Each year, HDR hosts annual festivals and social events that celebrate the spirit of the Friendly City and welcome thousands of residents and visitors downtown.
Looking for weekly specials, happy hours, and social events? We update our online events calendar daily.
Interested in supporting HDR’s annual events? Find more information in our sponsorship packet and stay up to date on our volunteer opportunities.
Winter | Downtown Harrisonburg
Each winter, we bring our most ardent supporters together for a night of thanks and celebration.
February | Court Square Theater
This isn't your grandma's bingo! Bingo is Life GOES BIG is an amped-up version of the popular weekly game show at Ruby's Arcade, but features new games, bigger prizes, surprise performances and guaranteed laughs for the whole family.
Check out last year's prize list and stay tuned for future event dates.
March | Downtown Restaurant Month
During this month-long event, restaurants in Virginia’s first culinary district showcase their talent and creativity by serving up fresh, innovative menus, daily specials and one-of-a-kind restaurant collaborations. With over 40 restaurants and breweries, food enthusiasts are sure to make this an annual tradition.
April | Turner Pavilion & Park
Every year, over 3,000 people come together to celebrate good beer, good living and great community at the Rocktown Beer & Music Festival. With 60+ beers to sample, even savvy craft beer fans will find something to get excited about.
May | Turner Pavilion & Park
Downtown Dinner Party is an inspired celebration of the Valley’s love for downtown Harrisonburg and our culinary stars. Highlighting the exceptional array of restaurants in Virginia’s first Culinary District, the Dinner Party invites you to mix and mingle, enjoy more than a dozen delicious tasting stations, sip local beer and wine, bid in a live auction featuring unique local experiences you won’t find anywhere else, and join in the best outdoor dance party around.
Relive the memories with this incredible recap video from Wild Heart Films.
July 4 | Turner Pavilion & Park
Downtown Harrisonburg is the best place to celebrate Independence Day! Visitors and locals alike join us year-after-year to enjoy live music, food trucks, unique kids’ activities, local craft beer, and, of course, the best fireworks display in the Valley.
New name, new time, same great 4th of July! For more information, visit www.friendlycityfourth.com
Summer 2021 | Live-streamed on FriendlyCityFortune.com
Voted Best Fundraiser by the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Friendly City Fortune has changed the game for fundraising in Harrisonburg. We raffle off $250,000 in cash and prizes to 49 winners from throughout the Valley and beyond.
Check out the prize list for 2021 at friendlycityfortune.com
August | Downtown Harrisonburg
As part of JMU’s 1787 Orientation, Block Party welcomes thousands of incoming freshman to downtown Harrisonburg. Students walk from campus to Court Square— led by the award-winning Marching Royal Dukes, Harrisonburg’s Mayor, and the university President— to sample the best of downtown’s restaurants and retailers. It's our way to give a Friendly City welcome to our newest residents!
Learn more about Block Party at www.downtownharrisonburg.org/block-party
Labor Day Weekend | Downtown Harrisonburg
HDR is planning a three-day, Labor Day event downtown called Best. Weekend. Ever. The main event on Saturday will have a variety of activities and entertainment spread throughout the district from noon – 9 PM. This will be a family-friendly event with fun things planned for all ages.
Learn more at bestweekendever.org.
October | Downtown Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg’s pre-Halloween party! Activities kick off with trick-or-treating at downtown businesses and culminates with a fun all-ages party at the Turner Pavilion & Park. The festival features kid, dog, and adult costume contests; arts and crafts activities; food trucks; a DJ dance party; a light show; a spider maze, and even more surprises!
For more info, visit www.skeletonfestival.com
November | Downtown Harrisonburg
Each November, our community lines Main Street to honor the veterans who have served our nation in war and peacetime. Veterans groups and community members are invited to participate in the parade and show their support during one of our most meaningful events of the year.
Learn more at www.downtownharrisonburg.org/veterans-parade
Fall | Location TBA
Celebration & Reception is a night celebrating the year’s accomplishments and honors the people who support downtown by investing their time, talent and money.
We host this event for our Friends of Downtown donors, sponsors, award winners and partners. Check out sponsorship opportunities for Celebration & Reception.
December | Downtown Harrisonburg
HDR partners with the Friendly City Merchants to make the holidays magical. We offer gift ideas and events to create meaningful memories with family and friends. Winter Wonderfest includes photos with Santa, a holiday art market, Christmas carolers, the Holiday Gift Guide, and the ever-popular Cookie Tour.