Festival season is around the corner, and tons of events are being held all over the state, from Blue Ridge to Tidewater. The key ingredient to any good festival? The food & drinks! Read on for our lowdown on Virginia’s food festivals, and see how many you can hit up in 2026!

April

Tom Tom Founder’s Festival – Charlottesville: April 22-26, 2026

This citywide celebration around Thomas Jefferson’s birthday (aka Founder’s Day) includes forums, workshops, film screenings, and loads of live music. Between 60 diverse bands and 200 inspiring speakers, you’re spoiled for cultural choices here. Food‘s at the heart of the Tom Tom proceedings.

The free concert block parties at Lee Park come with food trucks and a craft beer garden, while Charlottesville’s best eateries offer prix fixe dinners during the festival’s Farm to Table Restaurant Week. From their downtown chili showdown to their community picnic, you won’t be short on foodie activities to partake in. And if you’re into watching some friendly competitions, keep an eye on their craft cocktail competitions and Iron Chef competitions!

More April festivals:

• Lynchburg Wine & Music Festival – April 18, 2026
• Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival – April 24 – May 3, 2026 (Winchester)
• Williamsburg Craft Beer Festival – April 25, 2026

May

Chincoteague Seafood Festival – Chincoteague Island: May 2, 2026

The 56th annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival offers fresh, local seafood and offerings, and signature dishes from local restaurants. It’s a day where you can indulge in little neck clams, raw oysters, clam fritters, single fried oysters, fried fish, crab cheddar jalapeno poppers, and lots more.

More May festivals:

• Stratford Hall Brews & BBQ Festival – May 2, 2026
• ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Virginia – (Richmond)
•  Blues, Brews, & BBQ Festival – May 2, 2026 (Yorktown)

June

A Taste of the DMV– Washington, DC: June 20-21, 2026

The 4th annual Taste of the DMV returns to the district with a beer garden, four stages, unique food, and endless music. The event features the best local food, music, and culture festivals that MD, DC, and VA have to offer!!

More June festivals:

• Brews, Brine & Wine – June 5-6, 2026 (Gloucester)
• Virginia Black Bear Festival – June 6, 2026 (Stanardsville)
• Seawall Festival – June 19-22, 2026 (Portsmouth)

July

FloydFest– Floyd: July 22-26, 2026

Bringing sounds and stylings from all over the world to the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, FloydFest is a beloved music festival tucked into the woods. Besides all the great tunes going down on multiple stages, you’ve got some excellent food vendors and plenty of libations (as in the Pink Floyd Beer and Wine Garden) to keep those clapping hands and grooving feet fueled up.

More July festivals:

• Hanover Tomato Festival – July 10-11, 2026 (Mechanicsville)
• Chincoteague Island Blueberry Festival – July 23-25, 2026 (Chincoteague Island)
• Virginia Lake Festival (LakeFest) – July 17-18, 2026 (Clarksville)

August

JamPacked Craft Beer & Music Festival – Richmond: August 2026

The JamPacked Craft Beer & Music Festival is a lively event featuring craft beer from local and regional breweries, live music, and a fun outdoor atmosphere. With food vendors, games, and a diverse lineup of bands, it’s a must-visit for beer lovers and music fans alike.

More August festivals:

• Taste Leesburg – August 2026 
• Virginia Bourbon and Beer Festival – August 8, 2026 (Fredericksburg)
• Carytown Watermelon Festival – August 9, 2026 (Richmond)

September

29th Annual Fall Wine Festival– Virginia Beach: September 2026

Come out to the 28th Annual Fall Wine Festival and taste more than 60 wines while you meet fascinating people who are forging Virginia’s reputation for quality wines. Enjoy delicious food, live entertainment, and the opportunity to purchase your favorite wines by the bottle and case.

More September festivals:

• 14th Annual Labor Day Wine & Music Fest – September 5, 2026 (Amherst)
• Virginia Cider Festival – September 2026 (Fredericksburg) 
• Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival – September 12, 2026 (Lexington)
• DMV Street Food Festival – September 2026 (Manassas)

October

Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape – Richmond: October 2026

Back for its 22nd year, Festival of the Grape brings together over 100 craft vendors, live music, and delicious food trucks for a celebration of fall flavor and community charm. Whether you’re a fan of bold reds, crisp whites, or sparkling surprises, this beloved tradition is your perfect fall wine festival!

More Oktoberfest Festivals:

• Chincoteague Island Oyster Festival – October 10, 2026 (Chincoteague Island)
• Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival – October 10-11, 2026 (Amherst)
• Vienna Oktoberfest – October 3, 2026 (Vienna)
• Graves’ Mountain Apple Harvest Festival – First Three Weekends in October (Syria)

November

Urbanna Oyster Festival – Urbanna, November 6-7, 2026

The Urbanna Oyster Festival is Virginia’s official celebration of oysters! It’s one of the oldest festivals dedicated to these prized shellfish. In addition to oysters, there will be wine, live music, and parades! This event is popular, drawing over 50,000 visitors from across Virginia and beyond. You don’t want to miss this special event!

More November Festivals:

• Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival – November 2026 (Forest)
• Smith Mountain Lake Chili Festival – November 7, 2026 (Smith Mountain Lake)
• DMV Chocolate & Coffee Festival – November 2026 (Chantilly)

Be sure to keep an eye on our monthly events calendars for more delicious events!