Biggest & best Virginia festivals happening in 2025

Break out your 2025 calendar and add these 10 exciting Virginia festivals, from food and wine fests to Scottish games. 

Virginia’s 2025 festival season offers a dynamic mix of traditions, music, food, and culture, showcasing the state’s vibrant communities and unique charm. From coastal celebrations to mountain getaways, these events promise unforgettable experiences for every interest.

Whether you’re exploring the arts, savoring regional flavors, or enjoying live entertainment, these 10 Virginia festivals highlight the best of what the commonwealth has to offer.

1. Coastal Virginia Magazine WineFest

Dates: Jan. 18-19

Location: Hampton

The 11th Annual Coastal Virginia Magazine WineFest returns in January, offering a sophisticated weekend of wine, spirits, and entertainment. This highly anticipated event will showcase Virginia’s finest wineries, cideries, and distilleries alongside local cuisine and specialty craft vendors. Guests can enjoy live music all weekend, including performances by the Chris Sacks Band on Saturday, Lewis McGee on Sunday, and Colonial DJs throughout the event. With a cash craft beer garden, delicious food options, and plenty of shopping opportunities, the WineFest promises an engaging experience for every palate.

2. 49th Annual VBVRS Oyster Fest

Date: March 2 

Location: Virginia Beach

The Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad’s annual Oyster Roast returns on Sunday, March 2, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. From 1 to 5 p.m., this lively event will feature endless food, drinks, entertainment, and opportunities to support an essential community service. Guests can indulge in raw seaside oysters, fried oysters, homemade clam chowder, pork barbecue, and more, complemented by local craft beer, wine, and specialty cocktails available for purchase.

Beyond the food, the event boasts live music from The Tiki Bar Band, silent and live auctions, raffles, and local artisan vendors. Rescue squad demonstrations and equipment displays provide an engaging look into the vital services funded by this event. All proceeds go toward lifesaving equipment and supplies that allow VBVRS to respond to over 21,000 emergency calls annually at no cost to the community. 

3. Highland County Maple Festival 

Dates: March 8-9, 15-16

Location: Highland County

Step back in time and experience the charm of Highland County at the annual Highland County Maple Festival, a beloved tradition since 1959. Dubbed “Virginia’s Sweet Spot,” this celebration offers visitors a cultural and culinary journey through the art of maple syrup production. Designated a “Local Legacy” by the Library of Congress in 1999 and officially recognized as Virginia’s state maple festival in 2014, the event draws tens of thousands each year to witness the magic of syrup-making in this picturesque mountain region. Guests can tour 10 sugar camps for free, learning about the age-old process of turning sap into syrup—a tradition carried on by generations of Highland County families. From barrel-aged and infused syrups to the classic pure maple syrup, there’s something new to discover at every stop.

The festival also features over 100 juried artisans showcasing handcrafted treasures, daily live entertainment, and culinary delights like all-you-can-eat pancake meals, buckwheat cakes, and the famous maple doughnuts. Most events are free, but a $5 admission grants access to arts and crafts venues and entertainment at The Highland Center. Whether enjoying the scenic backroads, indulging in maple treats, or marveling at the region’s rich history, the Highland County Maple Festival offers an unforgettable glimpse into a vanishing way of life. Warm layers and sturdy boots are recommended for this outdoor celebration, which welcomes visitors rain, snow, or shine.

Photo courtesy of Highland County Maple Festival.

4. Virginia Festival of the Book

Dates: March 20-23

Location: Charlottesville

The Virginia Festival of the Book, held every March, brings together writers and readers from across the nation to celebrate the power of storytelling and ideas. For over 30 years, this annual event has highlighted Virginia Humanities’ commitment to accessibility, diversity, and creativity. Featuring a wide range of voices and perspectives, the festival offers programs that are free and open to the public, creating an inclusive space for learning, discussion, and inspiration.

Speakers are selected through a blend of active recruitment and open submissions, which run from late June through late August. Authors of newly published works, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, cookbooks, and books for young readers, are invited to participate. 

5. Rooster Walk

Dates: May 22-25

Location: Axton

Every Memorial Day Weekend, the Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival brings a vibrant celebration of life to Pop’s Farm in Axton. Founded in memory of Edwin “Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank, two friends who passed away in their 20s, the festival embodies the idea of cherishing every moment. Since its inception, Rooster Walk has raised over $323,000 for local charities, including the Penn-Shank Memorial Scholarship Fund for Martinsville High School seniors.

The festival showcases a diverse lineup of 45+ bands on six stages, blending rock, blues, bluegrass, funk, and folk into an unforgettable experience. Its family-friendly atmosphere is a standout feature, with the Kid’s Coop offering four days of arts, crafts, drum circles, and more alongside a giant slip’n’slide and playground. 

