Signature Events in Virginia's Blue Ridge

In the Roanoke Region of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, your vacation doesn’t wait for check-in - it starts the moment you arrive. From iconic races and outdoor festivals to food-focused celebrations and holiday traditions, our unique events give every visit built-in energy, authenticity, and unforgettable moments. 

No matter the season, there’s always something happening that turns a trip into a story worth telling.

In addition to the signature events below, we encourage you to check out our Calendar of Events for a comprehensive guide to upcoming events and things to do in the region.

Spring Events

Fresh air. Scenic beauty. Festive celebrations. Metro mountain adventures.

Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
Photo courtesy of Roanoke Outside Foundation

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Shamrock Festival - March 14
Location: Downtown Roanoke - City of Roanoke
Kick off spring with one of the region’s liveliest celebrations in Downtown Roanoke - the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade & Shamrock Festival. Named one of the best St. Patrick's Day festivals in the United States, you can expect bagpipes, colorful floats, live music, and plenty of Irish cheer lining the streets.

Blue Ridge Marathon & Down by Downtown Music Festival - April 16–19
Location: Downtown Roanoke - City of Roanoke
Known as America’s Toughest Road Marathon, the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon draws runners from across the country—paired with live music, food, and festivities downtown for spectators and participants alike. Elmwood Park is the center of the action and a great spot for spectators and cheering on the participants.

Marathon weekend also coincides with the Down by Downtown Music Festival, featuring four days of live music at various venues throughout Downtown Roanoke. The 2026 festival is headlined by Galactic, featuring Kelly Joseph, which will perform in Elmwood Park on Saturday, April 18.

Blue Ridge Kite Festival - April 18
Location: Green Hill Park - Roanoke County
Head to Green Hill Park for a sky filled with colorful kites, hands-on activities for kids, and open green space perfect for a relaxed spring afternoon at the Blue Ridge Kite Festival. Seeing kites against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains is one of the best scenes of spring in Virginia's Blue Ridge.

Vinton Dogwood Festival - April 24–25
Location: Town of Vinton - Roanoke County
The Vinton Dogwood Festival is a beloved hometown tradition, featuring the annual parade, craft vendors, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun in the Town of Vinton.

Summer Events

Mountain fun for the entire family.

Salem Fair

Troutville Trail Days - June
Location: Town of Troutville - Botetourt County
The Town of Troutville is a designated Appalachian Trail Town, and the annual Troutville Trail Days event celebrates trail culture, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm in Troutville with guided hikes, local vendors, and live music. The timing of the event coincides when many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers are typically making their way through the region along the iconic hiking path.

Salem Fair - July 1–12
Location: Salem Civic Center - City of Salem
One of Virginia’s largest and longest-running fairs, the Salem Fair delivers classic carnival rides, headline concerts, agricultural exhibits, and fair food favorites. In addition to the popular rides, the fair offers free admission, making it easy to access all the delicious food and entertainment.

Buchanan Community Carnival - July
Location: Buchanan Town Park - Botetourt County
The Buchanan Community Carnival is a riverside celebration that features rides, games, food, and live entertainment at Buchanan Town Park in the charming Town of Buchanan in Botetourt County. The proximity to the nearby James River and the surrounding mountain ridgeline make it a wonderful location for a summer carnival.

​Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days - July
Location: Smith Mountain Lake - Franklin County
Set sail for adventure during the annual Pirate Days event at Smith Mountain Lake. The weekend features multiple days of pirate-themed activities, water gun and cannon battles, and live entertainment for a unique summer experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships - July 13–19
Location: Hollins University/Carvins Cove, Elmwood Park - Downtown Roanoke, Explore Park - Roanoke County
Virginia's Blue Ridge will welcome top cyclists from around the country for a week of racing in the 2026 USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships. Elite racers, including national team members and former Olympians, will compete in various disciplines at three different courses throughout the region:

• Marathon XCM at Hollins University & Carvins Cove
• Short Track XCC at Elmwood Park in Downtown Roanoke
• Cross Country XCO at Explore Park in Roanoke County

Fall Events

Peak colors. Bold flavors. Annual fall festivals & celebrations.

Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival

Olde Salem Days - September 12
Location: Downtown Salem - City of Salem
Olde Salem Days provides a step back in time with artisans, historical demonstrations, music, and food filling downtown Salem.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Restaurant Week - September 12-20
Location: Participating restaurants throughout the VBR Region
A favorite for food lovers, Virginia's Blue Ridge Restaurant Week is a week-long celebration (including 2 weekends!) that showcases creative prix-fixe menus at restaurants throughout the region.

Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival - September 26–27
Location: Bernard's Landing - Franklin County
Sip Virginia wines lakeside at Bernard’s Landing while enjoying live music and stunning fall views at the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival.

Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival - September
Location: Beaver Dam Farm - Botetourt County
As the largest sunflower festival on the East Coast, the Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival in Botetourt County features over 700,000 sunflowers in bloom. It's a spectacular scene of colors and festive fun with a great collection of craft vendors and live entertainment.

Rocky Mount Fest - September
Location: Town of Rocky Mount - Franklin County
Celebrate Franklin County at Rocky Mount Fest, which features live music, crafts, kids’ activities, and classic festival eats in downtown Rocky Mount.

Salem Half Marathon - October 10
Location: Downtown Salem - City of Salem
Runners enjoy a fast, scenic course through the City of Salem with fall foliage lining the route for the LewisGale Salem Half Marathon. It's a great opportunity to experience Salem's local sports culture and why it's known as Virginia's Championship City.

Roanoke GO Outside Festival - October 16–18
Location: Downtown Roanoke & Roanoke County's Explore Park
One of the region’s biggest outdoor celebrations, the Roanoke GO Outside Festival is one of the best weekends of the year to visit Virginia's Blue Ridge. The multi-day festival includes gear demos, adventure races, live music, and family activities in Downtown Roanoke and Explore Park.

Blue Ridge Folklife Festival - October 24
Location: Ferrum College - Franklin County
Held at Ferrum College, the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival highlights Appalachian traditions through music, crafts, storytelling, and heritage foods. The event has received numerous awards and accolades for being one of Virginia's Best Festivals, and has been described as "truly authentic."

Open Studios Botetourt - October
Location: Various Studios & Galleries - Botetourt County
Meet local artists, tour working studios, and purchase one-of-a-kind art during this self-guided creative experience at Open Studios Botetourt. The tour is a great opportunity to enjoy fall in Botetourt County and visit a variety of local studies and galleries.

Fall Colors & Fall Festivals - October–November
Various Events & Locations throughout the VBR Region
Peak foliage season brings harvest festivals, scenic drives, and cozy mountain events throughout the region. The Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge typically experiences peak fall color in mid-to-late October through early-November, and it's one of the best times of the year for a mountain getaway.

For the quintessential fall festival and pumpkin patch experiences, local favorites include Jeter Farm, Layman Family Farms, and Sinkland Farms.

Holiday Events

Experience the spirit of a Blue Ridge holiday getaway.

Illuminights - Roanoke County's Explore Park

Illuminights - Late November–December
Location: Explore Park - Roanoke County
Roanoke County's Explore Park transforms into a winter wonderland for Illuminights, a 1/2 mile walking trail showcasing over 650,000 dazzling lights, interactive exhibits, and festive seasonal fun. The park's Visitor Center also operates as a holiday Christmas village and artisan market for shopping, as well as numerous local food & drink vendors.

Dickens of a Christmas - First Three Fridays in December
Location: Downtown Roanoke - City of Roanoke
Downtown Roanoke sparkles with Victorian-era charm, carolers, horse-drawn carriages, holiday shopping, and family activities. Held the first three Fridays in December, Dickens of a Christmas is a wonderful representation of the holiday spirit of the region.

Fashions for Evergreens - Thanksgiving through New Year's Day
Location: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
Fashions for Evergreens at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center is a wonderful holiday tradition, presented in partnership with the United Way of the Roanoke Valley. The event showcases over 25 beautifully decorated trees throughout the hotel & conference center and is a great setting for family holiday photos.

Vacation Starts with VA's Blue Ridge

Plan your visit around a signature event and experience the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge at its most vibrant. Whether you’re here for a weekend festival or building an entire getaway around one unforgettable moment, your vacation starts with VA’s Blue Ridge.

Additional Resources