100 Events to Check Out this October in Virginia's Blue Ridge

Tuesday, October 1, 2024 7:00 AM by David Aldridge

October is one of the most exciting times of the year in the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge!

With the arrival of fall colors and the calendar full of fun events, it’s the perfect time to plan a fall getaway to the mountains.

In addition to our list below of special events to check out during the month of October, we also encourage you to take a look at our Guide to 2024 Fall Festivals & Special Events in Virginia's Blue Ridge >

As you make your plans for this month, here is a preview of 100 fun events happening this October in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

NOTE: All info is subject to change. Please check event websites and social media pages for the most updated information.

1. Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series
Grandin Theatre
October 1: Selena | October 8: Parallel Mothers | October 15: Like Water for Chocolate

2. To Kill a Mockingbird
Mill Mountain Theatre
October 2-6

3. Kick-The-Keg
Salem Memorial Ballpark
October 3

4. Kendall Street Company + Magnolia Boulevard
5 Points Music Sanctuary
October 3

5. Quivers, The Young Sinclairs, Ranger Maid
The Spot on Kirk
October 3

6. The Ghost Walk
Salem Museum & Historical Society
October 3-5

7. Boy Named Banjo
Harvester Performance Center
October 4

8. First Fridays: The Worx
Downtown Roanoke
October 4

9. Haunted History Lantern Tours
Natural Bridge State Park
October 4-25 (Fridays)

10. Craftsmen’s Fall Classic
Berglund Center
October 4-6

11. Heritage Arts Tattoo Show
Salem Civic Center
October 4-6

12. Ramona & The Holy Smokes w. Jack Marion
The Spot on Kirk
October 4

13. 33rd Annual Pumpkin Festival
Sinkland Farms
Through November 3 (Fri. - Sun.)

14. Terror Manor 2024
Terror Manor - Downtown Roanoke
Through November 2 (Fri. - Sat. | Select Thursdays)

15. Trevor Hall & The Great In-Between
Coves at Smith Mountain Lake
October 4

16. Late Night: Hairfirmations - An Artistic Celebration of the Beauty and Diversity of Textured Hair
Taubman Museum of Art
October 4

17. Mountain Magic in Fall Bluegrass, Antiques & Crafts Festival
Buchanan Town Park
October 5

18. Star City Strongfest
Elmwood Park
October 5

19. AppleStack: A Flat Out Funky Fall Fest & Sexy Overalls Contest
Crafteria: Handmade Food & Goods
October 5

20. Jeff Dunham: Artificial Intelligence
Berglund Center
October 5

21. Jeter Farm Fall Festival & Country Store
Jeter Farm
October 5-27 (Sat. & Sun.)

22. Kids Fishing Derby
Waid Park
October 5

23. Longshot Comic & Toy Show
Salem Civic Center
October 5

24. Preservation Pub Crawl & History Scavenger Hunt
Downtown Roanoke
October 5

25. Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day
October 5
Explore Park

26. The Ultimate Elvis Concert
Jefferson Center
October 5

27. Bluegrass Beats for Brave Hearts
New Freedom Farm
October 5

28. Movies in the Outfield Series
Salem Memorial Ballpark
October 5: Inside Out 2 | October 19: Hocus Pocus 2 | October 26: The Nightmare Before Christmas

29. Mercy Me: Together Again Tour
Berglund Center
October 6

30. Rickie Lee Jones
Jefferson Center
October 8

31. Todd Rundgren
Harvester Performance Center
October 8

32. The Djoukil Swingtet
Floyd Country Store
October 9

33. Sara Evans
Harvester Performance Center
October 10-11

35. The Woman in Black
Showtimers Community Theatre
October 10-20

36. Town Mountain
5 Points Music Sanctuary
October 10

37. Joe Nichols
Dr Pepper Park
October 11

38. Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn
Moss Arts Center at VT
October 11

39. Hamilton de Holanda
Jefferson Center
October 11

40. June Star & Valerie McQueen
The Spot on Kirk
October 11

41. LewisGale Salem Half Marathon, VBR 8K, and G&H Contracting Kids Fun Run
Downtown Salem
October 12

42. Pride Fest 2024
Salem Civic Center
October 12

43. Vinton Fall Festival
Downtown Vinton
October 12

44. Blocktoberfest 2024
Living Proof Beer Co.
October 12

45. Saturday at the Station: Fall Edition
O. Winston Link Museum
October 12

46. VBR Gran Fondo
Historic Fincastle - Botetourt County
October 13

47. Founder’s Day
Virginia Mountain Vineyards
October 13

48. Harvest Time
Jubal Early Homeplace
October 13

49. Neko Case
Harvester Performance Center
October 15

50. Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
Berglund Center
October 15

