Thursday, September 3, 2026 - Friday, November 13, 2026

American Shakespeare Center Presents The Tempest

10 S. Market Street, Staunton

“Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.”

–Act III, Scene II, The Tempest

Prospero summons the storm that brings his enemies into his grasp after being betrayed and cast out to sea. With Ariel at his command and Caliban under his rule, Prospero shapes what his enemies see, hear, and believe on this isle full of noises.

Embark on a brave new world and discover a story where magic fills the air, power shifts hands, and by the end, love and forgiveness take center stage.

Filled with music, magic, and illusion, William Shakespeare’s The Tempest returns for the Blackfriars Playhouse’s 25th anniversary celebration.

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Saturday, September 5, 2026 • 10AM-5PM

Chalk It Up Staunton: Life in the Creek

Gypsy Hill Park Gym - Parking Lot

Staunton Parks and Recreation in conjunction with the Staunton Augusta Art Center are hosting Chalk It Up Staunton: Life in the Creek

Get ready to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary! Join us for a day of vibrant expression and artistic wonder of our NEW chalk art competition. You can win by turning the pavement into a sprawling, colorful canvas that is cohesive with our theme: Life in the Creek. Come for the art, stay for the community spirit, music, and fun! All skill levels/ages are welcome. Reserve your “canvas” aka parking space for $8.

*Contestants are encouraged to bring their own washable/non-permanent art supplies but we will have some supplies on hand.

NOTE: all participants must adhere to the City’s public art policy

 

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Saturday, September 5, 2026 - Sunday, September 6, 2026

It’s Art in the Park!

Gypsy Hill Park

Mark your calendars! Art in the Park is back at Gypsy Hill Park for Labor Day weekend! Join us for one of the Shenandoah Valley’s favorite arts festivals, featuring over 90 local and regional artists and makers. Browse original paintings, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, photography, and more — all in the beautiful setting of Gypsy Hill Park.

There will Food trucks
Art competition with prizes
Youth activities
Free parking
Free admission

This is a rain or shine event. We can’t wait to see you there!

 

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Saturday, September 5, 2026 - Sunday, September 6, 2026 • 10AM-5PM Saturday/11AM-5PM Sunday

Art in the Park 2026 at Gypsy Hill Park

Gypsy Hill Park

Art in the Park is Staunton’s beloved Labor Day weekend arts festival, held annually at the beautiful Gypsy Hill Park. Now in its decades-long tradition, the festival brings together over 90 local and regional artists and makers for two days of original art, live demonstrations, food trucks, youth activities, and an art competition with prizes.

Browse and purchase one-of-a-kind works including paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography, fiber arts, sculpture, and more — all in the open-air setting of one of Staunton’s most treasured public spaces.

Free admission. Free parking. Open to all ages. Rain or shine.

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Sunday, September 6, 2026 - Sunday, September 27, 2026 • 12:30-3PM

Oracle Cards: Learn to Read or Have Them Read

835 Spring Hill Road, Staunton

Every Sunday in September, the Rainbow Frequency is offering private appointments at Art Hive where she teaches you to read Oracle Cards or, if you prefer, have your cards read for you.

Charlene is an encouraging, invigorating holistic medium, empath, and certified Reiki teaching master who approaches divination as a form of beautiful energy work.

Enjoy a custom, all-natural herbal tea blend from Charlene’s personal garden while journeying through your spread to map out a clear, visual path forward, clearing out old energy blockages and channeling insights from your higher consciousness, past lives, Akashic records, and spiritual sacred circle.

Reserve your private appointment: https://ur.link/the-rainbow-frequency-at-art-hive

Sunday, September 6, 2026 | 12:30 pm -3:00 pm
Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 12:30 pm -3:00 pm
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | 12:30 pm -3:00 pm
Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 12:30 pm -3:00 pm

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Thursday, September 10, 2026 • 7-8PM

It’s Bat Time on the Terrace at the Staunton Public Library

1 Churchville Ave., Staunton

Virginia’s bats are highly active as they prepare for winter!

Join Leslie Sturges of Bat Conservation & Rescue of Virginia at sunset to explore their seasonal journeys. We will use ultrasonic detectors to listen to and spot local bats in real time.

