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Sounds of the Valley: Exploring the Front Royal Music Scene

5/9/2022

 
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Front Royal, Virginia's Music Scene
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. 
 
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Music in and around Front Royal
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!
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Dine and listen!
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. 
 
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The Downtown Garage Band Concert - Virginia Beer Museum
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. 
 
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Music and Mead at Honey & Hops Brew Works
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
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Ready for music and Gazebo gatherings!
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
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Appaloosa 2022
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. 
 
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Scythian - @brendanmcleanphoto
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. 

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Music Lessons in Front Royal
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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.
 
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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.
 

Holiday Light Displays around Front Royal, VA

12/9/2021

 
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Gazebo on Main Street, Front Royal, VA
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!

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Local holiday light displays
There are several fantastic holiday light displays within driving distance from Front Royal. Read on for help planning your light-viewing outing this season.
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Holiday light displays in Virginia
1. Have a Wonderful Walk at Clearbrook Park
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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
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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!
 
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Neighborhood Christmas light display
3. Cruise through Miles of Magic at the Bull Run Festival of Lights
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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
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Front Royal Visitors Center
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.
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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!

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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.
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Main Street, Front Royal

5. Get Away from it All and Gaze up at a Star-filled Sky
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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. 
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'Starry, starry night'
​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!

Find the Festivity with these Eight Front Royal Holiday Traditions

11/28/2021

 
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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
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​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
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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
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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
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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
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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!
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6. Explore our Christmas Market
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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!
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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
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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. 

Off the Beaten Path – Discover the Small-Town Shopping Side of Front Royal

11/4/2021

 
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Off the Beaten Path
Getting off the beaten path means excitement, adventure, solitude. It means taking the road less traveled . . . and perhaps discovering a hidden treasure. That’s what’ll happen if you get away from it all and explore the small mountain town of Front Royal, the gateway to Shenandoah National Park. Get away from it all in Front Royal, and you’ll find a group of incredibly talented locals waiting to provide you with unique and memorable shopping, dining, and crafting experiences. Read on for a run-down of some of hidden treasures you’ll want to find as you explore Front Royal!

Pick Out the Perfect Gift at Inklings
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Inklings, Front Royal, VA
​If you’re in search of a gift that’s lovingly crafted, high-quality, and unique, you’ll hit the jackpot when you stop by Inklings on Main Street. From organic baby swaddles to herbal teas, handmade candles and soaps, and loads of other goodies, you’ll find a wide array of unique gifts to please the pickiest person on your list (or yourself!). Inklings sources their products from small businesses and artisans across the country, and there are always new items coming in. Imagine browsing Etsy, but in person!
 
Enjoy Genuine Country Food at the Apple House
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Apple Butter Cinnamon Doughnuts from The Apple House
The Apple House is about a ten minute drive from downtown Front Royal, and here you can find genuine country food and products in a genuine country setting! Stop in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and explore the gift shop for a wide range of tempting items, including locally produced jellies, jams, and condiments. Don’t forget to grab some of the famous Apple Butter Cinnamon Donuts for the road!
 
Explore Fine Art at Turnmeyer Galleries
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Photo Credit: Scott Turnmeyer of Turnmeyer Galleries
​If you’re exploring Main Street, you’ll want to be sure to stop at Turnmeyer Galleries. It’s a unique blend of boutique gift shop and art gallery. Browse the fine art photography and metal work on display, or check out the incredibly wide range of gifts and luxury items. Plan ahead and you can even participate in a photography workshop or schedule an indoor or outdoor portrait session.

Complete Your Own Work of Art at The Studio
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The Studio, Front Royal, VA
If you want to make your Front Royal souvenir even more unique, why not paint it yourself? Sign up for a class or workshop at The Studio on Main Street, and complete a painting or craft project under the expert direction of local artist Kelly Walker. You’ll walk away with a piece you can be proud of!  
 
Take on a Pottery Project at Explore Art and Clay
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Explore Art & Clay - Front Royal, VA
Pining after pottery? Stop by Explore Art and Clay and check out all this full service pottery studio has to offer. You can participate in a pottery workshop, paint your pre-made pottery piece (they’ll fire it for you!), or even schedule time to use their equipment if you have your own supplies. Whether you’re an experienced potter or you’ve never tried it before, stop in for a fun date, family outing, or solo creative outlet! You’ll bring home a souvenir that you made yourself!
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Path Less Traveled
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all: the crowds, the hustle and bustle, the pace of the city. If you’re looking to take a break from the busy-ness of modern life, come and explore the unique shops and special treasures of the town of Front Royal. You’ll come away with fond memories, and a souvenir that’s just as unique as our town. 
 
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To say all roads lead to Front Royal is not an exaggeration. From the numerous winding state roads lined with gorgeous fields and farms, to fast-moving multi-laned interstates, you’ll find an easy commute to our community. Once here, we can personalize all your travel needs. ​

​Front Royal/Warren County Visitors Center
414 East Main Street
Front Royal, VA 22630

Phone: 540-635-5788

Open Mon - Sun
9:00 AM to 4 PM

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Front Royal/​Warren County is conveniently located within the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and offers numerous recreational activities, historical landmarks, and annual events in and around us. Visit Front Royal to find out why it’s the perfect location for your next family reunion, business meeting,  destination wedding, get-away weekend or ... new home!
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