Winter is one of the most rewarding times to experience the Shenandoah Valley’s arts and culture. From orchestral concerts and Shakespearean theater to contemporary gallery exhibitions, January and February 2026 offer a rich lineup of indoor experiences across the region. Historic downtowns, university performance halls, and community venues come alive during the colder months, making winter an ideal season for a culture-focused getaway.
Forbes Center for the Performing Arts in Harrisonburg presents one of the Valley’s most robust winter schedules at James Madison University. January and February 2026 highlights including The Steel Wheels and The Lone Bellow on January 24, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with violinist Stella Chen on January 30, JMU Opera Theatre’s Dialogues of the Carmelites from February 6–8, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir on February 8, and Celtic ensemble Solass on February 12, alongside jazz concerts, percussion performances, and student dance showcases throughout the season.
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester offers rotating winter exhibitions and its popular Art in the Halls series throughout January and February 2026. The exhibition World Viewing remains on view through January 11, after which new gallery installations transition in later winter, giving visitors an evolving mix of fine art, regional history, and decorative arts in one of Winchester’s premier cultural institutions.
Lenfest Center for the Arts in Lexington, located at Washington and Lee University, anchors the winter arts scene in the southern Shenandoah Valley with both gallery exhibitions and performing arts. Staniar Gallery welcomes Joey Fauerso: In a Classroom January 8 through February 6 while Keller Theater hosts funky soul-rock-blues artist Bette Smith on January 15 and Wilson Concert Hall stages Jack Quartet on January 24. Additional gallery talks, public receptions, and entertainment are scheduled throughout January and February, offering visitors a quiet, reflective arts experience in historic Lexington.
Shenandoah Conservatory at Shenandoah University in Winchester delivers a diverse winter performance calendar in January and February 2026, including ShenCoLAB: A Night at the Conservatory on January 17, the annual Collage Concert on January 30, the dance showcase Reflections: Invited Choreographers from February 6–8, Actors From The London Stage: As You Like It from February 12–14, and jazz and chamber music concerts throughout the season, many offered at low or no cost.
American Shakespeare Center in Staunton launches its Spring 2026 repertory season in February with performances of Twelfth Night beginning February 19 at the Blackfriars Playhouse. Audiences can experience Shakespeare as it was meant to be performed, with shared lighting, minimal sets, and an intimate indoor playhouse that makes winter performances especially immersive.
Waynesboro Players in Waynesboro bring community theater to the winter arts calendar with their February 2026 production of whatchamacallits!, performed February 20–22 at the Blue Ridge Community College Fine Arts Center. The production continues the company’s tradition of accessible, locally produced theater and provides a cultural highlight during the Valley’s winter season.
ShenArts and Shenandoah Arts Council Galleries in Winchester begin the year with Think Big, a regional group exhibition opening with a public reception on January 16, 2026. The show highlights contemporary work by Shenandoah Valley artists and anchors Winchester’s winter gallery scene with additional rotating exhibits continuing through February.
Harrisonburg First Fridays and Smith House Galleries in Harrisonburg create a multi-venue arts experience each month featuring exhibition openings downtown. January highlights include Art for Mutual Aid at Smith House Galleries, on view January 2–23, along with rotating photography and mixed-media exhibitions displayed throughout downtown Harrisonburg as part of the First Fridays arts walk.
Shenandoah Valley Art Center in Waynesboro maintains a steady rotation of winter exhibitions across its Main Gallery, Member Gallery, and Cabell/Arehart Gallery spaces during January and February 2026. Featuring member shows, invitational exhibits, and solo artist presentations, the Art Center offers visitors a consistent visual arts experience throughout the winter months.
Whether you’re planning a winter weekend getaway or building a longer itinerary, the Valley’s concerts, performances, and exhibits provide meaningful reasons to linger, explore historic downtowns, and experience the creative spirit that defines the Shenandoah Valley year-round.
Header Image: The cast of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, 2018/19. Photo by Marek Kunicki. American Shakespeare Center.
