Berkeley Springs Apple Butter Festival
Columbus Day weekend in October
Apple butter is stirred in copper kettles in the streets around Berkeley Springs State Park over a three day weekend. Craft vendors, music and a parade fill the town square.
When to go
When to go to West Virginia
The next twelve months, starting with October. Each month lists what is happening and what is in season, with the towns that book out first.
October 2026
In season: whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, golf, horseback riding, hunting, festivals, ziplining, birding, kayaking and canoeing
Bridge Day
Third Saturday in October
For one day each October, the New River Gorge Bridge closes to vehicle traffic and opens to pedestrians, with BASE jumpers launching from the bridge 876 feet above the river. Rappelling, vendors, shuttle buses and events run all day, and crowds reach tens of thousands.
Fall Foliage
Peaks in the high country in early October and in the lower valleys in mid to late October
Color turns first above 3,500 feet in Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties, then moves down to the New River Gorge and the Ohio Valley over two to three weeks. The Highland Scenic Highway, Cass and Blackwater Falls are the main viewing corridors.
Gauley Season
Scheduled dam releases on about six consecutive weekends starting the weekend after Labor Day
Gauley River National Recreation Area
The Army Corps drops Summersville Lake through the fall, producing roughly 22 release days of Class V water on the Upper Gauley and Class III to IV on the Lower Gauley. Commercial trips run from outposts around Summersville and Fayette County.
Hatfield-McCoy TrailFest
One weekend each fall in the southern coalfields
An ATV and side-by-side gathering built around the Hatfield-McCoy trail systems, centered on Gilbert in Mingo County. Group rides, vendors and street cruising run through the weekend.
Leaf Peeping Weekends
Weekends through October
Weekend drivers work the Highland Scenic Highway, US 219, Corridor H and the Coal Heritage Trail for color, usually as one or two night trips. Cass Scenic Railroad and the Durbin trains sell out their fall runs.
Marshall Football Home Games
Six or seven Saturdays from early September through late November
Marshall University plays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, seating about 38,000. Homecoming and the November 14 memorial ceremony for the 1970 plane crash add to the weekend.
Mountain State Forest Festival
Early October, running roughly a week and ending on the first full weekend
The oldest and largest festival in West Virginia, held in Elkins since 1930, with the coronation of Queen Silvia, two parades, a carnival and lumberjack competitions. It draws crowds well beyond the size of the town.
Mountaineer Balloon Festival
One weekend in October
Hot air balloon launches and evening balloon glows at the Morgantown Municipal Airport, with music and vendors on the field. Flights depend on wind and are scheduled early morning and evening.
OglebayFest
A weekend in early October
Oglebay Resort in Wheeling gives over its park grounds and the Wilson Lodge area each fall to a juried artists market, a gardens tour, live music and a parade.
West Virginia Black Walnut Festival
Second full weekend in October
Spencer marks the black walnut harvest over four days with a carnival, parades, a car show and nut-cracking contests. It has run since 1955.
WVU Football Home Games
Six or seven Saturdays from early September through late November
West Virginia University plays home games at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown in front of about 60,000 people. Kickoff times are set on short notice, which shifts arrival nights.
November 2026
In season: hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, hunting
Buck Firearms Season
Opens the Monday before Thanksgiving and runs about two weeks
The two week buck firearms season is the largest hunting event in the state, and many rural schools close for the opening day. Public land in the Monongahela National Forest and the state wildlife management areas draws hunters from out of state.
Leaf Peeping Weekends
Weekends through October
Weekend drivers work the Highland Scenic Highway, US 219, Corridor H and the Coal Heritage Trail for color, usually as one or two night trips. Cass Scenic Railroad and the Durbin trains sell out their fall runs.
Marshall Football Home Games
Six or seven Saturdays from early September through late November
Marshall University plays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, seating about 38,000. Homecoming and the November 14 memorial ceremony for the 1970 plane crash add to the weekend.
Winter Festival of Lights
Nightly from early November through early January
A drive-through light display across about six miles of road at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, running every night from November into January. It has operated since 1985 and draws bus tours from several states.
WVU Football Home Games
Six or seven Saturdays from early September through late November
West Virginia University plays home games at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown in front of about 60,000 people. Kickoff times are set on short notice, which shifts arrival nights.
December 2026
In season: skiing and snowboarding, hunting
Buck Firearms Season
Opens the Monday before Thanksgiving and runs about two weeks
The two week buck firearms season is the largest hunting event in the state, and many rural schools close for the opening day. Public land in the Monongahela National Forest and the state wildlife management areas draws hunters from out of state.
New Year in the Mountains
Christmas week through January 1 each year
The week between Christmas and New Year is the busiest stretch of the ski calendar at Snowshoe, Canaan Valley and Timberline, with torchlight skiing and fireworks at the resorts. Cabin demand also rises in Tucker and Pocahontas counties for people who do not ski.
Ski Season
Mid-December through mid-March, conditions permitting
Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, Timberline and Winterplace run lift-served terrain with heavy snowmaking. Snowshoe averages the deepest natural snowfall in the state because of northwest upslope flow.
