Fall Festivals & Events

Also see the Fall in Lexington for outdoor recreation activities and the Fall Leaf-Peeping Guide.

In Lexington, red-brick sidewalks link boutique hotels and renowned eateries to a slew of locally owned shops and galleries. Across the Maury River, Buena Vista is a launch pad to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail. Plus, downtown is experiencing a retail renaissance. Throughout Rockbridge County, antique shops, country stores, craft beverage makers, the Virginia Horse Center, and old time music shows all add a powerful oomph to the overall vibe of the region. To sum it up: you're missing out if you're skipping all this.

The energy is palpable in downtown Lexington in fall. Returning coeds and cadets flock to Main Street to see what’s new. Fall produce impresses foodies at farm-to-table restaurants. Young and old bump elbows at piano jams and acoustic shows. And the Lexington ghost walk? It reaches maximum spooky. On campus at W&L, VMI, and SVU, concerts, plays, and football games take the spotlight. Indeed, it's time to enjoy fall in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. What better way to be introduced than with a fall festival?

8 Fun Fall Festivals for All

The 30th Annual Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival will be held at Lime Kiln Theater September 7 starting at noon. Taste your way through the day while musicians bring continual entertainment on two stages. Don't skip the amazing local food trucks!

The official annual 22nd Annual Nothin' Fancy Bluegrass Festival is on for September 19-22 at Glen Maury Park. Come out to enjoy the band as well as others like Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Tony Jackson, Lonesome River Band, Junior Sisk, and more. New and improved camping is available!

The 18th Annual McCormick Farm Mill Day is October 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the historic mill on the beautiful grounds of Cyrus McCormick Farm. Hay rides, traditional craft demonstrations, live music, local BBQ chicken, and education activities for kids are all on the agenda for this day of fun on the farm.

If life is stressing you out, release the tension with grape stomping at the Rockbridge Vineyard Harvest Festival October 5. Afterwards, you can rest your feet on a hayride and enjoy a glass of Tuscarora white while Greenhouse and The Late Night Stumblers sing you to merriment.

If you have a love of big trucks or a perhaps a little one who loves big trucks, don't miss the LargeCarMagazine Southern Classic Truck Show at White's Travel Center in Raphine, October 11 and 12.

Mountain music and culture are the draw October 12 in Buena Vista at the annual Mountain Day celebration. Enjoy traditional arts & crafts, history, and music. The fun begins at 10 a.m. and features a new, appealing evening event from 5 to 7 p.m.: food and beverage trucks.

October 19 is the 28th Annual Apple Butter Festival at Wade's Mill in Raphine. Holding true to tradition, the festival will include old fashioned apple butter making (that you can take home!), artisan demonstrations and sales, excellent food, tastings by local craft beverage makers, food trucks, and so much more. Admission and parking are free!

Fall by Foot

Get some exercise while enjoying the crisp air of fall. To kick off the season, join in the 8th Annual Run of the Mill 5K from Wade's Mill on September 21. Run America’s most enchanting rail trail—the seven-mile Chessie Trail. On October 26, racers have the option of running the Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, or the 26.2 Relay.

Take in the dark, clear skies at Natural Bridge State Park, an International Dark Sky Park with fall hayrides, sunset hikes, stargazing events, and The Illumination light display.

Peruse the pumpkins at Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden on October 25 for Pumpkin Walk, a tradition that lights up the night!

Ghosts in the Graveyard

On the Haunting Tales Ghost Tour, a guide in black Victorian garb leads a “spirited” evening walk past Lexington’s many haunted sights, with an eerie stop in Oak Grove Cemetery. Tours are available Friday and Saturday through the end of October plus additional dates and times around Halloween.

NEW: Haunting Tales now has a mobile option! Inquire about the narrated van tours.

Add a dash of history to your haunted walk when you jump in on Haunted History: A Lantern Tour of Natural Bridge every Friday night in October at Natural Bridge State Park. The guided walk along Cedar Creek Trail kicks off at 7 p.m. and requires pre-registration. Call 540-254-0795. Don't forget the "Things that Go 'Bump in the Night' Hike" offered every Saturday evening in October.

HORRORFEST is an overnight five-movie marathon of classic horror films at Hull's Drive-In. The lineup has yet to be announced, but the bloodcurdling fun begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 5 a.m. on October 18. Pull the all-nighter if you can.

Trick-or-Treat!

There are typically trunk-or-treats aplenty in our area, and we think you'll agree: the more candy, the merrier!

