Talk about a packed calendar. From festivals to community events to live music, theater, athletics and art, there's a little bit of everything happening this weekend. From the metro cities to Elk River communities — and everywhere in between — here's a look at what's going on now through Sunday around the region.

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Friday, Sept. 11

Music

  • CITY CENTER LIVE HAPPY HOURS: 5-7 p.m. Free. Featuring a live band karaoke experience with Charleston favorites Three's Company Groove and Grant Jacobs. City Center at Slack Plaza, 182 Summers St., Charleston.

  • THE NEW OLD SOULS: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Free. Short Story Brewing, 186 Summers St., Charleston.

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

  • MOUNTAIN STATE MUSIC: 8 p.m. Free, but donations highly encouraged. Featuring Of the Dell with Rob McNurlin & His Beatnik Cowboys. Folklore Music Exchange, 191 Summers St., Charleston.

  • BBGUNS RUST BELT TOUR: 9 p.m. $7 cover. Ages 21+. Featuring Big Guns with Cain Canary and Dinosaur Burps. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

  • JOHN INGRAM BAND & FRIENDS: 10 p.m. Free. Sam’s Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol St., Charleston.

Dance

  • FOOTMAD COMMUNITY DANCE: 7-10 p.m. $7 adults, children ages 13 and under free. Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, 1009 Virginia St. E., Charleston.

Stage/Theater

  • JUNIE B. JONES JR. THE MUSICAL: 7 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

  • THE NIGHTS OF OUR LIVES – MYSTERY DINNER THEATER: 7-9 p.m. $55 per person. Interactive murder mystery performed by Murder & Mystery. Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West, 400 Second Ave., South Charleston.

  • TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA: 7:30 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

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

Athletics & Outdoors

Etc.

  • CROSS LANES BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: 11 a.m.-Noon. Free. Cross Lanes Branch Library, 5449 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes.

  • RIBFEST: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. & 3-10 p.m. Entry fee $8 adults, $4 children. Featuring six national rib vendors, live music, Kids Zone, amusement rides, a Beer Garden and more. Shawnee Park, 1 Salango Way, Dunbar.

  • DUNBAR LIBRARY CHESS CLUB: 2-4 p.m. Free. Join in on an afternoon of playing and learning chess. Players of all skill levels are welcome. Bring your own board and chessmen if you are able. Dunbar Branch Library, 301 12th St., Dunbar.

  • READ TO THE DOG: 3-4:15 p.m. Free. Children are invited to come meet Colin, a friendly therapy dog, and read him a book. Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • SCRAPPALACHIA – ART OF RESISTANCE: 5-8 p.m. A pop-up art show featuring the work of 19 artists. The collection explores social challenges and political landscapes to spark community conversation and support Appalachia's resilience. Ghost Gallery, 1599 Washington St. E., Charleston.

  • DOG SWIM: 6-8 p.m. Free. Bring your pup out for a supervised swim and some tail-wagging fun. Dogs can splash, exercise and socialize while owners enjoy time with other animal lovers in the community. Owners must supervise dogs and clean up after them. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Pool, 314 Donnally St., Charleston.

  • SCAREVIEW DETENTION: 7:30 p.m. $20 per person. Appointment required. (Walk-in starting at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday ONLY.) Waiver must be signed before participating.  Contact westsidevfd@outlook.com or call 304-727-4750 for more information and to schedule an appointment. Scareview Grave Schoul, 109 High St., St. Albans.

Saturday, Sept. 12

Music

  • MUSIC AT PICKLEPALOOZA: 1-5 p.m. Free. Featuring Peddlers Glory and Sasha Colette & The Magnolias. City Center at Slack Plaza, 182 Summers St., Charleston.

  • RICK PURDUE & FRIENDS: 5 p.m. Live at the Shop, 1233 Ohio Ave., Dunbar.

