Join us for a fun series of Meet Ups events designed to help you connect with new people in a laid-back atmosphere. At least twice a month, we’ll gather at different downtown destinations to enjoy great conversation and friendly vibes.
Whether you’re looking to make new friends or just want to enjoy a change of pace, these events are all about connecting with the people around you while exploring what downtown has to offer. Registration and schedule details will be updated below. Please RSVP to help our business community plan and help us update you about any changes to the program.
We are now on Facebook & MeetUp.com!
Want to reconnect with a friend you made at a Harrisonburg Meet Up?
Want an easy way to stay in the loop about future events?
Join our Harrisonburg Meet Up Facebook Group and MeetUp.com Group below!
Interested in Volunteering as a Meet Up Host?
Interested in being the welcome party for our Harrisonburg Meet Up participants? Share your love of Downtown Harrisonburg and meet new people by serving as a volunteer host during an upcoming event.
Are you interested in hosting an event as a Meet Up venue? Please email hdr@harrisonburgva.gov. At this time, we are only accepting venues located in Downtown Harrisonburg.
HARRISONBURG MEET UP SCHEDULE
We will plan to host at least two Meet Ups a month at different venues in Downtown Harrisonburg, rotating days of the week and times to make it accessible to as many people as possible. We also plan to host additional Meet Ups during HDR’s major public festivals and events. See the list of dates below and stay tuned for specific times and venue information as details are confirmed.
Morning & Afternoon Event Dates
- Tuesday, April 8
- Wednesday, May 14
- Thursday, June 12
- Tuesday, July 8
- Wednesday, August 13
- Thursday, September 11
- Tuesday, October 14
- Wednesday, November 12
- Thursday, December 11
Happy Hour & Evening Event Dates
- Wednesday, April 23
- Thursday, May 22
- Tuesday, July 24
- Wednesday, July 23
- Thursday, August 28
- Tuesday, September 23
- Wednesday, October 22
- Thursday, November 20
- Thursday, December 11
Festival Event Dates
- Best.Weekend.Ever. – Saturday, June 14
- Skeleton Festival – Saturday, October 25
- Winter Wonderfest – Saturday, December 6
Levitt AMP Hburg Concert Dates
- Wednesday, June 25
- Saturday, July 5 (followed by Independence Day Fireworks)
- Wednesday, July 9
- Wednesday, July 16,
- Wednesday, July 30
- Wednesday, August 6
- Wednesday, August 13
- Wednesday, August 20
- Wednesday, September 3
- Wednesday, September 10
UPCOMING EVENTS
What to Expect
Start your morning by meeting new people and exploring the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, now open on Tuesdays from April – Thanksgiving! Attendees can enjoy free coffee and donuts from BMC Bakes while exploring the many artisans and vendors. We will be mingling under the Turner Pavilion, attednees are invited to explore the vendors together or grab a seat and get chatting!
Location & Parking
Harrisonburg Farmers Market, 228 S. Liberty St., Harrisonburg VA, 22801
Recommended Parking: Parking is available in the parking lot immediately next to the Turner Pavilion.
Tuesday, April 8
Harrisonburg Farmers Market
PAST EVENTS
What to Expect
Help us kick off Taste of Downtown Month and our new Harrisonburg Meet Up event series at Hotel Madison! Enjoy great food, conversation, and friendly vibes with members of your community in a laid-back atmosphere. Some free appetizers will be provided; additional food and drink available for purchase at Quill’s Lobby Bar and Monty’s.
We will be trying out a very laid-back approach with our first Meet Up event. Expect open conversation and maybe a few optional icebreakers and games if conversations get stale.
Location & Parking
Hotel Madison, 710 S Main St Ste 149, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Meet the group in the Lobby.
Recommended Parking: Mason Street parking deck. There are two entrances. From Martin Luther King, turn right on to South Mason Street, and take the first right after the intersection. We recommend parking on the second floor of the parking deck in designated Hotel Madison Overflow parking spots. JMU does not ticket this lot after 5PM.
Food & Specials
Some light apps will be provided. Additional food and drinks available for purchase at Quill’s and Monty’s.