October 19: 5:30 p.m.: Hull's Drive-In HULLOWEEN is back! Stay tuned for further details.
November 2, 3-5 p.m.: Town of Glasgow Trunk-or-Treat

Downtown Lexington Trick-or-Treat will be held Monday, October 31 starting at 3:30 p.m. Children under 12 are welcome to collect candy when accompanied by their parent or guardian. Main Street will be closed to ensure pedestrian safety and live performances will boost the fun of the afternoon.

Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Buena Vista - the SPOOKTACULAR Halloween event includes games, candy, and more! It's happening October 31 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Find more fun via the Calendar!

Pleasant Downtown Distractions

One of the best things about downtown Lexington? Its walkability. Sidewalks link the top historic and cultural attractions, and most of them sit within a half-mile stroll.

Check out Apple Day at Stonewall Jackson House on October 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's a great look into 19th century life, including cider pressing, games, period music, lively dancing, and more.

If you're visiting midweek, you'll want to check out Lexington Farmers Market. That's especially true September 25 when the vendors celebrate the Annual Apple Fest! You'll find baked goods, teas, treats (even for puppers), and of course, plenty of apple varieties themselves.

When you tire of walking or want a narrated overview of downtown, hop a ride with Lexington Carriage Company for a horse-drawn tour. Tours are offered Wednesday through Sunday through October 30.

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Campus Connections

If you can, time your visit to coincide with a VMI Dress Parade, when the entire corps of cadets marches in full formation and pageantry. The parades occur most Fridays and some Saturdays.

In a football state of mind? Then follow the cheers on Saturday afternoon. A cannon blast from “Little John” rallies the corps at Alumni Memorial Field at Foster Stadium while the Washington & Lee Swing rallies W&L Generals at Wilson Field. Both fields are a short walk from downtown. Alumni and fans may want to head to TAPS, Haywood’s, Macado's, or Juniper Lounge for a post-game celebration.

Acclaimed orchestras, ensembles, and dance troupes take the stage at W&L’s Lenfest Center for the Arts. The theatre gang at Southern Virginia Theatre in Buena Vista likes to mix it up every year with both musicals and classics.

Live Music and Outdoor Entertainment

Dress up and rock out on October 12 at Glen Maury Park for Rocktoberfest! It's a benefit party for Bridge to Hope Food Pantry and features Party Crasher Band. Family friendly, the fun begins at 2 p.m. Admission is a single can of food. Enjoy games, win prizes, and see if you can win the costume contest.

Downtown Lexington is a vibe with a toe-tapping line-up of weekly performances. Piano players often complement the cocktails at Haywood’s and musicians also descend upon Salerno Wood Fired Pizza & Taphouse and Brew Ridge Taps throughout the week. Keep an eye on The Patton Room at The Georges. They're known to toss in a gig here and there, too.

Biketoberfest is a bike ride from Heliotrope Brewing in downtown Lexington on October 5. Destination? More beer! One group will be lead to Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery in Natural Bridge (12 miles) and another group will head to Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery in Raphine (20.5 miles). The trip is worth it with live music, food, and drinks awaiting your arrival. Complete your excursion as you like: bike back or perhaps call in an assist with a pick-up.

Beyond Lexington? Visit Ecco Adesso Vineyards in Fairfield. They're our newest winery and they keep a steady flow of musicians on the calendar.

Thursdays, 1 p.m.: Aperitivo
Sundays, 12 p.m.: Sip & Savor Sundays
September 28, 3 p.m.: Live Music in the Vineyard with Ethan Carpenter
September 29, 2 p.m.: Lavender Wreath Workshop with Tantivy Lavender Farm
October 5, 3 p.m.: Music at the Vineyards with Chaz Knapp

Sit outside, sip chardonnay, and listen to bluegrass, folk, and pub tunes during Uncorked at Rockbridge Vineyard. This series runs from 2-5pm on select Sundays through the end of October.

Sundays, 1 p.m.: Uncorked Live Music
October 12, 11 a.m.: Mimosas & Brunch
October 18, 6:30 p.m.: Sip & Paint
October 26, 4:30 p.m.: Halloween Trunk or Treat and Dance with Danny Goodson Band

What views will you enjoy from deck at Devils Backbone Outpost Kitchen & Tap Room? The Blue Ridge Mountains, historic Route 11, and beer, mmm, beer. Their expanded deck is a top-notch place to be seen.

South of Lexington is Great Valley Farm Brewery, which also welcomes food trucks and musicians to their majestic Blue Ridge Mountain patio and lawn. A visit to nearby Halcyon Days Cider Co. is a sweet treat for the fall season, and a wander through their labyrinth is pure joy.