A Music Lover’s Weekend in Staunton: Your Guide to the 2026 Heifetz Festival

Every summer, the streets of Staunton begin to sound a little different.

Violins, violas and cellos fill historic theaters and intimate gathering spaces as some of the world’s most promising young musicians arrive for the Heifetz International Music Institute. In 2026, the Heifetz Festival of Concerts celebrates its 30th anniversary with more than 50 performances taking place throughout Staunton from June 25 through August 1.

For visitors, the festival offers more than an evening of beautiful music. It is an invitation to slow down, explore one of Virginia’s most charming small cities and build an entire summer getaway around the experience.

Here is how to turn a Heifetz performance into a music-filled weekend at The Blackburn Inn & Conference Center.

Choose Your Heifetz Experience

You do not need to be a lifelong classical-music expert to enjoy the Festival of Concerts. The summer schedule includes a mix of ticketed performances, free community concerts and casual afternoon programs, making it easy to find an experience that fits your weekend.

The Stars of Tomorrow series places Heifetz students in the spotlight, offering audiences an opportunity to hear exceptional young string musicians during an important stage of their artistic development. The festival’s Celebrity Series features renowned Heifetz faculty and special guests, with Friday evening performances preceded by a complimentary Heifetz Happy Hour serving regional wines, craft beers and light refreshments.

Visitors can also experience free and approachable performances throughout the city. Friday Chamber Music Matinees are held at the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse, while additional community concerts bring live music to locations such as the Staunton Public Library.

With performances happening throughout July, your weekend can be as carefully planned—or delightfully spontaneous—as you please.

You can find the full festival schedule here.

Friday: Arrive, Settle In and Let the Weekend Begin

Begin your getaway by checking into The Blackburn Inn, a historic boutique hotel set on more than 80 acres just moments from Downtown Staunton.

The property’s original architecture dates to 1828, with preserved details including classical arches, hardwood pine floors, traditional fireplaces and the signature spiral staircase. Today, those historic features are paired with 49 individually designed guest rooms and thoughtful modern comforts.

After settling into your room, take a quiet walk across the grounds or enjoy dinner and drinks at Second Draft Bistro. The restaurant highlights Southern hospitality and ingredients sourced from the Shenandoah Valley, creating an easy beginning to your Staunton weekend before an evening performance.

A Friday Celebrity Series concert makes an especially memorable opening night. Enjoy the pre-concert Heifetz Happy Hour, find your seat and allow the week to disappear as the first notes fill the auditorium.

There is something undeniably special about leaving a concert still carrying the music with you, then returning to the stillness of The Blackburn instead of beginning a long drive home.

Saturday: Discover Staunton Between Performances

There is no need to rush the morning.

Start with breakfast before heading into Downtown Staunton, where historic architecture, independent shops, art galleries and locally owned restaurants line the city’s walkable streets. Browse without an agenda, stop when somewhere catches your eye and give yourself permission to experience the city at a slower pace.

Depending on the festival schedule, your afternoon might include a student showcase or another intimate Heifetz performance. Children 12 and younger receive free admission to festival events, making select concerts an unexpectedly fun addition to a family weekend as well.

Afterward, return to The Blackburn for a little time between plans. Take a book outside, wander the rolling lawns or retreat to your room before getting ready for the evening.

For an even more restorative afternoon, schedule a treatment at The Spa at The Blackburn. Located inside one of the property’s original historic buildings, the three-story spa offers services ranging from steam treatments to massages and other restorative experiences. Advance appointments are recommended.

Then, head back into the city for dinner and another night of music—or keep the evening entirely unscheduled. A summer getaway deserves at least one moment when nobody asks what comes next.

Sunday: One More Note Before Home

Ease into your final morning with breakfast and one last walk around the property.

Sunday performances offer a graceful way to close the weekend, but your final hours in Staunton can also be spent revisiting a favorite downtown shop, lingering over brunch or simply enjoying the scenery before checkout.

The festival concludes on August 1 with the Grand Finale, bringing together the Heifetz faculty and the Institute’s full student body for the final performance of the anniversary season. For travelers planning a late-July visit, the closing weekend offers the chance to experience the festival at its most celebratory.

Stay for More Than the Final Note

A Heifetz concert may be the reason you begin planning your trip, but Staunton has a way of becoming part of the performance.

It is found in the anticipation before the curtain rises, the historic streets you explore between concerts and the quiet conversation that follows an unforgettable piece of music. It is in slow mornings, elegant architecture and the rare luxury of having nowhere else you need to be.

This summer, give the music room to linger.

Explore the 2026 Heifetz Festival of Concerts schedule, choose the performance that speaks to you and make The Blackburn Inn & Conference Center your home for a music-filled weekend in Staunton.

Book your summer stay at The Blackburn Inn and experience the 30th anniversary season of the Heifetz Festival of Concerts.