Music has the power to relax, invigorate, bring people together, or simply add that perfect final touch to an already amazing day. With its universal appeal, music is something you’ll find all over the world, and Front Royal is no exception. With a local music scene that’s bursting with talent, Front Royal has plenty going on for music lovers. Looking for a place to sip on a beer and enjoy live music? Head to Front Royal! Have an aspiring musician in your family? Find a teacher in Front Royal! In search of a classical choir performance? The Front Royal area has that too. Natural beauty brings with it inspiration for the human spirit, and with the stunning outdoors that surrounds Front Royal, it’s not surprising that musicians aplenty are enjoying the opportunities in and around our town. With country, folk rock, classical and much more besides, Front Royal’s music scene is hopping to the beat! Use our handy guide (below) and make plans to enjoy the musical side of Front Royal life on your next visit. Where to Listen to Music while you Eat! Sometimes you’re just in the mood to enjoy a beer or a meal and unwind to the sound of live music. There’s a few places you can find this fantastic combination in Front Royal. Head to the Blue Wing Frog on a Thursday to enjoy their Live Music Thursdays alongside a serving of fresh, locally sourced, home-cooked, healthy food. Virginia Beer Museum has a lively calendar of events, including band performances and more. If you are looking to share your own musical talent, head here too. You’ll find regular open mic nights and karaoke. Who knows, you may get a chance to hear some other yet-to-be-discovered musical talents. Front Royal’s own downtown brewery, Vibrissa Beer, is another eatery to check for Live Music Nights. Follow them on Facebook to get all the latest updates. Honey & Hops Brew Works also have 'Music and Mead' live music events at their venue on Main Street. What a great way to experience mead and hear local talent! More Musical Performances in Front Royal For a more organized performance that’s still relaxed, the Blue Ridge Arts Council has you covered. Their summer concert series, Gazebo Gatherings, is a great place to enjoy live music, new bands, and the fantastic feel of Front Royal’s downtown area. Grab a chair and some snacks and head to Front Royal’s Main Street Gazebo area, where you’ll find a fun crowd of other music lovers. Don’t forget to walk across the street to C&C Frozen Treats for an ice cream. In search of choral music to make your spirits soar? Front Royal’s own Blue Ridge Singers have you taken care of. This community choir has been delighting the Front Royal area with a range of classical-to-modern choral music for over ten years. See here to keep up to date with upcoming performances. Love to sing yourself? Find audition information here! No formal music training required! Meet Front Royal’s Native Musicians In recent years, Appaloosa Music Festival has been some of the most exciting news on the Front Royal music scene. A major draw for music lovers from across the nation, Appaloosa puts Front Royal on the music map in a big way each fall. And it’s all due to our own local talent. Celtic music band, Scythian, is now a national sensation, but its founding members grew up right here in Front Royal. Wanting to spend more time in their home town, they founded Appaloosa festival in 2014 as a way to bring the music scene home with them. The festival’s been growing yearly ever since. Start to make your plans now for a memorable weekend of folk music, camping, and fellowship this fall. Another local-born talent who’s turning heads in the music world is singer/songwriter Marie Miller. Find her music on Spotify, itunes, and amazon, and remember you’re bringing a little of Front Royal’s relaxed and fun country vibe with you. Music Lessons in Front Royal For adults and children alike looking to improve their musical skills, newly-founded Mountain View Music is the exciting studio that Front Royal’s been waiting for. Find a talented and highly qualified team of instructors, individual and group classes in a range of popular instruments and genres, and even the occasional live performance. It’s the music studio you’ve been looking for, all in downtown Front Royal. Ballet and choir classes are available too. It’s yet another exciting initiative for the music lovers of Front Royal. The Shenandoah Valley is alive with the sound of music! Make the music of Front Royal’s musicians the soundtrack to your next Front Royal outing, and you’ll find it’s the final touch that completes an amazing experience.
