Sep 22 Tuesday
Death Over Drafts is an evening of community, connection, and casual conversation about death. But don’t worry, this isn’t a gloomy affair. We’re here to celebrate the full cycle of life.
Participants are invited to gather in small groups and discuss thought-provoking questions selected by our team of Death Doulas. This is not a lecture; this is a discussion. Together, we’ll create a comfortable space to share stories and make it easier to talk about this inevitable chapter.
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Must arrive by 5:45pm to be seated)Location: Kardinal Hall, 722 Preston Ave, CharlottesvillePrice: Admission is free. Drinks are up to you.
Leading the discussion is Beth Eck, the Director of End-of-Life Doula Services at Hospice of the Piedmont. Everyone’s welcome! So grab a pint, share in some good conversation, and let’s toast to living, dying, and everything in between!
Please note: This is not a Grief Support Group. If you are grieving and seeking help, please visit our Grief and Healing page for upcoming support groups and other resources.
Sep 23 Wednesday
What does 1776 mean to us in 2026? That’s the question historians Frank Cogliano, Nadine Zimmerli, and Nick Guyatt discuss in Highland’s final 250 Book Series program on September 23rd from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. You won’t want to miss perspectives on some of the pressing issues that these and other contributors address in the essay collection The American Revolution at 250: Twenty-Four Historians Reflect on the Founding. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is requested using the link on our website.
Sep 24 Thursday
Presented by Rocktown History, Fort Harrison, and the Virginia Quilt Museum at Silver Lake Mill, the Heirloom Markets take place on the fourth Thursday of each month, June through September, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The markets include locally grown vegetables, fruits, flowers, artisan-made goods, baked items, food vendors, and demonstrations related to Shenandoah Valley history and traditions.
All three locations will be open on each date with unique vendors at each:
Fort Harrison 335 S. Main St., Dayton
Virginia Quilt Museum at Silver Lake Mill2328 Silver Lake Rd., Dayton
Rocktown History382 High St., Dayton
Visitors may attend at all three sites during the event. More information, including market dates and vendors, is available at rocktownhistory.org/heirloommarkets or by emailing info@HeirloomMarketsDaytonVA.org.
Sep 25 Friday
Join us on Friday, September 25, 2026, at On Sunny Slope Farm for an inspiring evening celebrating the power of human potential and community transformation.
The Awaken Human Brilliance Gala is more than a fundraiser—it is a celebration of the resilience, creativity, and dignity that exists within every person. At Our Community Place, we believe that by awakening human brilliance, individuals can become their best selves, and when individuals thrive, communities thrive.
Guests will enjoy an evening of fellowship, delicious food, moving stories of hope and transformation, and opportunities to invest in life-changing programs that provide housing support, nutritious meals, employment pathways, and meaningful connections for our neighbors facing adversity.
Whether you attend, sponsor, or invite others to join you, your support helps create a community where every person is valued and given the opportunity to flourish.
Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Partner with us as we celebrate the brilliance within every individual and build a stronger, more compassionate Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
Save the date and join us for an unforgettable evening of hope, dignity, and community.
The Studio Big Band (Matthew Niess, director) celebrates the timeless music and unmistakable swing of Count Basie. From blues-driven grooves to explosive shout choruses, this concert highlights the elegance, power and rhythmic drive that made the Basie Orchestra one of the most influential big bands in jazz history. Enjoy an evening of classic swing, soulful solos and the enduring sound of Basie.
Sep 26 Saturday
Come join us for our sixth John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival. This music and cultural heritage festival honors Woodville Virginia native John Jackson, recipient of the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award in 1986. There will be live music all day as well as historical displays. Enjoy a day of great music, family and friends in beautiful Rappahannock County.
Scheduled to perform, final order TBD:Erin Harpe Country Blues DuoFrank FotuskyJoe HerrmannThe PiedmonstersJunior Appalachian MusiciansBobby G and The HeaviesMike ParkerAristotle Jones
Named 'Best Group/Duo’ by the International Acoustic Music Awards, Ryanhood has spent more than 20 years engaging crowds with highly energetic, powerfully genuine performances. Having shared stages with Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Train, Lifehouse and many more, Ryanhood's sound threads folk, rock and pop together with virtuosic guitar work and inquisitive lyrics.
Now in its fifth year, Beats on the Bend has become an annual tradition bringing people together to celebrate the natural beauty of Seven Bends State Park. The event encourages people of all ages to experience the park and discover opportunities for recreation, volunteerism, stewardship, and community engagement. This year’s event will celebrate National Public Lands Day, an annual observance recognizing the importance of America’s public lands and the people who enjoy, protect, and care for them.
In addition to live music from Taylor LaFever and the Fever Project, attendees can enjoy food and refreshments from local vendors, including Rutz BBQ and Sugar Creek Snowy & Sweet Ice Cream.
Visitors will also have opportunities to learn more about the Friends of Seven Bends State Park and its work supporting the park.
Start your day with a hike before the music! Register for a hike here
Oct 02 Friday
The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale is an annual, all volunteer event that raises money for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). The 2 day event includes an auction of quilts, woodwork, handmade items, and more. A wide variety of homemade food is also a highlight for many people.
Award winning singer-songwriter Danny Schmidt returns to the Grill! Come join us for an amazing up close show full of soul & storytelling!
Named to the Chicago Tribune’s list of the “50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years,” Austin, TX-based singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt has amassed a cult following for his poetic, poignant lyrics. With a craftsmanship and emotional depth drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt, Schmidt is considered a preeminent writer. Sing Out Magazine proclaimed that: “Schmidt is a force of nature: a blue moon, a hundred-year flood, an avalanche of a singer-songwriter. His songs are a flood of poetry, mythology, folk wisdom, and surprise. He is perhaps the best new songwriter we’ve heard in the last 15 years.”
