To make way for Harry Potter fans in downtown Staunton for the 10th annual Queen City Mischief & Magic, the city will close a portion of the area to through traffic.
Restrictions will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025 and end at 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 28. A map of the impacted area is available online. A schedule of festival events is also available online.
Parking restrictions on several downtown streets will go into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday and continue through 5 p.m. Sunday. The parking impact extends beyond the street closures in a few locations to help with traffic flow. Parking will not be allowed on the following streets:
Augusta Street from Johnson to Frederick streets
Byers Street
Beverley Street from Lewis to Market streets
New Street from Johnson to Frederick streets
Market Street from Beverley St to Hotel 24 South
Lewis Street from Frederick St to Middlebrook Ave
Johnson Street from Lewis St to Church St
Central Ave from Frederick St to Beverley St (limited access)
The Wharf parking lot will be closed for the festival, but all other downtown public parking facilities, such as New Street and Johnson Street parking garages, Hardy and RMA parking lots, will be open to the public on a first-come basis. Downtown residents are encouraged to find a convenient location in the public parking facilities, as visitors are being encouraged to park at a satellite location.
Staunton Police Department will post fliers on vehicles parked downtown on September 19 as a reminder of street closures and parking restrictions. Vehicles in no-parking zones after 5 p.m. on Friday, September 26 will be subject to towing.
ICYMI: QCMM in the news
- Staunton: Queen City Mischief & Magic creates weekend escape
- Staunton: Queen City Mischief & Magic races raise funding for Blue Ridge CASA
- Staunton: Volunteers to bring Harry Potter characters to life
- Staunton: Magic of Queen City Mischief & Magic not felt by LGBTQ community
- QCMM’s 10th anniversary in September to include changes in activity, parking at Wharf Lot
Visitors are strongly encouraged to use satellite parking at the former Staunton Mall, 90 Lee Jackson Highway, on Saturday. Shuttles will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. from the former Staunton Mall to downtown on Saturday only.
Parking for individuals with disabilities will be available at City National Bank, 38 N. Central Ave., and Central United Methodist Church, 14 N. Lewis St.
The city encourages everyone to prepare for significant traffic delays and disruptions in and around downtown and to plan travel routes accordingly.
During the event, Staunton Police Department will use a drone in compliance with FAA guidelines for drone usage by a law enforcement agency.
Shop and Dine Out in Downtown will be suspended for the weekend of QCMM, but will resume Friday October 3. The 2025 season will run through October.
The Staunton Farmers Market will be held from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 27 at the Wharf Parking Lot. Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend, enjoy free live music by the Queen City Porch Swingers and purchase local produce and products.
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Rebecca Barnabi