As the calendar turns to February, thoughts of romance begin to warm the winter air. If you’re planning an evening with a special someone look no further than the Front Royal area! You’ll find that a small town Valentine’s Day is the perfect setting for your romance to blossom. Read on for five tips (plus a bonus!) on celebrating Valentine’s Day (or any romantic occasion) in the Front Royal area. With fine dining, fun activities for couples, special events with local businesses, and wineries aplenty, there’s a way for everyone to keep the romance going (and maybe fall in love with Front Royal, too!) 1. Sample Front Royal’s Fine Dining Nothing says “I love you” quite like dinner at an elegant table for two. If you’re in search of a traditional dinner date Front Royal’s fine dining eateries are at your disposal. Don’t forget to make a reservation! With Valentine’s weekend being one of the busiest of the year in restaurants, you’ll want to make sure you secure your table well in advance. Mark your calendar for Saturday February 12 to take advantage of the four course Valentine’s dinner at ViNoVA Mediterranean Bistro. Go here to make your reservation and enjoy four delicious courses, a bottle of wine, and a special dessert cocktail. Eat, drink, and fall in love! For a local craft brewery in a modern setting with delicious pub food, plan your Valentine’s Dinner at Front Royal’s own Vibrissa Beer. You may even catch a glimpse of Cupid while you eat. The Element on Main Street is Front Royal’s classic fine dining option. You’ll find gourmet food and the atmosphere to go with it. Or for another fine dining options, lovers of Asian cuisine, should visit Try Thai on Main Street. 2. Explore a Casual Dining Spot that Locals Love If you’re not in the mood for formal dining, a fun, casual eatery can also be a setting for great date. Today, we’re featuring two old Front Royal favorites where locals have been making great memories for years! If there’s one restaurant in Front Royal that pizza lovers shouldn’t miss, it’s The Melting Pot! This local favorite has been feeding pizza to Front Royal for over 50 years. Some locals have been making memories here for a lifetime! For a fun twist on the traditional dinner date, why not try a breakfast date instead? The Apple House is an old Front Royal area favorite that gets you out of town, but doesn’t involve a long drive. Don’t forget to end your meal with one of their famous apple butter donuts! Or come back in the evening for a drink, appetizers, and a sandwich at the Apple House’s newly opened Bushel Pub. With a drink menu full of Virginia wines and Virginia Craft Beers, it’s a great date-spot for lovers of local products. 3. Take a Dance Class What could be more romantic than enjoying a dance together? If you or your partner have two left feet, don’t worry! Jig ’N’ Jive Dance Studio offers private ballroom and swing dance classes for couples. Have fun together, learn a new skill, and listen to romantic music, all at the same time! 4. Enjoy Special Valentine’s Events with Local Businesses It’s impossible to enjoy all the Valentine’s fun on one day! That’s why Front Royal’s favorite local businesses have banded together to plan some fun events leading up to the big fourteenth. The week of February 7-14, take part in the second annual Warren County Chocolate Crawl. Explore Front Royal and receive a special treat or discount at participating businesses. Bring five receipts from participating businesses to the Visitors Center to enter their I LOVE Main Street $250 Giveaway! The winner will receive $250 in gift cards to all your favorite main street businesses. Stop by the Visitors Center for details. On February 12, enjoy extra fun on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the I LOVE Main Street event. February 12th and 13th are also a great days to try out axe throwing with your date! Shenandoah Valley Axe Co. is offering a Valentine’s special that features 1.5 hours of axe throwing as well as coaching and refreshments. Make your reservation today! If you’re coming into town a week early, no worries! Main Street’s local businesses also have some Valentines-themed fun planned for the “First Friday” weekend of February 4-6. 5. Sip on a Glass of Virginia Wine There’s something about the experience of sharing a glass of wine that is both memorable and romantic. If you’re in search of a wine date, the Front Royal area has a wealth of amazing local wineries. Rappahannock Cellars, and Fox Meadow Winery are two nearby favorites that combine delectable wines with all the classy winery atmosphere you love. 6. Don’t Forget to Plan Something for the Kids Not strictly a date idea, but all parents know that the babysitting is an essential aspect of date planning. If you’re planning your night out for Saturday February 12, you’re in luck! Entertain them and let them burn off some energy at Battlegrounds Fitness. They’ll enjoy a night of fun, games, and healthy exercise. Bonus: they should be tired enough to collapse into bed right when you get home, giving you even more quiet time together! All ages from “potty-trained” on up are welcome. You deserve a night on the town and it helps knowing your kids will be playing and having fun too! That's why Code Ninjas offers Parent's Night Out - definitely a win-win evening for entire families! Drop the kiddos off where they will play games, assemble puzzles, build robotics, and more! Code Ninjas is offering this service on Saturday, February 12th from 6 PM to 9 PM and on Valentine's Day, February 14th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Once you've had a chance to unwind, swing by to pick them up (please) and hear about all the fun they've had! Bonus: Take your picture by the LOVE Sign While you’re out and about town on your date, don’t forget that Front Royal has a great spot for a fun photo shoot. Stop by Front Royal’s LOVE sign (located by the downtown gazebo and Commerce Street by Pavement). It’s the perfect background for taking a memorable picture together. While you’re there, stop by the Visitor Center to claim a special treat just for visitors to the area. There really are almost unlimited options for romantic outings in the Front Royal area. After all, anything can be romantic when you’re with the love of your life on Valentine’s Day! To get more ideas for a fun activity that you’ll both enjoy, see our posts here and here. It’s easy to fall in love in Front Royal!