Weather permitting. All ages (Children must be accompanied by an adult)

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Friday, September 11, 2026 - Saturday, September 12, 2026

The Wayne Theater Presents the 16th Annual Virginia Chili, Blues & Brews Festival

Lumos Plaza Downtown Waynesboro

There’s nothing quite like festival season in Downtown Waynesboro!

Join thousands of guests on Saturday, September 12, for the 16th Annual Virginia Chili Blues & Brews Festival, presented by Wayne Theatre, featuring delicious chili, fantastic blues music, cold beverages, artisan vendors, and family-friendly fun.

Don’t miss the FREE Friday Night Kickoff on September 11 with live music around Downtown.

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Saturday, September 12, 2026 • 4-6PM

CoArt Featured Exhibition for September is The Art of Photography: Celebrating 200 Years of Photography

22 W Beverley Street Staunton

Ever since the first “heliograph” of the scene outside a window in Burgundy, France in 1826, photography has been a tool of science, technology, journalism, exploration, and arguably, art. By the early 20th century, the debate over whether photography was mere chemical documentation of reality or a fine art form had been settled by pioneers of the medium such as Stieglitz, Steichen, Weston and Adams. Photography was shown to demand artistic decisions about such things as composition, technique and emotion. Now, two hundred years from the beginning, artistic photography is a broad medium with a whole spectrum of genres, styles and applications.

Five artists at the CoArt Gallery use photography in entirely different ways to produce different results and feeling. A special Featured Artist show for September celebrates 200 years of photography will include the work of Michael Bedwell, Susan Bruney, Gail Haile, Alison Thomas, and Michael Ward.

Opening Reception
Saturday, September 12
4-6 p.m.

During the reception, each artist will discuss their process and inspiration and answer questions. 

 

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Monday, September 14, 2026 • 12-1PM

Brown Bag It and Learn About the Arcadia Through the Ages

20 S. New Street, Staunton

Curious about Arcadia Project? Learn about the history and future of this building on Monday, September 14 at noon in the second-floor conference room of the Smith Center for History and Art (20 South New Street). Bring your lunch, if you want!

Admission is free but reservations are requested.

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Friday, September 18, 2026 • 7PM

Three Notch’d Road Baroque – Cello Joy: Boccherini String Chamber Music

Three Notch’d Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble kicks off its 16th season with a program of string chamber music by Italian cello virtuoso Luigi Boccherini, whose Spanish-influenced style delights the ear and charms the heart.

Hailing from Lucca, Italy, Boccherini worked for the royal court of Madrid. The program will feature his exuberant string chamber music, including his cello quintet in E Major (G. 275), string trio in G Major (G. 108), and the programmatic cello quintet “Musica notturna delle strade de Madrid” (G. 324) with variations on Retirada.

With cellists René Schiffer and James Wilson, violinists Fiona Hughes and Matvey Lapin, and violist Caitlin Cribbs.

Discounted season tickets available online and at the first performance; youth/students free

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Saturday, September 19, 2026 - Sunday, September 20, 2026 • 11AM

Staunton African American Heritage Festival

Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton

The African-American Heritage & Multicultural Festival will be held September 19-20, 2026 at Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand in Staunton. The festival will feature a variety of food, arts and crafts, musicians, entertainers, and activities that showcase the diverse cultures found in our region.

Saturday’s schedule will include area bands and Sunday’s program will include a church service, gospel bands, and a cultural fashion show.

A partnership with Staunton City Schools and Waynesboro Public Schools will continue as the school divisions co-sponsor the festival to share and celebrate customs from students and families of various cultural backgrounds in their schools.

The City of Staunton, including Staunton Parks & Recreation, is a major sponsor of this event, providing the location, a financial contribution and event-day support for the festival.

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Sunday, September 20, 2026 • 1-2:15PM

Meet the Artist in Residence: Michael Clem at Queen City Music Studio

16 W Beverly Street, Staunton

A two-time Best of C-VILLE nominee (2022 & 2024), singer-songwriter Michael Clem is best known as a founding member, bassist, vocalist, and songwriter for the nationally touring folk-rock band Eddie from Ohio, where he spent 31 years building a devoted following and releasing nine independent albums. Now based in Charlottesville, Michael is an acclaimed solo performer, songwriter, and host of the long-running Monday Night Songwriter Night at The Local, as well as a songwriting instructor at The Front Porch. His latest album, Circus Brawl (2024), showcases his signature blend of heartfelt storytelling, dry wit, and roots-inspired music, spanning bluegrass, folk, and rock.