  • CONCERTS ON THE RIVER – END OF SEASON PARTY: 7 p.m. Free. Featuring Mike Bennett, Tiffani Green, Shawn Benfield, Gary Hays, Marcel Lazare, Jim Woodson, Gary Bennett, Jim Snyder, John Aeillo and Scott Logsdon. St. Albans Roadside Park, MacCorkle Avenue, St. Albans.

  • ELLA LANGLEY: 7 p.m. $154+ per person. With special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Gabriella Rose. Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston.

  • THOSE HILLTOWN BIRDS: 7 p.m. The Tap, 75 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

  • CARIÑO: 7:30 p.m. $10 per person. The ROQ, 1022 Quarrier St., Charleston.

  • FOLKLORE PRESENTS: 7:30 p.m. $20 per person. Featuring Cole Chaney & Kyova wiith Heather Hannah. Folklore Music Exchange, 191 Summers St., Charleston.

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

  • EMPTY GLASS LIVE: 9 p.m. $7 cover. Ages 21+. Featuring PRSCTT, Boat Church and Do You Hate Me? The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston.

  • THE HOLLER HOUNDS: 9 p.m. Free. Sam’s Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol St., Charleston.

Stage/Theater

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

  • TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA: 5 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • TOY STORY 5: 6:30 p.m. Free, courtesy Dutch Miller. LaBelle Theatre, 313 D St., South Charleston.

  • JUNIE B. JONES JR. THE MUSICAL: 7 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

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

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

Athletics & Outdoors

  • CHARLESTON PARKRUN: 8-9 a.m. Free. Magic Island, 181 Kanawha Blvd. W., Charleston.

  • RIBFEST SOCCER CLASSIC 2026: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Various youth soccer divisions. Shawnee Sports Complex, 1 Salango Drive, Dunbar.

  • RAINBOW RUN 5K: 9 a.m. $30-$40 per participant. Open to runners, walkers and wheelchair users. Funds benefit Rainbow Pride of West Virginia’s LGBTQ+ Educational Scholarship. Prize categories for ages 10-46+ and wheelchair racers. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., race at 9 a.m. Capitol Market, 800 Smith St., Charleston.

  • LEAH’S LEGACY 5K: 5 p.m. $10-$50 per participant. Includes a 5K run, a two-mile walk, and a Kid’s Fun Run. Proceeds benefit the Leah Strickland Memorial Scholarship Fund. City Center at Slack Plaza, 182 Summers St., Charleston.

  • DIRTY BIRDS FIREWORKS: 6:35 p.m. Tickets $9.50+ per person. The Dirty Birds take on the Lexington Legends. Fireworks follow the game. GoMart Ballpark, 601 Morris St., Charleston.

Etc.

  • KCCA FALL COMMUNITY YARD SALE: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sponsored by the Kanawha City Community Association. The fall yard sale has more than 15 registered participants (addresses available on KCCA’s website). Various locations, Kanawha City.

  • 47TH ANNUAL MOUND ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free entrance. Spend the day shopping from talented arts and crafts vendors, enjoying delicious food and celebrating one of South Charleston’s favorite traditions around the historic Mound. Donate four cans of food to support the Heart + Hand Food Pantry and receive $3 in Mound Bucks to spend at any food vendor during the festival. South Charleston Criel Mound, 301 Seventh Ave., South Charleston.

  • NITRO BOOMTOWN DAY: 10 a.m. Free. Featuring the Nitro Antique Car Club Carshow, Boomtown Vintage Market, live music (Hair Supply and The Velvet Brothers), a Kids Zone and more. Nitro Living Memorial Park, 21st Street, Nitro.

  • FLUTTER INTO FUN – MONARCH BUTTERFLY CELEBRATION & RELEASE: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Celebrate the magic of pollinators, explore Spring Hill Cemetery Park grounds, and mark the 22nd Anniversary of West Virginia Monarch Butterfly Day with an unforgettable live butterfly release. Includes costume contest, Adventure Scavenger Hunt, a StoryWalk interactive outdoor reading, children’s game, a new natural playscape and a noon monarch release. Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum, 1555 Farnsworth Drive, Charleston.

