This weekend in Hillsville, VA

Now in its 11th year, this chili shootout invites cooks to prepare their recipes on site while tasters sample and help choose the winners. Admission is $5 and includes a wristband for sampling and a ballot for voting. Beyond the tastings, the day features bull riding, music, and a variety of fun activities for all. Registration is available for those wishing to compete in the chili or salsa contests.

At the Andy Griffith Playhouse, Mayberry Melodies spotlights the music woven through The Andy Griffith Show. Expect familiar favorites alongside rarely heard treasures, with stories that reveal how songs were chosen for the series and even the surprise that the famous theme has lyrics. Across eight seasons the show featured 117 songs, and this concert explores their legacy in a lively, narrative-driven format. A band of seasoned pickers and singers with worldwide experience brings these tunes to the stage, from melodies that were picked and sung to those that were whistled or hummed. Tickets are $30 or $25.

At the Historic Earle Theatre, Neal Brower shares insights on The Andy Griffith Show drawn from years of correspondence and conversations with the show’s writers, directors, cast, and crew. The program includes interviews, in depth discussion, responses to thoughtful questions, and clips from The Andy Griffith Show. Brower is the author of Mayberry 101 and The Essential Mayberry: Behind the Scenes of The Andy Griffith Show, and both books are available at the Andy Griffith Museum Gift Shop. Tickets are $20/$15.

Bill Knotts presents an intimate, one-man tribute to his uncle, Don Knotts, at the Historic Earle Theatre as part of Mayberry Days®. Drawing on personal memories that include living with Don and his wife in Beverly Hills while he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the 1970s, Bill invites the audience into the world of Mayberry and beyond. The program blends treasured family photographs with classic clips from The Andy Griffith Show, revisiting favorite characters and the actors who portrayed them. He explores the Knotts family story, Don’s early breaks and his path to playing Barney Fife, his film work with Universal and his Disney collaborations with Tim Conway, his television roles on Three’s Company and Matlock, and stage appearances across the country. Along the way, he shares recollections from Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, and Tim Conway. A former professional actor with roles that include Professor Harold Hill, Snoopy, and Sir Thomas More, Bill brings seasoned stagecraft to the presentation before reflecting on his later work in business and teaching. Tickets are $35.

At the Andy Griffith Playhouse, the Mayberry Days variety showcase Colonel Tim's Talent Time presents an evening of entertainment with surprise appearances from special guests, performances by local and national entertainers, and the familiar Mayberry tribute artists. Hosted by Allan Newsome, also known as Floyd the Barber, the show keeps the excitement high with an unpredictable lineup and plenty of Mayberry-themed fun. Tickets are $30 or $25.

Settle in for an outdoor movie night in Hillsville as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial lights up the screen. Presented by the Town of Hillsville, this family-friendly screening takes place at the Hillsville VFW and features Steven Spielberg’s beloved tale starring Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore about a boy who befriends a stranded visitor from the stars and helps him find his way home. Admission is free. Purple Moon Cafe and Up & Down Cafe will be on site with treats, and fresh popcorn will be available. Bring a canned food donation to receive complimentary popcorn as a thank you for supporting the community. Pack lawn chairs or blankets for comfortable seating. All ages are welcome.

The Jeff Little Trio blends Appalachian roots with a forward-looking spark, delivering energetic performances driven by Jeff Little’s virtuosic piano. Award-winning musicians Steve Lewis and Luke Little add intricate layers on acoustic guitar, five string banjo, and mandolin, shaping a sound that honors tradition while embracing new ideas. Their credits span major stages including the Smithsonian Institution, the National Folk Festival, American Piano Masters, and The Barns of Wolf Trap, along with many theaters, performing arts centers, and festivals. Jeff has been featured many times on NPR and PBS, and he has carried this music worldwide for the U.S. Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with performances in Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Pakistan, Oman, France, and Tanzania. He was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame in 2014, and NPR has praised him as both deeply rooted in the Blue Ridge and a bold, virtuosic innovator. Steve Lewis is a decorated guitarist and banjo player with championship wins at MerleFest, RenoFest, and the Wayne Henderson Guitar Competition, as well as Walnut Valley National Championships on guitar and two titles on the banjo. Luke Little is an accomplished mandolinist recognized for his refined style, with appearances at the National Folk Festival, Virginia Tech’s Moss Center for the Performing Arts, MerleFest Mandomania, and the Montana Folk Festival.

This is a laid-back community meetup at Primitive Coffee in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. It offers a relaxed setting to connect with others, and everyone is welcome.

At the Andy Griffith Playhouse, the Mayberry Melodies Gospel Show celebrates the rich tradition of faith-based songs heard on TAGS, highlighting how meaningful this music was to Andy. The program features cherished selections from TAGS alongside other gospel numbers and contemporary favorites, presented live with an uplifting spirit. The experience is designed to leave listeners energized and encouraged. Tickets are $30 and $25.