• Independent community journalism from Kanawha County, West Virginia

Weekend Calendar

Kanawha Valley Weekend Events: Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 26, 2025

Here's what's happening this Memorial Day weekend around the Kanawha Valley.



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emorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer, and events around the Kanawha Valley are as hot as the season. This weekend is filled with the Vandalia Gathering, USA Cycling Pro Road Championship races, outdoor concerts and movies, dances, animal expos and more. Here's a sampling of local happenings taking place from Friday, May 23, to Monday, May 26, 2025. Happy Memorial Day!

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Friday, May 23

Music

  • BIKE CITY STAGE CONCERTS: 4-9:30 p.m. Free. Featuring the Jordan Dyer Trio, Charlie Blac and DJ EJ. Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • TIMMY COURTS & FRIENDS: 5-8 p.m. No cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St. in Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • STRATTY: 7-9 p.m. No cover. Coal River Coffee Company, 64 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans. More info on Facebook.
  • CROSBY TYLER: 7:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Dance

  • COUNTRY TWO STEP: 7 p.m. $12 per person. Workshop sessions and social dance. St. Albans American Legion Post 73, 1011 Pennsylvania Ave., St. Albans. More info on Facebook.

Stage/Theater

  • MYSTERY DINNER THEATER: 7 p.m. SOLD OUT. Holiday Inn & Suites, 400 Second Avenue, South Charleston. More info online.
  • THE SHROUDS: 7:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

  • WVSSAC STATE TRACK MEET: 2 p.m. U.C. Stadium, Laidley Field, 1549 Piedmont Road, Charleston. More info online.
  • LIVE ON THE LEVEE: 5 p.m. Free. Featuring Reverend Horton Heat. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • DEAF COFFEE CHAT: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. ASL activities, Deaf culture, games, snacks, and more. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Habitat ReStore, 912 Young St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • TEN AROUND TOWN GROUP BIKE RIDE: 6 p.m. Free. A 10-mile group ride exploring Charleston's various neighborhoods, open to families. Bring your own bike and helmet. Meet at West Side Wonder Mural, 210 West Washington St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • USA PRO CYCLING CRITERIUM RACES: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Featuring the Para Handcyling Relay, Women Elite and Men Elite races. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info and route map online.
  • KALEIDOSCOPE COLLECTIVE MEETING: 7 p.m. Free. All-ages LGBTQ+ social and support group. Allies are welcome to attend. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • VANDALIA GATHERING OPENING CONCERT: 7 p.m. Free. Culture Center Theater, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info and full schedule online.
  • BEATLES VS. STONES – A MUSICAL SHOWDOWN: 7:30 p.m. Tickets $67 per person. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info and link to tickets online.

Saturday, May 24

Music

  • BIKE CITY STAGE CONCERTS: Noon-9 p.m. Free. Featuring Woodbine, Three's Company Blues, The String Chiefs, Cariño, and the John Inghram Band. Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • THE CHARLESTON ROGUES: 6:30-9:30 p.m. No cover. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main St., Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
  • THAT HIGH COUNTRY REVIVAL: 7:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • THE SNOZZBERRIES / SPACE FREQ: 8 p.m. General admission is $25 per person. Live at the Shop, 1233 Ohio Ave., Dunbar. More info on Facebook.
  • TIM & DONNIE’S SPACE TRASH: 9 p.m. $7 cover. Performance with Donnie Canterbury. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Dance

  • POTENTATE’S BALL: 6-11 p.m. $50 per person, dinner included. 80s beach party theme. Cash bar. Non-Friction and Russ Kennedy Music DJ providing musical entertainment. Beni Kedem Shrine, 100 Quarrier St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Stage/Theater

  • ON SWIFT HORSES: 2:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.
  • THE SHROUDS: 5 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.
  • WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE: 7:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.
  • FREEWAY: 9:45 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

