Best time to visit Virginia

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Virginia

Best time of year to visit Virginia

Fantastic weather makes April through October the best time to visit Virginia. Being dry and warm, April marks the actual start of spring and rainy May—the beginning of peak season. Summer in Virginia is usually hot with possible thunderstorms. A sackful of events such as Virginia Renaissance Faire, Balloons over Rockbridge, or Virginia Highlands Festival are held during high season. November is known as the driest month but with the most significant drop in temps. Evenings are usually breezy and the nights are cold. December through February is the coldest period with fewer things to do around the state. However, Christmas lights across Virginia and the state's Christmas markets are more than attractive. The snow and bargain rates are undeniable winter companions. March can be cold with occasional snowfall, but generally everything turns green and flowers start to bloom.

11 THINGS TO DO IN VIRGINIA (SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 07)

State Fair of Virginia

State Fair of Virginia

September 27-October 6, 2024 • event

Carnival, pig races, and other traditional entertainment

Shenandoah National Park Fall Foliage

Shenandoah National Park Fall Foliage

October • nature

Discover prime fall landscapes in Virginia on Shenandoah's scenic drives and hikes

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

mid-April–October • nature

Ruby-throated and rufous hummingbirds can often be spotted in Virginia

Neptune Festival Grand Parade

Neptune Festival Grand Parade

September 27-29, 2024 • event

One of the most popular events on the East Coast

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

April–September • nature

Attracted by fruits and nectar, these birds are often spotted in the gardens

Devil's Bathtub

Devil's Bathtub

all year round • activity

The popular swimming hole is hidden in a scenic setting, but prepare to get wet

Flying Circus Airshow

Flying Circus Airshow

May–October (every Sunday) • event

The longest continuously running airshow in Virginia

Luray Caverns

Luray Caverns

all year round • activity

The largest cave complex in the eastern United States

Sharp Top Mountain

Sharp Top Mountain

March–November • activity

An impressive peak in a beautiful lake area

Halloween

Halloween

early September–early November  • event

Check out how scary colonial Virginian towns can become

Devil's Marbleyard

Devil's Marbleyard

March–November • activity

A unique geological formation that makes a big impression

54 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

FunkFest Festival

FunkFest Festival

out of rangeAugust 23-24, 2024 • event

The greatest party of the year at Virginia's oceanfront

Balloons Over Rockbridge

Balloons Over Rockbridge

out of rangeJuly 6–7, 2024 • event

A hot air balloon festival in a beautiful location

Virginia Renaissance Faire

Virginia Renaissance Faire

out of rangeMay 11–June 9, 2024 (on selected dates) • event

The lovely village of Staffordshire offers Renaissance-themed entertainment

The Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival

The Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival

out of rangeAugust 17–18, 2024 • event

One of the highlights of the Virginia summer

NAS Oceana Air Show

NAS Oceana Air Show

out of rangeSeptember 21-22, 2024 • event

One of the best air shows in the United States

Virginia Fall Foliage

Virginia Fall Foliage

out of rangeearly October–early November • nature

Discover the brilliance of Virginia's Blue Ridge during the peak foliage display

Chincoteague Pony Swim

Chincoteague Pony Swim

unconfirmedJuly 24, 2024 • event

Dozens of wild ponies cross the Assateague Channel during a traditional summer festival

Coastal Virginia Auto Show

Coastal Virginia Auto Show

out of rangeNovember 22-24, 2024 • event

The largest car show in the Mid-Atlantic region

Chesapeake Crab, Wine & Beer Festival

Chesapeake Crab, Wine & Beer Festival

out of rangeJune 11, 2022 • event

Enjoy world-famous seafood and lots of entertainment

Graves Mountain Apple Festival

Graves Mountain Apple Festival

out of rangeOctober 6–7, 13-14 & 20-21, 2023 • event

Embrace fall splendor at this much-anticipated event

Christmas Lights across Virginia

Christmas Lights across Virginia

out of rangeearly November–early January • event

Shimmering lights on the water, in parks, and in the tunnel

Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival

Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival

out of rangeMay 24-26, 2024 • event

Virginia Beach kicks off the summer season and salutes the troops

4th of July Events & Fireworks in Virginia Beach

4th of July Events & Fireworks in Virginia Beach

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

Check out free family-friendly celebrations on the beach and inland of the Resort City, as well as out of it

Virginia Highlands Festival

Virginia Highlands Festival

out of rangeJuly 26-August 4, 2024 • event

Enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains and plenty of entertainment

Whale Watching in Virginia Beach

Whale Watching in Virginia Beach

out of rangeDecember–March • nature

The favorite winter entertainment for nature lovers

Virginia Beach Tattoo Festival

Virginia Beach Tattoo Festival

unconfirmedAugust 9-11, 2024 • event

A good chance to get a tattoo from a well-known artist

New Year's Eve in Virginia

New Year's Eve in Virginia

out of rangeDecember 31  • event

The historical state offers plenty of scenic spots and glamorous parties for the holidays

Christmas Classic in Richmond, VA

Christmas Classic in Richmond, VA

out of rangeNovember 3–5, 2023 • event

Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Art and Craft Festival is a three-day extravaganza offering lots of crafts and Christmas gifts

