Slacks and Sundresses. Dragonpalooza. The Big Ice Milk Mile. CAMC Foundation's 50th Anniversary Celebration. Clendenin Firework Fest. Cedar Grove Summer Bash. From the metro region to the upper Kanawha Valley -- and several stops in between -- there's something to celebrate this weekend in the Kanawha Valley. Here's what's happening now through Sunday around the region.

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Friday, July 17

Music

  • HAPPY HOUR JAZZ WITH TIMMY COURTS & FRIENDS: 5 p.m. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

  • LIVE ON THE LEVEE: 6:30 p.m. Free. John Inghram Presents A Tribute to Led Zeppelin with Natalie Brooke. Haddad Riverfront Park, 601 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston.

  • OPEN MIC NIGHT: 6:30 p.m. Free. Hosted by Chet Lowther. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main St., Clendenin.

  • DIXIE HIGHWAY BAND: 7 p.m. $5 entry. Food and drinks available for purchase. Belle Town Hall, 1100 E DuPont Ave., Belle.

  • PUMZI’S LIVE: 7:30 p.m. $10 per person. Featuring Haunted Like Human, Bronco Junction and Gary Antol. Pumzi’s, 813 Hunt Ave., Charleston.

  • BECKS: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • BEEN FISHIN’: 9 p.m. Free. Sam’s Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • PIANO BAR: 9-11 p.m. Featuring Jordan Dyer. Make requests, sing along, and be part of the show in this interactive experience. Darts, billiards, food and drink available. Tickers & Timbers, 210 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • EMPTY GLASS LIVE: 9:30 p.m. $7 cover. Ages 21+. Featuring The Misery Jackals with special guests Unmanned and Matty Thomas. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

Stage/Theater

  • LEVITICUS: 7:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • PARADE: 8 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

  • LEE STREET DRAG SHOW: 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

Athletics & Outdoors

  • BIKE THE BOULEVARD MORNING RIDE: 7 a.m. Free. Enjoy the crisp morning air and join a 60-minute sunrise group ride on the Kanawha Boulevard Bike Path on the seat of your very own bicycle. Magic Island, 101 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston.

  • POWER UP EXERCISE CLASS: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. South Charleston Public Library, 312 Fourth Ave., South Charleston.

  • BIG ICE MILK MILE: 7 p.m. Free. Open to everyone. Featuring several events, including an Anything-But-a-Baton Relay, “4 for 4” 4x4, and Milk Mile, plus many new events such as the Egg-on-a-Spoon Shuttle Relay, Mascot 400m, and the Elimination Mile. Prizes, food, and more are available at the event. Laidley Field, 1549 Piedmont Road, Charleston.

Etc.

  • 2026 BLAC REVIVAL SUMMIT: 9 a.m. Online registration required. Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) and the ACLU present BLAC’s 5th annual three-day Storytelling and Policy Summit. Programming includes storytelling, cultural expression, interactive dialogue and more. Event held in Charleston, with online attendance via Zoom.

  • CRAFT SWAP SHOP: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. Do you have craft supplies you no longer need?  Looking for some creative inspiration? Visit the craft swap at the Cross Lanes Library. "Shop" the swap and find some great new-to-you craft supplies. Cross Lanes Branch Library, 5449 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes.

  • DROP N’ ROLL – 3D DOODLE DINOS: 1-3 p.m. Free. Drop in, make a 3D doodle pen Dinosaur, and roll out. Dunbar Branch Library, 301 12th St., Dunbar.

  • PAWS & UNWIND WITH THERAPY DOGS: 1-3 p.m. Free. Unwind from the daily stresses of life with the help of therapy dog duo, Denali and Dakota, both Bernese Mountain Dogs. Talk to the canines, read them a short story, or just sit with them for a few. Elk Valley Branch Library, 313 The Crossings Mall, Elkview.  

  • INSECT IN AMBER SLIME WORKSHOP: 3-4 p.m. Free. Unearth paleontology through a sensory alternative to the iconic "insect in amber." Mix together a few ingredients, including some (fake) bugs, and take home your creation to enjoy hours of sensory fun this summer. Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • COW ADOPTION DAY: 5-7 p.m. Prices vary, while supplies last. Pick out your favorite plush cow, give them the perfect name, and take home an official adoption certificate to make it official. Southridge Chick-fil-A, 2509 Mountaineer Blvd, South Charleston.

  • COURAGE IN THE HOLLERS MONUMENT MEETING: 6-8 p.m. Free. Planning meeting for a monument that will honor the contributions that unionist miners made to American history, focusing on the route of the Miner’s March to Blair Mountain in the summer of 1921. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1600 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston.

