Welcome to the Top 10 Events in Virginia
Explore the selection of the top 10 annual events and festivals, fairs and celebrations (listed in calendar priority) across the State of Virginia, including events in Hampton, Richmond City and Virginia BeachHistoric Garden Week
April
Statewide, Virginia
The oldest and largest statewide home and garden tour event in the country, Historic Garden Week.
Regions across Virginia host garden tours throughout the week. Each tour features four to seven sites, including private homes and public attractions, showcasing formal gardens, walled gardens, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, annual and perennial gardens, herb gardens, water gardens, and even secret gardens.
For more information visit: www.vagardenweek.org/
Pony Swim and Auction
July
Assateague Island and Chincoteague Island, Virginia
The annual round up of wild ponies from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island on Virginia's Eastern Shore has captured the hearts and minds of visitors for years.
Volunteer firemen round up the ponies on Assateague Island and on the last Wednesday in July swim them across the channel to Chincoteague Island where they rest before being herded down Main Street to the carnival grounds.
On the last Thursday of July, from 8:00 a.m. until noon, there is an auction held at the Carnival grounds to sell the foals born this year.
For more information visit: www.chincoteaguechamber.com
Hot Air Balloon Rally
July
Lexington City, Virginia
A Celebrating Independence Day, the Hot Air Balloon Rally features piloted and tethered hot air balloon rides, live musical entertainment, children's activities, antique appraisals, classic car show, lots of food and a dazzling firework display!
A tradition for more than 12 years, this rally in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley takes place on the parade grounds at Virginia Military Institute.
For more information visit: www.sunriserotarylexva.org/balloon.htm
Old Fiddlers Convention
August
Galax, Virginia
Now more than 70 years old, the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention is the granddaddy of all fiddling conventions.
A tradition in country and mountain musical circles, presenting tunes which have been handed down from generation to generation in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this five-day event highlights mountain music, old timey, bluegrass and clogging and attracts contestants from across the state and from foreign countries.
For more information visit: www.oldfiddlersconvention.com
Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival
September
Moneta, Virginia
The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival is the perfect event for aficionados of wine as well as fans of outdoor concerts and craft festivals.
Held at Southwest Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta on Route 122 across from the Lakewatch Plantation, 27 wineries participate with 85 juried craft and food vendors.
Hampton Bay Days
September
Hampton, Virginia
One of the largest family oriented celebrations on the East Coast, and a tradition for more than 25 years, Hampton Bay Days attracts over a quarter of a million festival seekers as they flood the historic streets and scenic waterfront of Downtown Hampton.
In addition to all of the free musical entertainment presented on four outdoor stages, the festival also includes over 100 merchandise and craft vendors, fireworks display, food, a Kid’s Play & Learn About the Bay Entertainment Area, a Rockin’ Sock Hop Car Show, and a Family Carnival.
For more information visit: www.baydays.com
Richmond Folk Festival
October
Richmond City
One of the largest events in Virginia, drawing visitors from across the country, the free, three-day, Richmond Folk Festival celebrates the roots, richness and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional craft and food.
The Richmond Folk Festival features more than 30 performing groups on seven live music stages with continuous music and dance performances, along with a Virginia Folklife demonstration area, children's activities, a folk arts marketplace, regional and ethnic foods and more.
For more information visit: www.richmondfolkfestival.org
Virginia Wine Month
October
Statewide, Virginia
Virginia Wine Month began in 1988 as a way to support the state’s young wine business and promote wine travel in Virginia. Twenty years later, the number of wineries has more than tripled and Virginia’s reputation for wine-making continues to grow. In 2007, Virginia was named one of the top five up-and-coming wine regions in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Virginia Wine Month is a major highlight of the event year with more then 50 special wine-related events, from festivals to dinners and musical tributes each October.
For more information visit: www.virginia.org/site/features.asp?featureid=189
International Gold Cup
October
The Plains, Virginia
One of the top 20 events of the Commonwealth's fall calendar, The International Gold Cup is scheduled for the peak of fall foliage color in Fauquier County.
Crisp air, country tweeds and an elegant Hunt Country backdrop sets an outdoor stage for 30,000 guests to enjoy seven steeplechase races a Porsche Classic car display, seven nationally sanctioned races, Terrier and Pony Races.
For more information visit: www.vagoldcup.com/igc.html
Holiday Lights at the Beach
November / December
Virginia Beach, Virginia
The largest grand illumination display on the Atlantic seaboard, Holiday Lights at the Beach features animated nautical and holiday-themed light displays along the Virginia Beach boardwalk attracting over 100,000 visitors each year.
Features include 25 blocks of festive fish, jumping dolphins, and frolicking porpoises, sailboats gently rocking in the wind, and mermaids, surfing Santas, giant gift-wrapped packages, and a three-story Christmas tree.
For more information visit:
www.hamptonroadsvisitor.com/holidaylightsatthebeach.html
