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Virginia Best Food and Drink Festivals

Food, Wine, Spirits and Beer Festivals listed also include surrounding areas that host signature events.

Richmond

Arlington / Alexandria

Norfolk

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Roanoke

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best food and drink festivals in Virginia

Savor the Flavor: Virginia's Premier Food, Wine, Spirits, and Beer Festivals in the State

Virginia, a state steeped in history and natural beauty, also boasts a vibrant and diverse culinary scene. From the rolling hills of wine country to the bustling city streets, there's no shortage of food and drink festivals to tantalize your taste buds.

Food Festivals: A Culinary Odyssey

Chincoteague Seafood Festival: May

 

This highly anticipated coastal food festival on Virginia's Eastern Shore has been drawing seafood enthusiasts for over five decades. The Chincoteague Seafood Festival, hosted at Tom's Cove Park, welcomes approximately 2,500 attendees each spring to sample fresh catches from 15 local vendors including Bill's Seafood, Don's Seafood, and Chincoteague Oyster Company. Visitors can feast on steamed clams, raw and fried oysters, crab cakes, fish tacos, grilled scallops, and shrimp prepared in various styles, all caught fresh from local waters.

 

Local breweries and wineries, including Cape Charles Brewing and Chatham Vineyards, offer perfectly paired beverages to complement the seafood offerings. Live entertainment features regional bands performing coastal country and beach music, with The Coastal Vibes and Island Boy as regular performers. The festival highlights include oyster shucking demonstrations, cooking competitions among local chefs, and educational booths about sustainable seafood practices.

Urbanna Oyster Festival: November

 

This cherished Virginia tradition draws over 50,000 seafood enthusiasts to the historic waterfront town of Urbanna each fall. The Urbanna Oyster Festival, now over 60 years old, features 75 vendors including local favorites like Rappahannock River Oysters, Shores and Ruark Seafood, and Something Different Restaurant. Festival-goers can sample fresh oysters prepared in various ways - raw, roasted, fried, and in traditional stews - alongside other coastal delicacies like crab cakes, fish tacos, and steamed shrimp. Live entertainment fills the streets with music from regional bands like Sweet Justice and Stuck on a Name, performing on multiple stages throughout downtown Urbanna.

 

The festival celebrates its maritime heritage with the crowning of the Oyster Festival Queen, a showcase of historic oyster buyboats, and educational demonstrations of oyster shucking techniques. A highlight of the event is the renowned Virginia State Oyster Shucking Championship, where skilled shuckers compete for the chance to represent Virginia at the national competition.

Wine Festivals: A Toast to Virginia's Vineyards

Virginia Wine Expo: February

 

The largest wine festival in Virginia brings together over 100 wineries and cideries for a weekend of tastings and celebrations at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Guests can sample wines from notable producers like Barboursville Vineyards, Trump Winery, and Jefferson Vineyards while enjoying local cuisine from Richmond's top food trucks and restaurants. The festival features specialty tasting areas dedicated to Virginia's award-winning Cabernet Francs and Viogniers, with expert-led seminars on wine appreciation and food pairings.

 

Live music fills the grand ballroom throughout the weekend, with performances by local jazz ensemble Good Shot Judy and Richmond's own DJ Williams Projekt. Interactive displays showcase the history of Virginia winemaking, including demonstrations of traditional barrel-making techniques and grape crushing methods. Over 5,000 wine enthusiasts typically attend the event each year, making it one of the Mid-Atlantic's premier celebrations of Virginia's wine culture.

Spring Town Point Wine Festival: May 

 

This waterfront wine celebration in downtown Norfolk has become a cherished springtime tradition for Virginia residents. Town Point Park hosts this beloved festival, welcoming over 3,000 wine enthusiasts annually to sample vintages from 20 regional vineyards including Williamsburg Winery, Chatham Vineyards, and Prince Michel Vineyard and Winery. Local food trucks and vendors serve gourmet pairings like artisanal cheeses, fresh oysters from Pleasure House Oysters, and wood-fired pizzas from Dough Boys. Live jazz and acoustic performances create an intimate atmosphere throughout the day, with local artists like the Tim Lakin Trio and Lewis McGehee Group taking the stage.

