Create Your Year with The YDC
2026-01-08 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Youth Development Center, 302 S Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Start the new year with intention, creativity, and a little sparkle at Create Your Year with the YDC. This guided vision board workshop is the perfect reset after the holidays and a fun way to map out your goals, dreams, and inspiration for 2026. We will provide all supplies, step-by-step instruction, and plenty of space to get creative, connect, and set the tone for your year ahead.
Whether you are manifesting big plans or simply craving a fresh start, this night is all about you. Bring your imagination and we will handle the rest. We cannot wait to see what you create!

Old Town on the Rocks
2026-01-16 17:00 - 2026-01-18 22:00 | Loudoun Street Pedestrian Mall
Old Town on the Rocks
January 16–18, 2026 | Old Town Winchester
Old Town on the Rocks is a weekend-long bourbon and cocktail competition celebrating the creativity of Old Town Winchester’s bars, restaurants, and bartenders.
There’s no entry fee — guests simply purchase featured cocktails directly from participating locations while visiting Old Town.Each stop will feature a signature bourbon cocktail made with Elijah Craig Bourbon. Our merchants will compete for:
Best Old Town on the Rocks Cocktail (judged)
Fan Favorite Cocktail (voted on by guests)

Author Event: Heidi Christopher - Lies the Dirt Keeps
2026-01-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Winchester Book Gallery, 7 North Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
She came home searching for her sister. What she uncovered could destroy them all.
Johnna LaGrange photographs death for a living. But when she gets the call that her younger sister Ori has vanished from their hometown of Sweetwater, North Carolina, the decay she’s drawn to becomes chillingly personal.
Returning to a town that never forgave her for surviving, Johnna finds her family in tatters-her mother drowning in vodka, her brother partying like nothing’s wrong. Only Shannon, her ex turned detective, is willing to help. But as they dig into Ori’s disappearance, buried memories start to surface-of the stepfather Johnna killed in self-defiance, and the darkness that’s lingered in the farmhouse ever since.
When people start dying, and Johnna wakes up with dirt on her hands and blood in her mouth, she begins to question everything-including her own mind.
But the truth is far worse than she ever imagined.
A haunting, explosive thriller about guilt, memory, and the lies we tell to survive, Lies The Dirt Keeps is perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, KL Slater, and Shalini Boland.
Stop by and meet author Heidi Christopher for a signed copy!

What The Constitution Means To Me
2026-01-22 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-25 14:00 - 16:00 | Stone Branch Center for the Arts, 114 E. Main St, Front Royal, VA, 22630, United States
Selah Theatre Project Presents “What the Constitution Means to Me” at Stone Branch Center for the Arts
Front Royal, VA – Selah Theatre Project is bringing one of the most influential contemporary American plays to the Shenandoah Valley this winter with What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck, running January 22–25, 2026, at Stone Branch Center for the Arts. The production offers Warren County and Winchester-area audiences an intimate, challenging, and participatory exploration of democracy, memory, and personal history.
Rather than approaching the U.S. Constitution as a distant historical document, What the Constitution Means to Me places it firmly in the lived experiences of everyday people. The play blends memoir, legal history, humor, and live debate to examine how the Constitution has shaped generations of Americans often in uneven and deeply personal ways.
At the center of the story is Schreck herself, portrayed in this production by Joanna Schilling of Berryville. The play draws from Schreck’s teenage years traveling the country competing in American Legion constitution speech contests to earn college scholarship money. As an adult, she revisits those speeches with clarity and skepticism, interrogating the promises of the Constitution alongside its omissions and failures.
For Schilling, the role requires vulnerability as much as performance.
“This play asks for a level of honesty that’s rare in theatre,” she said. “Heidi’s story is deeply specific, but the questions she’s asking about safety, power, and whose voices matter belong to all of us. Every night feels like opening a door and inviting the audience to walk through it with you.”
That invitation becomes literal in the play’s final moments, when the audience is asked to participate in a live debate and vote on whether the Constitution should remain unchanged or be replaced altogether. The debater, portrayed by Naomi Greenwalt of Warren County, brings youthful urgency and clarity to the conversation.
“The debate isn’t about winning,” Greenwalt explained. “It’s about listening. Each audience brings something different into the room, and that changes the conversation every single night. It’s exciting because the ending isn’t fixed. It belongs to the people sitting there.”
Presiding over the constitutional contest is the Legionnaire, played by Will Speakman of Winchester, a character who represents tradition, patriotism, and institutional authority. Speakman sees the role as essential to the play’s balance.
“The Legionnaire believes deeply in the Constitution as it stands,” he said. “What makes the play powerful is that it doesn’t ridicule that belief. It honors tradition while still allowing space for critique. The audience gets to sit in that tension.”
Director Bleu Do’zia says that tension is precisely why Selah Theatre Project chose the work for this moment.
“This isn’t a play that tells people what to think,” Do’zia said. “It asks people to show up, to listen, to question, and to engage honestly with one another. In a time when conversation feels polarized or shut down altogether, this piece invites us back into shared civic space.”
Each performance will be followed by a hosted TalkBack, giving audiences the opportunity to reflect, ask questions, and engage in guided discussion about the play’s themes. Topics include constitutional interpretation, generational trauma, gender-based violence, and systemic inequality. Due to its subject matter, the production is recommended for older teens and adults.
The production also reflects Selah Theatre Project’s continued growth and evolving presence in the region. While performances of What the Constitution Means to Me will take place at Stone Branch Center for the Arts, the company recently announced that it will open a permanent home in June 2026 at the old First United Methodist Church in Winchester, calling it The Vivienne L. Jackson Sanctuary for the Arts.
The new space will serve as a dedicated hub for theatre, community dialogue, education, and interdisciplinary arts programming. Named after the owner of this historic Ruth’s Tea Room which was the subject of a play Do’zia wrote in 2023.
“This production is part of a larger season of transition and intention for us,” Do’zia said. “As we prepare to open the Vivienne L. Jackson Sanctuary for the Arts this summer, we’re thinking deeply about the kind of work we want to house there: work that invites conversation, courage, and care. This play is a strong reflection of that vision.”
Performances of What the Constitution Means to Me will run January 22–25, 2026, at Stone Branch Center for the Arts. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $5 for high school students, making the production accessible to a wide range of community members. Each show includes a post-performance TalkBack.
Tickets and additional information are available through Selah Theatre Project’s website: www.selahtheatreproject.org

