Staunton’s Queen City Mischief & Magic Festival Welcomes Magic, Imagination, Creativity, Fantasy, and their Wonderfully Quirky Fanbase

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, you don’t need to wait until December’s airing of the new HBO series to reunite with your Hogwarts friends. On the weekend of September 26-27, Staunton will once again transform into an enchanted village for the eleventh annual Queen City Mischief & Magic (QCMM) festival.

And the fun isn’t restricted to just one magical universe: the inclusive festival encourages imagination and creativity, and welcomes all the wonderfully quirky fans who keep diverse fantasy worlds alive. As you explore downtown Staunton, you’ll encounter costumed characters, fantasy-themed dining and shopping, exciting exhibits and performances, and chances to wave your wand, meet new people, mix potions, learn, and explore new worlds.

Enjoying the Festival

Started in 2016 as a modest one-day party to celebrate the Harry Potter universe, QCMM has grown each year, drawing an ever-widening audience, many of whom dress like their favorite characters. It’s not uncommon to encounter mermaids, aliens, Wookies and other magical folk mixing with the Hogwarts crew. In fact, this year, QCMM has a new area devoted to fans of Wicked and the Wizard of Oz!

There’s so much to do at QCMM! Some activities are ticketed, but much of the festival is free to guests. Each area will host magical pop-up events like vignette performances, live music, hands-on activities, and spots to take selfies! Download the Sched App to browse festival offerings on the go and be sure to follow the QCMM Facebook page for other updates. 

Meet the Characters

This year’s festival brings the chance to meet more than 100 characters, including some who hail from the Wicked/Oz universe like Elphaba and flying monkeys. You can also catch Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, and the rest of the Hogwarts crew. They’ll be in their designated classrooms, strolling the streets, on stage, and marching in a parade. You can also greet special guests as they arrive by train at the Staunton Train Station/Platform 9¾ on Saturday at 9:45 am or 2:45 pm, and on Sunday at 9:45 am or 3:15 pm

Firebolt 5K

Early risers should sign up to run or walk the Firebolt 5k and Race of 100 Harrys, starting at 8:00 am in scenic Gypsy Hill Park. The Race of 100 Harrys is an “almost 1k” for wizards 10 and under. Participants can wear running gear or run in their costumes, because, think of the memories! And the photos! Participants can display their house colors on their race bibs, and all finishers receive this year’s Luna Lovegood-inspired medal and t-shirt at the finish line. 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 is located on South New Street. 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! Look for Hawassa Hope, Brain Injury Connections, the Valley Children’s Advocacy Center, and more.

Quad Ball

This year’s Quad Ball (formerly Quidditch) tournament pitch will be at the Sunspots Pavilion. 

• Want to learn the rules and get some training? If you’re 11 or older, come at 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. (Saturday) or 3:30 p.m. (Sunday) for a chance to play. Wear athletic gear and bring a parent to sign a waiver.
• Cheer on your favorite team in matches at 5 and 6 p.m. (Saturday). The championship match is happening at 4 p.m. (Sunday)!

Festival Dining

Staunton always shines in the dining department, and many restaurants will have QCMM  specials. Here’s a list of Staunton restaurants including those outside the festival footprint. Here is the printable restaurant map!

Raise a cocktail or a mocktail at The Emerald Cauldron Speakeasy, a benefit event that supports BICSV’s Critical Need Fund. And don’t forget your tickets to the annual Hogwarts Reunion Banquet with official QCMM characters, which will be held Saturday night in Trinity Episcopal Church’s gorgeous McCracken Hall. Trinity’s Sunday morning Hogwarts Pancake Breakfast will give you a chance to clink your coffee mug with your favorite characters as you fuel up for the day! It can be hot in September: make sure you stay hydrated with treats like butterbeer and color-changing lemonade.

On Stage

This year’s QCMM has lots of shows to keep you entertained. Look for characters who will take the stage and bring their stories to life in a series of vignettes. They’ll also march in Saturday’s Polyjuice Parade from 12:00-12:30 pm, starting on the corner of Beverley Street and Market Street (and you’re welcome to join them)! Other staged events include a Wizard’s Magic Show and performances of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic, at Silver Line Theatre Exchange.

The festival’s musical offerings include: Wondrous World of Wizards Concert and Enchanted Flutes: A Magical Journey Through Eerie and Mystical Music. Art lovers will enjoy watching molten glass become art with glassblowing demonstrations and live oil painting!

Meet your favorite reptiles at the Sssslytherin Sssssnake Ssssshow. Native Virginia wildlife will take the stage at Critters and their Stories, and you can learn all about owls at Beware of Low Flying Owls.

Other don’t-miss activities during QCMM:  

• Find your wizard friends at the Hogwarts house sorting.
• Enjoy a variety of games and challenges.
• Keep your hands busy learning ASL vocabulary and with crafts like painting pottery ornaments and building terrariums.
• Ciders From Mars and The Green Room are all hosting chances to demonstrate your trivia chops.
• Enter your rubber ducky and win fabulous prizes in the Quackkitch “Fun”draiser race 
• Face Painting: choose from a number of magical designs.
• Learn about Staunton’s otherworldly side with ghost tours and intros to the psychic senses
• The Witch’s Hideaway Maze is full of mist and mysterious creatures
• Stop by the merch table to purchase your official QCMM t-shirt and other festival gear
• Shopping (including Oz memorabilia, wizard gear, magical merch, unique gifts, crystals, and much more).

Visiting Staunton

• If you’re coming for an entire weekend of fun, reserve your home base at one of Staunton’s hotels, motels, B&Bs, and small inns. Lodging fills quickly, so reserve your home base ASAP!
• Downtown Staunton is busy on festival weekend but free shuttles will run continuously from the former Staunton Mall to downtown from 8 am – 10 pm on Saturday. Here’s where to leave your car:
• The New St. and Johnson St. parking lots will feature limited availability.
• Handicapped parking is available in the City National Bank lot between Central Ave. and Lewis St.

More Information

Stay tuned to the Queen City Mischief & Magic Facebook page for details and the most up-to-date information. Check the official schedule to make your custom itinerary and find out what is happening at any given time. The QCMM website has festival and street closure maps, updated FAQs, and other useful information. 

The 2026 Queen City Mischief & Magic weekend is almost here and everyone is welcome! We can’t wait for you to make new memories with us here in Staunton!