Festivals and Events

CELEBRATE. HAVE FUN.
From annual celebrations to monthly events, there is always something happening in the Roanoke Region. Check out our events feed for upcoming events.

• Antique and Classic Boat Show -- Annual showcase of antique boats on Smith Mountain Lake. September. Mariner's Landing, Moneta • 540.721.1888
  
  
• Art by Night -- Exhibition of regional, national, and international fine art, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, textiles, and photography at Roanoke's downtown galleries. First Thursday of the month. Downtown Roanoke
  
  
• Big Lick Blues Festival -- Features live blues music performances, musician jam sessions, a rib-eating contest, and motorcycle show. September. Elmwood Park, Roanoke • 540.342.2640
  
  
• Blue Ridge Folk Life Festival -- Celebrate the region's heritage with local folk artists and artisans, three stages with live music, the Mountain Comforts Quilt Show, crafts, food, and children's activities. October. Blue Ridge Institute, Ferrum • 540.365.4166
  
  
• Celebrate the Lake -- Celebrate Smith Mountain Lake with boat shows, auctions, live music, food, and more. June. Bridgewater Plaza, Smith Mountain Lake
  
  
• Community School Strawberry Festival -- Enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, activities for children, and a variety of delicious strawberry desserts. Spring. Elmwood Park, Roanoke • 540.563.5036
  
  
• Craftmen's Fall Classic Arts and Crafts Festival -- Exhibition featuring arts and crafts from more than 250 artists and craftspeople. October. Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke • 366.282.5550
  
  
• Dickens of a Christmas -- 'Tis the season for horse drawn carriage rides, carolers, exciting street performances, re-enactors dressed in costume, music and dance shows, food vendors, an outdoor holiday movie, a pet costume contest, and a visit from Santa Claus. December. Market Sq., Roanoke
  
  
• Dogtober Fest -- Fundraiser for Saint Francis Service Dogs features dog games, vendors, a parade of breeds, a blessing of the animals, food and wine tastings, CGC certification, PawCasso art, a DJ, and a raffle. October. Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Center, Roanoke • 540.342.3647
  
  
• Ernest "Pig" Robertson Fishing Rodeo -- Fishing competitions, live entertainment, prizes, and more. Held annually for more than half a century. May. Lake Spring Park, Salem • 540.375.3057
  
  
• EventZone Park in the Park -- Summer series with live music, food and drinks, friends, and a different nightly themes. May-September. Elmwood Park, Roanoke • 540.342.2640
  
  
• Fall Foliage Festival -- Celebrate the changing colors of the mountains with live music, arts, crafts, and food provided by local civic groups. October. Clifton Forge • 540.862.3358
  
  
• Festival in the Park -- The region's largest festival presents art from regional and national artists, live music from local and established musicians, a variety of unique food vendors, dance performances, and much more. May. Elmwood Park, Roanoke • 540.342.2640
  
  
• FiddleFest -- Top-quality entertainment with concerts, workshops, and jam sessions with the pros. July. Hollins University, Roanoke • 540.777.1418
  
  
• First Fridays at Five -- Live music, beer, and friends on each first Friday of the month. Proceeds benefit twenty charities. April to October. Railcar Lot, Roanoke • 540.342.0400
  
  
• Franklin Street Festival on the Crooked Road -- Performances by local dance academies, the Ferrum College step team, four stages of live entertainment, a silent auction, festival foods, and crafters from throughout the region. September. Franklin St., Rocky Mount • 540.483.7801
  
  
• Green Hill Medieval Faire -- Medieval world of Knights, knaves, damsels, and magicians featuring live entertainment, jousting, music, arts, crafts, and a variety of foods. September. Green Hill Park, Roanoke • 540.387.6078
  
  
• Harvest Festival -- Features a tractor display, apple butter making, wagon rides, a children's area with inflatable games and activities, face painting, a balloon artist, wood turning, weaving, homemade ice cream, and live entertainment. October. Market Sq., Roanoke • 540.342.2028
  
  
• Harvest Time Festival -- Presents living history programs, demonstrations, children's activities and games, workshops, old-time music, food, drinks, ice cream, and more. September. Booker T. Washington National Monument, Franklin County • 540.721.2094
  
  
• Henry Street Heritage Festival --Celebrate the history, culture, heritage, and arts of African Americans featuring art and entertainment from national and local talent, as well as educational and history programs. September. Elmwood Park, Roanoke • 540.345.4818
  
