Summer Fun Guide to Harrisonburg

Home » What's New » Summer Fun Guide to Harrisonburg

Car

Air

Train

Meetings & Travel Trade

Weddings

Deals & Specials

Press Room

Film Industry

Contact Us

International Visitors

Car

Air

Train

Meetings & Travel Trade

Weddings

Deals & Specials

Press Room

Film Industry

Contact Us

International Visitors

So what is there to do in Harrisonburg this summer? A better question might be, “What can’t you do?”

And one of the highlights, says Tourism and Visitor Services Manager Brenda Black, “is the chance to “win BIG in our Friendly City Fortune on July 4th.”

In this purse-busting raffle, $250,000 in cash and prizes were given away at Turner Pavilion. From 1:00 to 5:00 on the fourth, a prize was drawn every five minutes.  The list of prizes includes cash amounts between $1,000 and $30,000, a seven-day Caribbean Cruise, and several 2017 cars, jeeps and trucks. Proceeds will benefit Downtown Harrisonburg beautification projects, community-building initiatives, and business assistance programs. Learn more and buy tickets. 

Here’s a quick look at what’s on the calendar the rest of the summer:

Events

Summer Jam at Massanutten—July 3rd, Fireworks, wine and live music (including greatest hits of Fleetwood Mac!)

Valley Fourth *—Starting at 8:00 a.m. and running until 9:30 p.m., Downtown Harrisonburg’s Independence Day festival includes: a 5k run, public reading of the Declaration of Independence, kids activities, an art market, local craft vendors, food trucks, a craft beer garden, live music, and fireworks.

Valley 4th Run—The Valley 4th Run is the only chipped timing race in the Shenandoah Valley that lets you pick your distance and pick your charity. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to run/walk/roll through the streets of downtown Harrisonburg on the greatest holiday of the year.

Virginia Quilt Museum Exhibit Phase II—Running through August 26th, the museum hosts a variety of hard-to-find exhibits on the art of quilt making, including some examples 100 years old or more.

Green Valley Book Fair—Summer dates are June 24-July 17 and August 12-September 4. Find 30,000 discounted books in this unique outlet just south of Harrisonburg.  Call 800-385-0099.

Wands and Wine—July 26th, by White Oak Lavender Farm and the Purple Wolf Vineyard.   Learn the art of making a lavender wand and enjoy a local wine at the same time.

Rocktown Bites—Every Saturday through September 2nd.  Guided, 2.5- hour tours of Downtown’s restaurants and food shops. Sample local beers and wine, too.

Run, Sweat and Beers–Brothers Craft Brewing takes Happy Hour to the next level on the fourth Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Choose from 1 mile, 3 mile, and 5 mile options – then cool off with your favorite beer.

Hispanic Festival — August 6th at Smithfield Road Soccer Complex. Celebrate Hispanic food, culture and music.

Wine Festival  — August 6th at Sunny Slope Farm (540-830-5400).

Rockingham County Fair   This year’s theme—“Our Roots Run Deep”—is celebrated August 14-19. See livestock shows, tractor pulls, pageants, concerts, a demolition derby and numerous other delights at a state-of-the-art county fair.

 Liquid Assets

The food and drink scene in Harrisonburg will satisfy the most discriminating palate. Taste award-winning Virginia wines or have a friendly beer at:

Capital Ale House  

CrossKeys Vineyards

Shenandoah Beerwerks— (Four of the  13 breweries on this trail of happiness are in Harrisonburg—the Pale Fire Brewing Company, Three Notch’d Brewing Company, and Wolfe Street Brewing.

Entertainment/Exploration

Beyond the “events” scene lie numerous options to shop, see performances, and find outdoor challenges. A few to consider:

Court Square Theater  

Dayton Market 

House of Clues Escape Games

The Heritage Museum 

Massanutten Adventures

Outdoor Adventure Experiences 

Showalter’s Orchard and Greenhouse 

Wild Guyde Adventures 

Find out about Harrisonburg’s abundant lodging options and even more.

*For all listed links to Harrisonburg’s calendar, scroll until you find the event’s date.

Photo courtesy Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitor Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X