WAYNESBORO, VA (Rocktown Now) — A living canvas will come to life in Downtown Waynesboro next weekend as the Virginia Street Arts Festival returns.

Six large-scale murals, live music, and a hands-on art experience will be on display on May 16 and 17.

The free, two-day festival hosted by Destination Downtown Waynesboro invites visitors to watch artists in action as they create six new murals across the downtown district. Festivalgoers can meet the artists, explore the creative process up close and take part in art projects for all ages.

“This is one of those weekends where downtown really comes alive,” said Meghan Murphy, President of Destination Downtown Waynesboro. “You can watch artists at work, create something of your own, enjoy live music, and explore everything from murals to mobile museums and tons more.”

The 2026 VASAF will feature muralists Christian Harrell (Humble), Jesse Jentzen, Andrew Davis, Roshi K, and Jon Murrill, each contributing original works that will become permanent additions to Waynesboro’s public art and the Street Arts Trail.

In addition to live mural painting, the 2026 VASAF will include a full schedule of live performances and family- friendly entertainment presented by Hot Spot Collective on N Wayne Avenue; an Art Market with over 30 local artisans, hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Art Center; interactive community projects all over downtown; a mobile museum experience featuring the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of Natural History, and the VA250 Mobile Museum; festival t-shirts you can customize and color-changing festival cups will be available for purchase to support Destination Downtown Waynesboro; and lots more.

This event is free and open to the public, encouraging both residents and visitors to experience Waynesboro’s arts scene while supporting local, downtown businesses. VASAF is also a DORA event, allowing visitors to enjoy beverages while exploring the festival.

The Virginia Street Arts Festival is supported in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant and the generous support of local sponsors Kline and Co. Real Estate, McKee Family Bakery, Blanc Creatives, Augusta Health, the City of Waynesboro, Waynesboro’s local Sherwin Williams, Staunton Tractor, and The Russell Museum, helping expand programming and bring more artists to the community.

To find out more about the Virginia Street Arts Festival and its programming, visit DowntownWaynesboro.org.