51. Falling for Goats: Corks & Canvas
Beliveau Farm Winery
October 17

52. The Miracle Worker
Attic Productions
October 17-27

53. Stephen Pearcy
Dr Pepper Park
October 17

54. Three Dog Night
Berglund Center
October 17

55. Moontricks w. Will Evans
5 Points Music Sanctuary
October 17

56. ShadowGrass
Grandin Theatre
October 17

57. Anthem GO Outside Festival
Downtown Roanoke & Explore Park
October 18-20

58. Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Opening Night
Berglund Center
October 18

59. The Price is Right LIVE!
Berglund Center
October 18

60. Open Studios Botetourt - Art in the Country
Various Studios - Botetourt County
October 19-20

61. Sox Spooktacular & Hocus Pocus Movie Night
Salem Memorial Ballpark
October 19

62. Charles Esten
Coves at Smith Mountain Lake
October 19

63. Curtis Turner 100
Virginia Museum of Transportation
October 19

64. First Bank Fall Fun Run
Historic Fincastle
October 19

65. Fall Harvest Dinner
Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest
October 19

66. Fork Union vs. Roanoke College - Football
Salem Stadium
October 20

67. Bourbon, Bubbly & Brew 2024
Vinton War Memorial
October 21

68. Dear Evan Hansen
Moss Arts Center at VT
October 21

69. Odesa National Academic Opera & Ballet Theatre
Jefferson Center
October 21: Don Quixote | October 22: Giselle

70. The R.E.A.L. Funny Open Mic Comedy Show
The Spot on Kirk
October 22

71. Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Grandin Theatre
October 23

72. Eric Gales
Harvester Performance Center
October 23

73. Bluey’s Big Play
Berglund Center
October 24

74. CIAA Cross Country Championships
Green Hill Park
October 24

75. For King & Country
Berglund Center
October 24

76. Dr Pepper Day
Market Square - Downtown Roanoke
October 24

77. Pumpkinfest
Salem Farmers Market
October 25

78. Boos & Brews
Explore Park
October 25

79. Classic Broadway
Salem Civic Center
October 25

80. Theresa Caputo
Berglund Center
October 25

81. Historic Fincastle Ghost Tours
Botetourt County Historical Society
October 25-26

82. Mountain Walrus
October 25
5 Points Music Sanctuary

83. Spooky S’Mores & Fireside Tales
Waid Park
October 25

84. Blue Ridge Folklife Festival
Ferrum College
October 26

85. Monster Motor Mash
Virginia Museum of Transportation
October 26

86. Zoo Boo
Mill Mountain Zoo
October 26

87. Into the Darkness Night Trail Run
Explore Park
October 26

88. Blues is Alright Tour
Berglund Center
October 26

89. Martin’s Halloween Street Party 2024
Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill
October 26

90. Roanoke Ballet Theatre: Dracula
Jefferson Center
October 26

91. Spooktacular Saturday
Explore Park
October 26

92. Spooky Sprint 5K
Wasena Park
October 26

93. The Dead Reckoning - Frankenstein Halloween Party
5 Points Music Sanctuary
October 26

94. Halloween Murder Mystery
Historic Fishburn Mansion
October 27

95. Christopher Paul Stelling
The Spot on Kirk
October 29

96. Vegas Meets Virginia Dinner Shows
The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
October 29

97. Bella’s Bartok Hallowed Eve
Grandin Theatre
October 30

98. Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan: 13 Tongues
Moss Arts Center at VT
October 30

99. Boo-Grass! Into the Fog & Dark Moon Hollow
The Spot on Kirk
October 31

100. Hex Appeal: A Halloween Burlesque & Variety Show
5 Points Music Sanctuary
October 31

To find out more about what's going on Virginia's Blue Ridge this month, check our Calendar of Events and take a look at our Fall section for seasonal activities and experiences.

You can also get additional information about fun things to do in the region following us on social media and signing up to receive our monthly e-newsletter.

Author: David Aldridge

David is the VP of Marketing for Visit Virginia's Blue Ridge. When he's not working, you can probably find David hanging out with his wife, Nicole, and their two kids. They enjoy trying new restaurants, hopping on airplanes to see the world, and hanging out with Abbey, their sassy pet corgi.