From music and maritime celebrations to food and outdoor adventures, these festivals in Virginia showcase the Commonwealth’s unique culture all summer long.
Summer brings with it a packed calendar of festivals in Virginia, with events that celebrate everything from classical music and maritime history to fresh local food and Appalachian roots music. Across the Commonwealth, from coastal waterfronts to mountain resorts to small-town parks, these festivals offer live entertainment, cultural celebrations, and outdoor adventure. Whether you’re planning a beachside weekend, mountain getaway, or day trip, these standout festivals highlight the best Virginia has to offer from June through September.
June
Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival
Dates: Jun. 8-14
Locations: Various locations in Harrisonburg
The theme for this year’s Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival is “creative inventions,” stemming from the idea that Bach had a knack for reimagining music in new ways. The festival, which is in its 34th year, is a gathering of internationally recognized artists and curious audiences for the celebration of music.
Sail Yorktown Festival
Date: Jun. 12
Location: 331 Water St., Yorktown
Learn more about tall ships and military vessels on the York River by attending the Sail Yorktown Festival. The event will include a parade of sail, free tall ship deck tours, live entertainment, living history demonstrations, reenactments and military drills, live firings, and maritime storytelling.
Tall ships that will be on-site during the festival include the Godspeed, a small merchant ship that journeyed from England to North American from 1606-1607, Luna, a replica of the colonial sloop that was operated by the Colonial Seaport Foundation, Picton Castle, a three-masted ship that was originally designed to be a steam powered fishing trawler in Yorkshire in 1928, and Alliance II, a schooner ported in Historic Yorktown.
Norfolk Harborfest
Dates: Jun. 19-21
Location: Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
Norfolk Harborfest, which is entering its 50th year, is the country’s longest-running free maritime festival. The three-day event celebrates what makes Norfolk and Hampton Roads a historic maritime and naval community. Activities, including a Parade of Sail, games, exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, and food, will take place on both land and sea.
The Lynx, a recreation of a War of 1812 Baltimore clipper, and Luna, a recreation of an 18th-century colonial sloop, will be among the participating vessels.
JazzTeenth
Date: Jun. 20
Location: Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Celebrate Juneteenth by immersing yourself in a cultural celebration that’s rooted in music, history, and community by attending JazzTeenth. The free festival will feature jazz, R&B, spoken word, visual art, and educational experiences.
Juneteenth Freedom Festival
Date: Jun. 20
Location: 50 26th St., Newport News
The Newport News Juneteenth Freedom Festival will return to Victory Landing Park for the 20th time this year. The free festival will include activities, as well as food, wine, and beer that’s available for purchase.
Point Break Music Festival
Dates: Jun. 20-21
Location: Virginia Beach Oceanfront
The Virginia Beach Oceanfront turns into a weekend of nonstop reggae and rock music during the Point Break Music Festival. The event will feature local bands, as well as headliners like Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, and Dirty Heads.
Attendees are encouraged to take a dip in the ocean between acts. The event will also include plenty of food options.
Virginia Theatre Festival
Dates: Jun. 20-Jul. 26
Location: 109 Culbreth Rd., Charlottesville
The Virginia Theatre Festival, the commonwealth’s longest-running professional summer theatre company, is entering its 52nd year. The festival aims to expose local and regional audiences to world-renowned plays and musicals, alongside work from new playwrights and composers. This year’s season will feature productions of “Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty,” “Disney’s Newsies,” and “Frida…A Self Portrait.”
PrideFest
Date: Jun. 27
Location: 113 Waterside Dr., Norfolk
This year marks the 38th year PrideFest has been held in Norfolk. The weekend festival is meant to uplift the LGBTQIA+ and ally communities through a range of programming, like music, art, and activism. Make sure you attend the well-known Pride Boat Parade.
July
Wintergreen Music Festival
Dates: Jul. 2-26
Location: 3079 Rockfish Valley Highway, Nellysford
The Wintergreen Music Festival is a month-long musical celebration at Wintergreen Resort that’s nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A variety of well-known musicians from genres like classical, bluegrass, jazz, Motown, singer-songwriter, and Broadway will gather to delight audiences throughout July.
