Weekend Warrior: 15 Virginia Fall Festivals

Festivals are one of the main themes of the fall season in Virginia, and they’re the perfect places to sample authentic Virginia flavors. From fresh pies to seasonally-flavored craft beer, the tastes alone will set you on an every-weekend course to the next festival.

Cox Farms Fall Festival

Centreville, Va – Daily September 26 – November 3 – Also claiming more than 40 years of amazing family fun is Cox Farms and their Fall Festival. Washington Post called it “The Big Kahuna of farms will fall festivities in northern Virginia.” Slides, rope swings, hay bale mazes, animals, food, cider … It all culminates in tons of fun on more than 90 acres.

Urbanna Oyster Festival

Urbanna, Va – First Weekend of November – For nearly 60 years the little town of Urbanna has welcomed thousands of people to join them in one amazing oyster festival, Virginia’s Official Oyster Festival. A queen is crowned and the shucking contest commences while onlookers wait to see if Oyster Shucking Champion Ms. Deborah Pratt will add another pearl to her crown. Parades, oysters any way you like to eat them, car shows, music, and plenty of hospitality await.

Blue Ridge Folklife Festival

Ferrum, Va – Fourth Saturday of October – Hosted by Ferrum College, this one-day event features more than 50 artisans, a smorgasbord of homecooked food, vintage automobiles and tractors, horses, old-time children’s games, live music, and all of the wonderful things that celebrate Virginia’s rural roots.

Richmond Folk Festival

Richmond, Va – Second Weekend of October – You’ll love the setting of Brown’s Island for this roots fest. Expect to find demonstrations, a folk arts marketplace, a variety of food options, and of course fantastic dance and music.

Pumpkin Village Fall Fest

Leesburg, Va – September 19 – November 3 – This festival was made for kids! They’re going to love the bounce houses, camel and pony rides, petting zoo, giant hillside slides, hay rides, pedal carts, a pumpkin patch, and quite a bit more. Don’t forget your camera!

Bland County Festival of Leaves

Bland, Va – Second Weekend of October – Spread from the fairgrounds to the Court House lawn, this festival is overflowing with food, crafts, fun for the kids, and of course, great food! Have a knack for apple recipes? Check out the apple cooking contest. Free event and free parking.

Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape

Powhatan, Va – Third Saturday of October – Thirty or more Virginia wineries will be on hand for this annual festival of fun. Great food, live music, and plenty of entertainment fill the day. Want to try Virginia craft beer? Purchase a tasting band and add a some to the mix. Your ticket includes a wine glass.

Fall Jubilee

Manassas, Va – First Saturday of October – Descend on Old Town for family-friendly entertainment and more than 100 artisans and vendors. A community event, Fall Jubilee is free and held rain or shine.

Apple Dumpling Festival

Stuart, Va – Third Saturday of October – The Depot area has it going on. That’s where the Danville and Western Railroad stopped in Stuart, and it’s where great bands will take the stage during the tasty Apple Dumpling Festival. Apple pies, apple dumplings, apple butter … just come hungry.

Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival

Amherst, Va – Second Weekend of October – Wine and garlic are an interesting duo, but Rebec Vineyards pulls it off year after year. Five stages of entertainment will keep the weekend rocking, and more than 150 arts, craft, and specialty foods will be on hand alongside nine local wineries. “It’s chic to reek!”

Fall Festival in Old Town Historic Fairfax

Fairfax, Va – Second Saturday of October – A traditional fall festival, you’ll find arts and crafts for holiday gift-giving (unless you hide something away for yourself), plus children’s rides, music, and delicious food. It’s all in downtown historic Fairfax!

Stratford Hall Wine & Oyster Festival

Stratford, Va – Third Weekend of September – Savory Chesapeake Bay oysters and Virginia wine highlight this festival at historic Stratford Hall, home of the Lee family. A petting zoo, arts, crafts, and free Great House tours will make the day memorable for each member of the family. Not an oyster eater? No fear! There will be other great food on hand, too.

Annual Town Point Virginia Wine Festival Presented by AT&T

Norfolk, Va – Third Weekend of October – This festival showcases more than 200 Virginia wines and is a highly anticipated annual pilgrimage for many. Reserve a table, private chalet, or simply arm yourself with a handful of sampling tickets each day. You’re sure to taste something you like, and delightfully, you can take home a bottle or the case.

Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend

Virginia Beach, Va – Last Weekend of September – Sand castles!! You will be amazed at the artistry of the sand structures in progress during this weekend festival. Enjoy plenty of food and entertainment along with the warmth of an sunny fall day.

Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival

Forest, Va – Third Saturday of November – Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest retreat is the perfect setting to enjoy one of his favorite pastimes, wine. At least 15 Virginia wineries will be pouring samples of their best vintages, and special guest vintner, Gabriele Rausse, will be on hand. VIP tickets are available for special seating; heated tents ensure the event is held rain or shine.

*Information Courtesy of blog.virginia.org

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