Want more? Come back this March to try the Taste of Downtown special Fried Chicken Banh Mi with pickled onion, carrot, jalapeño, cilantro, and apricot gochujang aioli on a baguette and served with fries for $16- Available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings along with Live Music in the hotel lobby bar starting first Saturday in March and continuing every Friday and Saturday for the rest of the month, and Monday Night Trivia hosted in Monty’s Restaurant on March 17th from 7-8:30pm.
Tuesday, March 4, 6-8pm
Hotel Madison
What to Expect
Take a mid-afternoon coffee break or grab lunch with us at Broad Porch Coffee. This shop’s new location on Court Square is perfect to chat and connect with other community members. If the weather is nice, we will also be able to enjoy the outdoor patio space!
We will be using a laid-back approach with this Meet Up event with a low-key game to get people chatting. Expect open conversation and an optional icebreaker where you can collect stickers on your coffee cup to be entered into the afternoon’s door prize of Downtown Dollars.
Location & Parking
Location: Broad Porch Coffee: 47 Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, meet the group on the outdoor patio or inside (look for the red Downtown Harrisonburg flag).
Recommended Parking: Plentiful free parking is available downtown with the closest parking deck being Water Street Parking Deck (154 S Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801). Street parking is also available nearby on Libert Street and in the Liberty Park Lot (162 N Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802).
View the interactive downtown parking map here – https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f1718e0d202b4bc5a6beaadfaa80e870/
Food & Specials
Promotion: Mention you’re here for the Meet Up and enjoy $1 off your coffee or tea!
Taste of Downtown Specials for Broad Porch
- Marie Vert – Vermouth topped with spiced house green juice (part of The Bloody Mary Bash)
Tuesday, March 11 from 12-2pm
Broad Porch Coffee
What to Expect
Check out TWO Liberty Street culinary destinations and make new connections with this Harrisonburg Meet Up event. Meet the group at Aristocat Cafe from 5-6pm to enjoy a late afternoon pick-me up from Aristocat’s extensive tea and coffee menu and opt to enjoy a 30-minute cat room visit for $10. The group will then head next door to Mashita to check out Happy Hour specials or its Taste of Downtown Sampler – a selection of popular menu items at a reduced cost. Don’t forget to check out the free arcade games near the bar!
We will be trying out a more structured approach with this Meet Up event. Event guides will help facilitate the group moving to these two locations. Plan for open conversation around activities and food with maybe a few optional icebreakers and games if conversations get stale.
Location & Parking
Aristocat Cafe – 111 N Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Mashita – 105 N Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Recommended Parking: Plentiful free parking is available downtown with the closest parking deck being Water Street Parking Deck (154 S Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801). Street parking is also available nearby on Libert Street and in the Liberty Park Lot (162 N Liberty St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802).
View the interactive downtown parking map here – https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f1718e0d202b4bc5a6beaadfaa80e870/
Food & Specials
Food and drinks will be evailable for purchase at an additional cost at the venues. Try these Taste of Downtown specials:
- Aristocat Cafe
- Cat’s Whiskers Mock tail- inspired by Old Fashioned
- LTO macron cookie
- Mashita
- Taste of Downtown Sampler – try a selection of popular menu items at a reduced cost
Thursday, March 20 from 4-6pm
Aristocat Cafe & Mashita
What to Expect
Close out Taste of Downtown Month with a tasty lunch special and friendly conversation at The Little Grill! Look for us at the tables near the red Downtown Harrisonburg flag and spend an afternoon chatting with new friends. We will have more information about future Harrisonburg Meet Ups and how you can get involved throughout year!
We will be using a laid-back approach with this Meet Up event with a low-key game to get people chatting. Expect open conversation and an optional icebreaker where you can collect stickers on your name tag to be entered into the afternoon’s door prize of Downtown Dollars.
Location & Parking
Location: The Little Grill, 621 N Main St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Recommended Parking: Street Parking is available immediately in front of the building on both sides of Main St. Attendees are also welcome to park in Rose’s Parking Lot on Main St. See this webpage for more parking details and maps – https://www.thelittlegrill.com/parking
Food & Specials
Along with favorite breakfast and lunch menu options, you can also use this chance to try March’s specials including a Matcha Latte, Feta, Kale, Onions, & Roasted Root Vegetables Omlette, Herbal Berry Tea Lemonade, and Matcha Buttermilk Pancakes. Mention that you are with the Harrisonburg Meet Up and get a FREE Ginger Lemonade with your meal.