10 Virginia Events to Get You Out This Winter

Norfolk – A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Jan. 16: Enjoy a taste of summer in the midst of winter as New York City’s iconic The Acting Company graces the Attucks Theatre stage, part of Norfolk’s Virginia Arts Festival 2026 lineup. VAFest.org

Roanoke – International Wine Festival

Jan. 18: One of the joys of winter is a warming glass of wine—the Taubman Museum of Art embraces that spirit with its annual festival, featuring 40+ wines, paired hors d’oeuvres, and expert stewards to guide you. TaubmanMuseum.org

Richmond – Back to the Future: The Musical

Jan. 20–25: Part of the Broadway in Richmond 2025/2026 season, this award-winning musical hits the stage with gusto, taking audiences back to the cult classic 1985 film. AltriaTheater.com

Leesburg – Ice Fest

Jan. 24: The awe factor at this frosty favorite comes from colossal sculptures created live during the Carving Competition, which draws ice masters from across the country. VillageAtLeesburg.com

Williamsburg – Busch Gardens Mardi Gras

Jan. 30–March 8: Imagine New Orleans dropped into Virginia at the height of Mardi Gras—that’s Busch Gardens in February. From powdered beignets and seafood boils to catapulting jesters, the park is pure revelry for Fat Tuesday (Feb. 17). BuschGardens.com/Williamsburg

Blacksburg – Cirque Mechanics: Tilt!

Feb. 10–11: Traveling circus troupe Cirque Mechanics presents Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride at Virginia Tech’s Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, mixing mechanical marvels with astounding acrobatics. ArtsCenter.VT.edu

Alexandria – George Washington Birthday Parade

Feb. 14: Forget Cupid—this V-Day, Alexandria becomes George Washington’s town again, celebrating his would-be 227th birthday (Feb. 22) with a parade through Old Town, a tradition since 1801. WashingtonBirthday.com

Courtesy of the George Washington Birthday Parade

Warm Springs – Valentine’s Day Recital

Feb. 14: Violinist Jennifer Curtis and pianist Jeannette Fang provide the soundtrack for romance with César Franck’s Sonata in A Major and Amy Beach’s Romance, Op. 23, followed by a special Valentine’s dinner program. GarthNewel.org

Garth Newel campus. Courtesy of Garth Newel Music Center

Harrisonburg – Winter Wine Weekend

Feb. 27–28: A must-go for Shenandoah Valley oenophiles, this weekend features a Winemakers’ Panel, Grand Tasting with 16 regional wineries, and thoughtful dinner and dessert pairings. HotelMadison.com

Fredericksburg – Wine & Food Festival

Feb. 28: Virginia wineries, cideries, distilleries, and culinary tastemakers unite at the Fredericksburg Convention Center for a day of indulgence celebrating Virginia craftsmanship and community. FxbgWineFoodExpo.com

Courtesy of the Wine & Food Festival

This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue.

Hope Cartwright
Hope Cartwright is associate editor of Virginia Living. A native of Traverse City, Michigan, she is a recent graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.