  • CHILI’N ON THE ELK CRAFT BEER & WINE FESTIVAL: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free entrance. Featuring a chili cookoff contest, craft beer, wine, live music and more. Main Street & Elk Avenue, Clendenin.

  • RIBFEST: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Entry fee $8 adults, $4 children. Featuring six national rib vendors, live music, Kids Zone, amusement rides, a Beer Garden and more. Shawnee Park, 1 Salango Way, Dunbar.

  • DOG SWIM: Noon-4 p.m. Free. Bring your pup out for a supervised swim and some tail-wagging fun. Dogs can splash, exercise and socialize while owners enjoy time with other animal lovers in the community. Owners must supervise dogs and clean up after them. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center Pool, 314 Donnally St., Charleston.

  • PICKLEPALOOZA: 1-5 p.m. Free. A family-friendly celebration packed with pickles, music, games, activities, and plenty of reasons to pucker with joy. Includes free local pickle samples, vendors, a Kids Zone, pickle-inspired games and more. City Center at Slack Plaza, 182 Summers St., Charleston.

  • SUPER SATURDAY – KINDNESS CLUB STORY TIME & CHALLENGE: 2-3 p.m. Free. For children ages 6-11 years old. Honor the 25th anniversary of September 11th by celebrating community helpers. This event features a special story time and card making craft to thank the people who keep our neighborhoods safe, healthy and happy. Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • BOOK READING & SIGNING: 5 p.m. Free. Author and musician Pete Kosky will read from his newest release, "Cherry River Line." Free. Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • WORD OF MOUTH – A POETRY POP-UP: 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Cafe Appalachia Downtown, 110 McFarland St., Charleston.

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

  • SCAREVIEW DETENTION: 7:30 p.m. $20 per person. Appointment required. (Walk-in starting at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday ONLY.) Waiver must be signed before participating.  Contact westsidevfd@outlook.com or call 304-727-4750 for more information and to schedule an appointment. Scareview Grave Schoul, 109 High St., St. Albans.

  • LAUGHS & LYRICS: 8-10 p.m. $10 per person. All ages welcome. Outside food permitted. Dog friendly; animals must be on a leash. The Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St. W., Charleston.

Sunday, Sept. 13

Music

Athletics & Outdoors

  • RIBFEST SOCCER CLASSIC 2026: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Various youth soccer divisions. Shawnee Sports Complex, 1 Salango Drive, Dunbar.

  • FAN APPRECIATION DAY: 12:34 p.m. Tickets $9.50+ per person. The Dirty Birds take on the Lexington Legends. GoMart Ballpark, 601 Morris St., Charleston.

Stage/Theater

  • COOKIE QUEENS: 1 p.m. $12 general admission, $7 students with valid ID. Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema, 226 Capitol St., Charleston.

  • JUNIE B. JONES JR. THE MUSICAL: 2 p.m. $15 adults, $10 students/seniors. Alban Arts Center, 65 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans.

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

Etc.

  • THE TIPSY PICKLE BRUNCH: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $25 per person; tickets available online. All-you-can-eat brunch bar, sing-alongs, signature cocktails, photo ops and more. The Hideaway, 189 Summers St., Charleston.

  • SAGA @ ST. JOHNS: Noon-1:30 p.m. Members of SAGA,  a mainstream faith-based organization that believes God’s love affirms everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, meet at noon on the second Sunday of most months for a light lunch followed by a members meeting at 12:30 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1105 Quarrier St., Charleston.

  • DRAG BRUNCH: 1 p.m. Lee Street Lounge, 222 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston.

  • RIBFEST: 1-6 p.m. Entry fee $8 adults, $4 children. Featuring six national rib vendors, live music, Kids Zone, amusement rides, a Beer Garden and more. Shawnee Park, 1 Salango Way, Dunbar.