Fall festivals and events take place throughout the autumn season in the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

There are outdoor activities and events that showcase the beautiful fall colors in the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as farmers markets and festivals that feature the abundance of the fall harvest at local farms and orchards.

It’s a great time to get outside in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and enjoy the beautiful weather and overall excitement for this special part of the year.

To give you an idea of the many events happening in the region this month, we put together this guide and broke things out by category. Keep in mind, many events will incorporate multiple items, such as food & drink, live music, and family fun, so check all the categories to find fun things to do during your fall visit to Virginia’s Blue Ridge! 

• Farm & Community Fall Festivals
• Food & Drink Events
• Outdoor Adventures & Sporting Events
• Arts & Cultural Events | Concerts
• Halloween Events

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

Roanoke Fall Festivals - Farm & Community Festivals, Family Fun, Pumpkin Picking, Corn Mazes, Hay Rides

Getting lost in a corn maze, finding the perfect pumpkin, and taking hay rides are some of our favorite fall traditions in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Numerous farms in the region celebrate the season with fall festivals, and many of the local communities and attractions also participate in the fun with family-friendly festivities and events.

• Historic Fincastle Festival - Town of Fincastle - September 23
• Not Your Average Roots & Reggae Festival - Wasena Park - September 23
• Touch-a-Truck - Green Hill Park - September 23
• Sinkland Farms 32nd Annual Pumpkin Festival - Sinkland Farms - September 29 - October 29 (Friday - Sunday)
• 150Fest - Town of Rocky Mount - September 30
• Jeter Farm Fall Festival & Country Store - Jeter Farm - September 30 - October 29 (Saturday & Sunday)
• Vinton Fall Festival - Downtown Vinton - October 7
• Boones Mill Apple Festival - Town of Boones Mill - October 7
• Craig County Fall Festival - New Castle - October 14
• Applestack: A Flat Out Funky Fall Fest - Crafteria: Handmade Food & Goods - October 21
• Bloktober Fest - Historic Grandin Village - October 21
• Pumpkinfest - Salem Farmers Market - October 27
• 50th Blue Ridge Folklife Festival - Ferrum College - October 28
• Fall Into Fun Carnival - Virginia Museum of Transportation - November 11
• Harvest Festival - Science Museum of Western VA - November 18

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Food & Drink - Oktoberfest, Wine Festivals, Beer Festivals, Food Festivals

You’ll find fall flavors everywhere around the Roanoke Region! It’s a popular time of year for grape stomping and wine festivals, as well as Oktoberfest celebrations at local breweries. You can also warm up with hearty dishes like soup and chili. Nom!

• 2023 Roanoke Taco Fest - Elmwood Park - September 9
• Roanoke Greek Festival - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - September 15-17
• Starr Hill Roanoke 6th Birthday Weekend - Starr Hill Pilot Brewery - September 15-17
• Oktoberfest at Three Notch'd - Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery - September 15-27
• Kick-the-Keg - Salem Memorial Ballpark - September 21
• New England Lobster Bake & Wine Tasting - Virginia Mountain Vineyards - September 16
• Oktoberfest - Twin Creeks Brewing Company - September 23
• Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival - Crazy Horse Marina - September 23-24
• Fall Harvest Festival - Morningside Urban Farm - September 28
• Kick-the-Keg - Salem Memorial Ballpark - October 5
• Roanoke Beer & Wine Festival - Elmwood Park - October 7
• Oktoberfest Party - Living Proof Beer Company - October 14
• International Wine & Food Festival - Berglund Center - October 21
• Fall Harvest Dinner with Mr. Jefferson - Thomas Jefferon’s Poplar Forest - October 21
• Celebration of Virginia Wine Tasting - Gladheart Wine & Brews - October 28
• Fall at the Market - Botetourt Farmers Market - October 28
• Smith Mountain Lake Chili Festival - Bridgewater Plaza - November 4
• Blue Ridge Chocolate Festival - Berglund Center - November 4
• Twin Creeks Brewing 7th Anniversary Party - Twin Creeks Brewing Company - November 4
• Salem Red Sox Chili Cook-Off - Salem Memorial Ballpark - November 4
• Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival - Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest - November 11

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Outdoor Adventures, Sporting Events, Fun Runs

Get an up-close look at the scenic beauty of fall in Virginia’s Blue Ridge by taking part in many of the outdoor adventures and sporting events happening in the region. You can join fun runs and guided hikes, as well as check out multiple championships and races that offer great scenes for spectators.

