Bigfoot festivals, pony swims, massive sandsculptures, and a parade of cones — these are just the start of the weird and lovable events you can attend in Virginia.
Find the funky festival for you with our guide to Virginia's most unique annual events, plus get information on how to attend.
Cone Parade
When: New Year’s Day
Where: Carytown neighborhood — Richmond
Richmonders have a festival that’s been getting the New Year off to a plucky start for almost two decades. During the Cone Parade, hundreds of people dress in creative costumes and march down Cary Street to usher in prosperity, whimsy, and positive energy. Whether you want to watch the parade or craft a cone of your own (don’t worry, the organizers have a how-to video for first-timers), you’ll feel cone-nected to your fellow humans at this welcoming event.
How To Go: The parade is free. To participate, assemble in costume in front of the Aquarian Bookshop at noon.
Maple Festival
Maple Festival
Photo Credit: Tony Hall
When: March
Where: Around Highland County
Known around town as Virginia’s sweetest festival, the Highland County’s Maple Festival takes the whole town by storm and has been a proud tradition for over 65 years. For two weekends in March, visitors can enjoy free maple sugar camp tours, a juried arts and crafts show, special food offerings (including more pancakes than you’ll know what to do with), and live entertainment.
How To Go: Entry is free for many festival events. It’s $5 to get into the arts and crafts fair or see entertainment at The Highland Center. Cash is recommended for purchases made at the festival.
Virginia Renaissance Faire
When: Select Weekends in May & June
Where: Lake Anna Winery — Spotsylvania
Get your Renaissance Faire fix in Spotsylvania, where the Virginia Renaissance Faire has been entertaining guests with music, jousting, hound coursing, living history demonstrations, and a merchant marketplace for over 20 years. There’s five weekends of revelry to enjoy.
How To Go: Purchase tickets online in advance. Tickets are not sold at the event.
Balloons Over Rockbridge
Balloons Over Rockbridge
Photo Credit: Grey Walters @greywalters
When: Fourth of July Weekend
Where: Virginia Horse Center Oak Hill Property — Lexington
Take to the skies during Balloons Over Rockbridge, a hot air balloon festival that’ll give you a truly unique view of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. While on the ground, enjoy live music, food and drinks, and a kid zone.
How To Go: Festival admission is free. Tethered flights are available first come, first served and cost $20 for adults. Reservations are required for piloted balloon flights.
Late July has meant one thing for Chincoteague Island for the past 100 years: the Pony Swim. Made famous by Marguerite Henry’s “Misty of Chincoteague” novel, the Pony Swim sees tens of thousands of spectators flocking to the small island to watch saltwater cowboys escort wild ponies through town. Don’t miss the Chincoteague Fireman’s Carnival, which features rides, games, and raffles throughout Pony Penning week.
How To Go: The event is free, but expect crowds. There is a free Pony Swim Shuttle which runs between various locations on Chincoteague Island and Veterans Memorial Park.
Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention
When: August
Where: Felts Park — Galax
Beside the fact that the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention is the oldest and largest of its kind, it’s also just a jamming good time. With bluegrass, old time, folk, and flatfoot dance competitions, there are great performances to watch over all six days of the festival. But there’s also a lot of impromptu music and camaraderie in the campground, as musicians strike up tunes with friends new and old.
How To Go: Advanced tickets are not sold. Daily tickets start at $10.
Floyd Yoga Jam
When: Labor Day Weekend
Where: Burnette Farm — Floyd
Find four days of invigorating yoga, plus music, dance, and art, at the annual Floyd Yoga Jam. With yoga classes, guided meditations, sound baths, workshops, and educational hikes, the festival is a must for yoga lovers.
How To Go: Purchase single or multi-day tickets. Camping and glamping sites are available.
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
Photo Credit: Joey Wharton @joey_wharton
When: September
Where: Virginia Beach Oceanfront
A Virginia Beach tradition like no other, the Neptune Festival closes the summer season with a party to remember. During Boardwalk Weekend, festivalgoers can enjoy dozens of performances across two stages, explore work by hundreds of artisans, and take part in an 8K, parade, and volleyball tournament. The highlight is Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship, where world-renowned sculptors compete to create magnificent works of sand art.
How To Go: The festival is free to attend. Admission to the Sandsculting Gallery is $7 per person and tickets can be purchased on-site.
Lynchburg Virginia Elvis Festival
When: September
Where: Academy Center of the Arts — Lynchburg
The real Presley pros gather at the Lynchburg Virginia Elvis Festival, where top tribute artists compete to represent the festival on an international stage at Graceland. Watch multiple rounds of competition and secure a festival package to keep the party going at after parties each day of competition.
How To Go: Purchase individual tickets or a festival package in advance.
You may not catch a glimpse of the mythical Woodbooger during this family-friendly festival, but you’re guaranteed to have a ton of fun. The Bigfoot-esque creature is said to roam Southwest Virginia, making Norton the perfect home for the Woodbooger Festival. Enjoy live music, food and drinks, guided hikes, a night search, canoe rides, and craft vendors during the festivities.
How To Go: The festival is free to attend.
Queen City Mischief & Magic
When: September
Where: Downtown Staunton
20,000 believers in magic flock to Staunton for Queen City Mischief & Magic, a weekend of wizardry and fun in September. Downtown Staunton transforms into a scene out of a storybook with potions, magical creatures, wand duels, and train excursions. You’ll have to see it to believe it.
How To Go: The festival is free to attend.
Urbanna Oyster Festival
Urbanna Oyster Festival
When: First Friday & Saturday in November
Where: Town of Urbanna
Of course we have a festival to celebrate all things oysters — we’re Virginia, after all. With over 65 years under its belt, the Urbanna Oyster Festival is a true destination event for shellfish lovers. The schedule includes live music, shucking competitions, raffles, and a fireman’s parade.
How To Go: Festival entry is free. The festival is pay-as-you-go, with certain experiences charging a fee and others open to the public.
Visiting friends and family during the holidays? Check out these unique holiday events you'll only find in Virginia, or keep browsing for more fun events all year long in the Commonwealth.
Author
Robin Schwartzkopf
Robin Schwartzkopf is the Content Copywriter for the Virginia is for Lovers marketing team. She believes Virginia has a little bit of everything, and enjoys discovering new things about her home state. For Robin, no getaway is complete without a scenic walk, preferably with a coffee from a local shop.
