Open for Business: Downtown Harrisonburg Guide for Family Weekend, International Festival & More!
September 20, 2024 by Emily Winter
Harrisonburg will be bustling on Saturday, September 28, 2024, during JMU Family Weekend, the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, and the Harrisonburg International Festival. You can find local foods and goods, explore boutiques, enjoy the festival or just have a great meal out. Downtown is ready to welcome you!
Use this guide to help plan your day, visit your favorite downtown spots, and discover new places!
There will be road closures on Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm to make downtown even more walkable during the International Festival. Use the map below to plan your arrival and parking destination so you can spend more time having fun and less time driving!
Road Closures & Additional Parking
Familiarize yourself with Saturday, September 28th’s downtown road closures and additional parking options listed below so you can find routes and parking options that best suit your needs.
Additional private lots will be open during this event which means there will be plenty of parking to accommodate festival-goers, people making a quick stop to their favorite downtown businesses, and patrons looking for a nice sit-down lunch or dinner with visiting family.
Road Closures (Effective Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 9 AM – 7 PM)
Court Square
Main Street from Campbell Street to Elizabeth Street
Side streets branching from Main Street including E/W Bruce Street, Newman Avenue, E/W Water Street, E/W Market Street, E/W Elizabeth Street
Road closures will end before Liberty Street and Mason Street
Parking at the Water Street and Elizabeth Parking Decks will remain available
Liberty Street and Mason Street will remain open.
Businesses along road closures will remain open.
Additional Parking Lots and Waived Parking Policies
Municipal Lots & Decks Accessible during Saturday, September 28, 2024
North Liberty Street Parking Lot (268 N Liberty St)
Municipal Parking Lot by Turner Pavilion
Water Street Parking Deck (154 S. Liberty St)
Elizabeth Street Parking Deck (135 N Mason St)
Private Lots Open for Public Parking on Saturday, September 28, 2024
136 W Elizabeth St (136 W Elizabeth St, enter on W Elizabeth or W Wolfe via Market St.
Rocktown Realty (218 E Market St)
ICE House (164 W Bruce St, enter on W Bruce or W Water via Market St. or Liberty St.)
Jenzabar (181 S Liberty St)
125 W Water St Parking (125 W Water St)
Larson Wealth Management (124 Newman Ave, enter from N Mason St)
LD&B (205 S Liberty St)
Harrisonburg Baptist (501 S Main St)
Elks Lodge (482 S Main St)
Good Wealth Management (544 S Main St)
PB Mares (558 S Main St)
Atlantic Union Bank – after 12pm (440 S Main St)
Matchbox Office Lot (202 N Liberty St)
Daily News-Record (231 S Liberty St, do not park on the far west side of the building or near construction area)
Nest Realty (129 W Wolfe St)
HEC (89 W Bruce St)
Summit Bank- after 12pm (224 S Main St)
Permit parking and hourly parking will not be enforced on Saturday, September 28. Accessible parking rules still apply.
Dining and Retail
While you are downtown Saturday, September 28, make sure to stop in and visit some of our community’s local and independently-owned dining destinations and retailers. Our businesses are ready to serve you. Insiders know that the excitement of festival days frequently means less busy restaurants and cafes. Check out these guides and resources to help you discover something new.
Downtown Directory
Sorted by type, our online directory highlights the variety of businesses in Downtown Harrisonburg. We even have a category that calls out our plentiful outdoor dining options!
Downtown Dining Guide
Need some inspiration for what to enjoy for lunch or dinner? Need advice on brewery options or where to get a cup of coffee? Check out our 2025 Taste of Downtown Dining Guide linked below (warning – may make you hungry!).
Downtown Dog-Friendly Guide
Planning on brining your four-legged friend downtown this weekend? Downtown Harrisonburg is a dog-friendly destination where many retailers and dining establishments welcome pets. Visit our downtown dog guide at the link below.
Hidden Gems
Whether you are a frequent visitor to downtown or it’ll be your first time visiting, there’s always something new to discover. Check out some hidden gems from this summer’s Instagram Reel series.
