Staunton, Virginia, is about to get a serious dose of mischief and magic as thousands of visitors descend on the Shenandoah Valley town for one of its biggest annual celebrations.
The Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival returns to historic downtown Staunton on September 26-27, transforming the city’s streets, shops and public spaces into an immersive wizarding world.
This year’s event leans heavily into the beloved Harry Potter universe, with Hogwarts-inspired activities, costumed characters, Quidditch, wand dueling and plenty of opportunities for visitors to dress up and join the fun.
And with the festival preparing to welcome more than 20,000 visitors, anyone hoping to experience Staunton at its most magical should start planning now.
When and where is the Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival taking place?
The 2026 Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival takes place Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, in downtown Staunton, Virginia.
Rather than being confined to a traditional fairground, QCMM takes over the historic downtown, making the city itself part of the experience. Much of the action centers around Beverley Street and surrounding downtown areas, with local businesses, nonprofits and other organizations participating throughout the weekend.
Saturday will offer the longer festival day, with current listings showing activities continuing into the evening, while Sunday wraps up earlier. A free shuttle will also run continuously between the former Staunton Mall and downtown on Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm, making it easier for visitors to leave their cars outside the busiest part of town.
Because the event takes place across downtown rather than at a single venue, visitors should expect street closures, crowds and plenty of walking throughout the weekend.
What to expect if you’re thinking about going
QCMM is designed around the idea that everyone belongs here, and the festival describes itself as a celebration of magic in all forms and from all fandoms. It is a community-created, volunteer-run event that welcomes visitors to come together around fantasy, creativity, books, movies and other magical worlds rather than requiring everyone to be part of one particular fandom.
That said, Harry Potter-inspired fun is very much at the heart of this year’s celebration. Visitors can expect to encounter more than 100 costumed characters, including Harry, Ron, Hermione and other familiar Hogwarts figures, alongside characters from other fantasy worlds.
Some of the activities and experiences to look out for include:
- Quidditch training and matches
- House Sorting ceremonies
- Wand-making and wand-dueling activities
- Potion-themed experiences
- Costumed characters roaming downtown
- Magical performances and interactive activities
- Themed food and drinks at participating businesses
- Train arrivals at the Staunton station
- Selfie spots and photo opportunities
- A new area celebrating Wicked and the Wizard of Oz universe
The festival’s schedule is available through Sched, although organizers note that additional activities and surprises can still be added and times can change.
Is it free to attend?
Yes — general admission to Queen City Mischief & Magic is free. Visitors do not need to purchase a ticket simply to walk around downtown and experience the main festival.
That makes QCMM particularly appealing for families or anyone looking for a large-scale fall festival that doesn’t come with an expensive admission fee.
However, some individual experiences, meals, workshops and events hosted by participating organizations can have their own costs or registration requirements. For example, the festival weekend includes separately ticketed experiences such as themed meals and other activities, while plenty of the street-level entertainment and interactive programming remains free.
Visitors should also budget for food, drinks, shopping and any special activities they choose to participate in.
Other things to do in Staunton
If you’re making the trip to QCMM, Staunton is worth exploring beyond the festival itself. The compact downtown is filled with historic architecture, restaurants, shops, museums and cultural attractions, while the surrounding Shenandoah Valley provides plenty of opportunities to get outside.
A few places to add to your itinerary include:
- American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse — Catch a Shakespeare performance at a recreation of the Bard’s original indoor theater.
- Frontier Culture Museum — Explore an outdoor living-history museum with reconstructed farms representing different cultures and periods in early America.
- Shenandoah National Park — The park’s scenic mountain landscapes and Skyline Drive are only a short trip from Staunton, making it an easy addition to a fall weekend.
- Historic downtown Staunton — Wander the city’s red-brick streets, browse independent shops and galleries, and explore the restaurants and architecture surrounding the festival footprint.
- Gypsy Hill Park — A large city park with opportunities for walking, recreation and relaxing outdoors.
With the festival itself spread throughout downtown, there’s arguably no better weekend to explore Staunton on foot. Between the wizarding festivities, historic streets and nearby Shenandoah Valley scenery, QCMM can easily turn into a full fall getaway rather than a simple day trip.
