Two-way street conversion is shaping up along Main and Fourth Streets to accommodate larger traffic flow in the years to come. | Photo by WStoday
Winston-Salem saw some major moves this year. In 2025, we’ve witnessed Salem Bottleworks come to life with three new eateries, Salem Parkway multi-use path open to the public, the groundbreaking announcement of the downtown amphitheater, and more.
If you’re wondering what else is in store, here are some big projects to watch out for in 2026:
Winston-Salem’s own history museum, MUSE Winston-Salem, is slated to open summer 2026.
A new preschool and day care center is coming to Country Club Road. The Goddard School of Winston-Salem is currently enrolling for its upcoming school year.
The downtown two-way street conversion is nearing completion, and visitors can expect new traffic patterns along Main and Liberty streets.
Can you guess which building NCMA, Winston-Salem, is moving to in 2026?
Photo by WStoday
NCMA, Winston-Salem campus, will move to Fourth Street downtown, and The Reynolda House Museum of American Art will close Monday, Jan. 5, with plans to reopen summer 2026.
A new year means new movies, and there are lots of flicks to get excited for in 2026. There’s a Michael Jackson biopic, the third installment of the “Dune” franchise, and Christopher Nolan’s upcoming spin on the epic tale, “The Odyssey.” Keep your eye out for a/perture cinema showings for releases. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Answered
We asked our readers to settle several holiday debates, and when it comes to New Year’s Eve, the verdict is clear: stay home. A whopping 90% of our readers said they’re ringing in the new year from the couch. If our event picks don’t tempt you out, order takeout from one of these new local restaurants.
The Word
Betwixtmas. That’s the new word for the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve — aka a time period that many describe as feeling “meaningless.” If you’re struggling to fill your Betwixtmas, we recommend browsing our city guides to help keep your boredom at bay.
Try This
Pinterest is predicting a pen pal renaissance in 2026. Online searches for cute stamps, letter inspo, and snail mail gift ideas have all seen a recent increase as folks look for new ways to create meaningful connections in an increasingly digitized world. You can find some inspo at Village Fabric Shop in Reynolda Village.
Trending
Every new year, there’s typically an uptick in people searching for local gyms. If that’s on your radar entering 2026, there are lots of places to get a sweat on in the Twin City for people of all abilities.
Mailbag
“A friend shared your email newsletter. Great job!! Where have you been all my life!?” We’re glad to have you, Laura H. Consider this your sign to spread the good news with your circle. No gatekeeping here.
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The Buy
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Thank you, Winstonians, for letting me be part of your daily routine as you get started every day. I’ve met some of you in person, or you’ve emailed us, sharing how much you love WStoday, and that truly brings me joy.
This year, I celebrated three years in Winston-Salem, two years as WStoday editor, and was selected as a Winston Under 40 Leadership award recipient. I’m beyond grateful to be part of this community, and I can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for us.
A moment of appreciation for this green, lush scenery.
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