Sandwiches and Down Home Plates Available!
Opening Act: Rachel Austin
TRAIN: Drops of Jupiter Tour — Live in Harrisonburg!
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music as TRAIN brings the Drops of Jupiter Tour to Harrisonburg, VA, on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Atlantic Union Bank Center!
Sing along to the songs that have defined generations, including “Drops of Jupiter,” “Hey, Soul Sister,” “Drive By,” and more as TRAIN takes the stage for a night packed with hits. Kicking off the night is Nashville-based Moon Taxi, bringing their high-energy sound to the AUBC stage.
An electric night of live music you won’t want to miss. Tickets are on sale now at AtlanticUnionBankCenter.com.
Oct 03 Saturday
Oct 09 Friday
Flow into fall with 🌊 C U R R E N T S 🌊A dance show of original choreography performed by local artists, ~c u r r e n t s~ features the joy of movement and welcomes audiences of all ages! Shows run around 80 minutes (with a 15-minute intermission) and there are four days/times to choose from, including a pay-what-you-will Sunday matinee.Get your advanced tickets today!Oct 9 @ 7pmOct 10 @ 3pm & 7pmOct 11 @ 3pm
Oct 10 Saturday
Join us on the slopes of Massanutten Resort for Fall Festival 2026 to highlight the beautiful Shenandoah Valley with local musicians, food trucks, scenic chairlift rides and artisans.
Tickets:
Advance | Through Oct. 9th | $11.79
At the Gate | $20
Children 6 & Under | Free
Chairlift Rides | $7 | Limited vouchers will be available for sale at the gate or in advance at the Concierge Desk, The Market, or the General Store thru October 9th. The chairlift ride will sell out for the day and vouchers will be sold on a first come, first served basis. Admission to Fall Festival does not guarantee admission to the scenic chairlift ride.
Band Line Up:
The Six Piece Suits | 4:30 – 6:00 PM
The Judy Chops | 2:15 – 3:45 PM
Spilling Dew | 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Food Vendors:
Base Camp, and more coming soon!
Artisan Vendors:
Coming soon!
Kids Activities:
Featuring yard games including Big Jenga, Big Connect 4, cornhole, and more!
CaveSim
Amazingly realistic caves, in a mobile version! CaveSim is an educational experience that makes learning effortless and fun. Look down! What's under your feet? Awesome caves! Come crawl and climb through CaveSim to learn about caves and test your careful-explorer skills. Try not to hit the delicate formations as you explore 150 feet of artificial cave passage. A computer tracks each artificial formation that you hit so you can see your damage and me when you finish caving. But that's not all! Try your hand at vertical caving on a 12 foot tower. Get hands-on practice with cave rescue equipment, including a rescue stretcher and cave rescue phones. See how tight a space you can fit through with our squeezebox. CaveSim is good clean fun for everyone in your family.
Find more info and get your tickets here!
Join us for an inspiring evening of upcycled fashion and wearable art, benefiting American Shakespeare Center's sustainability initiatives.
Step into an unforgettable evening where creativity, sustainability, and community come together in a celebration of transformation.
The Reimagined Runway showcases original wearable art created from reclaimed, thrifted, vintage, and repurposed materials by designers of all experience levels. Everyday pieces, one-of-a-kind art looks, and costumes will walk the Runway - and most will be for sale. Each piece tells a story of imagination, renewal, and seeing beauty where others might not.
Explore a marketplace of local artists and makers, enjoy live poetry and special performances, and experience a runway unlike any you've seen before. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, love the arts, or simply want a memorable night out, you'll leave seeing both clothing and possibility through a new lens.
Every ticket supports the American Shakespeare Center and Shenandoah Green in their sustainability initiatives, while celebrating the power of reinvention.
Come curious. Leave inspired.
Oct 11 Sunday
Celebrate the beauty of fall with a fun-filled day at Camp Horizons! Our annual Fall Festival is a free, family-friendly event open to the community, perfect for all ages. Spend the day exploring camp while enjoying a wide variety of seasonal activities. From games and crafts to archery, a petting zoo, and pony rides, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You can also browse our vendor fair, connect with local businesses, and soak in the festive atmosphere. Come hungry! A selection of delicious hot food and treats will be available for purchase throughout the day. Whether you stay for an hour or the whole afternoon, it’s the perfect way to enjoy fall with family and friends at Camp Horizons. We can’t wait to see you there!
Oct 16 Friday
A Film Festival by Activists for Activists
SYRCL’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival inspires environmental activism and a love for nature–through film. Wild & Scenic shares an urgent call to action, encouraging festival-goers to learn more about what they can do to save our threatened planet.
This is the 5th year of the Living Earth School hosting this amazing film festival in Charlottesville. Join us to celebrate the wonder of nature and the connections it brings. Our program this year features incredible films hand-selected by us, so we can guarantee they’ll inspire you like they inspired us. The films you’ll see are adventurous documentaries and short films on nature. Our theme for the films we chose was Earth Care, People Care. The films will inspire, educate, and move you to tears. Tears of joy and sadness. Come be a part of connecting with nature and a community of like-minded individuals who are committed to making our world a better place for all, nature included.
All proceeds from the event support our mission to nurture and deepen our relationships with nature, ourselves, and our communities — simply stated as: Earth Care, People Care.
Join us at the Light House Studio at Vinegar Hill Theater for an evening of community connection and inspiration! Food vendors starting at 5:30 pm, community partners, and an online auction before the films start rolling at 7 pm.