Summer Festivals and Fairs That Bring West Virginia to Life
Nestled about an hour north of Charleston, the quaint town of Fayetteville hosts the renowned Bridge Day festival each October, an event that brings West Virginia’s outdoor adventurers and thrill-seekers together to celebrate the New River Gorge Bridge. This dramatic steel arch bridge spans the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, offering a breathtaking backdrop for BASE jumpers and rappellers who leap off the bridge in a daring spectacle unique to this location. Visitors can explore the adjacent trails, like the Long Point Trail, a moderate 1.5-mile round trip that concludes at an overlook directly beneath the bridge, providing postcard-perfect views. The event pulses with live music, regional food vendors, and artisan crafts, turning Fayetteville’s charming downtown into a lively festival hub against the rugged Appalachian scenery.
Not far from the state capital, the town of Lewisburg, about two hours southeast of Charleston, comes alive each summer during the West Virginia State Folk Festival. This celebration honors the rich heritage of Appalachian music, dance, and crafts, with performances held in the historic Carnegie Hall, a beautifully restored theater that has been a cultural beacon since 1902. Visitors can catch traditional bluegrass bands, clog dancers, and storytellers who share the deep-rooted narratives of West Virginia’s mountain communities. The festival’s setting in Lewisburg’s walkable downtown district, lined with galleries and antique shops, enhances the experience by combining cultural immersion with a stroll through one of the state’s most picturesque small towns.
Traveling east toward the Maryland border, the city of Martinsburg hosts the annual Apple Harvest Festival, a beloved autumn event roughly 90 minutes northeast of Winchester, Virginia. Set in the scenic Martinsburg-Berkeley County Fairgrounds, the festival highlights the region’s agricultural heritage and the bounty of the nearby orchards. Visitors indulge in fresh apple cider, caramel apples, and apple butter while enjoying craft booths and live bluegrass music that fills the crisp fall air. The festival is distinguished by its family-friendly activities like hayrides and pumpkin carving, all framed by the lush rolling hills of the Eastern Panhandle. Early fall is prime time here, as the surrounding countryside bursts into a tapestry of reds and golds.
In the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, about two hours south of Morgantown, the town of Green Bank celebrates the Mountain State Forest Festival each October. This event pays tribute to West Virginia’s forestry industry and outdoor heritage with a spirited parade, logging competitions, and guided hikes within the nearby Monongahela National Forest. Festivalgoers often explore the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, just a short drive away, where rare plants thrive in the acidic bogs, a distinctive ecosystem within the forest. The festival’s connection to forest conservation and logging traditions sets it apart, offering a blend of education and entertainment that honors the state’s natural resources. The cool autumn weather here heightens the sensory experience with crisp mountain air and vibrant foliage.
Down in the southern coalfields, the city of Beckley, roughly 45 minutes from the New River Gorge, hosts the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival each summer. This lively gathering reflects the influence of Italian immigrants who came to work in the coal mines, bringing their culture, cuisine, and faith with them. Held in the historic downtown district, the festival features traditional Italian music, bocce ball tournaments, and food stands serving up authentic dishes like homemade pasta and pepperoni rolls—a local staple that marries Italian ingredients with Appalachian flair. Visitors can enrich their experience by touring the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, an underground museum that showcases the region’s mining history, offering a poignant contrast between industrial heritage and cultural celebration.
On the eastern edge of the state, near the Virginia border, the town of Berkeley Springs, about 90 minutes northeast of Winchester, holds the Warm Springs Festival each summer. This event centers around the town’s famous mineral springs, celebrated for centuries for their healing properties and historic bathhouses. Festival participants enjoy workshops on wellness, arts and crafts fairs, and live music in the town’s quaint downtown district, which boasts galleries and antique shops housed in 18th-century buildings. A walk through Berkeley Springs State Park reveals the springs themselves, where visitors can soak in the therapeutic waters in a serene setting. The gentle summer evenings here underscore the town’s reputation as a tranquil retreat blending history, health, and community.
Farther west, near the Ohio River and about 45 minutes northwest of Wheeling, the town of Wellsburg hosts the Brooke County Fair each summer. This classic county fair has deep roots dating back over a century and embodies the agricultural traditions of the Northern Panhandle. Visitors can watch livestock shows, test their skills on carnival rides, and sample homemade funnel cakes and fresh corn on the cob. The fairgrounds are enlivened by nightly live entertainment and craft booths featuring local artisans. What makes this fair special is its intimate scale and strong community feel, giving visitors a genuine taste of rural West Virginia hospitality. Early summer evenings, with mild temperatures and long daylight, provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor festivities.
In the mountain town of Elkins, about two hours east of Morgantown, the Mountain State Forest Festival showcases the state’s forestry heritage with a mix of parades, logging competitions, and cultural events. The nearby Monongahela National Forest offers endless hiking and wildlife watching opportunities, especially along the scenic Elk River Trail, a gentle 12-mile path that traces the river through lush hardwood forests. The festival’s setting in Elkins, with its historic downtown and Victorian architecture, creates a charming contrast to the rugged outdoor activities. Visiting in mid-October means catching the peak of fall foliage, amplifying the festival’s celebration of the forest’s natural beauty.
Finally, the historic town of Shepherdstown, located roughly 90 minutes northwest of Washington, D.C., hosts the Shepherdstown Music and Arts Festival each summer. Known as one of the oldest towns in West Virginia, Shepherdstown’s vibrant arts scene unfolds in its walkable downtown, filled with galleries, boutiques, and coffeehouses. The festival features live performances spanning folk, bluegrass, and Americana, often set on the lawn of the historic War Memorial Building or along the Potomac River. Visitors can also explore the nearby C&O Canal Towpath for a scenic bike ride or stroll before settling in for evening concerts under the stars. The mingling of artistic expression and natural beauty here captures a special spirit unique to the Eastern Panhandle.