In the Northern Hemisphere, December is the darkest month of the year. The good news is that there are thousands of tiny, twinkling lights around to keep all of our spirits up during this season of long nights and short days. The holiday light displays across the U.S. are one of the most magical sights of the holiday season. Whether you enjoy holiday lights simply by taking a walk around your neighborhood, or think it’s worth jumping in the car to check out local lights near you, holiday light viewing is a great way to enjoy the magic of the season. Bring some hot chocolate to sip on, and enjoy a Christmassy adventure for all the family! There are several fantastic holiday light displays within driving distance from Front Royal. Read on for help planning your light-viewing outing this season. 1. Have a Wonderful Walk at Clearbrook Park Head north of Front Royal to Clearbrook Park to enjoy Walking in a Winter Wonderland! The 0.5 mile trail is surrounded by stunning light displays with just the right holiday tunes playing to surround you in a magical experience. It’s a fun outing for all the family. Be sure to plan ahead as advance ticket purchase is required. 2. Enjoy Gardens Transformed into a Winter Wonderland You’ll need to venture closer to the big city for this one, but if you want to see one of Northern Virginia’s Botanical Gardens transformed into a magical winter wonderland, it’s worth the trip. The Meadowlark Botanical Garden’s Winter Walk of Lights includes displays of flowers, animals, and trees, as well as seasonal holiday themes. If you need to warm up, hot chocolate and coffee are available for purchase, as well as snacks, and even cold drinks if you’re in the mood! Tickets are required: plan ahead and reserve your tickets now to avoid disappointment! 3. Cruise through Miles of Magic at the Bull Run Festival of Lights If you want to enjoy some holiday lights from the comfort (and warmth!) of your car, the Bull Run Festival of Lights in the nearby town of Manassas is for you! Turn off your headlights and enjoy the magic of this 2.5 mile display. There’s even a special radio station you can tune to so you can enjoy seasonal music while you drive. After enjoying the light display, stop by the Holiday Village and Carnival. Here you can enjoy bonfires, s’mores, camel rides, carnival rides, and much more! Buy your tickets here. 4. Enjoy Lighting Small-town Style on Main Street, Front Royal Though perhaps not as grand as some of the displays around, don’t forget that Front Royal’s own Main Street is picturesque during the holiday season! Take a stroll one evening and enjoy wreaths and lights on the lampposts, and a lit up tree at the gazebo. There's also 'Front Royal Light Fight', a first for Front Royal! This is a friendly Christmas light competition promoting fellowship, fun, and community. Organized by Lori Oaks, a local real estate agent whose mission is to bring value to the communities she serves. Monetary prizes will be awarded to six winners! Check out the competitors here and mark your map to get out and view them! Being local, you can even fit in some Christmas shopping while you’re out, or take a break and treat yourself at one of Main Street’s many fantastic eateries. 5. Get Away from it All and Gaze up at a Star-filled Sky If you’re a lover of nature, and also looking to escape some of the crowds and hustle and bustle, why not switch out a holiday light viewing outing for a removed stargazing adventure. Mother Nature’s display of thousands of twinkling lights is more magnificent than any other! The night skies around Front Royal are dark and free of light pollution, and with Shenandoah Nation Park on our doorstep, it’s a great place to plan holiday stargazing trip for yourself or your whole family. Don’t forget to pack hot chocolate and blankets! See here for more of our tips on stargazing in the Front Royal area. So if you’re in the Front Royal area this holiday season, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy the magic of holiday lights. Whether you’re looking for a magical walk, an enchanted car ride, a stroll in a pretty village, or the silence and majesty of a starry night sky, you’ll find it around here. Guaranteed to lift your spirits, and delight children and adults alike, an outing to see the lights could be the next staple tradition for your holiday season!
