Find Magic at Staunton’s Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival

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While Staunton always boasts a downtown full of character, it really comes to life during the Queen City Mischief & Magic (QCMM) festival as fans of J.K Rowling’s’ Harry Potter series gather to celebrate all things mystical and magical! On the 4th weekend of September, Staunton will transform into an enchanted village bustling with wizards, witches, wands, and perhaps even dragons. Don’t worry, muggles are welcome, too! Look for Quidditch matches, hands-on activities, performances and demonstrations, themed dining and shopping, all your favorite characters, and much, much more. Here’s your 2024 guide to all the magic. To stay up-to-date with event happenings, download the Sched App and follow QCMM2024 to build out your own itinerary.

Enjoying the Festival

Started in 2016, the festival has grown each year, and now each block of Beverley Street is themed as a Hogwarts House. They’ll all host magical pop-up events such as potions class, wand dueling, music, and dancing. 

Look for larger-than-life creatures, ample selfie spots, hanging dementors, and chances to meet Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and all your favorite characters! Special guests will arrive by train five times this year: Saturday at 9:45 am, 2:45 pm, and 7:30 pm and Sunday at 9:45 am and 2:45 pm. Greet them at the Staunton Train Station/Platform 9¾.

Firebolt 5K and Race of 100 Harrys

Early risers should register for the Firebolt 5k and Race of 100 Harrys, which can be run in person in scenic Gypsy Hill Park or virtually. Race festivities begin at 8 am on Saturday, September 28. The Race of 100 Harrys is an “almost 1k” for wizards 10 and under. Finishers receive a medal, wizard glasses and a lightning bolt tattoo at the finish line. Firebolt 5k runners will compete with their house and earn the second of the three-medal Deathly Hallows-inspired medal series. After running, relax on a free train ride on the Gypsy Hill Express and feed the wildlife with free duck and fish food.

Use Your Powers for Good

Staunton’s biggest-hearted will find fun and worthy causes in Do Good Alley, which will remain open for the entire length of the festival. Stop by to learn about local charities, the good they do, and how you can help. There will be free crafting activities and items to collect! 

Quidditch

Come to the Wharf to cheer on your house in the Quidditch matches at 2:00 and 5:30pm on Saturday. Arrive early, dressed in athletic gear for a chance to learn the rules and get some training. The championship match is happening at 3:45pm on Sunday and features favorite characters as well as select trainees from Saturday’s training sessions!

It’s Showtime

This year’s QCMM has lots of shows to keep you entertained. Catch a productions of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic, Friendly City Fables, Wizard’s Magic Show, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (performed by puppets). You can also join a murder-mystery experience in the Victorian Spotts-Coffman manor.

If you’d rather see animals, make sure you head to Sunspots Pavilion for live Owl and Reptile Shows as well as Critters of Virginia demonstrations

Feast

Join the Wizard Tea at the Frederick House on Saturday morning and meet sweet kitties from Wendy’s Place Cat Rescue. The annual Hogwarts Reunion Banquet with official QCMM characters will be held Saturday night in Trinity Church’s gorgeous McCracken Hall. There will be lots of food and drink at the festival. Make sure you get your Butterbrew in color-change dragon cups and color-changing lemonade!

A few other don’t-miss activities during QCMM:  

There’s so much to do at QCMM! Some activities are ticketed, but much of the festival is free to guests. Check the schedule for full details. Here are some highlights: 

• Ghost and Magic Superstitions tours
• Wise Wizard Wealth Management

• Ridgeback Dragon and Rune Readings
• Buckingham Branch train arrivals featuring your favorite Hogwarts characters
• Historic dance instruction, Yule Ball dance instruction, ASL instruction, and Wand-Duelling lessons 
• Find your wizard friends at the Hogwarts house sorting
• Dragon Sanctuary tours at Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
• A variety of crafts and games
• Selfie spots featuring scenes from the Harry Potter world and the Virginia LOVE sign

• Young Wizard Trivia and Face Painting
• Find Your Ability and the Wand Chooses the Wizard experiences 
• Mermaids

• Collect beads from participating merchants to create tradeable friendship bracelets!
• Stop by the merch table to purchase your official QCMM t-shirt and other festival gear
• Shopping (including wizard gear and magical merch, unique gifts, crystals, and even props and costumes from past performances at Blackfriars)

Your Weekend in Staunton

Where to Stay

Many wizards arrive on Friday so that they are poised to catch every minute of weekend fun. Staunton boasts hotels, motels, B&Bs, and small inns located both in the downtown area and a short drive away. Lodging fills quickly, so reserve your home base ASAP!

Where to Park

• The New St. and Johnson St. parking lots will feature limited availability.
• Saturday visitors will like the convenience of free shuttles running from the parking lot at the former Staunton Mall.
• Shuttles will run continuously between the shuttle lot and downtown from 8 am – 10 pm on Saturday. 
• Handicapped parking is available in the City National Bank lot between Central Ave. and Lewis St. Look for the VWIL Cadets in fatigues to gain access.

Where to Eat

You’ll find lots of tasty festival food at QCMM, and downtown Staunton bustles with restaurants, many of which will be running QCMM specials. Plan accordingly as lines may be longer during peak festival hours. Here’s a list of Staunton restaurants including those outside the festival footprint.

More Information

Stay tuned to the Queen City Mischief & Magic Facebook page for details and the most up-to-date information. The festival will use the sched app again this year to help visitors find out what is happening at any given time. The QCMM website has festival and street closure maps, updated FAQs, and other useful information. 

This is just a tiny sample of your options for this year’s QCMM celebration! We can’t wait for you to make new memories with us here in Staunton!