Some events may be postponed or canceled. Contact the event host for updates.
October 2-3–Harrisonburg.
The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale is held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, 4808 S. Valley Pike, rain or shine. This is an all volunteer event that raises money for the Mennonite Central Committee. The two day event includes an auction of quilts, woodwork, handmade items and more. A wide variety of homemade food and live music is also a highlight for many people.
Website or 540-433-9993.
October 2-4–Winchester.
The North-South Skirmish Association will hold its 154th National Competition at Fort Shenandoah, 480 Chalybeate Springs Road. Featuring live-fire matches with original or authentic reproduction Civil War period muskets, mortars, cannons and more. Each unit represents a Civil War regiment or unit and replicates the uniform they wore over 165 years ago. Women participate along with the men in all events and there are BB gun matches for youngsters. There are also competitions, a large sutler area with over 30 vendors offering food, all things Civil War; from antique firearms to shooting supplies, uniforms and much more. Spectators are welcome and admission and parking are free.
Website or 248-258-9007.
October 2-25–Waynesboro.
Waynesboro North 340 Campground, 1125 East Side Hwy, events: "Oktoberfest" is full of fall fun and family-friendly festivities on the 2nd-4th; "Halloween Weekends" is held on the 9th-11th, 16th-18th, 23rd-25th and is full of Halloween fun, creativity, and just the right amount of fright for the whole family.
Website or 540-943-9573.
October 2-31–Lexington.
Haunting Tales- Lexington's Ghost Tour at the Visitor Center, 106 E Washington Street. Walk, Friday and Saturday only. You will walk through dark streets and alley ways and in the very footsteps of Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee and his beloved horse, Traveler, as you listen to entertaining, enlightening, and eerie tales told to you by our professional tour guides. We personally hand pick entertainers to guide groups into the darkened streets, alleyways, and eventually the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. Experience the nightly phenomena in the heart of the famous Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery.
Website or 540-464-2250.
October 2-31–Grottoes.
Join us in the Grand Caverns, 5 Grand Caverns Road, for our underground movies: "Scooby Doo" on the 2nd; "Backrooms" on the 3rd; "Ghostbusters" on the 9th; "As Above, So Below" on the 10th; “Beetlejuice” on the 16h; “Cabin in the Woods” on the 17th; "Coco" on the 23rd; “The Descent”; on the 30th-31st. All movies start at 7pm and seating begins 45 minutes before showtime.
Website or 540-249-5705.
October 3–Dayton.
The 46th Annual Autumn Days Celebration will be held from 8:30am-4pm on Main Street and College Street in Downtown. Enjoy a full-day with a variety of vendors, arts/crafts, food, beverages, and live concerts. Learn about our town at the Rocktown History Museum and at Fort Harrison.
Website or 540-879-2241
October 3–Woodstock.
The 15th Annual "Autumnfest" will be held at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, 300 Fairground Road from 11am-5pm, rain or shine. Featuring BBQ, regional craft brews/ciders/wines, live music, crafters, harness racing, and the Valley’s famous log splitting contest. Admission fee.
Website or 540-459-2542.
October 3–Waynesboro.
The “Wine Over Waynesboro” event will be held at Sunset Park, 300 N. Winchester Avenue from 4-7:30pm and Sunset Park will be open to the public. This will be a fun day of live music, local wine, food, and a beautiful place to watch the sunset. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and find the perfect spot to hang out to have your picnic.There will be wine tasting for $25.00 also a souvenir “Wine Over Waynesboro” tasting glass is included and the wineries will also sell bottles/glasses of wine. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome.
Welcome or call 540-942-6735.
October 3–Lexington.
The Annual Apple Day Celebration will be held in front of the Jackson House Museum, 8 E. Washington Street, from 10am-1pm. Participants have a chance to unplug from modern technology and enjoy some old-fashioned family fun. Watch an antique, hand-cranked cider press in action, enjoy learning 19th- century dancing, such as the Polka. Children will have the opportunity to learn how to make dolls, potato scarecrows, play apple toss, pin-the-tail-on-Little Sorrel, and more. Or sit back, relax, and enjoy storytelling from a costumed interpreter. All the demonstrations and activities are free. Regular admission prices to tour the house apply.
