Summer sun, family fun, and lazy days of summer. Check out arts, crafts, music and more at these festivals that are perfect for the day or a weekend getaway.
Art Festivals
Maryland
July 8
Silver Spring Arts & Crafts Summer Fair
2 – 8pm
Silver Spring
Free entertainment, music, and family fun at Veterans Plaza. See more than 60 arts and crafts and food and dessert vendors. For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/silver-spring-arts-crafts-summer-fair-tickets-42343807468.
Virginia
August 3 – 4
Steppin Out, Blacksburg
10am – 11pm Friday
10am – 10pm Saturday
Blacksburg
Free live entertainment, festival food, and sidewalk sales with more than 200 artists. Free admission and shuttle parking. For more information, visit www.blacksburgsteppinout.com.
August 4
Annual Manassas African-American Heritage Festival
11am – 6pm
Manassas
A wide swath of artists, authors, musicians, health professionals, and business and church groups. Plenty of food, fun, and activities. Free admission. Check out details at www.maahf.com.
August 17 – 18
Warren Street Festival
5pm Friday
10am Saturday
Rocky Mount, VA
Celebrate Warren Street’s African-American history at Rocky Mount Farmers’ Market with musical performances, food, art, activities, a car show and a parade. Admission is $5 per day. For details, visit www.virginia.org/listings/Events/WarrenStreetFestival.
September 1
Taste of the Mountains Main Street Festival
9am – 4pm
Madison
Free admission and free shuttle from Madison County High School. Arts, crafts, regional food, kids’ activities, and music. Access to wine and beer tent, $10. For more information, visit madisonva.com/events.
September 29 – 30
Occoquan Arts and Crafts Show
10 AM – 6 PM Saturday
10 AM – 5 PM Sunday
Occoquan
A free weekend of art, fun, food, music, and shopping at this annual arts and crafts show. Shuttle from satellite parking $5. Visit www.occoquanva.gov/arts-and-crafts-show.html.
Summer Music Festivals
Pennsylvania
July 19 – 22
The Peach Music Festival
Times TBD
Montage Mountain in Scranton
Camping, music, and more, including a waterpark, ziplines, and more inside the festival grounds at Montage Mountain in Scranton. General admission and VIP passes available online at thepeachmusicfestival.com.
Maryland
July 21 – 22
Summer Reggae Wine Festival
10am – 6pm
Mt. Airy
Shop the open air market, listen to live bands, and sample wine at Linganore Winecellars. For more info and to purchase tickets online, visit www.linganorewines.com/event/reggae-wine-festival.
August 11
Moonrise Festival
11am – 11pm
Baltimore
Concerts range from hip hop and electronic acts to house music and everything in between at Pimlico Race Course. For details and tickets, visit www.moonrisefestival.com.
August 18
Hot August Music Festival
11am – 7pm
Cockeysville
A full day listening to great music with friends at Oregon Ridge. Event details, music lineup, admission prices, and parking details available at hotaugustmusicfestival.com.
August 25
Summer Soul Funk Festival
11am – 9pm
Waldorf
Full day of fun and funk at Regency Furniture Stadium. Admission prices and details available at www.eventbrite.com/e/sponsorship-vendorssummer-soul-funk-festival-tickets-38000483469.
Virginia
July 12 – 15
Pasture Palooza Music & Arts Festival
Berryville
Annual weekend festival and campout with live music, camping, and food. Tickets range from $40 – $90; $60 for a 3-day pass. Kids 12 and under are free. No dogs allowed. For tickets and details, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/pasture-palooza-9-tickets-42062501073.
July 13 – 15
Drums of the Painted Mountain Pow Wow
Cedar Bluff
Free admission for three days of performances and demonstrations, Native American dancing, storytelling, arts, crafts, and programs. Held at the Southwest Virginia Community College Soccer Field, dancers and traditional drums welcome.
July 13 – 15
Red Wing Roots Music Festival
Mt. Solon
Check out national and regional bands, kids’ events, and bike rides in the Shenandoah Valley. For more information and tickets, visit www.redwingroots.com.