  • BROWNCOATS GAME NIGHT: 6-10 p.m. Free. New players welcome. Costumes encouraged. Dinos available. Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. W., Charleston.

  • CARD & COLLECTABLE TRADE NIGHT: 6:30-10 p.m. Free entrance. Trade-only event (no selling). The Venue at the Loop, 68 Sixth Ave., St. Albans.

  • DATE NIGHT AROUND THE WORLD: 7 p.m. $150 per couple. Reservations required. Sample traditional foods and adult beverages from various countries, including Mexico, Italy, France, Japan, Australia and Brazil. Includes trivia, prizes and more. Bell of the Ball, 50 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

  • R&B SOUL BINGO: 7:30-11 p.m. $23-$33 per person. Kel’s Tavern, 222 Washington St. W., Charleston.

Saturday, July 18

Music

  • DRAGONPALOOZA: 5-10 p.m. Free. Featuring Jordan Allen, Non-Friction and The Heavy Hitters on the Main Stage, and The WildWood Players, The Last Ride, John Hale, Jim Snyder, Carrie Hockett and Dan Beach on the Colesmouth Stage. This event also includes local food vendors, community exhibitors and more. Roadside Park, MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans.

  • LIVE AT THE SHOP: 6 p.m. $20 per person. All ages welcome. A Violent Convictions album release show. Featuring Hoods, Truth is Reason, Burning Fight and Cold Resolve. Live at The Shop, 1233 Ohio Ave., Dunbar.

  • MINOR SWING: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • THOMAS DANLEY: 9 p.m. EZ Street, 2796 Winfield Road, St. Albans.

  • EMPTY GLASS LIVE: 10 p.m. $7 cover. Featuring Alan Dale Sizemore. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

Dance

  • SLACKS & SUNDRESSES: 5-11 p.m. $30-$50 per person. The Red Carpet Lounge, 308 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

Stage/Theater

  • COUTURE: 2:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • LEVITICUS: 5 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • ONCE UPON A TIME IN A CINEMA: 7:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • PARADE: 8 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

  • LEE STREET DRAG SHOW: 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. The Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

Athletics & Outdoors

Etc.

  • 2026 BLAC REVIVAL SUMMIT: 9 a.m. Online registration required. Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) and the ACLU present BLAC’s 5th annual three-day Storytelling and Policy Summit. Programming includes storytelling, cultural expression, interactive dialogue and more. Event held in Charleston, with online attendance via Zoom.

  • CRAFT SWAP SHOP: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Do you have craft supplies you no longer need?  Looking for some creative inspiration? Visit the craft swap at the Cross Lanes Library. "Shop" the swap and find some great new-to-you craft supplies. Cross Lanes Branch Library, 5449 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes.

  • COTTONTREE HARDCAMP GATHERING 2026: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring a covered dish and join us to meet with old friends and neighbors. Everyone welcome. WVACC Camp Whitney, 5100 Thorofare Road, Clendenin.

  • A SEAT AT THE TABLE MIXER: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sponsored by The Women’s Business Table. Includes games, discussions, raffle, door prizes and more. Lavish Events LLC, 4827 MacCorkle Ave. S.W., South Charleston.

  • PAPER PILOTS: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Included in price of museum entrance. Design, fold, and launch paper airplanes of all shapes and sizes. Experiment with different folding techniques, wing designs, and weight distribution to see what makes the perfect flight, then put your creations to the test in exciting distance, accuracy, and airtime challenges. Clay Center, 1 Clay Square, Charleston.

  • CHARLESTON VINTAGE FEST SUMMER 2026 MARKET: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free entrance. Featuring around 50 vendors selling a variety of vintage and collectible items, including clothing, home decor, records, comics, toys, plants and homemade goods. American Job Center, 426 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

  • CEDAR GROVE SUMMER BASH: 1-9 p.m. Featuring food trucks, vendors, bounce houses, kids’ foam party and more. Cedar Grove Elementary, 200 John St., Cedar Grove.

  • OZOBOT ADVENTURES AT THE PONY SWIM: 2-3:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. For children ages 6-12. Celebrate the Chincoteague Pony Swim—an iconic Virginia tradition in July made famous by Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague” book. Program your robotic pony to follow color codes as it trots along the seashore, swims across the channel, and parades down Main Street.

  • AUTHOR READING & SIGNING: 2-4 p.m. Free entrance. Author M. Lynne Squires will read from her newest book, "River of Silence." The author will be available to sign books following the reading. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • PEACEFUL READING CLUB: 2-4 p.m. Free, but registration required.  Come for quiet reading time where you BYOB - Bring Your Own Book (any format, from anywhere). Read at your own pace in a quiet, inviting environment. Each session opens with 15 minutes of settling in and ignoring fellow introverts, followed by a 90-minute quiet reading period. The last 15 minutes are set aside for announcements for future club meetings and leaving without saying goodbye. Dunbar Branch Library, 301 12th St., Dunbar.

