Experience Virginia Music at an Annual Festival

All roads lead to Virginia during Festival season - and year round in fact. Virginia's music scene offers something for everyone, from the Woodstock wannabe to the fiddle loving flatfooter, the music unites all with big and small festivals alike.

There's some kind of music festival nearly every weekend all over the state from before Memorial day to late October, with endless accompanying food, art, history, and fun.

Explore our list of Virginia music festivals below to find your scene and mark your calendars!

SOMETHING IN THE WATER — VIRGINIA BEACH

A passion project for internationally-acclaimed music superstar Pharrell Williams, Something in the Water is a three-day pop and hip-hop music and arts festival held right on the Virginia Beach shore. The festival is about more than music and art, though–the event also seeks to celebrate diversity and empowerment. 

ROOSTER WALK MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL — MARTINSVILLE

The annual Rooster Walk Festival promotes music, arts, and education in the Martinsville area, with tons of amazing music, kids’ activities, craft beer, food, and art vendors, and gorgeous campsites at Pop’s Farm in Axton, located just outside of Martinsville. 

Named one of the top five festivals in the state by Richmond Times Dispatch in 2016, Rooster Walk also supports a good cause–the proceeds of the festival are used for a college scholarship fund for Martinsville High School. 

Rooster Walk Music Festival

FLOYDFEST — FLOYD

FloydFest's next chapter begins in 2024 with Floydfest - Horizon. Enjoy five days of ‘Music, Magic and Mountains’ at their new home, FestivalPark in Check. The event features purposeful programming, vibrant and varied vendors, quality craft brews and chews, healing arts, workshops and whimsy, camping and children's activities, outdoor adventure, onsite art installations and a final lineup featuring almost 100 artists performing on seven stages over five days. 

Floydfest

BEACH IT! COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL — VIRGINIA BEACH

Featuring musical acts including Luke Bryan, Jo Dee Messina, Miranda Lambert and many more, Beach It! Country Music Festival is a three-day festival held in Virginia Beach bringing country music to the breathtaking Virginia Beach oceanfront. 

RED WING ROOTS — MOUNT SOLON

The Red Wing Roots Music Festival is held annually in June at the scenic Natural Chimneys Park in Mt. Solon, is a family-friendly event that blends bluegrass and folk music. Multiple stages allow a wide array of regional and national bands to continuously play various genres during the festival, and there are tons of organized outdoor events as well such as bike rides, hiking, fun runs, and interactive kids activities.

Red Wing Roots Music Festival

GALAX OLD FIDDLERS CONVENTION — GALAX

The oldest and largest fiddlers’ festival in the world, the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention pays tribute to the region’s rich culture and mountain music roots. Since 1935, this festival has brought musicians and bluegrass fans from around the world to discover the sound that defines the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

After more than 80 years, the festival is still one of the most affordable, fun events anywhere on the east coast, providing a family-friendly vacation option for those looking to learn more about Southwest Virginia’s extensive musical background.

BRISTOL RHYTHM & ROOTS REUNION — BRISTOL

Celebrate Bristol’s heritage as the “Birthplace of Country Music” during Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, a three-day music experience along downtown Bristol’s State Street. This annual fall festival features 22 stages of live music, including a dance tent, a children’s stage area on Saturday, and 16 indoor venues.

Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

SHENANDOAH VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL — ORKNEY SPRINGS

The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival runs from approximately mid-July through Labor Day weekend. As the longest-running outdoor music festival in the mid-Atlantic region, the events draw some big performance names. 

Previous acts include LeAnn Rimes and Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, and the varied genres of musicians draw guests from all over the East Coast. While the festival hosts some pretty big headliners, the inexpensive ticket prices make the live concerts accessible to all, with front-row seats at the best concerts totaling only $59 a person. Another cost-saver? Guests are encouraged to bring picnic-style spread to events. 

RICHMOND FOLK FESTIVAL — RICHMOND

Celebrating a multitude of American cultures, the Richmond Folk Festival incorporates live music, dancing, local foods, and traditional arts and crafts into this weekend-long event. This free festival features 30+ performing groups on seven stages and Folklife demonstrations throughout the grounds that teach visitors about the cultural richness of our nation. 

Various regional and ethnic foods are available to purchase, as well as craft beers, wines, and other beverages. With arts, crafts, and many children’s activities filling out the schedule, the Richmond Folk Festival is fun for the entire family.

Richmond Folk Festival

TAZEWELL OLD TIME & BLUEGRASS FIDDLERS’ CONVENTION — TAZEWELL

Come to the Tazewell Old Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention for three days of live musical performances played with banjos, guitars, fiddles, and many other folk-inspired instruments. During the festival, bands compete in their respective categories, including harmonica, autoharp, and bass, for more than $5,000 in cash prizes (not to mention the pride and recognition that goes along with winning!). 

With full weekend passes selling for $12, children under 12 free, and primitive campsites available at no cost, you can bring the entire family to this affordable festival celebrating Heart of Appalachia’s traditional mountain music.

RICHMOND JAZZ FESTIVAL — RICHMOND

The eagerly awaited Richmond Jazz and Music Festival returns  to picturesque Maymont in Richmond mid-August. This highly anticipated event will treat music enthusiasts to an unforgettable experience featuring the legendary Chaka Khan, Saxophonist Kamasi Washington, Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns with Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius, plus the soulful Coco Jones, Ledisi, Wale, Kirk Whalum, Joe, Lalah Hathaway, MAJOR., and many more!