Celebrating Virginia's cultural and agricultural heritage, these highlighted fairs and festivals offer several wonderful ways to enjoy Virginia during the month of September. From the popular Alexandria Festival of the Arts to the East Coast's oldest wine festival or fun on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, these September events offer fall fun for all ages.
Virginia Scottish Games
September 5 - 6, 2009 - The Plains, VirginiaFeaturing athletics, children's games, arts and crafts, entertainment including highland dancers and pipes and drums and more, this annual gathering of clans and celebration of Scottish heritage takes place at Great Meadow (new location for 2009).
Hampton Bay Days
September 11 - 13, 2009 - Hampton, VirginiaAttracting about 200,000 attendees each year and one of the best waterside events in Virginia, Hampton Bay Days is free and open to the public. This annual festival features family fun, free entertainment by national and regional artists, food vendors, arts and crafts, a classic car show and more.
Alexandria Festival of the Arts
September 12 - 13, 2009 - Alexandria, VirginiaOld Town Alexandria, along King Street from Washington Street to Union Street, will become an outdoor art gallery on September 12 and 13. The Alexandria Festival of the Arts features an array award-winning artists, showing paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and more. Related Information: Walking Tour of Old Town Alexandria.
Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival
September 17 - 20, 2009 - Various locations along the Eastern Shore of VirginiaThis four-day festival, held annually during the fall migration when of millions of songbirds, eagles, hawks and falcons converge on the Eastern Shore peninsula. The festival features a variety of special events, plus guided boat and land tours suitable for adventurers of all ages. The kickoff takes place on the 17th in in the quaint harbor town of Onancock. Main Festival birding, touring, and workshop events take place Cape Charles and Kiptopeke, while participating area wineries offer opportunities to mix wildlife-watching and wine-tasting. Kiptopeke State Park's Hawk Observatory features a butterfly garden, bird-banding demonstrations and more.
Festa Italiana
September 18 - 19, 2009 - Virginia Beach, VirginiaThis fun-filled weekend, held at the oceanfront Beach Street Starfish Pavilion, salutes all things Italian, featuring Italian cuisine, entertainment, merchandise...and grape stomping.
Umoja Festival
September 18 - 20, 2009 - Portsmouth, VirginiaThis African-American festival, which celebrates unity, features national recording artists, local entertainers, educational exhibits, living history presentations, African-American heritage tours, African dancers, children's activities and much more.
Wilderness Trail Festival
September 19, 2009 - Christiansburg, VirginiaThis annual festival in downtown Chirstiansburg offers family fun and entertainment with arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, local performance groups and a Car Cruise-in by the Blue Ridge Model A's.
18th-Century Craft Fair at Mount Vernon
September 19 - 20, 2009 - Mount Vernon in Alexandria, VirginiaColonial-attired artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts and sell traditional wares at this annual event featuring an array of top American craftspeople. Other highlights include period entertainment and free Potomac River sightseeing cruises, first come - first served, while supplies last.
International Children's Festival at Wolf Trap
September 19 - 20, 2009 - Wolf Trap National Park in Vienna, VirginiaThe Arts Council of Fairfax County presents the International Children's Festival, the premier international arts education experience in the U.S., featuring the exciting young U.S. dance sensation TAP KIDS; young performers from Georgia, Serbia, and Spain; over 400 local artists and performing groups representing a diverse range of art forms, genres, and cultures; interactive arts and education tents and more. Tickets are required.
Virginia Wine Festival
September 19 - 20 - Centreville, VirginiaThe oldest wine festival on the East Coast, this popular fall festival offers wine tasting, entertainment, arts and crafts, and more in celebration of Virginia's award-winning wineries. The location (new this year) is Bull Run Regional Park Special Events Center in Centreville, Virginia.
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
September 25 - 27, 2009 - Virginia Beach, VirginiaThe grand finale of the Neptune Festival features non-stop fun for three days and nights, including daily outdoor concerts along the famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk, the internationally renowned North American Sandsculpting Competition, over 275 artisans in the Neptune Art and Craft Show, great food vendors, sports activities, fireworks and more. Also, wine lovers may wish to check out the popular Neptune Fall Wine Festival on September 12, which showcases Virginia wines along with entertainment and gourmet foods.
Southern Heritage Harvest Festival
September 26, 2009 - South Boston, VirginiaThis delightful downtown street festival features lots of family fun, including clowns and magicians, games and pony rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and more.
More Virginia Festivals and Events
- Fall Apple Festivals in the Southeast
- Virginia State and Country Fairs
- For information about more than a hundred other fun festivals and events, visit the Virginia Tourism Corporation's comprehensive regional listing, which is updated seasonally, of fun things to do throughout the state.