Attendees will receive access to free morning Coffee Talks, LEAD Cooperative masterclasses, and intimate performances. While at the resort, relax in the spa, go for a round of golf, or explore one of the hiking trails.
Hungry Mother Arts Festival
Dates: Jul. 17-19
Location: 2854 Park Blvd., Marion
The Hungry Mother Arts Festival is the longest-running festival to be held in a Virginia State Park, having been held at Hungry Mother State Park for more than 50 years. The free event is held by the Arts League of Marion to generate funds to support art scholarships and a county-wide art show for high schoolers.
The festival features juried arts and crafts, live music, and festival food.
FloydFest
Dates: Jul. 22-26
Location: 5826 Floyd Hwy. North, Check
FloydFest bills itself as a festival focused on “music, magic, and mountains.” This year’s theme is “daydream.”
Some of this year’s big-name acts include Tedeschi Trucks Band, My Morning Jacket, Stephen Wilson, Jr., and Lukas Nelson. Outdoor adventure is a big part of the festival, meaning that attendees can participate in such activities as guided hikes, a 5K trail running race, and bike rides.
Children are welcome at the festival with a Children’s Universe offered, where there will be an arts and crafts tent, sensory sandbox, and pirate ship playground.
Virginia Cantaloupe Festival
Date: Jul. 24
Location: 3105 River Rd., South Boston
Those who love the taste of cantaloupe shouldn’t miss the Virginia Cantaloupe Festival at Berry Hill Resort. A $45 ticket grants you access to fresh corn, cantaloupe topped with ice cream, domestic beverages, wine, seltzers, and entertainment, like beach, soul, blues, and rock music. Be sure to commemorate your festival experience with the 2026 T-shirt.
August
High Knob Outdoor Fest
Dates: Aug. 8-15
Location: 115 8th St. SW, Norton
The High Knob Outdoor Fest is for those who love spending time in the great outdoors. The multifaceted event features outdoor recreation trips, activities, presentations, demonstrations, live music, vendors, and food trucks.
Those who want to test their endurance may consider signing up for the Flag Rock 5K Trail Run on Aug. 13 or the Mountain Bike Poker Ride on Aug. 15.
September
Super Girl Surf Festival
Dates: Sept. 5-7
Location: 1st St. St. Jetty, Virginia Beach
The Super Girl Surf Festival is the place to be for free entertainment during Labor Day weekend. The festival will feature concerts, surfing, beach volleyball, beach flag football, and beach soccer. Make sure you check out the surfing event, the largest female surf event in the world, with over 1,000 athletes, because it will feature world-class surfing competitions. If you aren’t a pro, you can still have fun during the mentorship day, which brings together surfing enthusiasts with professional surfers.
After having fun in the sun, stop by the festival village for fitness classes, food, drinks, speakers, giveaways, and autographs.
Watermelon Pickers’ Fest
Dates: Sept. 10-12
Location: 890 W Main St., Berryville
This year marks the 22nd annual Watermelon Pickers’ Fest at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds. The fest consists of live entertainment from bands, activities like workshops and contests, and camping.
Although the headliner will be announced later this summer, some of the bands in the current lineup include The Unfaithful Servants, Megan Jean’s Secret Family, and Mink’s Miracle Medicine.
Be sure to attend the Watermelon Pickers’ Workshop, a one-day music camp aimed at helping those of all skill levels improve their playing abilities.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Dates: Sept. 11-13
Location: Downtown Bristol
The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has been celebrating the city’s status as the birthplace of country music since 2001. Honoring the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the event along State Street serves as a showcase of Appalachian roots music.
This year’s lineup will include headliner Sierra Ferrell, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Los Lobos, The War and Treaty, and others. The event will also feature a kids’ zone where children can enjoy crafts, activities, and games. A three-day general admission ticket costs $180.
