You wasted your summer streaming Netflix. That’s okay. The area’s fall fests are just what you need—they’ll get you outside, where you’ll enjoy some crisp air and boost your vitamin D for the winter months.
Here’s a look at 11 autumn events that are sure to keep you going until the temps plummet.
Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo, “designed to celebrate and encourage the success of Black-owned businesses locally and beyond,” has been going strong for six years. This year’s event is slated for September 24 at Ix Art Park.
The free festival, which runs from 10am-7pm, allows Black-owned businesses to highlight their wares against a backdrop of DJ sets, live bands, and panel discussions. Expo organizers say more detail on entertainers and speakers is coming soon, but the business pitch contest at 3pm will likely be the can’t-miss spot. blackbusinessexpo.org
Virginia Film Festival
Okay, so this one won’t get you outside. But the 30-year-old Virginia Film Festival, to be held from November 2 to 6, has become a premier destination for filmmakers and filmtakers alike. The fest draws thousands to venues around town for film premieres, panel discussions, parties, and more. VAFF has yet to release a screening schedule for this year’s event, but notes that last year’s films earned 33 Academy Award nominations. Past festival speakers have included Ethan Hawke, Martha Plimpton, and Danny Strong.
VAFF says its mission is to offer diverse films of all genres, including comedies, dramas, documentaries, and shorts. It also features a regional focus on Virginia, bringing the festival home for Charlottesvillians, and drawing on UVA academics and cultural experts for film discussions.
VAFF managed an in-person fest of sorts last year, and festival director Jody Kielbasa says this year will mark the event “returning to its traditional format.” “These past two years have brought significant challenges across the arts world,” he says. “And we are hopeful that the current, declining pandemic trends will continue and allow us to gather in a more traditional way and with fewer restrictions.” virginiafilmfestival.org
Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival
The Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival is so hot it’s held twice a year. This year’s fall installment, October 8 and 9 at Claudius Crozet Park, will feature more than 120 artisans, live music, art demos, a children’s area, food trucks, adult beverages, and raffle prizes. Full scheduling and ticket sales went live on September 1. Volunteers are also still welcome to sign up.
“Every CACF is unique because of the incredibly talented artisans who showcase their new work, as well as new musical performances and artist demos,” event director Ewa Harr says.
Don’t miss your chance to vote for your favorite artists at the show, with winners announced Sunday at 4pm. Event pricing is $6-12. Parking is free. crozetfestival.com
Fall Fiber Festival
The name says it all: The Fall Fiber Festival and Montpelier Sheep Dog Trials is not only a celebration of traditional fiber techniques, but also a thrilling dog show. The family-friendly event, baaa-ck this year on October 1 and 2, teaches folks about the fiber-producing animals and shearing, spinning, and weaving their wool and other materials.
This year’s Fall Fiber Festival schedule is dotted with animal exhibits, dog demonstrations, fiber arts demos, fleece sales, fiber and crafts vendors, workshops for adults and children, music, food, and more. Day-of festival tix are $10; advanced sales are $8; kids 12 and under get in free. The festival’s advertising volunteer, Michele Mangham, says more information and updates are coming soon, and she’d like to “thank ewe” in advance for attending. fallfiberfestival.org
Heritage Harvest Festival
Organizers have reimagined Monticello’s Heritage Harvest Festival, a longtime favorite of locals and regional travelers, as a live and virtual series of food, farm, and gardening classes and discussions. The nationally recognized event has tried to hew closely to its traditional format for new programs, with a stated mission of “emphasizing the power of place at Monticello.”
For this fall, two events are currently on the docket: The apple and cheese tasting on October 22 promises to be directly in the Monticello wheelhouse, and wreathmaking workshops are planned for multiple holiday-adjacent dates. Keep an eye out for more info on the scheduled events and more. heritageharvestfestival.com
Overland Expo
If you want to understand the Overland Expo, you must understand the overlander. Trending hard in the last few years, overlanding attracts self-reliant folks who want to jump in their Jeeps, find remote destinations, and camp in the wild, surviving on nothing but their wits.
Overlanding’s premiere festival just happens to light on Arrington, Virginia, for one of its four regional events. This year’s Overland Expo East will attract consumers and industry types to its trade show and 175-plus classes, slideshows, demos, and activities focused on the overland lifestyle. The latest in camping, vehicle, and motorcycle equipment and services from more than 200 exhibitors will all be on display, and attendees can take in the October 7 to 9 event while camping overnight in an open, grassy field surrounded by trees. Organizers expect thousands of attendees and offer happy hours, a film festival, charity raffles, and parties after the daily show closes and the evening descends.