  
• Jazz in July -- Jazz invades Longwood Park for a summer celebration with local musicians, artists, drinks, and food. Longwood Park, Salem • 540.375.3057
  
  
• Latino Festival -- Celebration of Latino history and culture with authentic food, music, art, folklore, and history exhibits. October. Elmwood Park, Roanoke • 540.467.4249
  
  
• Local Colors -- Presents the Parade of Nations representing more than 70 countries, arts and crafts vendors, authentic food, non-stop live entertainment with international music, theater, and dance. May. Elmwood Park, Roanoke • 540.904.2234
  
  
• Magic in the Mountains Festival -- One of the region's most popular festivals brings live music, arts, antiques, and nature programs to the mountains. October. 501 East Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge • 540.862.2000
  
  
• Microfestivus --Taste a wide array of micro and craft beers from across the nation. August. Elmwood Park, Roanoke
  
  
• Oktoberfest -- A celebration in the German tradition with beer, food, music, and a children's play area. October. Salem Farmers Market • 540.375.3057
  
  
• Olde Salem Days -- Features more than 400 crafters, food vendors and entertainers, plus an antique car show with more than 200 cars, three stages with live entertainment, a beer garden, and children's activities including rides, games, and a petting zoo. September. Main St., Salem • 540.772.8871
  
  
• Pride in the Park -- Celebrates the lives and stories of Roanoke's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender/transsexual communities with a day of arts and cultural programming, a Pride March, and more. October. Elmwood Park, Roanoke
  
  
• Pumpkin Fest -- Local farmers provide pumpkins for all kinds of contests, and also features an auction, children's activities, a costume contest, and hayrides. October. Salem Farmers Market • 540.375.3057
  
  
• Roanoke Arts Festival -- Art exhibition showcases original work from regional artists, and features live music and unique cultural activities. November. 540.853.5900
  
  
• Salem After Five -- Summer relief for those who work hard and party hard, featuring live music, friends, and drinks through the summer. Proceeds benefit local charities. April to October. Salem Farmers Market, Salem • 540.375.3057
  
  
• Salem Fair and Exposition -- The second largest fair in the state is recognized as one of the top 100 fairs and expositions in the country. Features carnival foods, tons of fun rides, and a nightly firework show. July. 1001 Boulevard, Salem • 540.375.3004
  
  
• Salem Family Fall Festival -- Features a carnival, children's activities, games, crafts, food vendors, and more. September. Salem Farmers Market • 540.375.3057 
  
  
• Sidewalk Art Show -- Sidewalk art exhibit featuring paintings, photography, and sculptures from regional and national artists. June. Market St. and Salem Ave., Roanoke • 540.342.5760
  
  
• Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili Festival -- Taste the chili of the lake provided by several local vendors. November. Bridgewater Plaza Smith Mountain Lake • 540.721.1203
  
  
• Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival -- Wine from 28 wineries, more than ninety food and craft vendors, and live entertainment. September. Lake Watch Plantation, Smith Mountain Lake • 540.721.1203
  
  
• Star City Motor Madness -- Celebrates America's passion for the automobile with a cruise up Williamson Road and raises money for the Virginia Museum of Transportation. June. Williamson Rd., Roanoke.
  
  
• Summer Blast Children's Festival -- Fun for the kids with face painting, arts, crafts, costumed characters, puppet shows, music, games, clowns, jugglers, pony and hay rides, a bike blast and so much more. August. Green Hill Park, Roanoke • 540.387.6455
  
  
• Vinton Dogwood Festival -- Regional favorite featuring live music, arts, crafts, and a community parade. April. Downtown Vinton • 540.983.0614
  
  
• Vinton Old-Time Bluegrass Festival and Competition -- Bluegrass and old-time band performances as well as a competition for amateur musicians. August. Vinton Farmers Market, Vinton • 540.345.8548
  
  
• Virginia Mountain Peach Festival -- Offers cobblers from local orchards, face painting, art, and live music. August. Elmwood Park, Roanoke
  
  
• Virginia State Championship Chili Cookoff -- features chili cooks from across the nation competing for the state title, chili and salsa tastings and judging, a children's craft and entertainment area, live entertainment and music all day, a Beer Garden, a jalepeno eating contest, and more! May. 19 West Salem Ave., Roanoke • 540.342.4716
  
  
• Ye Olde Salem Christmas -- Celebrate the season with Santa Claus, Salem's finest merchants, carriage rides, model-T car rides, roasted chestnuts, and hot cider. December. Downtown Salem • 540.375.3057