Virginia Art Festivals

Each year, Virginia has an exciting schedule of art festivals. The following is a list of popular Virginia festivals which run from Spring thru Fall.

Chincoteague Island Decoy Art Festival and Auction

This spring festival features over 100 regional and national carvers competing and selling their artisan wares. The event also includes an auction and awards for best in show.

Virginia Arts Festival

Begun in 1997 as a way to promote tourism, this spring festival showcases artists from around the world as well as the Virginia's best professional artists. The arry of performances include of music, theatre and dance. Festival events are held in eight cities across Hampton Roads in concert halls, performing arts centers, opera houses, theatres, museums, outdoor stages, and historic churches.

Held in Town Point Park over 2 days, this is the region's longest running outdoor jazz festival. The festival recruits nationally known artists as well as a selection of local and regional jazz favorites.

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show & Festival

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show & Festival is one of the Commonwealth’s most highly anticipated events. Attendance often exceeds 350,000 visitors and art sales can surpass $2 million annually. The event has been ranked in the top 50 best fine art & design shows in the nation by Sunshine artist magazine. Prize money for artist awards reached over $30,000 in 2008, a milestone which has attracted high-caliber artists and art collectors since.

Suffolk Peanut Fest

Suffolk Peanut Fest offers concerts, amusement rides, contests and competitions, arts, crafts and entertainment. The event has been featured in numerous magazines, including Virginia Business, Southern Living, The Southern Farmers Almanac, Best Festivals—Mid Atlantic and others.

Hampton Jazz Festival

The Hampton Jazz Festival is held each year during the last full weekend in June. Festival organizers evaluate available jazz, R&B and blues artists that are on tour during the time of the festival, bringing in the best musicians possible. Held in the Hampton Coliseum, the venue is highly respected by Hampton Roads residents and visitors.

Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival

The Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival is Norfolk's annual New Orleans' and Bayou culture festival. This 3-day summer festival delivers the heart and soul of Louisiana to visitors to Town Point Park in true Cajun and Creole style.

Chincoteague Blueberry Festival

This event has fresh blueberries in every yummy creation possible. Over 115 crafters and artists display their products at the Eastern Shore's largest fine arts & craft event.

Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife

The Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife is held in Newport News Park annually. This is Southeast Virginia's biggest traditional craft show. The event features over 200 vendors, crafts, trades, entertainment, foods and children's activities.

For more information on Virginia, visit Hampton Roads Virginia and Virginia Beach VA.