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.

• Sinkland Farms 33rd Annual Pumpkin Festival - Sinkland Farms - September 27 - November 3
• Historic Fincastle Fall Festival - Historic Fincastle - September 28
• Bent Mountain Fall Festival - Bent Mountain Center - September 28
• Jeter Farm Fall Festival & Country Store (pictured above) - Jeter Farm - September 28 - October 27
• AppleStack: A Flat-Out Funky Fall Fest - Crafteria: Handmade Food & Goods - October 5
• Pride Fest 2024 - Salem Civic Center - October 12
• Vinton Fall Festival - Downtown Vinton - October 12
• Harvest Time - Jubal Early Homeplace - October 13
• Pumpkinfest - Salem Farmers Market - October 25
• Blue Ridge Folklife Festival - Ferrum College - October 26

Return to top.

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!

• Roanoke Taco Fest - Elmwood Park - September 7
• Apple Day - Botetourt Farmers Market - September 14
• Roanoke Greek Festival - Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - September 20-22
• Creekfest 2024 - Twin Creeks Brewpub - September 21
• Sinkland Farms 2nd Annual Wine Festival - Sinkland Farms - September 21-22
• Oktoberchest - Barrel Chest Wine & Beer - September 28
• Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival - Bernard’s Landing - September 28-29
• Oktoberfest at Twisted Track - Twisted Track Brewpub - September 28
• Blocktoberfest - Living Proof Beer Co. - October 12
• Oktoberfest at Fables & Feathers - Fables & Feathers Winery - October 19
• Fall Harvest Dinner w/ Mr. Jefferson - Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest - October 19
• Dr Pepper Day - Market Square - Downtown Roanoke - October 24
• Homecoming BBQ Cookoff - Claytor Lake State Park - October 25
• Smith Mountain Lake Chili Festival (pictured above) - Bridgewater Plaza - November 2
• Festival of the Green Demon - bloom restaurant & wine bar - November 2
• Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival - Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest - November 9

Return to top.

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.

• Buchanan Tri - Run, Ride, River Race - Buchanan Town Park - September 7
• Go Noke! Roanoke College Cycling MTB Race - Explore Park - September 7
• Skatetember Skate Competition - Rocky Mount Skate Park - September 7
• Marshall vs. Virginia Tech - Lane Stadium - September 7
• Hampden Sydney vs. Roanoke College - Salem Football Stadium - September 8
• PickleBrawl in the Blue Ridge - James I. Moyer Sports Complex - September 13-15
• Virginia’s Blue Ridge GO Cross Cyclocross Race - Fallon Park - September 14-15
• SML Antique Boat Festival & Show - Crazy Horse Marina - September 14
• Full Moon Night Paddle - Carvins Cove - September 18 & 19
• Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech - Lane Stadium - September 21
• Morningside Short Track Bash Mountain Bike Race - Morningside Park - September 28
• SWVA Plane Pull - Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport - September 28
• Fall Waterways Cleanup 2024 - Various Locations - October 5
• Jaunt for Justice 5K - Fallon Park - October 5
• Kids Fishing Derby - Woody Lake - October 5
• Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day - Explore Park - October 5
• LewisGale Salem Half Marathon - Salem Farmers Market - October 12
• VBR Gran Fondo - Botetourt County - October 13
• Boston College vs. Virginia Tech - Lane Stadium - October 17
• Anthem GO Outside Festival (pictured above) - Downtown Roanoke & Explore Park - October 18-20
• Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs - Opening Night - Berglund Center - October 18
• First Bank Fall Run/Walk - Fincastle - October 19
• Fork Union Military Academy vs. Roanoke College - Salem Football Stadium - October 20
• CIAA Cross Country Conference Championship - Green Hill Park - October 24
• Into the Darkness Night Trail Run - Explore Park - October 26
• Spooky Sprint 5K - Wasena Park - October 26
• Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech - Lane Stadium - October 26
• Run for Donuts 5K - Sherwood Memorial Park - November 2
• Youth Cross Country Mountain Bike Race - Waid Park - November 2
• George Mason vs. Roanoke College - Salem Football Stadium - November 3
• Clemson vs. Virginia Tech - Lane Stadium - November 9
• CIAA Football Championship - Salem Football Stadium - November 16
• Fall Poker Run - Virginia Museum of Transportation - November 16
• Star City Half Marathon & 10K - River’s Edge Park - November 23
• Rescue Mission of Roanoke Drumstick DASH - Downtown Roanoke - November 28

Return to top.

