12 months, 12 festivals & events in West Virginia

Throughout the year, the Mountain State is home to some of the most unique and fun festivals and events. From hot air balloons filling the sky to seeing some of you favorite golfers live in action to having the time of your life at the state fair; there is always something spectacular for you to attend. Each event or festival will have you longing for more!

January

Start your year off right by hitting the slopes. January in West Virginia is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month, which makes it the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or feed an already beloved passion. In January, the state’s resorts offer special deals for beginners so there are no excuses not to try skiing or snowboarding. Visit one of West Virginia’s incredible resorts including Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Snowshoe Mountain, Winterplace Ski Resort and Oglebay Resort and learn to ski or snowboard in the Mountain State for an experience you’ll never forget.

February

Beat the winter blues by attending the Cabin Fever Craft Beer Festival in Morgantown. This festival features brewers from around the state.They have featured more than a dozen brewers and over 50 microbrews. If you get hungry, don’t worry, this festival also offers food and merchant vendors that have a focus on Appalachian culture. What could be better than a day spent eating and drinking amazing food and drink from around the state with your friends and family? Also, don’t forget to take your souvenir tasting glass home!

March

Take part in what is truly one of West Virginia’s most unique and fun celebrations. George Washington’s Bathtub Celebration takes place in Berkeley Springs and Berkeley Springs State Park. This festival is a weekend long celebration of history, music and shopping sales. Take part in colonial calligraphy demonstrations, traditional readings from George Washington’s papers, live music, tasty food and much more. While you’re there don’t forget to indulge in the delicious cherry pie from The Country Inn or the hand-stirred bathtub ginger ale from Fairfax Coffee House. This festival will truly be an experience of a lifetime.

April

Spring in West Virginia means one thing: Ramps! Ramps are a species of wild onion that can be found in eastern Canada and the eastern United States and are beloved by West Virginians. Take part in the ultimate ramp event, Feast of the Ramson, a festival in Richwood that has been taking place for more than 70 years. This event celebrates all things ramps including a huge ramp dinner featuring ramps of course as well as potatoes, brown beans, ham, bacon, desserts, sassafras tea and much more. The Feast of the Ramson also features entertainment and a craft show featuring over 60 local artisans.

May

Have you been looking for a festival that combines music, the outdoors and adventure? Look no further than the Mountain Music Festival at ACE Adventure Resort. This festival celebrates outdoor adventures in West Virginia, amazing live music and brings the spirit of Appalachia to life. Enjoy music from over twenty bands set against the back drop of the beautiful Mountain State. While at the festival at ACE Adventure Resort pick your adventure, from whitewater rafting, zip lining, mountain biking, rock climbing and more.

June

One of the highlights in the summer in West Virginia is FestivALL, which takes place in Charleston. FestivALL is a 10-day festival dedicated to creating, producing and presenting vibrant arts experiences and entertainment opportunities to the state. At FestivAll, experience over 100 events, performances and exhibitions from music, theater, dance, visual art, humanities and more. FestivALL will allow you to see and explore the state in a way you never have before!

July

Attend one of the biggest events in West Virginia each year, the Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tour FedEx Cup event in White Sulphur Springs. The Greenbrier Classic mixes southern hospitality, golf and luxury all in one spectacular event. While at the Greenbrier Classic watch your favorite golfers in action, indulge on fried green tomatoes and mint juleps, walk the incredibly beautiful grounds of the Greenbrier Resort and visit the charming nearby town of Lewisburg.

August

August in the state is all about the State Fair of West Virginia in Fairlea, which has taken place since 1854. While at the State Fair enjoy incredible concerts from some of top artists and bands in the world. Or experience the carnival rides, entertainment, live animals and more at the fair. Don’t forget to try the delicious cinnamon rolls or mountaineer burgers and pick up a special keepsake or two from one of the many artisans at the State Fair.

September

Celebrate the end of summer by getting barefoot and stomping some grapes. The Grape Stomping Wine Festival in Summersville offers just that and more. This fun festival celebrates local wine, food, crafts and music. If you’re brave, you might even participate in the grape eating and grape stomping competitions. While you are there make sure you tour the gorgeous Kirkwood Winery and Isaiah Morgan Distillery where the festival takes place.

October

Have you ever wanted to attend one of the largest extreme sports events in the world? Then you must attend Bridge Day in Fayetteville. The Bridge Day Festival takes place on the third Saturday in October each year. On this day, traffic is shut down on the New River Gorge Bridge, and hundreds of base jumpers jump from the 876’ tall bridge while thousands of spectators watch on. If you’d rather not base jump from the bridge, you can still have an incredible watching the base jumpers or browsing though hundreds of vendors’ booths for the perfect souvenir.

November

Get ready for the best time of the year aka the holiday season by attending the Lewisburg Holiday Festival. The shops of this beautiful and charming town transform the town into a holiday wonderland. Celebrate the holiday season at this weekend long festival with caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, tasty treats and special souvenirs. This is a festival that is sure to become a special family tradition that everyone looks forward to each year.

December

Experience beautiful Christmas lights in a way you never have before at the Festival of Lights at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling. This annual holiday light show is one of the nation’s largest, covering more than 300 acres over a six-mile drive throughout the gorgeous resort. Come get in the holiday season in the best way possible and experience why it was recently listed as one of the top 200 events in the country by Discover America.

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This post was last updated on March 17, 2022