July 19 – 21
Virginia Lake Festival
6 – 10pm
Clarksville
Free admission. Music, helicopter rides, antique cars, arts, crafts, hot air balloon rides, and fireworks. Visit business.clarksvilleva.com/events/calendar/2018-07-01 for more information.
July 20 – 21
Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
8 – 11pm each night
Orkney Springs
Four concerts per weekend at Shrine Mont historic retreat and conference center featuring nationally recognized Americana, bluegrass, classical, country, folk, and pop/rock. For more dates, information, ticket prices, and packages, visit musicfest.org.
August 10 – 19
Staunton Music Festival
Staunton, VA
A festival of world-class chamber music. Brochure, ticket prices, show locations, dates, and times available online at www.stauntonmusicfestival.org.
August 24 – 25
Annual Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival
5 – 11pm
Norfolk
A unique blend of international recording-artists and chart-toppers will perform in Town Point Park on the urban downtown Norfolk waterfront. Details available online at festevents.org/events/2018-season-events/norfolkwaterfrontjazzfestival.
August 31 – September 2
American Music Festival
Virginia Beach
Three-day ticketed concerts of blues, country, jazz, R&B and rock flood the oceanfront for three days over Labor Day. For more information, visit www.beachstreetusa.com/festivals/american-music-festival.
August 23 – 26
Lockn’ Festival
Arrington
Four-day music fest includes camping, outdoor activities, regional food, beverages, and artisans. On-site camping. Tickets start at $250. For tickets or more information, visit www.locknfestival.com.
Family Fun
July 14
Wings and Wheels
10am – 4pm
Bath County, Hot Springs
Car, truck, tractor, motorcycle, and acrobatic air show at Ingalls Field Airport. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 kids ages 4 – 12, and free for kids 3 and under. Fly and drive-in participants welcome. Registration is $15 before 6 July, $20 after 6 July and day of. For details, visit www.wingsandwheelsbathcountyva.com.
July 20 – 22
Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days
Moneta, VA
Family friendly 3-D pirate experience at Smith Mountain Lake. For more information, visit www.visitsmithmountainlake.com.
July 21
Gran Fondo
7am – 6pm
Alleghany, Covington
Four cycling courses include: The Gran Fondo, a 116-mile mountainous course; the Medio Fondo, a 69-mile hilly course; the Medio Mountain, a 69-mile mountainous course; and the Piccolo Fondo, a 29-mile hilly course. Learn more at www.granfondoalleghany.com.
July 25 – 26
Annual Chincoteague Island Pony Swim and Auction
Chincoteague Island, VA
Volunteer firefighters round up ponies on Assateague Island and swim them across the channel to Chincoteague Island. Foals are auctioned at the carnival grounds. Learn more at www.chincoteague.com/pony_swim_guide.html.
July 27 – 28
Main Street Moments
Tazewell
A free community street festival that includes carriage rides, food, music, and tours. For details, visit www.townoftazewell.org.
July 28
Peach Day Festival at Grave’s Mountain Lodge
Syria
Free admission and parking. Live music. Swimming pool open to the public for $5 person. For more information, visit www.gravesmountain.com/events-calendar/peach-day.
August 4
Founders Day in Urbanna
10am – 4pm
A free family fun day that includes pirates, colonial interpreters, storytelling, the town crier, and colonial tradesmen demonstrations along the waterfront. For details, visit www.virginiasriverrealm.com/ajde_events/founders-day-urbanna-3/.
August 10 – 12
Night Sky Festival in Shenandoah National Park
Luray
This pet-friendly festival near Bid Meadows Lodge will include constellation tours, solar scope viewing, telescope viewing and presentations by astronomy experts. For more information, visit www.goshenandoah.com/activities-events/festivals/night-sky.
August 11
The Smith River Festival
9am – 5pm
Axton
Free admission to this family run, paddle, cast and bike fest at the Smith River Sports Complex. Learn to fly-fish and check out local vendors. Visit www.visitmartinsville.com/smith-river-fest for details.
August 17 – 18
Warren Street Festival
5pm Friday
10am Saturday
Rocky Mount, VA
Celebrate Warren Street’s African-American history at Rocky Mount Farmers Market with musical performances, food, art, activities, a car show and a parade. Admission is $5 per day. For details, visit www.virginia.org/Listings/Events/WarrenStreetFestival.
