Must-See Events in Virginia

This eight-day long arts' extravaganza includes all the family. Hot air balloons inaugurate the festival's opening, a spectacle the little ones will never forget. Arts and crafts workshops, clowns, and live music join an ever-swelling number of food merchants to make this the ideal Virginian family festival. It takes place in Wytheville and officially kicks off with a parade through downtown.

Another of Virginia's most family-friendly happenings is the Stars and Stripes Explosion. Thousands of visitors wash up on the beach to immerse themselves in patriotism and traditional music, performed by the Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. After the sun sets, a firework display illuminates the sky once more, to cap off the "explosion." What's more, the fireworks and concerts are free to the public.

For a quarter of a century, the streets of heritage-packed Hampton are awash with families enjoying free music and a festive atmosphere. Three outdoor stages emit live music, with plenty of spin-off stages to keep the rhythm flowing throughout the duration of the festival. Children will be entertained and excited at the Kids' Play and Learn About the Bay Entertainment Area, and there's even a competition for your furry friend.

A century old and attracting a quarter of a million participants each year, the apple blossom festival is one of the gems of Virginian outdoor events. Over thirty exciting activities take place throughout the festival, including a 10K race, and firefighter performances, not to mention the coronation of the Queen of Shenandoah, a circus, and carnival.

Nearly as far back as those first fledgling flights, the Oceana Air Show has celebrated aviation. Showcasing the death-defying skill of America's Blue Angels and Thunderbirds and Canada's Snowbirds, the skies over Virginia are filled with jet trails following amazing flying demonstrations. Meanwhile, Kids Fest involves sumo wrestling, face painting, and rock climbing.

For over sixty years, August has augured a celebration of the state's most impressive artists and craftspeople. In recent years, the event has come to encompass performances from increasingly international performance artists, bringing the best of Virginian traditions to a worldwide audience.

Welcome to the largest (and oldest) event devoted to gardening in all America. Traverse the state and explore the idiosyncrasies of its private gardens and marvel at its public green spaces. Secret and formal gardens, cottages and cuttings, annual and perennial, experience the diversity and cultural significance of Virginia's relationship with the natural world.

Labor Day Weekend is marked with a festival of star-studded international musicians animating crowds with heartfelt performances over the course of three days. More than thirty bands enliven Virginia Beach at the largest outdoor music event on the East Coast and a celebration of Virginian heritage.

Tune into Virginia's sonic roots at its premier folk festival. More than thirty bands perform at this free, three-day celebration of Virginia's folk heritage. Seven music stages are graced by top musicians and dance troops, and there's plenty of traditional food in store too. Pore over the treasures in the folk art bazaar and get involved in children's activities and games.

Over seventy years old, this fiddlefest can legitimately claim the epithet "old." But these fiddles are as vivacious as ever, and the bluegrass and mountain music-focused festival beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains draws some of the best performers in the world. Immerse yourself in one of Virginia's most revered cultural effusions. These tunes reverberate with Virginian heritage, which is still alive and harmonious today.