In this blog post, we put a spotlight on HDR’s wide variety of work and initiatives and discuss the state of downtown.

Meet the People Behind the Presents! With this first blog feature, learn from Hunter Woodard, owner of James McHone Jewelry, about the shops’ long history, jewelry gifting advice, and visions for downtown.

On Wednesday, November 19, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s sponsors, donors, volunteers, and supporters gathered at The Church of the Incarnation to celebrate our accomplishments in the last year, to take a look ahead at what’s to come, and to present our 2025 Excellence Awards at our annual Celebration Reception. Learn more about the award winners in this post.

HDR talks to 2025 Veterans Parade Grand Marshal, Karin Flagle about her service and the importance of recognizing our veteran community.

Harrisonburg mural artist Tyler Kauffman shares his story in The Art Beat. From fine arts to large-scale murals, he talks about creative blocks, digital tools, public art, and finding balance between client collaboration and personal expression. His murals across Downtown Harrisonburg bring energy, depth, and emotion to the city’s growing art scene.

Thanksgiving is almost here, and if you're looking for ways to savor the season, support local businesses, and treat your loved ones, we’ve gathered some of the sweetest deals and most delicious meal offerings.

Learn about Harrisonburg artist and designer Vika Samoylov in The Art Beat series. Known for her live wedding paintings and portraits, Vika shares how community and creativity shape her art in Virginia’s Downtown Harrisonburg.

Nestled in the heart of Downtown Harrisonburg, Friendly City Events has quickly become a beacon for local gatherings and celebrations since its inception just over seven months ago. Taron Bryant, the visionary behind this vibrant venue, sat down with HDR to share more about his journey from idea to execution and the thriving community space he’s created.

Welcome back to our Friendly Faces of the Friendly City feature! This month, we interviewed Brad Cohen, founder and broker of Connexa Real Estate and a dedicated board member of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.

Okay, we’re still buzzing from the weekend! Being the presenting sponsor of Best.Weekend.Ever in downtown Harrisonburg was honestly everything we hoped it would be and more.

This past weekend was truly the Best. Weekend. Ever. Rain couldn’t even stop it! We are so grateful to our many sponsors and volunteers for making this event possible.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for ways to show Mom just how special she is, we’ve rounded up some of the sweetest, most relaxing, and most beautiful experiences offered by local businesses this year.

Get ready to hop all over downtown! From brunches and sweet treats, to egg hunts for all ages, there’s something for everyone! Here’s your go to guide for all the festive fun happening this Easter. 

Each year, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR), along with many other local nonprofits, participates in the Great Community Give (GCG), an annual giving event in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County!

Downtown Harrisonburg is known for all the amazing yearly events we have, but did you know there are events that take place here every week? Various businesses in Downtown Harrisonburg host weekly events that their visitors can always rely on having a good time at.

East Market Street is getting sweeter and sweeter! Sweet&Tasty, a new cafe with a special spotlight on Ukrainian cuisine, brings the flavors of Europe to downtown Harrisonburg. Owned and operated by Nataliia Kyryliuk, along with her son, daughter, and cousin, Sweet&Tasty offers pastries, cakes, savory snacks, espresso drinks, milkshakes, and mocktails. After leaving their home in Ukraine during the war, the Kyryliuk family found a fresh start in Harrisonburg.

Crack O’ Dawn Bakery & Bistro has officially arrived in downtown Harrisonburg, bringing its dedicated gluten-free menu of breakfast and lunch favorites to East Market Street. Known for its from-scratch baked goods and satisfying comfort food, the Waynesboro-based eatery opened its second location in November 2024.

Happy Taste of Downtown Month! This March, we’re celebrating the food and restaurants of Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia’s first culinary district. Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance will be presenting several events and promotions happening during Taste of Downtown, but our amazing downtown establishments will also be hosting their own events throughout the month! This means there will be a ton of events making their way to Downtown Harrisonburg, so we wanted to let you know what to expect this Taste of Downtown Month!

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of in Downtown Harrisonburg! We are back with a third year full of stories of love, friendship, and community building right in the heart of our friendly downtown. Swing by our Facebook and Instagram to see some of the cutest love stories that have blossomed right here in our sweet community and dive into this incredible collection of stories below!

Harrisonburg is home to The Forbes Center of Performing Arts and many other venues and organizations that produce amazing shows throughout the year. The city also hosts a number of restaurants that consistently provide delicious meals for their patrons, many of which are located in Downtown Harrisonburg. This year, we hope you all grab tickets to support the productions put on by members of our communities, and artists taking the time to stop in Harrisonburg during their tours, while also supporting the many restaurants in Downtown Harrisonburg. To make it easier for you, here’s a list of some shows happening in Harrisonburg soon and restaurants you can pair with them.