September 29 – 30
Hampton Cup Regatta
Hampton
The oldest, continuously running hydroplane boat race in the country. Enjoy a children’s area, food vendors, and the Hampton Cup Regatta Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show. Find out more at www.hamptoncupregatta.com.
Virginia Bluegrass Festivals
Bluegrass music—or American roots music—is influenced by music of Appalachia, mixed with English, Irish, and Scottish traditional music, and influenced by African-American jazz. Central to the culture of Virginia, festivals throughout the region pay homage to the regions’ traditional tunes during festivals throughout the summer. Check the web for details or visit www.virginia.org/summerfestivals.
July 13 – 15
Tazewell County Old Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention
Times vary
Tazewell
Sixteenth annual convention held at the Historic Crab Orchard Museum includes dancing, music, performers, and a youth music competition. For details, visit www.craborchardmuseum.com/fiddlers-convention/.
July 20 – 21
Shenandoah Valley Music Festival
8 – 11 PM each night
Orkney
Four concerts per weekend at Shrine Mont historic retreat and conference center featuring nationally recognized Americana, bluegrass, classical, country, folk, and pop/rock. For more dates, information, ticket prices, and packages, visit musicfest.org.
Virginia Wine, Beer & Food Fests
Quench your thirst and please your palette this year with some of the region’s best foods, brews, and wines. Beer tents, wine tastings, and delicious foods have become the focal point of these notable festivals. Visit websites for details. For more Virginia festival information, visit www.virginia.org/summerfestivals.
July 14
Horse and Hound Wine Festival
11am – 6pm
Bedford
Music, wine, and horse and hound attractions at Johnson’s Orchards. General admission $15, tasters $20, and children 12 and under and dogs $5. For tickets and more information, visit www.peaksofotterwinery.com/horse-and-hound-wine-festival.
July 21
Blackberry Delight in Shenandoah National Park
10am – 5pm
Luray
Love blackberries? Skyland chefs create special blackberry-infused dishes while family enjoy live music, dancing, and activities. This pet-friendly event is free. Details at www.goshenandoah.com/activities-events/festivals/blackberry-delight.
July 21
Annual Summer Seafood Festival at Mountain Cove Vineyard
5 – 8pm
Lovingston
Sixth annual crab feast and Democratic party event at Mountain Cove Vineyard. Tickets available in advance and at the gate. For tickets, call 434-361-1442. For more information about Mountain Cove Vineyard, visit www.mountaincovevineyards.com.
July 21
Winestock
11am – 6pm
Washington, VA
Live music, tie-dyed T-s, flip flops, and flowers in your hair. Dirt Road Wine Tour features wines from all over the world. $20 in advance for adults and $25 at the gate. K–16 and under are free. Find out more at www.virginiawine.org/events/winestock-festival-29302.
July 21 – 22
Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival
10am – 7pm Saturday
10am – 5pm Sunday
Surry
Check out Surry’s three world-renowned agricultural products during a two-day festival or arts, crafts, food, and music. Tickets are $5; free admission for children 10 and under. For details, visit www.porkpeanutpinefestival.org.
August 4
Hill Top Berry Farm & Winery Blackberry Harvest and Music Festival
9am – 6pm
Nellysford
Live music, wine and mead tasting, and blackberry picking. Admission includes logo glass. For more information, visit www.hilltopberrywine.com. 434-361-1266.
September 1
Taste of the Mountains Main Street Festival
9am – 4pm
Madison
Free admission and free shuttle from Madison County High School. Arts, crafts, regional food, kids’ activities, and music. Access to wine and beer tent, $10. For more information, visit madisonva.com/events.
September 3
Annual Herndon Labor Day Festival
11am – 5pm
Herndon, VA
Outdoor street festival at the Herndon Town Green features unlimited samples from Virginia wineries, local craft brews, music, art, and more. Wine tasting is $20. Entrance only admission $5 and free for children 12 and under. Get details at www.herndon-va.gov/recreation/special-events/labor-day-festival.
For more Virginia festival information, visit www.virginia.org/summerfestivals.
