Harrisonburg is home to The Forbes Center of Performing Arts and many other venues and organizations that produce amazing shows throughout the year. The city also hosts a number of restaurants that consistently provide delicious meals for their patrons, many of which are located in Downtown Harrisonburg. This year, we hope you all grab tickets to support the productions put on by members of our communities, and artists taking the time to stop in Harrisonburg during their tours, while also supporting the many restaurants in Downtown Harrisonburg. To make it easier for you, here’s a list of some shows happening in Harrisonburg soon and restaurants you can pair with them.
High School Musical – HCPS Rock City Musical – Feb.12-16 at Harrisonburg High School
Harrisonburg and Rocktown High School are combining forces to put on a production of High School Musical from February 12 to 16. The hit Disney Channel Original Movie will come to life on the Harrisonburg High School stage as our local students transform into East High jocks, thespians, brainiacs, and more. This is a show the whole family can enjoy, which means your pre or post show dinner should also be something that appeals to all audiences.
Bella Luna Wood Fired Pizza is the perfect pairing for this show. They have specialty pizzas that anyone can enjoy, but if you prefer just a simple cheese pizza, they’ve got that for you too. They also have plenty of starters, salads, and pastas if you’re not feeling pizza. Make sure you save room for dessert or head across the street to Bella Gelato for a wide variety of sweet treats.
Friend Art – JMU students – Feb. 12-15 at JMU Forbes Center Studio Theater
The JMU School of Theater and Dance will be putting on a production of Friend Art from February 12 to 15. Friend Art is a play that asks how late is too late to give up on your dreams, when do you really become a grown-up, and what to say when walking out of a friend’s truly terrible performance. A show like this may best be seen with a longtime friend or an artist, making for a more reflective experience.
Pair this show with a dinner at Clementine Cafe, a restaurant that focuses not only on food, but also on music and art.
Time for Three – Grammy and Emmy winning ensemble – Feb. 14 at JMU Concert Hall
Time for Three is a Grammy and Emmy award winning ensemble that will be performing at the Forbes Center on February 14 at 7:30pm. Their extraordinary sound merges classical, Americana, modern pop, and singer-songwriter styles. With charismatic performances on major stages, TF3 continues to push creative boundaries, leaving audiences worldwide captivated.
If you’re going to see a show that blends genres together, you should pair it with a meal that also pushes boundaries. Mashita is a Korean restaurant that has its fair share of fusion recipes like their caramelized kimchi quesadilla, korean style burrito, kimchi aranchini, and their sweet chili-soy tofu. Enjoy a meal at Mashita before heading over to watch Time for Three.
The Lion King – ACT ONE program – Feb. 20–Mar. 2 at Court Square Theater
The ACT ONE program is putting on a production of Disney’s The Lion King from February 20 to March 2. We all know and love the story of Simba finding his way in the circle of life, while meeting friends along the way, and we’re excited to see our local students bring this show to life!
This is a show you’ll want to bring the whole family to and you can pair it with a meal from Capital Ale House. Located just a few steps away from the Court Square Theater, Capital Ale House’s menu has something for everyone. They have burgers, flatbreads, tacos, sandwiches, and various other entrees while also offering a kids menu for the little ones in your family. They’re also open late, so stop in before or after the performance to grab a nice, filling meal.
Big Fish – JMU School of Theatre and Dance – Feb. 25-Mar. 2 at JMU Mainstage Theatre
From February 25 to March 2, the JMU School of Theatre and Dance will be performing Big Fish on the Mainstage Theatre. Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest. Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him—most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. Overflowing with heart and humor, Big Fish is an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre—for an experience that’s richer, funnier, and bigger than life itself.
While the show itself isn’t necessarily about fish, we couldn’t miss the chance to recommend a nice sushi dinner for this night out! Pair Big Fish with Beyond, an Asian-fusion restaurant that offers great sushi and cocktails.
The Vanishing Elephant – Cahoots NI – Mar. 7 at JMU Mainstage Theatre
Cahoots NI, a theater company based in Northern Ireland, is bringing their production of The Vanishing Elephant to the Forbes Center for their 2025 USA Tour on March 7 at 6:30pm! Inspired by true events, The Vanishing Elephant, an incredible story of resilience and friendship, comes to life through large-scale puppetry, illusion, and magic. Jenny, a young elephant in India, is full of curiosity and wonder. Sadly, one day, her life changes when she is captured, separated from her family, and eventually taken to America to join a circus. She must learn the ways of humans who can be cruel, but she befriends a young boy named Opu. Her special bond with Opu is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents, but despite the time and distance, Jenny never forgets her forever friend. Years later when Opu is an old man, their paths cross once again in an unexpected encounter with the world-famous magician Harry Houdini in New York City. Their life-long friendship is rekindled in a magical way when Jenny makes history as The Vanishing Elephant.
Since Jenny starts her journey in India, you should start your night with dinner from Taj of India. You’ll be able to find authentic Indian cuisine at Taj of India that offers options for everyone, including our vegans and vegetarians of downtown.
Houston Ballet II – Mar. 25-26 at Mainstage Theater
You won’t want to miss this amazing evening of dance from Houston Ballet II, the second company of Houston Ballet, America’s fifth largest ballet company. Comprised of a stellar array of young dancers from around the world, this magical evening will feature The Sleeping Beauty Act III (1890), staging by Ben Stevenson after Marius Petipa with music by Tchaikovsky, the Grand Pas de Deux from Don Quixote, Act III, and A Dance in the Garden of Mirth, with choreography by Stanton Welch, the acclaimed Artistic Director of Houston Ballet.
For an elegant performance like the ballet, you should have an elegant dinner as well. Stop by the Joshua Wilton House and indulge in a night of fine dining while also grabbing a drink from their extensive list of wine and spirits.
New Voices in Dance 2025 – JMU’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble – April 11-13
New Voices in Dance will feature JMU’s Contemporary Dance Ensemble, which is comprised of sophomore to senior JMU dance majors. This concert will highlight original choreography by five JMU dance majors and an inspiring piece choreographed by Doug Varone, who has been creating incredible works for over 30 years.
After a night of watching the future of the dance industry, head to The Golden Pony to dance yourself. Enjoy the live music and DJs, while also making sure to grab some of their bar bites like burgers, pizza, and sandwiches.
Additional Upcoming Shows in Harrisonburg
Sculpted – Dance Show – Feb.15 at Court Square Theater
The Steel Wheels w/ Driftwood – Music artists – Feb. 22 at JMU Wilson Hall
Caleb Bailey & Paine’s Run – Court Square Theater BlueGrass Series – Mar. 8 at Court Square Theater
On the Breath of God: The Life of Maria Skobtsova – EMU Theater – Mar. 28-April 5 at EMU Main Stage
There are many more shows that will be making their way to Harrisonburg this year, so keep checking in with The Forbes Center to make sure you don’t miss a show you’d be interested in seeing. You can also make you own dinner and show plans by heading to our Downtown Directory when making plans to see a show anytime this year. While you’re here, check out our Events Calendar for more information on all of the events happening Downtown every week.