Neptune Spring Wine + Food Festival

Neptune Spring Wine + Food Festival

out of rangeMay 18, 2024 • event

A kick-off party for the beach season in Virginia

4th of July

4th of July

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

Celebrate America in one of Virginia's plentiful historical sites

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets

out of rangelate November–mid-December • event

Best seasonal foods, fine arts, and jewelry at Virginia's holiday fairs

Fireworks in Fredericksburg VA

Fireworks in Fredericksburg VA

out of rangeJuly 4 • event

The city on the Rappahannock River offers a myriad of ways to show your patriotism

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

out of rangelate March–early April • nature

Enjoy Virginia's breathtaking landscapes painted with cheerful pink and white blooms

Water Lantern Festival

Water Lantern Festival

out of rangeAugust 3, 2024 • event

Make a wish, write it on a lantern, and release it onto the water

Bluemont Fair

Bluemont Fair

out of rangeSeptember 16–17, 2023 • event

A bucolic fair in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains

Virginia Wine Festival

Virginia Wine Festival

out of rangeMay 6–7, 2023 • event

The oldest wine festival on the East Coast

Northern Virginia Christmas Market

Northern Virginia Christmas Market

out of rangeNovember 8-10, 2024 • event

Check out the grand opening festival of the merry season in Northern Virginia

Virginia Beach Restaurant Week

Virginia Beach Restaurant Week

out of rangeJanuary 15 - January 21 • event

A premiere annual dining event in Virginia

Virginia Beach Labor Day Weekend

Virginia Beach Labor Day Weekend

out of rangeSeptember 1–3, 2023 • event

Beach getaway with lots of live music, delicious food, and entertainment

Richmond Oktoberfest

Richmond Oktoberfest

out of rangeOctober 18-19, 2024 • event

This brew fest in Virginia has a little something in store for you

Hampton Jazz Festival

Hampton Jazz Festival

out of rangeJune 28-30, 2024 • event

Enjoy the world's top jazz artists in Hampton Coliseum

Suffolk Peanut Fest

Suffolk Peanut Fest

out of rangeOctober 5–8, 2023 • event

Virginia's premier agricultural festival celebrating peanuts

Historic Garden Week

Historic Garden Week

out of rangeApril 20-27, 2024 • event

The biggest and oldest statewide garden tour

VFW Hillsville Flea Market

VFW Hillsville Flea Market

out of rangeSeptember 1–4, 2023 • event

This flea market has cool stuff for any taste: from vinyl records to furniture

Abingdon Christmas Parade

Abingdon Christmas Parade

out of rangeDecember 2, 2023 • event

Rejoice in Kiwanis Christmas Parade in Abingdon

Ravenwood Faire

Ravenwood Faire

out of rangeOctober 20–22, 27–29, 2023 • event

Meet the Baron and Baroness of Ravenwood and dozens of other characters

Bull Run Festival of Lights

Bull Run Festival of Lights

out of rangeNovember 10–January 7 • event

A massive light display in Centreville, not far from Washington, D.C.

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter

out of rangeNovember 20, 2023–January 7, 2024 • event

A sparkling winter garden in Richmond offers plenty of fun activities

Cicada Mania

Cicada Mania

out of rangeMay–mid-June • nature

A billionth population of American cicadas come out during final weeks in their lives to rejoice in a huge mating par

Manassas Christmas Parade (Merry Old Town)

Manassas Christmas Parade (Merry Old Town)

out of rangeDecember 2, 2023 • event

Holiday festivities at the historic Civil War site

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiing and Snowboarding

out of rangelate November–March  • activity

Get ready for an unforgettable winter season at marvelous Virginia's ski resorts

Vinton Christmas Parade

Vinton Christmas Parade

out of rangeNovember 30, 2023 • event

Don't miss a chance to visit Vintage Vinton Drive-Through Christmas Parade

Virginia Film Festival

Virginia Film Festival

out of rangeOctober 25–29, 2023 • event

A five-day festival at the University of Virginia

Dolphin Watching in Virginia Beach

Dolphin Watching in Virginia Beach

out of rangelate May–early September • nature

A playful pair or the whole pod of dolphins—a happy encounter is guaranteed

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend

out of rangeMay 24–27, 2024 • event

Thousands of flags, salutes, and tributes to the U.S. Armed Forces servicemen and women

ValleyFest

ValleyFest

out of rangeMay 25, 2024 • event

The ultimate Shenandoah Valley's beer & wine event

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival

out of rangeApril 26–May 5, 2024 • event

More than 50 events over ten days in a beautiful town with the rural atmosphere

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

out of rangeNovember 10, 2023–January 7, 2024 • event

An enchanting holiday garden not far from Washington D.C.

Manassas Viking Festival

Manassas Viking Festival

overMay 13, 2023 • event

Travel back in time to the age of brave Vikings

Blackbeard Pirate Festival

Blackbeard Pirate Festival

out of rangeJune 3–4, 2023 • event

Witness Hampton overrun by dozens of fervent pirates

Virginia Horse Festival

Virginia Horse Festival

overMay 3–5, 2019 • event

Celebration of all things about horses and riding

GreyBeards Viking Experience

GreyBeards Viking Experience

out of rangeApril 1–2, 2023 (Virginia) | July 8–9, 2023 (North Carolina) • event

Mounted archery, highland game demos, and other themed activities

Kings Dominion WinterFest

Kings Dominion WinterFest

out of rangeNovember 17, 2023-December 31, 2023 • event

The premier holiday event in Virginia

Rolling to Remember

Rolling to Remember

out of rangeMay 26, 2024 • event

The annual Memorial Day patriotic motorcycle ride into DC

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