FREE Midday at The YDC!
2026-02-03 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-03 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-04-07 10:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-05 10:00 - 13:00 | Youth Development Center, 302 S Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Midday at The YDC is a relaxed, inclusive daytime program designed to give families a place to connect, learn, and spend meaningful time together. Open to all school-aged children and their caregivers, this drop-in experience invites families to use The YDC as a community space that supports curiosity, creativity, and connection.
During Midday at The YDC, families have access to our reading rooms, art supplies, game room, and esports room, allowing children of mixed ages to explore interests at their own pace. Parents and caregivers are required to remain with their children at all times, making this a shared experience that encourages engagement and community building.
This program takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and is open to all families, whether you homeschool, have a day off from school, or are simply looking for a welcoming place to spend part of your day. The cost is $5 per day per family, and the first Tuesday of each month is free. Families are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks and enjoy the space in a way that works best for them.
Midday at The YDC creates room in the day for learning, creativity, and belonging, right in the heart of our community.

First Wednesday Community Information Night
2026-02-04 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-03-04 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-04-01 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-06 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-06-03 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-07-01 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-08-05 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-09-02 17:30 - 19:00 and 8 more dates | Bridging the Gaps, 31 S. Braddock Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Addiction is a struggle — for the person and their loved ones. That’s why at Bridging the Gaps, we’re offering 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, a 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜.
This October, attendees will be able to receive Acudetox (ear acupuncture), a technique used in addiction recovery to help reduce cravings, manage stress and anxiety, ease insomnia, and support healing.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
▪️Receive Acudetox treatment from our nurse trained as a NADA Acudetox Specialist
▪️Q&A with our clinicians and admissions team
▪️Practical tools and resources for recovery
▪️Connections to local support and community resources
▪️Light refreshments provided
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝:
💜 Individuals struggling with addiction
💜 Family & friends supporting someone in addiction or recovery
💜 Community members interested in learning more

BrandFest
2026-02-06 14:00 - 17:00 | The HIVE at Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Looking for a marketing edge to boost sales and profits? Join us for the inaugural BrandFest and gain practical tips, tools, and resources to strengthen your local brand. Learn from experts in the Winchester community (and beyond) in three focused sessions:
• Building a Local Brand
• Social Media that Sells
• Customers as Advocates
Register now – limited seating!

Galentine's Night Out
2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Youth Development Center, 302 S Loudoun Street, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Join us for a fun and fabulous Galentine’s Night Out at The YDC! Enjoy a guided painting experience, light bites, and a glass of something sweet as you celebrate friendship and creativity in the heart of downtown Winchester.
Whether you come solo or with your favorite gals, you’ll leave with your own masterpiece and memories to match.
What’s Included?
🎨 All supplies provided (paint, paint brushes, canvas, etc.)
🍷 One complimentary drink – cash bar available
🍒 Light bites
🎁 Fun giveaways
✨ Event exclusive raffles
💗 Space is limited — register early to save your spot!
We can’t wait to see you and your gal pals!

Spin to Win-chester
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Valley Health Fitness Center, 401 Campus Blvd, Winchester, V, 22601, United States
Spin to Win-Chester 🚴‍♂️🔥
Think you’ve got what it takes? Spin to Win-Chester is a high-energy spin-a-thon where riders compete, fundraise, and push themselves—all in support of Old Town Winchester. Join us Saturday, February 21 at Valley Health Wellness & Fitness Center for a Winchester-themed ride led by Pam Lambert.
Choose Your Challenge

Beginner Ride: 35 minutes | 1:00–1:35 PM
Perfect for first-time riders ready to jump in and compete
Intermediate Ride: 30 minutes | 2:00–2:30 PM
Faster, tougher, and built for riders looking to level up

The Competition

$250 minimum to ride (fundraise or pay to enter)
Prizes awarded for top fundraisers and standout riders
Rain or shine event
All proceeds benefit Friends of Old Town
Not riding? Donate and back your favorite competiton

Why It Matters
Friends of Old Town is dedicated to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and economically thriving Old Town Winchester. Through public art, historic preservation, and community-driven initiatives, we celebrate what makes Old Town unique while investing in its future. As stewards of the Virginia Main Street program, we work to create a welcoming place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
