop/activity registration link will be automatically emailed to each attendee (this workshop/activity registration link is emailed by Eventbrite with each purchased ticket). [Update on 10/25/2025 -- the workshop/activity registration has closed since badges and individual schedules are being printed. Any attendee that purchases a ticket after 10/25/2025 will be automatically enrolled in the main workshop/activity in each time slot].
A pdf of the festival jam packet will be emailed to registered attendees prior to the festival -- to load on your portable electronic device or to print at home. Optionally, you can purchase a printed jam packet to pickup at the event (Add-On item on Eventbrite).
*** Check the "Add On" tab to purchase an official Virginia Ukapalooza 2025 Tshirt, hat, mentoring session, and/or the printed festival jam packet . ***
** Note that Tshirts are avaialble in both black and royal blue colors, in both crewneck and ladies v-neck styles **
More information about the festival: https://VirginiaUkapalooza.org
Please like and follow us on Facebook/Instagram (@VirginiaUkapalooza) and join the discussion!
This event is run by Virginia Ukapalooza, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, that uses its proceeds to buy ukuleles for central VA schools, and teaches free ukulele classes at those schools.