Winter Festival of Lights
Nightly from early November through early January
A drive-through light display across about six miles of road at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, running every night from November into January. It has operated since 1985 and draws bus tours from several states.
January 2027
In season: skiing and snowboarding, hunting
New Year in the Mountains
Christmas week through January 1 each year
The week between Christmas and New Year is the busiest stretch of the ski calendar at Snowshoe, Canaan Valley and Timberline, with torchlight skiing and fireworks at the resorts. Cabin demand also rises in Tucker and Pocahontas counties for people who do not ski.
Ski Season
Mid-December through mid-March, conditions permitting
Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, Timberline and Winterplace run lift-served terrain with heavy snowmaking. Snowshoe averages the deepest natural snowfall in the state because of northwest upslope flow.
Winter Festival of Lights
Nightly from early November through early January
A drive-through light display across about six miles of road at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, running every night from November into January. It has operated since 1985 and draws bus tours from several states.
February 2027
In season: skiing and snowboarding
Ski Season
Mid-December through mid-March, conditions permitting
Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, Timberline and Winterplace run lift-served terrain with heavy snowmaking. Snowshoe averages the deepest natural snowfall in the state because of northwest upslope flow.
March 2027
In season: hiking, rock climbing, skiing and snowboarding, fishing
Ski Season
Mid-December through mid-March, conditions permitting
Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, Timberline and Winterplace run lift-served terrain with heavy snowmaking. Snowshoe averages the deepest natural snowfall in the state because of northwest upslope flow.
Spring Whitewater Season
Snowmelt and rain-driven, March through May
Free-flowing rivers including the Cheat Canyon, the Upper New, the Tygart and the Blackwater run their highest water of the year in spring. Levels are weather dependent and can change within a day.
April 2027
In season: whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, golf, horseback riding, festivals, ziplining, birding, kayaking and canoeing
Ramp Season
Ramp dinners and feeds through April
Ramps, a wild Appalachian leek, are dug in April and served at community feeds, firehouse dinners and church suppers across the state. Richwood calls itself the ramp capital and holds the Feast of the Ramson.
Spring Whitewater Season
Snowmelt and rain-driven, March through May
Free-flowing rivers including the Cheat Canyon, the Upper New, the Tygart and the Blackwater run their highest water of the year in spring. Levels are weather dependent and can change within a day.
May 2027
In season: whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, boating, golf, horseback riding, festivals, ziplining, birding, kayaking and canoeing
Mountain Music Festival
One weekend in late spring or early summer
Several days of live music at ACE Adventure Resort at Minden, near Oak Hill, with the resort lake and rafting trips running alongside the stages. It is on the New River Gorge side of Fayette County.
Spring Whitewater Season
Snowmelt and rain-driven, March through May
Free-flowing rivers including the Cheat Canyon, the Upper New, the Tygart and the Blackwater run their highest water of the year in spring. Levels are weather dependent and can change within a day.
Summer Holiday Weekends
Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day each year
The three summer holiday weekends are the peak of lake, river and campground demand statewide. Fireworks, town festivals and rafting trips all concentrate on the same three or four days.
Vandalia Gathering
Memorial Day weekend
Fiddle and banjo contests, dancing, storytelling and craft demonstrations fill the Capitol Complex grounds in Charleston. It has run since 1977 and admission is free.
Webster County Woodchopping Festival
Memorial Day weekend
The Webster County Woodchopping Festival features sawing and chopping competitions, a turkey-calling contest, carnival rides and more. It has run in Webster Springs since 1960 and includes a state championship woodchopping event.
West Virginia Strawberry Festival
Several days in mid to late May
The Strawberry Festival has filled Buckhannon since 1936, with strawberry auctions, a carnival, band competitions and two parades. Upshur County schools and civic groups run most of the events.
West Virginia Three Rivers Festival
A long weekend in May in downtown Fairmont
Fairmont takes its festival’s name from the Monongahela, Tygart and West Fork, and fills the town with a carnival, live music and a parade. It is one of the larger free events in Marion County.
June 2027
In season: whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, boating, golf, horseback riding, festivals, ziplining, birding, kayaking and canoeing
Bridge Jam
A weekend each summer in downtown Fayetteville
Live stages, street vendors and local outfitters take over the streets of downtown Fayetteville for a weekend, drawing on the town’s rafting and climbing crowd.
FestivALL Charleston
About ten days in June
Street painting, gallery shows, theater and outdoor concerts run in venues across downtown Charleston and the East End. Most of it is free or close to it.
Mountain Music Festival
One weekend in late spring or early summer
Several days of live music at ACE Adventure Resort at Minden, near Oak Hill, with the resort lake and rafting trips running alongside the stages. It is on the New River Gorge side of Fayette County.