  • CHARLESTON PARKRUN: 9 a.m. Free timed 5K run or walk. Magic Island, 181 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • USA PRO CYCLING WOMEN U23 RACE: 9 a.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info and route map online.
  • WVSSAC STATE TRACK MEET: 9 a.m. U.C. Stadium, Laidley Field, 1549 Piedmont Road, Charleston. More info online.
  • CLENDENIN RUNNING GROUP: 9:45 a.m. Free. The run begins promptly at 10 a.m. Fox Coffee, 14 Main St., Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
  • VANDALIA GATHERING: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free entrance. Traditional music competitions, food, artisan vendors, family activities, storytelling and more. West Virginia State Capitol Ground, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info and full schedule online.
  • CEDAR GROVE HIGH ALL SCHOOL REUNION: 11 a.m. $25 per person. Hughes Creek Community Church, Fellowship Hall, 5103 Hughes Creek Road, Cedar Grove. More info on Facebook.
  • SUMMER FUN DAY: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Included in the price of admission. Outdoor dance parties, bubble activities and more. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston. More info online.
  • USA CYCLING WATCH PARTY: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Local beer and food vendors, children’s inflatables and more. West Virginia State Capitol Complex, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • KSF AMPHIBIANS & REPTILES PRESENTATION: 1 p.m. Free. A special presentation with Dr. Thomas K. Pauley of Marshall University. Kanawha State Forest Nature Center, 7500 Kanawha State Forest Drive, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • USA PRO CYCLING MEN U23 RACE: 1 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info and route map online.
  • INVASIVE PLANTS WORKSHOP: 1-4:30 p.m. Free. Learn tips on identifying and controlling invasive plants listed as a high threat ranking according to the 2014 WV DNR Invasive Species Strategic Plan, and go home with various guides and a hand lens. This workshop will have an outside component, so dress appropriately for the weather. Claudia L. Workman Wildlife Education Center, 301 Forks Of Coal Way, Alum Creek. More info and link to registration online.
  • MILES FOR MINDS: 5 p.m. $20 per person. Benefit cycling event for CAMC Neurosciences, presented by the CAMC Foundation. Register beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the City of Charleston Parking Garage, First Floor, 503 Virginia Street East, Charleston. More info and link to registration online.
  • KANAWHA COUNTY SPORTSMAN BANQUET: 6 p.m. Free. A family-friendly event celebrating sportsmanship and community with giveaways, including a pontoon boat and a 2014 Polaris RZR SXS. Riverside High School, 1 Warrior Way, Belle. More info and link to registration on Facebook.
  • COMEDY NIGHT: 7 p.m. $10 per person. Featuring Dan Alten, Jacob Cobb, and Angie Davis. Charleston Nano Brewery, 320 Washington St. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • MOVIES ON MAIN STREET: 7 p.m. Free. Featuring Disney’s “Moana 2”. Presented by WQBE and the City of St. Albans. Olde Main Plaza, St Albans. More info on Facebook.
  • VANDALIA SATURDAY CONCERT: 7 p.m. Free. Culture Center Theater, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info and full schedule online.

Sunday, May 25

Music

  • BIKE CITY STAGE CONCERTS: Noon-8 p.m. Free. Featuring Khegan McLane, Peddlers' Glory, Friendly Fire, The Parachute Brigade, and Matt Jennings. Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Stage/Theater

  • WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE: 2:30 p.m. $12 adults, $7 students. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 230 Capitol St, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

  • USA PRO CYCLING MEN JUNIOR RACE: 8 a.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info and route map online.
  • REPTILE EXPO: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5 general admission, 10 and under free. West Virginia State University, Wilson Student Center, 5000 Fairlawn Ave, Dunbar. More info on Facebook.
  • VANDALIA GATHERING: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free entrance. Traditional music competitions, dance, food, artisan vendors, family activities, storytelling and more. West Virginia State Capitol Ground, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info and full schedule online.
  • USA PRO CYCLING WOMEN JUNIOR RACE: 12:30 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info and route map online.
  • PICKUP ULTIMATE FRISBEE: 2 p.m. Free. A beginner-friendly group with a focus on teaching new skills and getting some easy-going exercise in. All are welcome. North Charleston Community Center Turf Field, 2009 Seventh Ave., Charleston. More info online.
  • BEGINNER MEAD MAKING CLASS: 2 p.m. $50 per person. Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
  • KANAWHA STATE FOREST YOGA FITNESS HIKE: 2 p.m. $25 per person. A challenging fitness hike, up the switchbacks of a hillside in Kanawha State Forest. Water is required for this hike; please bring your own water bottle. Meet at the Kanawha State Forest Gift Shop, 7500 Kanawha State Forest Dr. More info on Facebook.
  • LIARS CONTEST: 2:30 p.m. Free. Annual storytelling competition. Part of the Vandalia Gathering. Culture Center Theater, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info and full schedule online.

Monday, May 26

Music

  • BIKE CITY STAGE CONCERTS: Noon-4 p.m. Free. Featuring Spencer Elliott, Hot Jazz of Charleston, and Vinyl Village. Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Etc.

  • USA PRO CYCLING ELITE WOMEN RACE: 8 a.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info and route map online.
  • USA PRO CYCLING ELITE MEN RACE: 1 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, Kanawha Boulevard, Charleston. More info and route map online.

Events are subject to change. If you have questions, please reach out to organizers. Know of a public event happening in Kanawha County that you’d like to share with readers? Send event info and contact details to ramsburgreports@gmail.com to be featured in a future calendar

Header Image: Photo courtesy of the Vandalia Gathering.

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