The first of the four weeks classes will begin on September 20^th and will be Song Ideas

Head on over to their website for more information on Michael and the additional classes being offered.

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Friday, September 25, 2026 - Saturday, September 26, 2026

Mischief Magic & Murder: Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre 2026

301 Greenville Avenue, Staunton

Get ready for an evening of suspense, suspicion and intrigue where every twist and turn leads closer to the truth… or does it?

Morris Slumpthorn is the renowned professor of arcane studies at Olde Staunton University of Witchcraft & Wizardry.

Professor Slumpthorn is on the verge of a major breakthrough. He has invited you and other esteemed guests to his home in Olde Staunton to dine with him as he reveals his latest discovery. But beware, all is not as it seems, and not all wizards should be trusted …{dun dun Dunn}

Event Details:

Your evening begins with a Potions (1/2) Hour:

Meet & greet other guests, take photos or pick up a specialty potion from the cash bar. Be sure to stay alert for hints and clues of any suspicious behavior from your host or fellow invitees.

Following Potions Hour dinner is served.

Enjoy a 3-course buffet style meal including salad, entrée & dessert.

As you dine, the mystery will unfold before your eyes. If you pay close attention you’ll find everything you need to put together the clues and solve a magical murder. You may even be called upon to assist magical law enforcement in identifying the killer!

Space is limited and the event was SOLD OUT in past years, so snag your tickets now before they disappear!

Enjoy the show!

Show Dates & Times:
Friday, September 25th
6:30 PM – Doors/Bar opens
7:00 PM – Show begins
Saturday, September 26th
4:00 PM – Doors/Bar opens
4:30 PM – Show begins
&
7:30 PM – Doors/Bar opens
8:00 PM – Show begins

*Ticket time indicates beginning of potions 1/2 hour. Curtain time is 30 minutes after ticket time.

Attire & Seating:

Guests are welcome to dress to impress in your favorite wizarding or non-magical finery (casual attire is welcome as well)

Seating will be on a first come first serve basis, other than groups who have purchased an entire 6 person table. Group purchased tables will be reserved and labeled with the last name of the party who purchased the table.

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased online at: https://mischiefmagicandmurder.simpletix.com/

ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE REQUIRED
Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Ticket includes an ORIGINAL, FAMILY FRIENDLY two-hour immersive murder mystery experience performed by professional actors, a delicious three-course meal!

Please bring a digital or printed copy of your ticket confirmation to present at check-in prior to your showtime.

*Discounted children’s tickets/meal available

**On-site event parking available

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Saturday, September 26, 2026 • 6-10PM

15 Year Anniversary Barn Bash

6107 Horse Farm Lane, Port Republic

Cross Keys Equine Therapy today is not the same organization that first began 15 years ago. Through the dedication of an incredible team and the expansion of services beyond equine therapy, Cross Keys has grown and strengthened its impact on the community.

Now it’s time to celebrate this milestone!

Join us as we celebrate 15 years of changing lives, reflect on how far we’ve come, and share our vision for the future. We look forward to celebrating with you and giving you a glimpse of the exciting years ahead.

Help us celebrate 15 years with BBQ by T’s Roarin’ BBQ, music & line dancing lessons by Hometown Line Dancing, wines for sale by Pour Decisions, beer cash bar, and a silent auction!

Doors open at 5:30 PM, and dinner will be served at 6:30 PM.

Tickets on sale through September 12th! Ticket price includes dinner & dancing!

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Tickets:
$20 pre-order
$25 at the door
Host a table for $140 (8-top table)*
*table is presale only

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Thursday, October 8, 2026 • 4-6PM

Talking Book Center – 45th Anniversary Celebration

1 Churchville Avenue, Staunton

Join us as we celebrate 45 years of providing accessible reading materials to our neighbors. The Talking Book Center provides free audio books and other library services and resources to persons who are blind, print disabled, or unable to use standard printed materials. If you or a loved one is struggling to read printed text, swing by the Talking Book Center and to check out what options are available. Light refreshments provided.

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