Fill Your Heart with Fall: Fests for the Season

This fall immerse yourself in all things West Virginia by attending some of the states most exciting and unique festivals. From food festivals and craft beer festivals to cultural festivals and holiday festivals, each one will show you a different yet unique side to the Mountain State and all it has to offer:

September

Leaf Peepers Festival

Held annually the last full week of September, the Leaf Peepers Festival celebrates fall foliage and the stunning beauty of the Mountain State at this time of year. Enjoy traditional activities with Appalachian flair as well as an indoor craft show, food vendors, inflatable rides, firemen parade, face painting, live music, classic car show and the Run For It 5K Run/Walk at the Leaf Peepers Festival.

Mountain State Forest Festival

In September, head to the Mountain State Forest Festival — one of the state’s largest and oldest festivals.  Here you’ll find that there’s a little something for everyone! Headline concerts, lumberjack competition, forestry exhibits, amusement rides, parades and the Royal Coronation of Queen Silvia all take place at this fun festival.

October

Apple Butter Festival

Head to Berkeley Springs in October for two days of all things apple butter. At the Apple Butter Festival, expect charming streets filled with family-friendly games, contests, music, country food, fine arts and local crafts and spicy apple butter stirred in giant copper kettles in the middle of the square. Yum!

West Virginia Black Walnut Festival

What started in 1954 as a gathering where you could bring your walnuts to Spencer and have them weighed and sold to the nut company is now one of the state’s most beloved festivals each year. At the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival, experience crafts, live music, a car show, exhibits, grand parade, a carnival, delicious food and an all-around fun time for all.

Hops on the Mon

Looking for a chance to enjoy incredible craft beer and food? Look no further than the Hops on the Mon Craft Beer and Food Festival in Morgantown! Sample more than 150 different offering from 50-plus local, regional, national and international breweries. Oh, and don’t forget about the food. Participating restaurants include Puglioni’s, Table 9, Tin 202, Ironhorse Tavern, Black Bear Burritos, Rambling Root, Garcia’s Grill and Sargasso’s.

Bridge Day

Every third Saturday in October, one of the state’s most iconic festivals is held: Bridge Day. At Bridge Day, thousands of people gather on the New River Gorge Bridge to watch daredevils base jump into the gorge below. But that’s not all! While you’re there, check out Bridge Jam, a music festival held the same weekend as Bridge Day. Taste of Bridge Day is held the evening before Bridge Day and allows you to sample delicious food from some of the area’s best restaurants. And don’t forget the Bridge Day 5K and the Bridge Day Chili Cook-Off.

Railroad Days

For two weekends in October, visit Hinton where the streets are filled with a variety of vendors, great food, live entertainment and carriage rides through the Hinton Historic District during Railroad Days. Make sure to check out the Railroad Museum showcases and exhibits. And for something really fun, the New River Train Excursions run daily trips from Huntington to Hinton each day of the festival!

November

Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights

From November to January, treat yourself to some holiday cheer at the Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights. This festival is one of the best Christmas displays in the country, as it covers more than 300 acres over a six-mile drive throughout Oglebay Park! It features 89 lighted attractions and boasts more than 1 million lights! If you love the holidays this is the festival, you won’t want to miss!

Wagging Tails & Nitro Ales

Warm up this fall at Wagging Tails and Nitro Ales, a chili cookoff and craft beer festival where the benefits go to Dog Bless, a local animal rescue group. Last year’s beer lineup featured beers from Morgantown Brewing Company, Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company, Big Timber Brewing Company and more.

Lewisburg Holiday Festival

In November, visit the charming town of Lewisburg as its shops transform into a holiday wonderland for two days during the Lewisburg Holiday Festival. Attend this festival and you will be in the holiday spirit with holiday caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, storytelling and much more. This is a festival that will soon turn into a holiday tradition you look forward to each year!

December

Feast of the Seven Fishes

Head to Fairmont for the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival, which celebrates the Italian Christmas Eve tradition of feasting on numerous fish dishes, fritellas and cannolis with friends and family. This winter street festival is the perfect time to enjoy delicious food and wine, music, shop local artisans and spend time with old friends and new.

Bramwell Christmas Tour of Homes

Keep the holiday spirit going with the Bramwell Christmas Tour of Homes. this guided festival takes you through Bramwell, a small Victorian town full of beautiful mansions decorated for the season. Tickets cost $15 for this unique festival filled with beauty, music and delicious food and drink.

This post was last updated on December 20, 2024