  • ZINE-MAKING WORKSHOP: 2-4 p.m. Free, but registration required. Artist Maggie Perdue will teach the class about the cultural significance of zines (pronounced “zeens”) and demonstrate different folding and binding techniques to guide the class through the basics of zine-making. All supplies will be provided, and every participant will get the chance to make their own unique zine.  Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • SOUTH CHARLESTON HIGH CLASS OF 1991 35TH YEAR REUNION: 3-10 p.m. Tickets $40 per person. The Bucket at Eagleview 530 Silver Maple Ridge, Charleston.

  • CLENDENIN FIREWORK FEST: 6-9 p.m. Free. Featuring live music, food and more. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Harper Stage, Main Street, Clendenin.

  • RIFTBOUND TCG WEEKLY TOURNAMENT: 6-9 p.m. $5 entry. The Board Room, 1116 Fledderjohn Road, Charleston.

  • VIKING NIGHT: 7-10 p.m. Free entrance. Dress up as a Viking, bring your own horn or mug up to 32 ounces and get a session pour for just $10. Dogs on a leash are welcome. Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. W., Charleston.

  • CAMC FOUNDATION 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: 7-11 p.m. $110 CAMC employees, $200 general admission. An unforgettable evening inspired by the timeless music and unmistakable flair of Sir Elton John. Chosen by the man himself, “The Rocket Man” Rus Anderson’s performance pilots a night of Elton’s greatest hits, gorgeous costumes and fierce piano playing. Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston.

Sunday, July 19

Music

  • JORDAN DYER: 2-4 p.m. Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

Athletics & Outdoors

  • SUNDAY SCARIES 20-MILE BIKE RIDE: 4 p.m. Free. Join us for a 20-mile bike ride to beat any Sunday scaries before the work week begins. Be prepared to ride for about two hours at a moderate pace as we bike around Charleston’s Downtown, East End and Kanawha City neighborhoods. Bring plenty of water and any snacks you may need. Lee Street Triangle, Bike Man Statue, 805 Lee St. E, Charleston.

Stage/Theater

  • ONCE UPON A TIME IN A CINEMA: 1 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • PARADE: 2 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

  • COUTURE: 3 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

Etc.

  • 2026 BLAC REVIVAL SUMMIT: 9 a.m. Online registration required. Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) and the ACLU present BLAC’s 5th annual three-day Storytelling and Policy Summit. Programming includes storytelling, cultural expression, interactive dialogue and more. Event held in Charleston, with online attendance via Zoom.

  • NEWCOMERS COFFEE WITH THE CLERGY: 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Learn more about St. John’s Episcopal Church or the Episcopal tradition as you fellowship with clergy. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St., Charleston.

  • PAINT YOUR PET: 1-3 p.m. $40 per person. Capture your furry friend's charm on canvas. All skill levels welcome. One attendee will win a door prize worth $50. South Charleston Farmers Market, 4006 MacCorkle Ave. S.W., South Charleston.

  • HATS, HEELS & HIGH TEA: 1-5 p.m. $20 per person. Featuring venors, a vintage fashion show and high tea. Woman's Club of Dunbar, 323 14th St., Dunbar.

  • ADVANCED HERBOLOGY – VITTLES & VINEWORK: 2 p.m. $25 per person. Ages 13+. Youth under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Online registration required. Create a take-home flower pot that makes the perfect hanging decor or suncatcher. The ticket includes craft supplies and refreshments. Funds from this event will directly support the 2026 Charleston Wizarding Weekend. Location to be determined by the number of registrations.

  • PEACOCK PAINT PARTY: 2 p.m. $30 per person. Paint a peacock on a 16x20 gallery-wrapped canvas. Step-by-step instructions and all materials provided. Kita Modern Japanese, 2815 Mountaineer Blvd., South Charleston.

  • BEGINNING WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP: 2-4 p.m. $25 per person. Registration required by calling 304-546-0250. Learn how to paint a butterfly. All materials provided. Gallery on 4th, 414 Fourth Ave., Montgomery.

  • CAPTAIN HOLSTEIN’S REPTILE EVENT: 2-4 p.m. $15 children age 3+, $12 children under age 3, adults free. Experience live reptiles you can touch and learn interesting facts. Captain Holstein’s Family Entertainment Center, 1418 MacCorkle Ave. S.W., Charleston.