Experience Appalachia’s finest culture this summer at the 77th Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, July 24–Aug. 2. With over 200 individual events, this chock-full week showcases the art, history, and outdoor beauty of Virginia’s Appalachia region like no other.
From juried fine art shows to kayaking on the Clinch and keynote speaker Jeannette Walls—author of the award-winning The Glass Castle—this legendary festival has something for everyone to enjoy. Highlighted events include: Guided Rock Climbing Day (July 25), 250 Years of Music in America (July 26), Historical Interpretation Workshop (July 27), Hot Air Balloon Glow (July 31), and so much more.
This article originally appeared in the August 2026 issue.
