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Downtown News

HDR Events You Won’t Want to Miss in 2025

January 17, 2025 by Lauryn Moore

Happy new year Downtown Harrisonburg! HDR can’t wait to spend another year supporting the downtown community and continuing to build a vibrant, beautiful future for Downtown Harrisonburg. Every year we work to put on various events that keep people engaged with our work and visiting Downtown Harrisonburg. Before the year gets busy, we wanted to give you the lowdown on the annual events we’ll be hosting this 2025 that you surely won’t want to miss. Find out more about these events down below and click the links attached to go to the event page!  more

Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday Roundup

November 13, 2024 by AnnMarie Hall

Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful holiday filled with food and love, but it can also be a stressful time between cooking and cleaning and hosting family and friends. But, downtown is here to make your life a little bit easier this season! Some downtown restaurants will be open for festive dinners on Thanksgiving Day, and some are preparing to take pre-orders for pick-up. With Thanksgiving also comes Black Friday, and there will be some amazing sales going on in the stores downtown that you won’t want to miss! Find out more about the Thanksgiving and Black Friday events/specials below. more

Open for Business: Downtown Harrisonburg Guide for Family Weekend, International Festival & More!

September 20, 2024 by Emily Winter

Harrisonburg will be bustling on Saturday, September 28, 2024, during JMU Family Weekend, the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, and the Harrisonburg International Festival. You can find local foods and goods, explore boutiques, enjoy the festival or just have a great meal out. Downtown is ready to welcome you! more

JMU’s Lifelong Learning Institute: Combatting the Loneliness in Downtown Harrisonburg & Beyond

August 8, 2024 by Emily Winter

With loneliness and isolation reaching levels of epidemic proportions across the United States, many organizations have taken notice. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Main Streets across the globe, people are working to band together to help members of their communities forge new and meaningful relationships. One such organization combatting loneliness in downtown Harrisonburg and beyond is James Madison University’s Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) - an organization that encourages people around retirement age to become more engaged in their community through a variety of events and programs. more

This Month’s Ticketed Events – April 2024

April 6, 2024 by Haley Thomas

Wondering what upcoming downtown events you need a ticket for? Look no further. more

Friendly Faces of the Friendly City: Charles Hendricks of The Gaines Group Architects

April 3, 2024 by Meghan Johnson

Welcome to the Friendly Faces of The Friendly City! In celebration of Architecture Week April 14 - 20, today's interview is with Charles Hendricks, Principal Architect, Sustainability Director, Marketing Director, and Business Manager of The Gaines Group Architects located here in downtown Harrisonburg. more

Dinner and a Show

October 13, 2023 by Maggie Ronan

With the Forbes Center of Preforming Arts and Downtown Harrisonburg being only a 5-minute drive apart, it only makes sense to elevate your night with both dinner and a show. This year, enjoy a wide variety of talented performances hosted by James Madison University and indulge in some of Downtown Harrisonburg’s best restaurants. more

Friendly Faces of the Friendly City — Dawn Davis Womack of X2 Comedy

July 14, 2023 by Haley Thomas

They say laughter is the best medicine, and Dawn Davis Womack is healing the Friendly City.  Davis Womack is the founder of X2 Comedy, the host of the Virginia is for Laughers podcast and an iconic face of local stand-up comedy. Having lived in the Valley for 17 years, Davis Womack said her goal has always been to unite the community while spreading laughter. more

Decades of Flavor: 20 Years of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Celebrated at the Downtown Dinner Party

June 15, 2023 by Sarah Golibart Gorman

Nestled within the vibrant Turner Pavilion, a space usually reserved for Harrisonburg’s bustling weekly Farmer's Market, a remarkable transformation occurred. Instead of rows of fresh vegetables and tempting local treats, an array of global flavors emerged, courtesy of Harrisonburg's finest local restaurants. Since its inception in 2018, Harrisonburg Virginia’s Downtown Dinner Party has become a cherished tradition, captivating the palates of locals and visitors alike. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR), it's only fitting to honor this milestone with an unforgettable evening filled with delicious delights. more

Compliments to the Chefs: Taste of Downtown 2023 Recap

April 24, 2023 by Annette Williams

This Taste of Downtown Recap highlights some faces around Downtown Harrisonburg with a personal flare! We are so thankful for the participants, whether they are businesses downtown, people of Harrisonburg, sponsors, or anyone who contributed to this fantastic month of community! more