Explore What's Happening in the City
Welcome to Waynesboro, where we have serious community spirit for locals and visitors! Did you know the City of Waynesboro’s Parks and Recreation Department, Public Library, and Destination Downtown Waynesboro offer lots of free and nominally priced programming and events? If you’re interested in taking advantage and learning some new hobbies, joining a club, playing nerf in the Library, enjoying live music, or spending some time outdoors, this is the guide for you! There is definitely something for everyone so keep scrolling because there is A LOT!
Waynesboro Parks and Rec has a ton of programming for everyone! Register for programs here.
Intro to Kayaking with Vivid Earth Adventures | June 21, 6 - 7 PM | Rife Park
This intro to solo and tandem kayaking is being offered for all ages. Vivid Earth will provide boats, paddles, and personal floatation devices. Instruction is $20 for solo and $35 for tandem. Casey, the instructor, has a few tricks up his sleeves to make the evening fun!
Kayak Trips with Vivid Earth Adventures | Various times in June and July | Ridgeview to Basic Park
Vivid Earth Adventures is also offering Kayak trips in June and July and you can paddle the South River through Waynesboro! Paddle from Ridgeview to Basic Park solo or tandem. Shuttle to put in, boats, paddles, and personal floatation devices are provided. Register between May 4 and May 26. Solo trips are $35 and tandem is $60. This program is great for visitors who don't have a kayak with them or locals who are interested in learning and the shuttle is a great bonus!
Youth Intro to Climbing Basics with Vivid Earth Adventures | Wednesdays, May 1- May 15, 4:15 – 6 PM | Ridgeview Park
Vivid Earth Adventures is offering a three-week after school program to learn the basics of rock climbing in a safe environment. They will be providing helmets, harnesses, and climbing shoes. This class is for ages 8-10 and will meet at Ridgeview Park at the Woodland Shelter. The cost is $90.00 for all three weeks.
Send It! Rock Climbing with Vivid Earth Adventures | Thursdays, April 25 – May 16, 4:15 – 6 PM | Ridgeview Park
This four-week after school program is for youth ages 11-15 to learn the basics of rock climbing and belaying in a safe environment. Helmets, harnesses, and climbing shoes are provided. This class will meet at Ridgeview Park at the Woodland Shelter and is $120 for all four weeks.
Parents’ Night Out | April 12, 5 – 9 PM | Rosenwald Community Center
Did you know Parks and Recreation periodically offers a Parents’ Night Out?! For $5 per child, you can relax on a Friday evening while your children, ages 4-12, enjoy age appropriate activities like seasonal crafts, yummy food projects, and open gym in a well supervised environment. That’s a deal! Register now, space is limited.
Open Gym | Weekdays 11 AM – 1 PM for adults and Monday – Thursday 3 – 5 PM for kids | Rosenwald Community Center
The gym at Rosenwald Community Center is open for the public's use and no registration is required, just sign in at the Supervisor window before you start to play!
Waynesboro Parks and Rec also offers lots of free, family friendly events!
Groovin’ at the Greenway | Thursdays, May 23 – July 25 (no concert July 4), 6 PM | Constitution Park
Everyone’s favorite outdoor concert series is starting up soon! Every Thursday through July 25 (no concert on July 4), enjoy live music at the Constitution Park amphitheater along with food trucks and kid’s activities by Blue Ridge Children's Museum. Check out their entire schedule!
Sunset Spectacular | July 13, 7:30 PM | Constitution Park
The sunset Spectacular is coming back this year on July 13, 2024. Festivities start at 7:30 in Constitution Park with a concert by the SkillBillys and there will also be food trucks, kettle corn, and Kona Ice. Fireworks will be shot off after dark from the top of Sunset Park and Constitution Park THE place to watch!
Parks and Rec isn’t the only City department doing the most for the community!
The Waynesboro Public Library has excellent, innovative, and always-free programming almost every day. Programming is open to everyone, but sometimes registration is required. Check out what’s happening at the library, view their entire calendar, and register for programs here.
Reoccurring Programming
Yarns of Love | Mondays | 4 - 6:00 pm
Drop-in for an hour or two every Monday that the Library is open for a knitting and crocheting session, or whatever your craft is!
Play & Learn | Tuesdays | 10 AM - 12 PM
Play time with toys and games designed to boost school readiness and make up for all those months in quarantine. Plus, a chance to socialize and make some new friends! Ages 0-4 and caregivers. No registration required.
Chess Club | Tuesdays | 5 - 7 PM
Join the Library’s chess club and play some games! Whether you’re a grandmaster or haven’t learned the rules yet, this chess club is for all skill levels for patrons ages 12 and up (children between the ages of 8-11 may attend, but a caregiver must be present). Chess sets are provided. Registration required.
Preschool Story Time | Wednesdays | 10 – 11 AM
Stories and songs, followed by coloring and social time. Ages 3-5 and caregivers.
Children’s Chess Club | Wednesdays | 1 – 2 PM
The Library is excited for children to have their own chess club too! Children under the age of 12 must have a caregiver present. Be sure to also check out our all-ages chess club on Tuesdays from 5-7pm! Registration required. Ages 6-17.
