Highland County – MAPLE FESTIVAL
March 8–9 & 15–16: Virginia’s “sweetest event of the year” brings maple syrup to the scenic streets of Monterey, McDowell, Bluegrass, and other Highland County towns. Enjoy maple sugar camp tours, pancake meals, and maple donuts. HighlandCounty.org
Charlottesville – THE VIRGINIA FESTIVAL OF THE BOOK
March 20–23: Virginia authors converge in Charlottesville, a town of rich historic character and literary legends (Edgar Allan Poe and William Faulkner, among others) to share insights on their writing, methods, and philosophies. A reader’s delight! VaBook.org
Chantilly – SPRING CAPITAL ART AND CRAFT FESTIVAL
March 21–23: This Dulles Expo festival showcases remarkable artistry, from photorealistic landscapes to whimsical abstractions. Explore pottery, wood carvings, jewelry, and more. CapitalArtAndCraftFestivals.com
Virginia Beach – CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
March 29–April 5: Embrace blossom season with Japanese garden tours, cultural performances, and peaceful walks among Red Wing Park’s Yoshino cherry trees. The festival honors Virginia Beach’s sister city, Miyazaki, Japan. CherryBlossomVB.com
Roanoke – FREEDOM FIRST DOWN BY DOWNTOWN FESTIVAL
April 10–13: Live music takes over Roanoke for four days, with performances scattered across diverse venues and genres, including acoustic, rock, and funk. DownByDowntown.com
Photos courtesy of Downtown Roanoke, Inc./Jennie Marie Photographie
Colonial Beach – 2025 VIRGINIA OSPREY FESTIVAL
April 12: Science- and education-based talks, vendors, and art mark a true celebration of the beautiful nature Virginia surrounds us with, spotlighting the iconic river hawk. Famed wildlife photographer Mark Smith serves as the keynote speaker. VirginiaOspreyFoundation.org
Lynchburg – LYNCHBURG WINE & MUSIC FESTIVAL
April 19: Raise a glass! More than a dozen Virginia wineries, cideries, and distillers bring their best to the Lynchburg City Stadium Event Complex, with live music keeping the good vibes going. OMINEProductions.com
Vinton – VINTON DOGWOOD FESTIVAL
April 25–26: Spring in the Commonwealth equals celebrating Virginia’s state flower. Now in its 70th year, this festival crowns the Vinton Dogwood Queen, fills the air with music, lines downtown with vendors, and imbues energy with a bright parade. VintonDogwoodFest.com
Winchester – SHENANDOAH APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
April 25–May 4: For 10 days, small town Winchester becomes a massive center for lively festivities, from parades to parties, celebrity appearances, and more—all in honor of Winchester’s beloved apple blossom. TheBloom.com
Leesburg – LEESBURG FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
April 26–27: Yes, more flowers! Gardens, landscaping, and floral design take center stage in Leesburg. With a rooftop beer and wine garden, live entertainment, and a landscape contest, it’s no wonder 30,000 visitors join the fun each year. LeesburgVa.gov/FlowerAndGarden
This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue.
