QCMM2026: FAQs

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How do I get tickets to the festival?  

QCMM is a free festival and no tickets are needed to attend. Some events hosted by participating businesses and non-profits may require tickets and/or registration. Check the “Events” tab on our Facebook page and/or check Sched to see which events require a ticket. 

Where can I park?

LIMITED parking is available downtown at either of the parking garages located on New St. and Johnson St.; both are available despite the street closures. If parking in the New St. garage, please be mindful of the spaces reserved for hotel guests. 

Parking for our free shuttles is also available at the former Staunton Mall on SATURDAY ONLY. Parking at this location is free but festival-goers should ONLY PARK IN THE BACK SECTION.  The best way to route your GPS to that entrance (and avoid causing any trouble or potentially getting towed) is to navigate to Pendleton Community Bank at 478 FRONTIER DRIVE.  The portion of the shuttle lot that we are authorized to use is ACROSS FRONTIER DRIVE from that bank. Our free shuttles will be available to take you from this location to the center of the festival downtown.  

Is there handicapped parking available?

Handicapped parking is available in the City National Bank parking lot between Central Ave. and Lewis St. Look for volunteers from the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership Cadets in fatigues to gain access. 

When can I catch the shuttle to and from the festival? 

Free shuttles will run from the former Staunton Mall to downtown throughout the day on SATURDAY ONLY. Shuttle service will begin at 8am Saturday morning and run on an ongoing basis until 9:45pm. Sunday is traditionally a slower festival day and guests can usually access parking downtown. 

Will I be able to drive downtown? 

While you will still be able to drive in the downtown area, there will be street closures, congestion, and confusion. The traffic map (found on our website and posted on our social media) shows which streets will be accessible. Street closures have also been uploaded to Waze so we encourage you to utilize that app while out and about downtown.

How can I see the whole festival schedule? 

Visit http://qcmm2026.sched.com to find the most complete and up-to-date schedule of events, activities, and festival amenities. You can also download the (free) Sched app. A limited number of logins are available for attendees to create their own personalized schedule but a login is not needed to access the information in Sched. 

Where can I find festival maps? 

In an effort to reduce paper waste, we no longer print individual maps. Large versions of the map will be posted around the festival and smaller maps (for review only) can be found at the Information Booth. The map will be available on our website, social media, and in Sched as soon as it is finalized and keyed.  We have nearly 150 participants and places so this happens late(r than we would like).  

What time do the trains with characters arrive? 

Special guests have been arriving for a decade (BIG thanks to Buckingham Branch and VA Scenic Railway) via historic trains.  All trains will arrive at the Staunton Station/Platform 9 ¾. The train schedule is the trickiest to nail down.  We will let you know as soon as we know when to expect that familiar whistle and all of the fun that it signals.

Are there public restrooms available? 

Yes! Passageway to the Ministry of Magic (PortaJohns) will be at the intersection of Augusta/Middlebrook and Johnson Streets in 2026.

Will you have water available throughout the festival? 

Yes! Please help us be responsible environmental stewards and bring your own reusable water bottle to QCMM.  Water stations are provided by Sutton’s Professional Home Inspections and will be noted on the map.  PRO TIP:  bring snacks!  Lines get long and muggles get hangry.  Help us prevent such nonsense!

Where can I change a young wizard’s diaper? 

Diaper-changing stations can be found at Byers Street Bistro and Sunspots Glass Studio. The Frenchman at the train station and CoArt Gallery on Beverley is providing a family rest and nursing area also. Thank you all for this help!

Where can I get an official QCMM T-shirt? 

Official QCMM merchandise is available for sale by the BBC Butterbrew at the intersection of Augusta and Beverley Streets. Quantities and sizes of t-shirts are limited so if there is a particular style and/or size that you are looking for, we suggest making a stop at the Merch Table early in your visit. 

We want to meet some characters and take pictures! What’s the best way to do that? 

Meet-and-greets with our official characters will take place at several locations within the festival. Characters will also be arriving by train several times each day! Check Sched to find details on which characters will be arriving on each train. Sched will also have the times for each meet-and-greet area. 

I don’t know my house! Can I be sorted at QCMM? 

Yes! Sorting by a local Scouts of America Troop will take place at the Wharf near the VTC Main Stage and shuttle stop throughout the festival. 

Can I bring Fluffy? 

As much as we would love to meet your furry friends, due to the number of guests we host and also the wildlife that is part of our programming, our festival environment will not be comfortable for pets. We ask that you please leave Fluffy at home. 

When and where are the Quidditch matches?

The first two matches will start Saturday around 5pm and 6pm at the VTC Main Stage.  The championship match will be Sunday around 4pm.  All matches will be played at the VTC Main Stage.  Quadball (Quidditch) practice will start 30 minutes before the match.  YOU CAN PLAY ON A TEAM if you get your grown-ups permission, practice with us before the match and your name is pulled from the Goblet of Fire (cauldron)!

Where can I get tickets to the Hogwarts Reunion Banquet? 

Banquet tickets are limited and go quickly.  They are available here--https://www.eventbrite.com/e/queen-city-mischief-and-magic-hogwarts-reunion-banquet-tickets-1999781289670.  Proceeds benefit their Honduras Mission work and Smile Train.  Find Trinity Episcopal Church Staunton on FB to get tickets to their pancake breakfast with great hall decor. 

What is new this year? 

This year we are celebrating YEAR 11 (Sarah's fave number)  of MAGIC in STAUNTON! 

We have added OZ and Wicked in 2026 and are excited...........

We are hosting a greenhouse with big thanks for Messer Landscape & Bloomaker on Hufflepuff. We have new enormous creatures but will leave it up to you to behold them—DON’T PET! We have added night fun with a Dementor Dance Party on Saturday—the vibe is going to be a little darker so consider yourselves warned. More in our usual, sweet brand you’ll be able to watch a duck race, listen to great music, see amazing performers (new and returning!) some with unbelievable creatures, and meet 100+ characters on our streets and in our character spaces. You will also see some physical changes as our historic downtown prepares for some major improvements in our old (and beloved) infrastructure! We moved some of our staging to accommodate the progress.