Third Saturday in October
Bridge Day
One day a year, the New River Gorge Bridge closes to traffic and opens to BASE jumpers, rappellers and tens of thousands of spectators. The single biggest event in the state.
Festivals & Events
West Virginia Festivals: Music, Food & Heritage Events
From a bridge full of BASE jumpers to ramp dinners and apple butter stirred over open fires, West Virginia celebrates with real character all year long.
West Virginia's festival calendar is driven by the seasons, the harvest and the mountains. Small towns close their main streets for parades and craft fairs, historic sites host fiddlers and storytellers, and the state's food traditions — ramps, buckwheat, apple butter and pepperoni rolls — each get their own celebration.
Plan around one marquee event and add a few days of hiking or a scenic drive. Lodging fills early for the biggest weekends, so book well ahead.
Signature West Virginia festivals
These are the events that define the state's calendar and draw visitors from across the country.
September
Mothman Festival
Point Pleasant's tribute to its red-eyed legend brings costumed characters, speakers and street food to Main Street each September.
August
State Fair of West Virginia
Ten days of livestock shows, concerts, rides and fair food in Fairlea near Lewisburg — the state's biggest agricultural tradition.
July
Mountain State Art & Craft Fair
Held at Cedar Lakes near Ripley, one of the oldest craft fairs in the country, with juried artisans, music and demonstrations.
Memorial Day weekend
Vandalia Gathering
A free festival of traditional music, dance, storytelling and crafts on the Capitol grounds in Charleston, with fiddling and banjo contests.
Spring
Buckwheat Festival
Kingwood's celebration of the buckwheat harvest, complete with buckwheat cakes, a parade and one of the state's great community fairs.
Music & arts festivals
FestivALL, Charleston
A multi-week summer festival across West Virginia's capital with live music, theater, visual art and family events. Many performances are free and outdoors.
Charleston guide →
Old-time & bluegrass gatherings
Fiddle contests, jam sessions and bluegrass weekends happen in Elkins, Thomas, Marlinton and countless small towns. The Mountain State is a living archive of Appalachian string music.
Food & heritage festivals
Ramp feeds
Across the highlands in spring, communities serve wild ramps — the pungent mountain leek — fried with potatoes, eggs and bacon.
Apple Butter Festival
Berkeley Springs celebrates autumn with apple butter stirred in copper kettles over wood fires, plus crafts and live music.
Strawberry Festival
Buckhannon's long-running May festival fills the streets with strawberry shortcake, parades and a full carnival.
Oktoberfest & heritage days
German, Swiss and Scottish heritage celebrations in the mountain towns bring polkas, pipers and, of course, food.
Festival calendar at a glance
Spring
Ramp feeds, strawberry festivals, wildflower walks and the Vandalia Gathering over Memorial Day.
Summer
FestivALL, craft fairs, county fairs and free outdoor concerts in nearly every town park.
Fall
The busiest season: Bridge Day, Mothman Festival, apple butter, buckwheat and heritage days.
Winter
Holiday light displays, tree lightings, New Year's celebrations and ski resort events.
Festivals FAQ
What is West Virginia's biggest festival?
Bridge Day, held the third Saturday in October at the New River Gorge Bridge, is the largest single-day event, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to watch BASE jumping.
Are there free festivals?
Yes. Many town festivals, parades and outdoor concert series are free, including the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston. Larger events like the State Fair charge admission.
When should I book lodging for a festival?
For Bridge Day and the State Fair, book months in advance. For smaller community events, a few weeks is usually enough, but nearby cabins in peak fall fill fast.
Which festival is best for families?
The State Fair and county fairs are perfect for kids with rides, animals and food. The Vandalia Gathering and craft fairs are free, relaxed and family friendly too.
About
Discover WV Today is an independent travel and outdoor guide dedicated to helping visitors discover the best places, outdoor adventures, small towns, state parks, historic sites and hidden gems throughout West Virginia. Learn more about us →