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 14
• Roanoke Symphony Under the Stars - Elmwood Park - September 14
• Star B-Q: John Morgan - Downtown Salem - September 18
• Shrek: The Musical - Berglund Center - September 19
• Henry Street Heritage Festival (pictured above) - Elmwood Park - September 21
• Hispanic Heritage Month Film Series - Grandin Theatre - September/October
• Movies in the Outfield Series - Salem Memorial Ballpark - October
• Rocktoberfest - Corned Beef & Co. - October 5, 12, 19, 26
• To Kill a Mockingbird - Mill Mountain Theatre - September 25 - October 6
• Local Colors Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration - Downtown Roanoke - September 28
• Craftsmen’s Fall Classic - Berglund Center - October 4-6
• Music on the Corner Silent Movie Night - St. John's Episcopal Church - October 4
• Mountain Magic in Fall Bluegrass, Antiques & Crafts Festival - Buchanan Town Park - October 5
• The Woman in Black - Showtimers Community Theatre - October 10-20
• The Miracle Worker - Attic Productions - October 17-27
• Falling for Goats Corks & Canvas - Beliveau Farm Winery - October 17
• Open Studios Botetourt - Art in the Country - Various Studios - October 19-20
• Grandin Chillage - Grandin Village - October 25
• Pumpkins & Pastels Lunchtime Workshop - Taubman Museum of Art - October 25
• Roanoke Ballet Theatre: Dracula - Jefferson Center - October 26
• Bella’s Bartok Hallowed Eve - Grandin Theatre - October 30

​Return to top.

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!

• After Dark: A Haunted Museum Experience - Virginia Museum of Transportation - September 13
• Terror Manor 2024 - Terror Manor - September 20 - November 2
• The Ghost Walk - Salem Museum - October 3-5
• Haunted History Lantern Tours - Natural Bridge State Park - October 4-25 (Fridays)
• Halloween Classics Film Series - Grandin Theatre - October
• Skeleton Stomp at The Eye Halloween Party - Science Museum of Western VA - October 4
• Halloween Murder Mystery - Twisted Track Brewpub - October 13
• Horror Trivia Night - Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery - October 16
• Me at The Museum - O. Winston Link Museum - October 17
• Sox Spooktacular & Hocus Pocus Movie Night - Salem Memorial Ballpark - October 19
• Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics - Grandin Theatre - October 23
• Spooky S'Mores & Fireside Tales - Waid Park - October 25
• Boos & Brews - Explore Park - October 25
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Grandin Theatre - October 25
• Hallo"Wine" - Beliveau Farm Winery - October 25
• Unholy Matrimony Presents: Boo's Free Halloween - The Spot on Kirk - October 25
• Historic Fincastle Ghost Tours - Botetourt County Historical Society & Museum - October 25-26
• Monster Motor Mash - Virginia Museum of Transportation - October 26
• Zoo Boo - Mill Mountain Zoo - October 26
• Halloween Murder Mystery - Fables & Feathers Winery - October 26
• Main Street Trick-or-Treating - Downtown Salem - October 26
• Martin’s Halloween Street Party - Martin’s Downtown Bar & Grill - October 26
• The Dead Reckoning: Frankenstein Halloween Party - 5 Points Music Sanctuary - October 26
• Big Lick Forever Halloween Bash - Big Lick Brewing Company - October 26
• Maiden & Crow Tattoo Presents: Metalcore Massacre - The Spot on Kirk - October 26
• Howl-O-Ween - Dogs Night Out - Mast General Store - October 26
• Old Time Halloween Dance w. The Whitetop Mountain Band - Floyd Country Store - October 26
• Halloween Murder Mystery - Historic Fishburn Mansion - October 27
• Spooktacular Saturday - Explore Park - October 26
• Downtown Vinton Trick-or-Treating - Town of Vinton - October 29
• Trick-or-Treat at Lancerlot - Lancerlot Sports Complex - October 29
• Halloween Murder Mystery - Crab du Jour - October 31
• Hex Appeal: Halloween Burlesque & Variety Show - 5 Points Music Sanctuary - October 31
• Boo-Grass! Into the Fog & Dark Moon Hollow - The Spot on Kirk - October 31
• Trunk or Treat - Historic Boones Mill Railway Depot - October 31
• Halloween Trick-or-Treat Guided Adult Tour - Taubman Museum of Art - October 31
• Trunk and Treat - CommUNITY Church - October 31
• Halloween Happenings at Claytor Lake - Claytor Lake State Park - October 31
• Trunk or Treat at C&O Railway Heritage Center - Clifton Forge - October 31

Return to top.

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!