Attending Virginia fall festivals is one of the best and most authentic ways to experience life in the Old Dominion. Finding the right festival that suits your interests and schedule, though, can be difficult without some help.
Don’t Miss Out on These Fun Virginia Fall Festivals
Virginia in the fall is a sight to behold. As the summer foliage sheds its hue and turns orange, locals and visitors prepare for the cooler temperatures. One way to ring in the new season is to attend a fall festival. But which festivals should you pick?
Here are the best things to do in Virginia this fall.
1. Pumpkin Village Fall Fest
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Location: Leesburg
Event Date: September 16 to November 5, 2023
Admission: Starts at $18
When it comes to fall activities in Virginia, visiting Pumpkin Village is a must-do. The Pumpkin Village Fall Fest boasts no shortage of fun activities. Here, kids can slide down hills, ride ponies, get lost in hay mazes, and ride wagons and pedal carts. On weekends, additional activities include face painting, zip lines, Halloween costume contests, and more.
2. Cox Farms Fall Festival
Location: Centreville
Event Date: September 23 to November 7, 2023
Admission: Starts at $10
The Cox Farms Fall Festival is an event bursting with fun and excitement. Kids can participate in farm chores, go on a hayride, and dive down slides. There’s also a tractor museum, an “imaginature” trail, and a goat village. Beyond that, visitors can sample local apples and cider.
4. Suffolk Peanut Festival
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Location: Suffolk
Event Date: October 5 to 8, 2023
Admission: $10 (Free for kids 10 and under)
If you’re looking for Virginia fall events in Suffolk, the Peanut Festival is the one to check out. Here, you’ll find concerts, competitions, amusement rides, and fireworks. There’s also a peanut cup race and a demolition derby as well as a motorcycle rally. And you can’t have a peanut festival without a peanut-themed parade and peanut-based treats!
5. Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival
Location: Syria
Event Date: October 22 to 23, 2023
Admission: $5 (Free for kids 15 and under)
The Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival is an experience worth having. This event features donkey rides, hayrides, and farm yards. There’s also live bluegrass music, arts and crafts vendors, and delicious food and beverages. Of course, you can also expect all things apple – from fresh farm apple cider and apple donuts to apple pies and apple wine.
6. Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape
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Location: Powhatan
Event Date: October 7, 2023
Admission: Starts at $20
For wine lovers, one of the best fall events in Virginia to look forward to is the Festival of the Grape in Powhatan. This event boasts more than 30 Virginia wineries, distilleries, and craft breweries for a tasting experience unlike any other. Pair that with live music, arts and crafts, and food trucks, and you’ve got yourself the perfect day.
7. Annual Chincoteague Island Oyster Festival
Location: Chincoteague Island
Event Date: October 7, 2023
Admission: $60 (Free for kids under 5)
With a goal to promote the seafood industry, the Chincoteague Oyster Festival is an event of the season. Visitors can taste oysters and clams prepared in various ways. If you’re not a seafood lover, hot dogs, hush puppies, and a salad bar await. As you sample the delicacies of the area, enjoy live entertainment courtesy of the beloved Island Boy. It’s a one-day event that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
8. Harvest Days Festival
Location: Clarksville
Event Date: October 7, 2023
Admission: Free
Ring in the fall season in Clarksville with the annual Harvest Days Festival. Here, vendors offering crafts, antiques, and collectibles line the streets along Virginia Avenue. Kids can participate in games and crafts or pet adorable farm animals. Then, close the day with an unforgettable Lake Country Cruise.
9. Richmond Folk Festival
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Location: Richmond
Event Date: October 13 to 15, 2023
Admission: Free
What list of October festivals in Virginia would be complete without the Richmond Folk Festival? This three-day event boasts six stages, each one showcasing groups performing a diverse range of cultural traditions. Enlighten yourself and learn about history, culture, and the arts.
10. Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival
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Location: Amherst
Event Date: October 14 to 15, 2023
Admission: Starts at $20
Wine and garlic? What could be a better pair? This October, tickle your taste buds with tastings of local wines and garlicky treats at the Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival. Couple that with live entertainment across multiple stages, arts and crafts, and kid-friendly activities, and it’ll certainly be one for the books.
11. Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival
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Location: Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
Event Date: October 21 to 22, 2023
Admission: Starts at $25
For wine lovers, one of the best fall festivals in Virginia is definitely the Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival. Indulge in wine tastings and live entertainment before shopping at one of the many retail vendors at the event.
12. Apple Dumpling Festival
Location: Stuart
Event Date: October 21, 2023
Admission: Starts at $25
Apples are a staple during the autumn season, and Stuart’s Apple Dumpling Festival takes full advantage of that. Here, visitors can peruse the arts and crafts vendors before sampling the delicious apple-based treats. From apple butter to apple pies, you’ll definitely find something for you. Of course, no visit to this festival would be complete without tasting the famous apple dumplings.
13. Urbanna Oyster Festival
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Location: Urbanna
Event Date: November 3 to 4, 2023
Admission: Free
As you might have guessed, the Urbanna Oyster Festival highlights the state’s oyster industry. There’s an oyster shucking competition, an oyster festival parade, and an oyster festival education day. Visitors can also enjoy an antique car show, a fireman’s parade, and live music performances. While general admission is free, there are some places that charge a fee.
14. Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival
Location: Forest
Event Date: November 11, 2023
Admission: Starts at $30
With a strong wine industry, it’s no wonder many fall festivals in Virginia focus on wine. The Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival, in particular, celebrates the beverage and Jefferson’s legacy as the father of Virginia wine. In addition to wine tastings, you can expect live performances by local musicians, an artisan market, and local dishes.
Mark Your Calendar
Clearly, Virginia fall festivals come in a variety of shapes and sizes. With so many different options, one is bound to match your taste, budget, and schedule.
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