Baby and Toddler Story Time | Fridays | 10 – 11 AM
Stories, songs, and shakers, followed by coloring and social time. Ages 0-3 and caregivers.
Craft Club | Last Wednesday of ever month | 6 – 6:45 PM
Make a different seasonal craft every month! Supplies are limited so be sure to register.
Other Fun Events in April
Scrabble Club | Saturday, April 6 | 11 AM – 1 PM
Calling all Scrabble enthusiasts! This club welcomes players of every skill level, from beginner to expert. The club is open to anyone aged 12 or older, and while registration is encouraged, it's not required.
Rachel Beanland Author Talk | Saturday, April 6 | 1 – 2 PM
Meet Rachel Beanland author of The House is on Fire, the story of the Richmond Theater Fire of 1811. She will talk about the research behind her story of the fire told from the perspectives of four very different characters. Stone Soup books will be on hand to sell copies of the books that can be signed by the author.
Eclipse Viewing Party | Monday, April 8 | 2 – 4 PM
alling Eclipse Viewing Party people! Come watch the eclipse with at the Library and make a Pinhole camera to view it alternatively. Draw what you see, and listen to some eclipse tunes. There will be a limited amount of eclipse glasses available for this event.
Renaissance Fair | Saturday, April 13 | 10 AM – 2 PM
Lords and Ladies of the realm are cordially invited to the Library for an afternoon fit for royalty. Experience sword fighting demonstrations with Bridgewater College's Comitatus Club, enjoy a play with Mary Baldwin's MFA Program, delve into medieval warfare with Dr. Lawson, listen to period music with the Dulcimers, partake in a dance with the American Shakespeare Center, catch a bite to eat with the Brats and More food truck, and more! All ages. No registration Required.
Schedule (outside/inside)
10:00am: Bridgewater College Comitatus Combat Demonstration
10:30am: American Shakespeare Center’s Early Modern Dance Workshop/Music from The Dulcimers
11:00am: Bridgewater College Comitatus Combat Demonstration/Dr. Lawson’s History of Chainmail
11:30am: Foam Sword Patron Instruction & Combat/Mary Baldwin MFA’s “A Winter’s Tale” play
12:00pm: Foam Sword Patron Instruction & Combat/Music from The Dulcimers
12:30pm: American Shakespeare Center’s Early Modern Dance Workshop/Dr. Lawson’s History of Sword Fighting
1:00pm: Bridgewater College Comitatus Combat Demonstration/Mary Baldwin MFA’s “A Winter’s Tale” play
1:30pm: Program wind down. Opportunity to speak to performers.
Upcycled Cinderella | Saturday, April 20 | 11 AM – 12 PM
Bright Star Children's Theatre tells the classic story of Cinderella with a twist. All ages. No registration required.
Teen Nerf Battle | Saturday, April 20 | 2 – 3 PM
Come to the library after hours for pizza and a Nerf battle in the stacks. Ages 13-18. Registration required.
Craft Supply Swap | Saturday, April 27 | 10 AM – 1 PM
Have too many supplies for a craft you don't want anymore? Bring your new or in good condition craft supplies to the library the week of April 22-26, to receive coupons to use at the Craft Swap. Rescheduled from March 16, 2024.
Ultimate Adult Nerf Battle | Saturday, April 27 | 6 – 7 PM
It’s another round of the Ultimate Adult Nerf Battle! There will be some Nerf guns and the ammo to go with those, but if you have your own, feel free to bring it! Registration required.
That’s not all, folks!
Destination Downtown Waynesboro also has some cool events to support and encourage a vibrant downtown community!
Tour the Town | Wednesday, May 29 | 12 – 8 PM
Join the DDW in Downtown Waynesboro for the third annual Tour the Town on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 12-8:00 pm! Get your passport and eat, drink, and play your way through Downtown. This passport will get you access to exclusive deals in our boutiques, food and drink samples at local eateries, and other fun things like a mini henna tattoo and a beautiful Waynesboro art print! Bring the kids along for their own scavenger hunt to earn a free glitter tattoo and ice cream cone coupon! Round out your day with the Wayne on Main concert on under the Wayne Theatre's marquee and a drawing for Waynesboro swag. See all 20+ participants and get your passport here!
Hiker Fest | Saturday, June 8 | 11 – 8 PM
Hiker Fest is the ultimate celebration of outdoor adventure nestled in the heart of Waynesboro, VA! Get ready for a day filled with live music, rejuvenating yoga sessions, intricate henna designs, delicious food, and an array of vendors showcasing their wares. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a fun-filled family outing, Hiker Fest promises something for everyone. This year, they’re thrilled to offer exclusive discounts for AT thru hikers and kick off the festivities with a complimentary breakfast for anyone with their AT hangtag, ensuring an energizing start to a day filled with excitement and community spirit. Join us as we come together to celebrate nature, music, and the joy of exploration at Hiker Fest! Admission is FREE! Bring your 2024 thru hangtag for free breakfast and LOTS of deals from vendors!
Free breakfast for hikers at the Russell Museum 9-11:00am.
Three free yoga practices throughout the day
Live Music Lineup
HOBOJAC
11-1:30
WHO SHOT JOHN
2-4:30
THE WILSON SPRINGS HOTEL
5-8:00 pm
