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This one is packed with good stuff. There is a hot air balloon festival an hour down the road, free live music returning to downtown Fredericksburg every Friday all season long, a free kids festival coming at the end of the month, a Mother's Day market worth knowing about, and a local business owner whose story is going to stop you in your tracks.
Grab your coffee and let's dive in.
Dori
Local Pulse: FXBG Edition
Balloons at Sunset. Wine in Hand. One Hour From Fredericksburg.
Picture this. The sun is setting over a Virginia vineyard. Hot air balloons are glowing against the sky. There is live music in the background, a wine slushie in your hand, and a monster truck rumbling in the distance. That is exactly what this weekend looks like at Wind Vineyards at Laurel Grove in Tappahannock, just about an hour from Fredericksburg. The Hot Air Balloon Festival runs Friday May 8th and Saturday May 9th with tethered balloon rides, chartered sunrise flights, live bands, a vendor fair, food trucks, and enough wine to make it a weekend you will not forget. Sometimes the best adventures are just down the road.
🎈 Friday, May 8th, and Saturday, May 9th
📍 Wind Vineyards at Laurel Grove, Tappahannock, VA
🎶 Live music 🍷 Wine, cider, food trucks, and vendors
Downtown Sounds Is Back and Bigger Than Ever. Free Live Music Starts This Friday in Downtown Fredericksburg.
One of Fredericksburg's favorite warm weather traditions just got an upgrade. Downtown Sounds, formerly known as Sounds of Summer, returns to Market Square every Friday at 6:30 PM starting this Friday, May 1st and runs all the way through September. That is an entire season of free live music right in the heart of historic downtown. The 2026 lineup is packed with variety featuring everything from Elby Brass and Trash Rocket to Cactus Jack and Ladia. Pack a blanket, grab a lawn chair, and make Friday nights a tradition this summer.
📍 Market Square, Downtown Fredericksburg
🗓️ Every Friday, May 1 through September 2026
🎶 Bar opens at 6:00 PM | Concerts 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
🎟️ Free and open to the public 👉 See the full lineup and plan your Fridays: https://www.famva.org/downtown-sounds
PlayPalooza Is Bringing a Full Day of Free Fun to Fredericksburg on May 30th
Mark your calendars for May 30th because Central Park at the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium is turning into the ultimate kids festival. PlayPalooza is a free, family-friendly event packed with bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, rock climbing, face painting, foam parties, a Truck Touch Zone, character meet-and-greets, DJ music, food trucks, and a book drive for local children. But one of the coolest parts? A Children's Business Fair where young entrepreneurs set up shop and sell their own products and services. Registration is free but required, and the first 100 guests on site will receive a free t-shirt to tie dye!
📍 Central Park at Fredericksburg Nationals Stadium, Fredericksburg, VA
🗓️ May 30th ⏰ 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free to attend, registration required
A big thank you to our sponsors for keeping this newsletter free for the community🙏 Want your business in front of 33,000+ Fredericksburg-area neighbors? Become a sponsor. [email protected]
She Left Social Work to Make People Feel Celebrated. Now Elevate Designs & Events Is Transforming the Fredericksburg Event Scene.
Kathlynn Donald did not come from the events industry. She came from a career rooted in social work, wellness, and human connection. After a major season of personal transition, she leaned into what she loved most and in 2023 launched Elevate Designs & Events, an event design and decor company that brings beauty, creativity, and genuine heart to every celebration. From custom backdrops and floral rentals to her signature flower bar and fragrance bar experiences, Kathlynn handles every detail so her clients can be fully present and enjoy the moment. Weddings, milestone birthdays, baby showers, corporate events, and everything in between. Whatever the occasion, her mission is the same. Make every guest feel valued, celebrated, and remembered.
📞 540-845-8007
"After walking through a major season of transition, I took time to reflect on what I truly loved most and realized it had always been creating experiences that make people feel special. That is what led me to build Elevate Designs & Events."
Community Digest
Skip the Mall This Mother's Day. This Local Market Has Something Way Better.
Looking for a gift Mom will actually love? The Mother's Day Market at the Wilderness has you covered. Crafty Connections Events is hosting an outdoor market filled with unique gifts, local goodies, and good vibes at Wilderness Presidential Resort in Spotsylvania on Saturday May 9th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring the whole family, spend the afternoon browsing one-of-a-kind finds, and make some great memories while you are at it. This is the kind of shopping experience that actually feels fun.