Website or 540-464-7704.
October 3–Harrisonburg.
Join us for our “Half Marathon” that will start at 7am in Westover Park, 305 S. Dogwood Drive. This is a 13.1 miles, USATF certified course and features a safe and fun course along the Friendly City Trail. Runners receive high-quality swag, moisture wicking shirt and race support. No pets allowed, however, jogging strollers are welcome.
Website or 540-432-8935.
October 3–Waynesboro.
The Shenandoah Valley British Car Club invites you to join them at Ridgeview Park, 700 S. Magnolia Avenue starting 8am-3pm, rain or shine, for the 45th Annual British Car Festival. Our featured marque for 2026: the Jaguar. Join us for a wonderful time and a chance to see many exciting British cars and motorcycles. All British classics, British moderns from Jaguar, Rover, and MINI, British motorcycles as well as British DNA and kit cars are welcome. A portion of our car show profits go to our signature charity: the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Website or 540-942-6735.
October 3–Roanoke.
The 7th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration, “Local Colors” will be held at John Nolen Plaza, 26 Salem Avenue Southeast, from noon-4pm. This is a free, family friendly event featuring dance/live music performances, educational segments, storytelling and more. Vendor booths will be present with a diversity of Latin American cuisine, artisan crafts, Latino owned businesses and community services.
Website or 540-904-2234.
October 3–Raphine.
The Virginia Tech Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center, McCormick Farm, 128 McCormick Farm Circle, will host the 20th Annual McCormick Farm "Mill Day" from 10am-2pm. This year marks the 195th Anniversary of the invention of the McCormick Reaper. This invention started the mechanical revolution in agriculture and forever changed production agriculture around the world. The main attraction of Mill Day will be the operation of the McCormick grist mill. Enjoy live music, BBQ chicken, educational activities for school-age children, a hayride through the research farm, witnessing modern day innovation in beef cattle production practices and more. This event is free to the public.
Website or 540-377-2255.
October 3-4–Harrisonburg.
Join the White Oak Lavender Farm, 2644 Cross Keys Road, for their Annual Fall Festival. Wander through the Lavender Gift Shop, sip and savor in the Tasting Room and explore their Discover Area activities. Throughout the weekend, you’ll also find local craft/food vendors and the sounds of live music filling the farm. Free admission.
Website or 540-421-6345.
October 9-10–Fishersville.
The Fishersville Antiques Expo will be held at Augusta Expo, 277 Expo Road, starting at 9am, both days, rain or shine. There will be 300 + exhibitors in exhibition halls, barns, tents and outside. No matter what antique or vintage piece you’re searching for, there is surely a treasure just waiting to be found by you. Admission fee and parking is free.
Website or 804-239-0553.
October 9-11–Monterey.
Enjoy a fun family-friendly weekend in our rural mountain community at the 34th Annual “Hands and Harvest Festival” at various locations. Our festival will have a Harvest Trail for farm and maple sugar camp tours with family-fall activities, food, artist, used book sale entertainment, Saturday Oktoberfest celebration, animals for adoption and more.
Website or 540-468-2550.
October 10–McGaheysville.
Join us on the mountain at Massanutten Resort, 4614 Massanutten Drive from 11:30am-6pm, rain or shine, to kick off the start of "Oktoberfest". We will have live bands, food trucks, activities for all, a variety of beer, wine and more. Also you can crawl and climb through amazingly realistic caves, in a mobile version. You will learn about caves and test your careful-explorer skills. Admission $20.00, kids 6 and under are free. Tickets are non-refundable. Be prepared to present proper ID. No food/beverages, coolers, etc.
Website or 540-434-0309.
October 10–Vinton.
Join us downtown to celebrate our Annual Fall Festival, from 10am to 4pm. Featuring live entertainment, delicious food, local vendors, kids’ activities and more.