• Roanoke Run for Refugees 2023 - Wasena Park - September 8
• Roanoke College Men’s Soccer Invitational - Roanoke College - September 8-10
• Buchanan Tri - Run, Ride, River Race - Buchanan Town Park - September 9
• SML Antique Boat Festival & Show - Crazy Horse Marina - September 16
• Adventure Saturday - Explore Park - September 16
• Virginia’s Blue Ridge GO Cross Cyclocross Race - Fallon Park - September 16-17
• Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships - Salem Civic Center - September 29
• Star City Strongfest - Elmwood Park - September 30
• Carilion Clinic vs. Lewis Gale Charity Softball Game - Salem Memorial Ballpark - October 1
• Fall Hay Rides at Natural Bridge - Natural Bridge State Park - October 5-26 (Thursdays)
• Dark Sky Night: Draconids Meteor Shower Watch - Natural Bridge State Park - October 7
• Fall Waterways Cleanup - Various Locations in Roanoke - October 7
• Jaunt for Justice 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run - Fallon Park - October 7
• Night Hike - Explore Park - October 7
• Autumn Peeks Sunset Hikes - Natural Bridge State Park - October 7-28 (Saturdays)
• Virginia’s Blue Ridge Gran Fondo - Botetourt County - October 8
• Anthem GO Outside Festival - Downtown Roanoke - October 13-15
• 5K on the ROA Runway - Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport - October 14
• LewisGale Salem Half Marathon, 8K and Kids Fun Run - City of Salem - October 14
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs Opening Night & Banner Raising - Berglund Center - October 20
• First Bank Fall 5K & 10K Run - Historic Fincastle - October 21
• Barktoberfest - Elmwood Park - October 21
• 2023 All Hyzer’s Eve Disc Golf Tournament - Greenfield Disc Golf Course - October 21-22
• CIAA Cross Country Conference Championships - Green Hill Park - October 25-26
• ODAC Cross Country Conference Championships - Green Hill Park - October 27-29
• Spooky Sprint 5K - Wasena Park - October 28
• 17th Annual Into the Darkness Night Trail Run - Explore Park - October 28
• Moonlight Hike at Carvins Cove - Carvins Cove Natural Reserve - October 28
• Illumination of the Bridge - Natural Bridge State Park - October 28
• Spooktacular Saturday - Explore Park - October 28
• Helicopter Tours - Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport - October 28, November 4 & 11
• Helicopter Tours - Smith Mountain Lake - October 29, November 5 & 12
• Fall Frenzy 2023 - Camp Bethel - November 3-5
• 7th Annual Run for Donuts 5K and Fun Run - Sherwood Memorial Park - November 4
• Ginkgo Tree Festival - Century Plaza - Downtown Roanoke - November 4
• Youth Mountain Bike Race - Waid Recreation Park - November 4
• VHSL State Cross Country Championships - Green Hill Park - November 9-11
• CIAA Football Conference Championship - Salem Football Stadium - November 11
• VHSL Volleyball Championship - Salem Civic Center - November 16-18
• Dark Sky Night: Leonids Meteor Shower Watch - Natural Bridge State Park - November 17
• Star City Half Marathon & 10K - River’s Edge Park - November 18
• Drumstick Dash 2023 - Downtown Roanoke - November 23

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Concerts, Performances, Art Events, Arts & Craft Festivals, Markets, Movie Nights

Check out the local arts scene in the region by jamming out at a concert, touring local art studios and galleries, and shopping for local goods at numerous art & craft shows and markets that take place every fall around the Roanoke Valley. 

• Olde Salem Days - Downtown Salem - September 9
• Bright Star - Mill Mountain Theatre - September 13 - October 1
• Henry Street Heritage Festival - Elmwood Park - September 16
• SWVA Pride Fest 2023 - Vinton War Memorial - September 16
• Artisan Saturday - Explore Park - September 16
• 16th Annual Star B-Q - Dalton Dover - Salem Farmers Market - September 20
• SWVA Ballet: Repertoire - Grandin Theatre - September 20
• Something Rotten - Showtimers Community Theatre - September 21 - October 8
• Roanoke Comedy Fest - The Spot on Kirk - September 22
• Local Colors Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - Downtown Roanoke - September 30
• Virginia Made Saturday Vendor Market - The French Farmhouse - September 30
• Fall Sound Bowl Concert in the Barn - Southlake Spa & Salt Room - September 30
• Scary Movie Monday (Beetlejuice) & Big Daddy's BBQ - Starr Hill Pilot Brewery - October 2
• Old Dominion featuring Tyler Hubbard & Kylie Morgan - Berglund Center - October 5
• Music on the Corner: 1929 Silent Movie - Phantom of the Opera - St. John's Episcopal Church - October 6
• Craftsmen's Fall Classic Art & Craft Festival - Berglund Center - October 6-8
• Halloween Classic Movies: The Exorcist: Believer - Grandin Theatre - October 6-8
• Mountain Magic in Fall Bluegrass, Antiques & Crafts Festival - Buchanan Town Park - October 7
• Scary Movie Monday (Sleepy Hollow) & Big Daddy's BBQ - Starr Hill Pilot Brewery - October 9
• Halloween Classic Movies: Friday the 13th - Grandin Theatre - October 13
• Classic Film Series: The Wolfman - Grandin Theatre - October 14
• Halloween Classic Movies: Poltergeist - Grandin Theatre - October 20
• Autumn Artisan Market - Twin Creeks Brewing Company - October 21
• Open Studios Botetourt - Art in the Country - Botetourt County - October 21-22
• Opera Roanoke: Strauss Ecstasy - Jefferson Center - October 22
• Hoot and Holler: Spooked - Grandin Theatre - October 26
• Movies on the Move: Hotel Transylvania, Transformia - Rocky Mount Farmers Market - October 27
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: The Sounds of Sinatra - Salem Civic Center - October 27
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Grandin Theatre - October 27
• The Nightmare Before Christmas - 30th Anniversary - Grandin Theatre - October 27-28
• Hocus Pocus - 30th Anniversary - Grandin Theatre - October 27-29
• Dead Reckoning Cryptid Halloween Party - 5 Points Music Sanctuary - October 28
• Roanoke Ballet Theatre: Dracula - Jefferson Center - October 28
• The Country Creep Show - The Spot on Kirk - October 29
• Brandon Oaks Auxiliary Fall Bazaar Sale - Brandon Oaks - October 29
• Halloween Classic Movies: Practical Magic - Grandin Theatre - October 30
• Pimps of Joytime - Halloween Funkfest - Grandin Theatre - October 31
• Blue Ridge Jamboree: On the Rise - Jefferson Center - November 2
• Cirque Italia: Water Circus - Salem Civic Center - November 2-5
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show 48th Anniversary - Harvester Performance Center - November 3
• Late Nights: It's a pARTy! - Taubman Museum of Art - November 3
• Roanoke Symphony Orchestra: Opening Night Fireworks - Jefferson Center - November 5
• Hollins Fall Dance Performance - Hollins University - November 10-11