📍 Wilderness Presidential Resort, 9220 Plank Road, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA
🗓️ Saturday, May 9th ⏰ 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
🎟️ Free to attend 👉 Learn more here
250 Years of America. One Night of Music That Will Give You Chills.
America is turning 250 and the Spotsylvanians Chorus is marking the milestone the only way they know how. With music that moves you. I Hear America Singing is a powerful, uplifting concert celebrating the voices, stories, and spirit of this country and it is happening right here in Fredericksburg on Saturday May 2nd. Two performances. Moving harmonies. Joyful moments. And the kind of community experience that reminds you exactly why we celebrate. Bring the whole family and come be part of something special.
📍 Resurrection Lutheran Church, 6170 Plank Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
🗓️ Saturday, May 2nd
⏰ 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM
🎟️ Tickets $10 | Students FREE
👉 Grab your tickets before they are gone: https://ticketor.com/spotsylvanians
Bring Your Pup and Shop Local. Paws on the Lawn Is Coming to Falmouth.
Fur & Feathers is hosting Paws on the Lawn at River & Roots Collective in Falmouth and it is exactly the kind of Saturday afternoon we are here for. Shop local pet vendors, sip coffee, snack, and bring your leashed pup along for the fun. Tour the Fur & Feathers mobile grooming setup, snap a selfie at the grooming trailer selfie station, and enter to win a free groom. And the best part? Twenty percent of Fur & Feathers sales during the event will support the Fresh Start Groom Program, providing grooming care for pets in need.
📍 Saturday, May 2nd, Noon - 3 PM | River & Roots Collective, 107 Carter St, Falmouth
🐾 Leashed, friendly dogs welcome
👉 Grab your leash and come out to support local. More details here!
Craft Something Beautiful Out of Nothing. Junk Journal Morning at Curated FXBG Is This Sunday.
If you have never heard of junk journaling, it is exactly what it sounds like and it is one of the most creative and satisfying crafts around. Curated FXBG is hosting a Junk Journal Morning Craft Club on Sunday May 3rd from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. The journal, donuts, coffee, and basic supplies are all included. All you have to do is show up, bring whatever scraps, clippings, and creative bits you have been saving, and let your creativity run wild. It is a fun, relaxed morning doing something with your hands alongside your neighbors.
📍 Curated FXBG, 817 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
🗓️ Sunday, May 3rd ⏰ 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
🎟️ $35 per person, supplies included
What’s Happening In & Around the ‘Burg
Here are some of the top events happening soon. Always check with the venue for the latest details. Got an event coming up? Add it to our calendar.
Friday, May 1
Comedy in "The Back Room" | 7:00PM
Location: FXBG Comedy Scene, 911 Charles St, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Headliner Mike Brown is taking the stage, with Adrian Russell and Samantha Lukasiewicz, and Christopher Porter keeping the whole night rolling.
Live Music w/ Wave on Wave | 6:00PM
Location: Courtyard by Marriott Fredericksburg Historic District, 620 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Don't miss out on this opportunity to enjoy a fantastic evening filled with great music and good vibes.
Standup Comedy | 8:00PM
Location: Highmark Brewery, 390 Kings Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: You will see a lineup of the best comedians from Virgnia and all around the East Coast live in Fredericksburg!
Location: Wine & Design, 502 Sophia St. Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Young artists will enjoy a pizza party, paint an adorable customizable masterpiece and more!
Saturday, May 2
Location: Hurkamp Park, Prince Edward Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Local artists and crafters are welcome to share their creativity with the community.
Books & Barks | 11:00AM
Location: Tales & Tails, 1010 Charles Street, Fredericksburg VA
Description: Meet the pups, get some snuggles and consider adopting a new family member!
Watercolors & Wine Event | 10:30AM
Location: Tater's Corner, 89 Chatham Heights Rd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Unplug and get creative with a DIY all-in-one watercolor kit and a glass or two of wine!
Cinco De Mayo Glow Party | 9:00PM
Location: The Social FXBG, 11047 Pierson Dr, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Neon vibes, packed dance floor, and nonstop music all night.
Sunday, May 3
Great Train Race | 7:30AM
Location: Fredericksburg Train Station, 200 Lafayette Blvd, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Young runners get the opportunity to compete in a race just for them.
Pick-Up & Play | 1:00PM
Location: Old Mill Park, Elwood City, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Take part in an organized park clean-up while listening to local musicians perform.
Long Family Markets Stafford | 8:00AM
Location: Long Family Markets Stafford - 610 Slug Lot, Staffordboro Blvd, Stafford, VA
Description: Discover a lively, family-friendly market experience featuring fresh, locally grown foods, handcrafted artisan goods, and a vibrant community atmosphere.
Star Wars Trivia | 3:00PM
Location: Laudenbach Brewing, 45 Centreport Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA
Description: Come on out for a fun game of trivia encompassing Episodes 1-6!
