Welcome to the vibrant fall season in Coastal Virginia. As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, Coastal Virginia transforms into a haven for seasonal festivities. From charming fall festivals to thrilling Halloween events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Discover the must-attend events this season seafood, art and music events and more. Indulge in all things pumpkin spice, from treats to brews.
FALL FESTIVALS, FOODIE AND ARTS EVENTS
Celebrate Suffolk’s rich peanut heritage at this family-friendly festival featuring carnival rides, contests, live music, and delicious festival food. Don’t miss the Demolition Derby, Dock Dogs, fireworks, arts & crafts, and the Gooberland Family Area.
Enjoy a family-friendly fall event with music, games, arts and crafts, live animals, and the chance to create your own scarecrow at Scarecrow Row. Parking is $5 per car, and making a scarecrow costs $20.
Explore the “maker culture” with interactive displays, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Learn from accomplished makers – artisans, technology gurus, and everything in between.
Get ready for the launch of a new jazz festival in Hampton. The Phoebus Jazz Festival is a three-day event featuring local jazz performers and national jazz stars!
Savor a variety of delicious food from local vendors, featuring classic American dishes. Enjoy live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and a festive atmosphere at this community gathering.
Join us for a free, family-friendly fall event. Activities include skillet throwing, keg rolling, baking and photography contests, an antique tractor parade, oyster shucking contest, vendors, and more!
Presented by Bon Secours, this run is complete with a snappy fast and flat course on the water and a post-race celebration! Crawlin’ Crab also includes a 5K race.
Includes artist demonstrations, live entertainment, and an educational children’s area with scavenger hunts and arts & crafts. Enjoy the area’s best food trucks, along with a beer and wine garden!
Celebrate the season with a glass of fine wine at the Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival. Sample wines from local vineyards, enjoy gourmet food, and relax in a beautiful park setting.
Celebrate Chincoteague Salts Oysters and kick off the beginning of oyster season on Virginia’s Eastern Shore at the Chincoteague Oyster Festival!
Indulge in a week of culinary delights during Chesapeake’s Restaurant Week. Enjoy special prix-fixe menus, discounts, and unique dishes at participating local restaurants.
Enjoy authentic Greek food and pastries, Greek music, and traditional dances performed by the Hellenic Youth Dancers. Shop with vendors and tour the church. Free parking and admission.
This autumn extravaganza features a live animal show, petting zoo, balloon art, axe throwing, and a pie-eating contest. Purchase holiday staples and handmade goods from local artisans. The event is free with a trolley service starting at 11:00 a.m.
Celebrate the flavors of the South with fresh oysters, Southern cuisine, live music, and local craft brews at this family-friendly festival on the farm.
Every Thanksgiving weekend, the Artisans Guild showcases Shore artisans and their unique talents. This Holiday Open Studio Tour has been a cherished event since 2002.
OKTOBERFEST
Experience an authentic Bavarian Oktoberfest with traditional music, German cuisine, and plenty of beer. Enjoy kid-friendly activities, Stein-holding competitions, and more.
HALLOWEEN
Experience a full weekend of spooky fun on the Shore! Enjoy the Haunted Asylum, the Mostly True Ghost Tour, the Creepy Onancocktail Trail, pumpkin carving contests, scary shopping, and “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Roseland Theater.
Journey through Downtown Hampton on this eerie walking tour featuring chilling stories, live reenactments, and encounters with ghostly characters. Explore historic haunts like St. John’s Church graveyard while supporting the museum’s educational programs.
Step into the past during the annual Fort Monroe Ghost Walk. Explore the fort’s historic buildings and hear spine-tingling tales of paranormal encounters and ghostly legends tied to figures like Edgar Allan Poe. A hauntingly memorable evening for all.
Dressing up as a witch is encouraged. Shop and dine downtown as shops stay open later!
Walk downtown to check out all the creative scarecrows at participating businesses and attractions. Vote for your favorite at the Visitor Center at 319 Main St. to be entered in a drawing.
Get ready for spine-tingling fun at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream, featuring haunted houses, eerie scare zones, and thrilling live shows. Perfect for those seeking a spooky good time!
This family-friendly festival includes marketplace crafters, Halloween-themed vendors, wagon rides, pumpkin carving, and more.
Take a guided ghost walk through a historic neighborhood, where spirits share their tales of love, loss, and murder. The event begins at the Night Market, featuring family-friendly spooky fun.