6. Patriotic Festival

Dates: May 23-25

Location: Norfolk 

The 21st Annual Patriotic Festival will take over Norfolk, transforming the Scope Arena and Plaza into a celebration of patriotism and country music. Dedicated to honoring all branches of the Armed Forces, the festival has become the region’s most popular military celebration, blending live entertainment with engaging activities. Attendees can enjoy free pre-show events on the Scope Plaza and Upper Concourse each day from 3 to 9 p.m., featuring live music, giveaways, and interactive exhibits such as the Marines Battle Position Experience and a military working dog demonstration by Naval Station Norfolk. Tastings from Coastal Cocktails and Casa Azul Organic Tequila will add a flavorful twist to the festivities.  

Inside the Norfolk Scope Arena, fans can look forward to performances by country music stars Old Dominion on Friday, May 23, and Riley Green on Saturday, May 24. Known for attracting big names in past years, including Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood, the Patriotic Festival offers ticket options for single days, weekend passes, and discounts for military members. 

Photo courtesy of Patriotic Festival.

7. FloydFest25

Dates: July 23-27 

Location: Check

FloydFest 25-Aurora is a celebration of music, art, and life set in the breathtaking beauty of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its intimate atmosphere and immersive outdoor experience, FloydFest has become a must-visit destination for music lovers. This year, rock legends The Black Crowes headline the festival, bringing their signature sound to the mountain stage. Their raw, soulful performances and decades of hits, including new music from their latest album, Happiness Bastards, promise to make this year’s event unforgettable.  

FloydFest’s unique appeal lies in its ability to combine world-class music with outdoor adventure, family-friendly activities, and a vibrant sense of community. Alongside The Black Crowes, attendees can enjoy a diverse lineup, including indie-folk favorites Mt. Joy, while exploring guided hikes, craft workshops, and disc golf tournaments.

8. Virginia Highlands Festival

Dates: July 25-Aug. 3

Location: Abingdon 

The Virginia Highlands Festival, a cherished summer tradition in Abingdon, invites visitors to celebrate the vibrant arts, history, and culture of Southwest Virginia. From July 25 to Aug. 3, 2025, this beloved event will feature over 200 individual activities, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re uncovering treasures at the Antiques & Vintage Market, shopping handcrafted creations at the Juried Arts and Crafts Show, or exploring Appalachian traditions through food and history workshops, this festival promises an unforgettable experience. With its rich blend of outdoor excursions, live music, and engaging programming, the Virginia Highlands Festival shines as a hub of creativity and community.

Recently voted the “Best Art Show in Region” by Virginia Living Magazine readers, the festival continues to expand on its legacy, offering highlights like the Festival Ball at The Martha and performances from top regional musicians. Visitors can enjoy local food trucks, craft beverages, and curated music in a welcoming atmosphere that captures the spirit of Appalachia. 

9. 51st Virginia Scottish Games

Dates: Aug. 30-31

Location: The Plains

Celebrate Scottish heritage this Labor Day Weekend at the 51st Annual Virginia Scottish Games, held Aug. 30-31, 2025. This beloved festival offers thrilling competitions, authentic food and drink, and rich cultural traditions for attendees of all ages. Watch world-class events like piping and drumming, Highland dancing, and heavy athletics, including the East Coast Men’s Amateur Championships.

Enjoy live music across multiple stages, featuring the sounds and influences of Scotland, and explore unique shopping opportunities with vendors and crafters offering authentic goods. Foodies can indulge in traditional Scottish fare like haggis, Scotch eggs, and meat pies, with whisky tastings available for adults. Purchase tickets online or at the gate and join the celebration of Scottish culture and community.

Photo courtesy of Virginia Scottish Games.

10. 51st Annual Neptune Festival

Dates: Sept. 26-28

Location: Virginia Beach

The 51st Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend will bring Virginia Beach to life from September 26–28, 2025, with its vibrant celebration of beach culture and community. Stretching from 1st to 33rd Street along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, the festival offers something for everyone, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Highlights include daily concerts at two oceanfront stages, featuring more than 20 local and national bands, as well as Neptune’s Art & Craft Show, which showcases the work of over 200 artisans. Food and shopping vendors will fill 33 blocks of the boardwalk, making it a lively hub of activity.  

The weekend’s standout attraction is Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship, where world-renowned artists craft 22 breathtaking sculptures in the sand. Other signature events include Neptune’s 8k Race, the Grand Parade, a volleyball tournament, Poseidon’s Playground for kids, and the Atlantic Regatta. While most activities and concerts are free, there’s a small admission fee for the sand sculpting tent and registration costs for races and tournaments. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.