festival guide

Festival season is upon us! From small town tasting events to large scale beer festivals and outdoor music events, there's no shortage of fun possibilities to fill you weekends this spring, summer, and fall! Use the following guide as your roadmap to plan your adventures!

Summer Moon Music Festival

Sat. & Sun., May 20 & 21

This 2 Day Festival is a Battle of the Bands for charity and features 21 local bands battling it out for their non-profit organization of choice. Plus, enjoy food trucks, two beer stations, and the release of Summer Moon Imperial Wheat Ale.

Center of the Universe - 11293 Airpark Road, Ashland www.cotubrewing.com

Lager Fest

Sat., May 27, 12pm

An outdoor event all about lagers.

The Answer Brewpub - 6008 W. Broad Street, Richmond www.theanswerbrewpub.com

Bases Loaded Brew Fest

Sat., June 24, 12-5pm

Sample over 50 craft beers, enjoy live music, shop from local artisans, and challenge your crew to lawn games – all in the baseball field behind the old VWF on Route 231. Tickets: $45 GA; $75 VIP Patch Brewing Co. - 10271 Gordon Avenue, Gordonsville www.patchbrewingco.com

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Sat., July 29, 12-6pm

RVA’s Biggest, Baddest, Bone-In BBQ Fest featuring beer, bourbon, barbecue, boots, bacon, biscuits, bluegrass, and smoked beasts! Plus, enjoy games, seminars, vendors and more!

The Meadow Event Park - 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell www.beerandbourbon.com

JamPacked Craft Beer & Music Festival

Sat., Aug. 12, 12pm

Join us for a sweet line-up of music and 30+ craft breweries in a zero-waste environment on Brown’s Island on the James River in downtown RVA. Brown’s Island, Richmond www.jampackedfest.com

The field of dreams...

Join Patch Brewing Co. at their Bases Loaded Brew Fest on Saturday, June 24 in Gordonsville. The baseball diamond will be transformed into a beer lover's paradise with samples of over 50 Virginia craft beers, local ciders, field games, craft food, live music, artisan vendors, and more!

Beach Ambassadors, Veer Magazine, and Virginia Craft Beer Magazine present the

11th Annual 757 Battle of the Beers

Saturday, September 23 in Virginia Beach, where 757 breweries compete on behalf of their chosen charity.

Peace, Love, & Beer Fest

Sat., Aug. 19, 12-8pm

Live music, local vendors, beer, wine, and cider. Contest and prizes for the “Coolest Cat,” “Flower Child,” and “Tie-Dye Hippie.” Cooling Pond Brewery - 4411 Zachary Taylor Highway, Mineral www.coolingpondbrewery.com

10th Annual B'Dam Brew Jam

Sat., Sept. 9, 12-6pm

A fine selection of microbrews and craft ciders will be featured on site while you jam to live tunes by awesome bands!

Beaverdam Ruritan Club - 18002 Teman Road, Beaverdam www.beaverdamruritan.org

Coyote Hole Brew Festival

Sat., Sept. 16, 11am

Sample our favorite beers, wines, and ciders all in one place! Plus, enjoy delicious food, cider doughnuts, local craft vendors, food trucks, live music, and more!

Coyote Hole - 225 Oak Grove Drive, Mineral www.coyotehole.com

Lynchburg Beer, Wine, & Cider Festival

Sat., Sept. 23, 12-7pm

The 14th Annual Lynchburg Beer, Wine & Cider Festival is coming! Enjoy over 50 different options of craft beer, ciders and wine all handpicked and selected from right here in the state of Virginia. Plus, there will be over 50 local artisans, food, and live music! Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at gate. Lynchburg City Stadium - 3176 Fort Avenue, Lynchburg 434.473.7319 • www.lynchburgbeerandwinefestival.com

Orangetoberfest

Sat., Sept. 23, 12-6pm

Celebrating Central Virginia’s Craft Beer & Cider featuring 16 breweries, 4 cideries, 3 bands, food trucks, and more! Music by Hazel River Bridge and Brisk Band. Tickets: $35 in advance, $45 at door. Short Street, Orange 540.212.8773 • www.visitorangevirginia.com

Appomattox Railroad Festival

Sat. & Sun., Oct. 14 & 15

A family-friendly festival to celebrate the heritage and history of Appomattox County and its citizens. Featuring parade, food, arts & crafts, live bands, train exhibits, fine art show, and fireworks. Main Street, Downtown Appomattox www.appomattoxrrfest.org

A Taste of New Kent

Sat., Oct. 14, 11am-5pm

Enjoy a variety of craft vendors, delicious food trucks, and a variety of beer and wine.