General admission to Overland Expo East is $25 for Friday, $35 for Saturday, $17 for Sunday, or $70 for the weekend. A variety of camping packages are also available. overlandexpo.com
Fall Festival at Brewing Tree Company
When local beer industry legend Mark Thompson set up his own shop at Brewing Tree Beer Company in Afton, it was a chance for him to brew the beers he loves—trends of the moment be damned. That meant a focus on more traditional lagers and ales, which you often find in European pubs.
Fall, replete with malty brews like Oktoberfests and marzens, is therefore a time for Thompson to shine. And on October 29, droves can descend on his small taproom for the Fall Festival at Brewing Tree Beer Company. In addition to Philinda Vienna Lager and Twice as Weiss, currently on tap, the event will feature pumpkin chucking, apple-focused baked goods, and local vendors. brewingtreebeer.com
Crozet Winter Brews Festival
The Crozet Winter Brews Festival says, “Forget you, cold, we’re drinking outside.” Held for the last three years in early December at Claudius Crozet Park from 11am to 5pm, the one-day event, this year on December 3, promises “mountain views, craft brews, and wonderful people.” The festival features dark and wintry beers, with a focus on Virginia brewers. Headed up by Starr Hill Brewery, the event has featured Rockfish Brewing Co., Random Row Brewing Co., Albemarle CiderWorks, Three Notch’d Brewing Co., Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Selvedge Brewing, and Old Bust Head Brewing Co. in the past. Organizers award a best in show to the top-rated festival brew, as well as second and third place honors. crozetbeerfest.com
Oktoberfest at Blue Mountain
You can do Oktoberfest at Blue Mountain one of two ways. Head out and enjoy malty brews and live Euro-themed music once during the nine-day stretch of celebrations, or go every day for an oompah-fueled, mind-bending roller-coaster ride.
It all starts on September 30, with the addition of live music by Molly Murphy to Blue Mountain’s usual Full Nelson Friday ($3 pale ale pints). Then it’s into the heart of the fest—live oompah music and cloggers on Saturday, more oompah Sunday, a German beer tap takeover on Monday, keg bowling Tuesday, steal the boot and accordion music on Thursday, Fretwell and Full Nelsons on Friday, and two more days of oompah music over the final weekend. German food specials and festive costumes are also on tap. Comfortable dancing shoes and a hollow leg are encouraged. bluemountainbrewery.com
Wine & Garlic Festival
After a two-year hiatus, the festival where it’s “chic to reek” is back. The 2022 Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival will bring garlic-lovers from all over the country to Rebec Vineyards in Amherst County October 8 and 9. Now in its 30th non-consecutive year, the festival will have garlicky grub galore, four stages for live music, vino from Rebec and 10 guest wineries, and for the kids, a bounce house, petting zoo, face-painting, balloon artists, clowns, and magic shows.
“We have people that have come as kids, and now they bring their families,” says Svet Kanev, Rebec’s current owner and winemaker. “After the festivals, they put it on their calendar for the next year. It has become a tradition.”
Kanev says that this year’s event will feature a number of new vendors and, as a seafood-lover, he’s excited about the shrimp, fish, and—of course—garlic dishes attendees will get to taste. Early-bird entry, available until midnight on October 6, is $20 to $28. Parking is free of charge and ample, Kanev says. rebecwinery.com
SVBCC British Car Festival
British carmakers might not bring to mind the sexiness of the Italian Ferrari or the precision of the German BMW. But with Jaguar, Austin-Healey, MG, and Triumph Motor Company all hailing from England, the country certainly has its own style. “It’s a niche,” says this year’s SVBCC British Car Festival chairman Wes Maupin. “Enzo Ferrari once said the Jaguar E-Type XKE was the most beautiful car ever designed.”
The U.K.’s automotive styling is on full display at the SVBCC British Car Festival, coming back to Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro on October 1 for its 41st year. One of the longest-running British car shows on the East Coast, the event invites anyone with an interest in autos to come out for the eye candy. Those owning British cars can enter them into the show. Prizes are given out in a variety of classes, including modern “minis,” British DNA/kit cars (vehicles linked to British styling, engineering, or manufacture), and British motorcycles.
The festivities, including an on-site food vendor, door prizes, and special car displays, begin with Crullers & Coffee at the Car Show at 9am. Maupin says to register early so he and his team can set the number of classes for which they’ll award trophies.
“We are always surprised with the quality of the cars that come to the show,” Maupin says. “One of the things that makes our show unique is the proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. It’s a windy and beautiful trip to and from the show.” svbcc.net