Fall Food Festivals in Virginia (2026)
Last Updated on September 4, 2026 by Liz Thomson
If I had to pick a favorite season in Virginia, it would have to be fall. The weather starts to cool down and festival season is in full swing. There are so many fun food themed events, it’s hard to squeeze them all in. (But hey, we can try!) Here are a few festivals to keep on your radar.
September
Lebanese Food Festival
This festival celebrates Lebanese food and culture, and it’s been running for quite some time! Bring the whole family to St. Anthony Maronite Church and enjoy shawarma, grape leaves, shish kebab, meat pies, and traditional Lebanese desserts while you take in live music and dancing. Admission and parking are free. This festival happens rain or shine with both indoor and outdoor dining, and there’s a free shuttle from the Markel office building at 4521 Highwoods Parkway. I’ll be loading up on tabouli and falafel.
Location: 4611 Sadler Rd (Glen Allen)
Dates & times: Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm; Sunday, September 13, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Learn more: https://www.lebanesefoodfestival.com/
Armenian Food Festival
Enjoy award-winning food and drinks while you soak up Armenian culture! The Hye Burger is a longtime favorite on Richmond ‘best burger’ lists, which is an impressive thing for a once-a-year festival burger to pull off. Cheese boreg, stuffed grape leaves, meat pies, and a pastry table worth saving room for. Admission is free, you pay as you go, and there are vegan options.
Location: 834 Pepper Ave (Three Chopt)
Dates & times: Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 | 11:30 am to 9:00 pm
Learn more: https://armenianchurch.us/event/armenian-food-festival-richmond-va-2/
Richmond VegFest
This festival brings more than 100 vegan-friendly vendors plus entertainment across three stages, closing out September with an afternoon that works for everyone in your crew. It’s free to attend, with a $5 suggested donation at the entrance. We go to this festival every year and there’s always a lot to do, including live music and activities for kids! There is usually plenty of parking on the street and in the surrounding neighborhoods but be prepared to walk a few blocks.
Location: 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd (Byrd Park)
Date & time: Saturday, September 26 | 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Learn more: https://veggiefest.org/
October
Powhatan’s Festival of the Grape
Virginia wineries, live music, and food vendors all in one spot in the Historic Courthouse District in Powhatan, about 45 minutes west of Richmond. This is an easy day trip, and a good one if you want the winery experience without committing to a whole tasting-room crawl.
Location: Powhatan
Date: Saturday, October 3
Learn more: https://www.powhatanfestivalofthegrape.com/#festival
Boots & Barbecue
This is the Northern Neck Land Conservancy’s annual celebration of the working farms, waters, and woodlands they protect, and it’s earned a reputation as one of the best outdoor fried-oyster-eating opportunities of the year. Every year it’s held in one of the five Northern Neck counties on acreage protected by a conservation easement. This year it’s at Lawson Bay Farm, right on the water in Lancaster County. Barbecue buffet, live music, plus exhibitors and demonstrations that show off the rural character of the region.
Location: Lawson Bay Farm, Lancaster County
Date & time: Saturday, October 3 | 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Learn more: https://nnconserve.org/event/boots-and-barbecue-2026/
Annual Chincoteague Island Oyster Festival
Chincoteague oysters, all-you-can-eat, on the Eastern Shore in peak October weather. Does it get better than that? This can sell out, so grab tickets early instead of assuming you’ll sort it out that week. Local seafood and live musi is hard to beat.
Location: Chincoteague Island
Date: Saturday, October 10
Learn more: https://www.virginia.org/event/annual-chincoteague-island-oyster-festival/104/
Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival
Two full days at Rebec Vineyards in Amherst built around garlic and wine, which is a combination I’m fully on board with. Garlic everything, Virginia wine, crafts, and music. Go in with an open mind about the garlic ice cream. (Ok, that one I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around but I’ll try it.)
Location: Amherst
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11
Learn more: https://www.rebecwinery.com/virginia-wine-garlic-festival
Apple Dumpling Festival
Small-town fall at its finest down in Stuart, in Southwest Virginia. (Is it our very own Stars Hollow? Maybe.) You can expect apple dumplings, obviously, plus a crafts-and-music setup that makes this festival worth the drive. Pair it with a leaf-peeping route if you’re already headed that direction.
Location: Stuart
Date: Saturday, October 17
Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/1669701057599376
What’s on your calendar this fall? Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite Virginia festival!