Colonial Downs / Rosie’s Gaming Emporium 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy, New Kent 804.966.8581 • www.newkentchamber.org

Lake Anna Cider Festival

Sat., Nov. 11, 12-6pm

Featuring unlimited samples, food trucks, vendor, music, and more. Coyote Hole - 225 Oak Grove Drive, Mineral www.coyotehole.com

Coastal Virginia

Billsburg Brewery Pilsner Invitational

Sat., April 15, 12-4pm

Hosted at Billsburg Brewery on the waterfront, this event features regional breweries showcasing their best pilsners, live music by Dog Street Boyz, and food trucks. Billsburg Brewery - 2054 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg www.billsburg.com

Smithfield Wine & Brew Fest

Sat., April 15, 12-5pm

Enjoy unlimited tastings from VA craft breweries and wineries along with international wine tastings, live music on two stages, fantastic food & retail vendors. Windsor Park Castle - 705 Cedar Street, Smithfield www.smithfieldvaevents.com

6th Annual Revolutionary Craft Beer Fest

Sat., April 15, 1-5pm

Presented by The Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation.

Elle King’s hit Drunk might have been inspired by FloydFest. Regardless, we’re sure you’ll find your own inspiration among the many musicians, artists, breweries, and vendors gathering at FloydFest 23 –

July 26 – 30.

Big Lick Brewing Company, along with fellow Roanoke breweries Three Notch'd Brewing Company, Starr Hill Pilot Brewery and Side Stage, and Twisted Track Brewpub, will be part of

Down by Downtown

April 20-23. Enjoy 4 days of live music throughout downtown Roanoke with performances in a variety of genres from acoustic sets in intimate settings to rock concerts at outdoor breweries to funk and reggae shows at local venues to national acts in Elmwood Ampitheater.

Spring Craft Beer Festival

Sat., May 27, 12-6pm

Featuring local breweries and live music. Cogans North - 4311 Colley Avenue, Norfolk www.coganspizza.com

Annual Norfolk Harborfest

Fri.-Sun, June 9-11

America’s largest, longest-running, free maritime festival, Norfolk Harborfest celebrates all of the elements that make Norfolk & Hampton Roads a historic maritime & Naval community. Featuring the annual Parade of Sails featuring international tall ships, one of the largest fireworks shows on the East Coast, a drone show, interactive family games and activities, Navy exhibits and demonstrations, artisan foods and beverages, live entertainment, and more.

Town Point Park - Waterside Drive, Norfolk 757-441-2345 • www.festevents.org

Bluegrass & Brew Festival

Sun., June 11, 3pm

Experience a trio of genre-defining bluegrass acts including Carbon Leaf and some of Coastal Virginia’s finest breweries, cideries, and distilleries. The American Theatre - 125 East Mellen Street, Hampton www.hamptonarts.org

Lawnmower Beer Festival

Sat., June 17, 12-5pm

Join us and some fantastic local craft breweries for their take on a “lawnmower” beer! Sample multiple styles from a Helles to a Pilsner to an IPA, and more!

St. George Brewing Company - 204 Challenger Way, Hampton www.stgbeer.com

Fourth of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks Celebration

Tues., July 4, 5-10pm

Relax on the lawn and enjoy an evening of All-American fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, cotton candy, and much more, along with live musical entertainment from military brass bands! The night is capped off by the sensational fireworks show high above the Elizabeth River, beginning at 9:30pm.

Town Point Park - Waterside Drive, Norfolk 757-441-2345 • www.festevents.org

Nothing like a cold craft beverage on a toasty August day filled with music and friends on a beautiful island in the middle of the James River.

JamPacked 2023

will host 30+ craft beverage companies from across the country including beer, cider, kombucha and canned cocktails on Brown's Island in Richmond on Saturday, August 12.

Norfolk Latino Music & Food Festival

Sat., July 22, 2-10pm

Featuring explosive live music performances, an eclectic offering of Latin cuisine including tacos and empanadas, fun family-friendly activities, authentic dance lessons and performances, and much more.

Town Point Park - Waterside Drive, Norfolk 757-441-2345 • www.festevents.org

Ocean View Beer & Wine Festival

Fri., July 28, 6-9:30pm

Craft beer, wine, spirits, food sampling, and live music!

Ocean View Beach Park, Norfolk 757.441.2345 • www.fesstevents.org

8th Annual Neptune’s Coastal Craft Beer Festival

Sat., Aug. 26, 1-6pm

A craft beer lover’s haven featuring local Virginia beers, cider, and seltzers, as well as national and regional craft beers. Enjoy over 60 beers from 30 breweries, live music, food trucks, and more! Each ticket includes a commemorative beer glass and tastings throughout the day. Tickets starting at $40. 31st Street Park - 31st Street & Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach www.neptunefestival.com

NashFest 757

Sat., Sept. 16, 12-10pm

Hot chicken, hard drinks, and Music City sounds! Celebrating the iconic culture and cuisine of Nashville and featuring national and local recording artists, mouth-watering hot chicken, barbecue, line dancing, craft beer & whiskey tastings, and much more.

Town Point Park - Waterside Drive, Norfolk 757-441-2345 • www.festevents.org

11th Annual 757 Battle of the Beers

Sat., Sept. 23, 1-6pm

Featuring local 757 craft breweries as they battle it out to win in different beer categories.100% of the proceeds go to local charities! Also, enjoy live music, food, and games.

Camp Pendleton - 203 Red Horse Drive, Virginia Beach www.757battleofthebeers.com

The spirit of New Orleans comes alive at the