July 2027
In season: whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, golf, horseback riding, festivals, ziplining, kayaking and canoeing
Augusta Heritage Festival
Five weeks of workshops in July and August, closing with a festival weekend in August
A traditional music and folk arts program at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, running week-long workshops in old-time, bluegrass, Cajun, blues and dance. The public festival at the end includes concerts and a juried craft fair.
Bridge Jam
A weekend each summer in downtown Fayetteville
Live stages, street vendors and local outfitters take over the streets of downtown Fayetteville for a weekend, drawing on the town’s rafting and climbing crowd.
Summer Holiday Weekends
Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day each year
The three summer holiday weekends are the peak of lake, river and campground demand statewide. Fireworks, town festivals and rafting trips all concentrate on the same three or four days.
August 2027
In season: whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, golf, horseback riding, festivals, ziplining, kayaking and canoeing
Appalachian String Band Music Festival
Wednesday through Sunday of the first full week in August
A five day old-time music gathering at Camp Washington-Carver in Clifftop, with fiddle and banjo contests and days of open camp jamming. Musicians come from across the country and much of the event happens in the campground.
Augusta Heritage Festival
Five weeks of workshops in July and August, closing with a festival weekend in August
A traditional music and folk arts program at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, running week-long workshops in old-time, bluegrass, Cajun, blues and dance. The public festival at the end includes concerts and a juried craft fair.
Bridge Jam
A weekend each summer in downtown Fayetteville
Live stages, street vendors and local outfitters take over the streets of downtown Fayetteville for a weekend, drawing on the town’s rafting and climbing crowd.
State Fair of West Virginia
Ten days in August, ending the fourth Saturday
The state fair runs at the Fairlea fairgrounds on US 219 south of Lewisburg, with livestock competition, midway rides and grandstand concerts. Attendance runs into the low hundreds of thousands across the run.
West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
Labor Day weekend
Downtown Clarksburg spends three days on the Italian immigrant families who worked the north central coalfields and glass plants. Food vendors, bocce and a Sunday parade anchor the weekend.
West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival
A weekend in August
An outdoor festival near Morgantown pairing West Virginia and regional wineries with live jazz across two days. Tastings, food vendors and craft booths run through the afternoon.
September 2027
In season: whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, fishing, boating, golf, horseback riding, hunting, festivals, ziplining, birding, kayaking and canoeing
Gauley Season
Scheduled dam releases on about six consecutive weekends starting the weekend after Labor Day
Gauley River National Recreation Area
The Army Corps drops Summersville Lake through the fall, producing roughly 22 release days of Class V water on the Upper Gauley and Class III to IV on the Lower Gauley. Commercial trips run from outposts around Summersville and Fayette County.
Hatfield-McCoy TrailFest
One weekend each fall in the southern coalfields
An ATV and side-by-side gathering built around the Hatfield-McCoy trail systems, centered on Gilbert in Mingo County. Group rides, vendors and street cruising run through the weekend.
Leaf Peeping Weekends
Weekends through October
Weekend drivers work the Highland Scenic Highway, US 219, Corridor H and the Coal Heritage Trail for color, usually as one or two night trips. Cass Scenic Railroad and the Durbin trains sell out their fall runs.
Marshall Football Home Games
Six or seven Saturdays from early September through late November
Marshall University plays at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, seating about 38,000. Homecoming and the November 14 memorial ceremony for the 1970 plane crash add to the weekend.
Mothman Festival
Third weekend in September
The Mothman Festival takes over Point Pleasant for two days each September, marking the 1966 and 1967 sightings with speakers, vendors, bus tours and a costume contest. Attendance runs into the tens of thousands, many times the town's own size.
Mountain State Forest Festival
Early October, running roughly a week and ending on the first full weekend
The oldest and largest festival in West Virginia, held in Elkins since 1930, with the coronation of Queen Silvia, two parades, a carnival and lumberjack competitions. It draws crowds well beyond the size of the town.
Preston County Buckwheat Festival
Thursday through Sunday of the last full weekend in September
Buckwheat cakes and sausage are served in the community building at Kingwood for four days, with livestock shows, a carnival and two parades going on around them.
Roadkill Cook-Off
Last Saturday in September, as part of the Autumn Harvest Festival
Teams in Marlinton cook and serve dishes made from game meats — venison, bear, squirrel and elk. A street fair runs with it, and it draws national press coverage.
Summer Holiday Weekends
Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day each year
The three summer holiday weekends are the peak of lake, river and campground demand statewide. Fireworks, town festivals and rafting trips all concentrate on the same three or four days.
Treasure Mountain Festival
A weekend in September
Franklin, the seat of Pendleton County, puts on a parade, craft vendors, a buckwheat and pancake supper and mountain music. It is the main annual gathering in the county.
West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival
Labor Day weekend
Downtown Clarksburg spends three days on the Italian immigrant families who worked the north central coalfields and glass plants. Food vendors, bocce and a Sunday parade anchor the weekend.
WVU Football Home Games
Six or seven Saturdays from early September through late November
West Virginia University plays home games at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown in front of about 60,000 people. Kickoff times are set on short notice, which shifts arrival nights.