Lewisburg, West Virginia — The Lewisburg Winter Music Festival (LWMF), one of the town’s most anticipated seasonal cultural events, is drawing to a close this evening after transforming downtown Lewisburg into a hub of live music, community spirit and charitable purpose. Produced by the Southern Appalachia Musician’s Association (SAMA), the festival returned last night with performances spread across numerous venues, reaffirming its place as a signature winter celebration in the region.
The final night of the festival begins at 6:00 pm and is scheduled to continue until around midnight, with selected venues hosting late-night performances for audiences eager to extend the festivities. Music lovers still have ample opportunity to experience a diverse range of live acts, spanning multiple genres and performance styles, all within the walkable and historic centre of Lewisburg.
At its core, the festival is guided by the philosophy of “Musicians Helping Musicians.” Organised by SAMA, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation, LWMF is designed not merely as entertainment but as a mission-driven gathering that blends art with advocacy. SAMA is a musician-led, all-volunteer organisation committed to supporting artists across Southern Appalachia who are facing personal or professional crises, while also investing in music education and long-term community development.
A defining feature of the festival is the generosity of its performers. Every artist appearing on the LWMF stages donates their time and talent, ensuring that all ticket revenue can be channelled directly into SAMA’s outreach initiatives. These funds support emergency grants for musicians in need, educational programmes for emerging artists, and broader efforts to sustain the region’s musical heritage. This collective spirit has helped establish the festival as both a cultural and philanthropic landmark.
Affordability remains central to the event’s ethos. Weekend passes are priced at 30 dollars, while single-day tickets are available for 20 dollars, making the festival accessible to a broad audience. This pricing structure allows attendees to sample multiple performances across different venues, encouraging exploration and discovery without financial barriers. Tickets can be purchased in advance or directly from participating venues during the festival.
The compact layout of downtown Lewisburg further enhances the experience. All venues are located within a short walking distance of one another, allowing audiences to move easily between performances in a single evening. This proximity not only adds to the festival’s convenience but also contributes to the lively atmosphere, as streets, cafés and pubs fill with music fans and visiting artists.
The following table highlights several of the key venues hosting performances during the festival:
| Venue Name | Venue Type / Description |
|---|---|
| The Asylum | Live music bar |
| Washington Street Pub | Pub and performance space |
| Wild Bean | Café with intimate performances |
| Lewis Theatre | Historic theatre venue |
| Briergarten | Open, social music venue |
| The Sweet Shoppe | Small-scale performance space |
| Hill and Holler | Local music-focused venue |
| Old Red Mill Taphouse | Taphouse with live music |
| Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center | Community and cultural centre |
As the final performances take the stage tonight, the Lewisburg Winter Music Festival once again demonstrates how music can unite a community, support its artists, and energise a town even in the depths of winter. While the festival concludes this evening, its impact—both cultural and charitable—will continue to resonate throughout the region long after the last note fades.