 

VIP ticket holders gain access to a private tasting tent featuring exclusive reserve wines and a dedicated sommelier for guided tastings. The festival showcases Virginia's finest wines while offering stunning views of the Elizabeth River, with guests enjoying unlimited tastings of over 30 different wines throughout the event.

craft beer festivals in Virginia

Beer Festivals: Cheers to Craft Beer

There are over 200 craft breweries in Virginia producing more than 460,000 barrels of beer annually. With these great Brewmasters, scattered throughout the state, what better way to enjoy the fruits of their labors then sampling these craft beers at the best festivals in the state.

Bier Fest Busch Gardens: August

 

The annual fall festival at Busch Gardens Williamsburg transforms Das Festhaus and surrounding German-themed areas into a celebration of craft beer and authentic cuisine. Bier Fest features over 35 local and international breweries offering more than 100 different craft beers, including exclusive releases from Virginia favorites like O'Connor Brewing and Devils Backbone. Visitors can sample traditional German dishes like bratwurst, schnitzel, and fresh-baked pretzels, alongside modern pub fare from food stalls scattered throughout the festival grounds.

 

Live entertainment includes performances by regional bands playing German folk music and contemporary hits on multiple stages, with the main acts hosted inside the spacious Das Festhaus venue. The festival typically draws around 50,000 attendees over its run, making it one of the park's most popular seasonal events. Special features include beer-making demonstrations, meet-and-greets with local brewmasters, and commemorative steins available for purchase, while guests can also enjoy all of the park's world-class roller coasters and attractions during their visit.

Jam Packed Craft Beer & Music Festival: August

 

The Richmond riverfront will come alive with craft beer enthusiasts sampling over 30 local and regional breweries while enjoying live music performances throughout the day. The Jam Packed Craft Beer & Music Festival, hosted at Brown's Island, expects to draw more than 3,000 attendees to the outdoor venue overlooking the James River. Featured breweries include Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Triple Crossing Brewing Company, The Veil Brewing Co., and Final Gravity Brewing Co., each offering multiple varieties of their signature craft beers.

 

Local food trucks and vendors will serve up a diverse menu including wood-fired pizzas from Maggiano's Mobile, gourmet tacos from Soul Taco, and artisanal ice cream from Gelati Celesti. The festival showcases regional musical talents across two stages, with headliners including Richmond's own No BS! Brass Band and The Congress. Special features include a dedicated cider garden, lawn games area, local artisan market with handmade goods, and a VIP tasting area offering exclusive beer selections and covered seating.​

Spirits Festivals: Raising Spirits High

Smithfield Bacon & Bourbon Music Festival: October

 

A highly anticipated annual celebration of Southern cuisine and spirits takes place in historic Smithfield, Virginia, gathering thousands at the Windsor Castle Park. The Smithfield Bacon & Bourbon Music Festival welcomes over 30 food vendors, including notable local favorites like Wharf Hill Brewing Company and Q Daddy's BBQ. Over 25 bourbon distilleries offer tastings and specialty cocktails, with standouts like Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, and Virginia's own A. Smith Bowman showcasing their finest selections. Live bluegrass and country performances feature regional bands including The Original Rhondels and Celeste Kellogg, creating an intimate atmosphere for the 5,000 attendees who gather at the riverside venue.

 

Festival guests enjoy unique bacon-inspired dishes from bacon-wrapped shrimp to maple bacon ice cream, while expert-led bourbon seminars provide education on distilling processes and tasting techniques. The festival highlights include a bacon-eating contest, hands-on cooking demonstrations from local chefs, and a dedicated artisan marketplace featuring Virginia-made products.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival: July

 

Thousands of beer and bourbon enthusiasts gather to celebrate craft beverages and Southern cuisine at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival features unlimited sampling of over 60 beers and 40 bourbons, with notable participants including Devils Backbone Brewing, Blue Mountain Brewery, and Buffalo Trace Distillery. Local pitmasters and restaurants, such as ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque and Deep Run Roadhouse, serve up hearty portions of pulled pork, brisket, and smoked chicken alongside traditional Southern sides. Live bluegrass music fills the air throughout the day, with performances by regional favorites The County Line Band and River City Band keeping the crowds of approximately 3,000 attendees entertained.

 

Each guest receives a souvenir sampling glass and has access to educational seminars led by master distillers and brew masters in the Bourbon Theater. The festival maintains a unique tradition of hosting a bacon eating contest and offering a designated "Shrine of Swine" area where whole hogs are smoked on-site by award-winning barbecue teams.

Whether you're sipping wine along the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, sampling bourbon in Richmond, or enjoying a craft beer in historic Williamsburg, there's a festival to suit your tastes. So, mark your calendar and savor the flavors of Virginia's finest festivals.

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