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Halloween, Trick-or-Treating, Haunted Houses, Ghost Tours, Scary Attractions, Murder Mysteries

From getting scared out of your mind to just having a good time taking the kiddos trick-or-treating, we cover the entire spectrum of types of Halloween events in Virginia’s Blue Ridge. And, of course, over-the-top costumes are always highly encouraged!

• A Ghostly Murder Mystery - Three Notch’d Craft Kitchen & Brewery - September 17
• Terror Manor Haunted House - Terror Manor - Downtown Roanoke - September - November (Friday - Saturday & Select Thursdays)
• Blue Ridge Nightmares - Roanoke Industrial Center - September 29 - October 29 (Friday-Sunday)
• Ghost Walk 2023 - Salem Museum - October 5-7
• Halloween Murder Mystery at Big Lick - Big Lick Brewing Company - October 7
• Blue Ridge Nightmares Not-So-Scary Matinee & Behind the Scenes Tours - Roanoke Industrial Center - October 7-28 (Saturdays)
• Halloween Murder Mystery at Twin Creeks - Twin Creeks Brewpub at Explore Park - October 8
• Haunted History: A Lantern Tour of the Natural Bridge - Natural Bridge State Park - October 6-27 (Fridays)
• Halloween Fest - Lancerlot Sports Complex - October 14
• Sox Spooktacular & Hocus Pocus Movie Night - Salem Memorial Ballpark - October 21
• Night Owl O’Ween on the Town - The Shenandoah Club - October 21
• Halloween Murder Mystery at Crescent City - Crescent City Bourbon & BBQ - October 21
• Halloween Murder Mystery at Well Hung - Well Hung Vineyard - October 22
• Downtown Vinton Trick-or-Treating - Downtown Vinton - October 26
• Trick or Treating at Twin Creeks Brewing Co. - Twin Creeks Brewing Company - October 26
• Me at the Museum: Spooky Hat Spectacular - O. Winston Link Museum - October 27
• Historic Fincastle Ghost Walk - Town of Fincastle - October 27-28
• Zoo Boo - Mill Mountain Zoo - October 28
• Main Street Trick-or-Treating - Downtown Salem - October 28
• Martin's Halloween Street Party 2023 - Martin's Downtown Bar & Grill - October 28
• Halloween Invasion - Golden Cactus Brewing - October 28
• Nightmare on Salem Avenue SW - Big Lick Brewing Company - October 28
• Festival of the Green Demon - Blindhouse Brewing Co. - October 28
• Spooky Storytelling in the Park - Troutville Town Park - October 28
• Monster Motor Mash & Costume Contest - Virginia Museum of Transportation - October 28
• 2023 Halloween Bash - Twin Creeks Brewing Company - October 28
• Sinkland Farms Halloween Party & Costume Contest - Sinkland Farms - October 28
• Halloween Bash at The French Farmhouse - The French Farmhouse - October 28
• 4th Annual Downtown Candy Crawl - Downtown Roanoke - October 28
• Halloween Murder Mystery at Twisted Track - Twisted Track Brewpub - October 29
• Trunk or Treat - CommUNITY Church - October 31
• Trick or Treat with Parakeets - Science Museum of Western Virginia - October 31
• Trunk of Treat Halloween Patrol - Salem Civic Center - October 31

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For a complete list of what’s going on in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, take a look at our Calendar of Events. We can also help you make some weekend plans with our page on Events this Weekend, which updates every week to showcase what’s happening for the upcoming weekend.

Visit the Fall section of our website for information about unique seasonal experiences and things to do.

To learn more about the region, give us a follow on social media and sign up to receive our free monthly e-newsletter.

Happy fall!