There’s something about the traditions of a small-town Christmas that are especially magical. If you’re looking to fill the season of joy with some small-town festivity, plan a visit to Front Royal. You’ll find every weekend packed with holiday fun! Join our small community, support local business, and experience the magic of Front Royal’s holiday traditions. Read on to discover the best of Front Royal’s holiday celebrations this year. 1. Start out Right with Pancakes The first Saturday of December starts the season off with a bang! Head to Warren County High School on December 4, and enjoy a drive-thru pancake breakfast sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal. You can support a great cause, and fuel up for your day at the same time! But don’t head home yet! There’s plenty more on Front Royal’s Calendar today! 2. Celebrate with the Town at the Front Royal Christmas Festival and Parade A beloved annual tradition, the Front Royal Christmas Festival and Parade is scheduled for December 4. It’s a great time to be on Front Royal’s Main Street! Enjoy an afternoon of live performances, a free Christmas movie showing, and more. The parade starts at 4 p.m., so you can watch the best of Front Royal roll by, including many of our favorite local businesses and organizations. Do some Christmas shopping beforehand, or grab some gourmet coffee or baked goods to enjoy while you watch. 3. Main Street Holiday Lights Front Royal’s picturesque holiday lights traditionally come on at the end of the Christmas Festival. Stick around to watch the ceremony, or come back any evening during the holidays and enjoy the display in the Main Street area. 4. Christmas Classic Showings at Royal Cinemas If you miss the movie showing at the Christmas festival, no worries! Come back to Royal Cinemas any weekend in December to enjoy the screening of a Christmas Classic! It’s a great way to relax and get in a festive mood after a day of shopping, exploring the town, or outdoor adventure. 5. Bring Refinement to your Holiday at the Blue Ridge Singers Holiday Concert If you’re looking for the place where fine arts and Christmas festivity meet, check out the Blue Ridge Singers Holiday Concert. Coming to Front Royal on Friday, December 10, this local group performs challenging choral music in a way that will leave you enchanted and looking for more! 6. Explore our Christmas Market If you’re a lover of Christmas Markets, you won’t want to miss Front Royal’s! The Front Royal Indoor Market on December 12, will be the place to finish up your holiday shopping! Check out local vendors, enjoy blacksmithing, stained glass making, and other crafts, and maybe even run into Santa Claus! 7. Watch the Band Play in the Holidays! Another Front Royal Favorite, the American Legion Community Band Concert is a free show to put you in the holiday spirit. If the sound of the band is what tells you it’s the holidays, you won’t want to miss this one! 8. Enjoy some Holiday-Flavored Ice Cream It’s never too cold for ice cream! If you need your taste buds to remind you that it’s the holidays, don’t forget to stop by Spelunker’s! This local legend has some of the best burgers and fries around, but their frozen custard is truly out of this world. Their holiday custard flavors are highly anticipated, and for good reason! Upcoming delights include Candy Cane Blast, Caramel Sweet Potato, Peach Pecan, and Eggnog. Check their facebook page for a full schedule of flavor-of-the-day offerings. Don’t leave a stop at Spelunker’s out of your day in Front Royal! With a calendar full of quintessential holiday events, great Christmas shopping options, and delicious ice cream to top it all off, Front Royal is a great place to celebrate the holidays! Plan your holiday outings in Front Royal now! Maybe you’ll find a new tradition that’ll keep you coming back year after year.
|
AuthorDiscover Front Royal Archives
May 2022
Categories
All
|