Website or 540-343-1364.
October 10–Buena Vista.
Join us downtown for “Mountain Day”, on Magnolia Avenue, from 10am-4pm. This is our Annual Lost Arts and Crafts Community Festival Featuring craft demonstrations, live music/dance, local history, fine art, local foods, community organizations, children’s activities, food vendors and more.
Website or 540-458-1872.
October 10-11–Waynesboro.
The 55th Annual Virginia Fall Foliage Festival Art Show, takes place on the historic streets downtown, from 10am-5pm both days, rain or shine. This premier outdoor event is the Shenandoah Valley's largest outdoor visual arts festival. We will feature 150+ fine artists, music and beer. No pets allowed except service animals. Free admission/parking.
Website or 540-949-7662.
October 10-11–Luray.
The 57th Annual Heritage Festival will be held at the Page County Fairgrounds, 15 Fairlane Drive, starting 9am both days, rain or shine. This event is family-oriented with fun for the whole family. Featuring delicious food, face painting, live entertainment, barrel train ride, demonstrations showcasing wonderful time-honored traditions and more. Also the Antique Tractors, Gas and Steam Engines Show.
Website or 540-743-3915.
October 11–Harrisonburg.
Join Camp Horizons, 3586 Horizons Way, from 11am-4pm at their “Fall Festival”. This is a free, family-friendly event that is perfect for all ages. Featuring a wide variety of food, games, crafts, archery, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. You can also browse our vendor fair, connect with local businesses, and soak in the festive atmosphere.
Website or 540-896-7600.
October 15–Woodstock.
The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival Guild will be hosting a "Luncheon" at Woodstock Gardens, 1175 Hisey Avenue, starting 11:30 am. Featuring a performance by Ron Medina. The Guild is a volunteer organization that raises money to support the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival.
Website or 540-459-3396.
October 22–Harrisonburg.
The Furious Flower Reading Series and the Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Exhibition present poet Ariana Brown at Memorial Hall Forum. Doors open at 5pm and the reading begins at 7pm. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Black Mexican American poet whose work explores identity, care, and belonging. The evening includes access to Hostile Terrain 94, an exhibition examining migration and human rights, along with a faculty-led discussion and book sales following the reading. Free and open to the public.
Website or 540-568-8883.
October 24–Harrisonburg.
The "Skeleton Festival" is the spookiest day of the year in the downtown area. Featuring everything from trick-or-treating at downtown businesses to a costume contest, arts/crafts, pet costume parade, sip while you stroll, and more.
Website or 540-432-8922.
October 24–Harrisonburg.
24th Annual “Race to Beat Breast Cancer” 5K Run/Walk will start at the Community Activities Center in Westover Park, 305 South Dogwood Drive, from 9:30-11:30am. Can't participate, but want to donate? Visit the online donation page. All proceeds will benefit the RMH Foundation for breast care and treatment at the Sentara RMH Medical Center.
Website or 540-433-2474.
October 29-31–Timberville.
Monster Mayhem Trunk or Treat at the American Legion Park, 325 American Legion Drive, next to the Plains Elementary School from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Wear your spookiest costumes as you make your way through the different decorated vehicles from local businesses and organizations on the 29th. Then on the 31st our neighborhood Trick-or-Treating occurs.
Website or 540-896-7058.
October 31–New Market.
The Annual Trick or Treat on Congress Street, will be from 5-7pm, rain or shine. Visit various downtown businesses that have left their light on for trick or treaters. Come on out and have a spooky safe evening.
Website or 540-740-3432.
October 31–Buena Vista.
Trick-or-treating, costumes, community fun all along Magnolia Avenue. from 4-6pm. Then from 6-9pm, the Spooktacular Golf Cart Parade rolls through downtown with decorated carts, costumes, and candy. Bring the whole family in costume or regular clothes and enjoy a safe, a spooky good time with us.
Website or 540-458-1872.
Events listed as they become available. Updated 9/4/26
