Community Events connect festival visitors with the places, organizations, and traditions that define the region.

Whether you're touring a historic theatre, walking through centuries-old cemeteries, exploring museums, attending lectures, browsing book sales, or discovering local history, these experiences provide a deeper connection to the people and places of Appalachia.

Go behind the scenes at Virginia's State Theatre and discover the remarkable history of the Barter Theatre, from its Depression-era beginnings to its rise as one of America's most respected repertory theatres.

Guests will explore backstage areas, dressing rooms, production spaces, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the legendary Barter Tunnel.

One of Washington County's most treasured landmarks, White's Mill offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience a working water-powered gristmill with roots dating back to the eighteenth century.

Throughout the festival, guests can tour the mill, learn about traditional corn grinding, and discover how water-powered technology supported early Appalachian communities.

One of the festival's longest-running community traditions, the Friends of the Library Book Sale features thousands of gently used books, puzzles, DVDs, collectibles, and educational resources.

Visitors can browse a wide variety of categories while supporting the Washington County Public Library.

One of Abingdon's most significant historic landmarks, Sinking Spring Cemetery contains more than 3,000 burials and serves as a remarkable record of Southwest Virginia history.

Visitors can learn about colonial settlers, Revolutionary War veterans, governors, community leaders, and the area's important African American history through guided tours and living history programs.

Explore one of the oldest and most historic cemeteries in Southwest Virginia on this guided living history tour. Local interpreters share the stories of military veterans buried at Sinking Spring Cemetery, from the American Revolution through modern times. Tours are conducted in small groups, last approximately 45 minutes, and include walking over uneven terrain. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

In addition to tours of White’s Mill, visitors can enjoy a scenic walking trail featuring a Story Walk, watch the historic waterwheel in action, and experience demonstrations by heritage crafters showcasing traditional skills and trades. The afternoon also includes storytelling, live traditional music, and local food trucks, creating a fun and engaging celebration of the region’s history and culture.

Hosted by Holston Mountain Artisans, the annual Sawdust Festival showcases the skill, creativity, and craftsmanship of regional woodworkers, woodcarvers, and artisans.

Visitors can watch live demonstrations, meet makers, learn about traditional techniques, and explore handcrafted works created by some of Southwest Virginia's most talented craftspeople.

Step inside a fully restored late 19th-century schoolhouse and experience what early education was like in Washington County.

Hosted by the Washington County Retired Teachers, this tour gives visitors a look at wooden desks, inkwells, slates, a pot-bellied stove, and the simple classroom setting that shaped generations of local students.

For more than three decades, festival visitors have gathered at St. Thomas Episcopal Church to enjoy a welcoming lunch tradition that supports charitable ministries throughout the community.

Discover the fascinating stories behind one of Southwest Virginia's most historic and culturally significant towns.

Led by local historians and lifelong Abingdon residents, this guided walking tour explores the people, places, and events that transformed a small frontier settlement into a thriving center for arts, culture, politics, religion, and commerce.

Along the way, visitors will uncover surprising connections between Abingdon and figures such as Daniel Boone, Eleanor Roosevelt, the American Southwest, and the region's historic salt industry.

As daylight fades, discover another side of Abingdon's history through the legendary Spirit Tours led by local storyteller and historian Donnamarie Emmert.

Part history lesson and part ghost story experience, these evening walks explore the people, places, and mysteries that have become part of Abingdon folklore.

The Abingdon Muster Grounds commemorate the gathering place of Virginia militiamen who joined the Overmountain campaign leading to the pivotal Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolution.

Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy demonstrations, storytelling, music, reenactments, educational programs, and hands-on activities that bring eighteenth-century Appalachian life to life.

During the Virginia Highlands Festival, visitors are encouraged to experience the William King Museum of Art's outstanding collection of exhibitions celebrating regional history, artistic expression, cultural heritage, and the stories that have shaped Appalachia.

The William King Museum of Art offers a deeper understanding of the people, traditions, landscapes, and artistic voices that continue to shape Southwest Virginia, making it a perfect complement to the Virginia Highlands Festival's Local History programming.

Exhibit dates: March 5 – August 30, 2026

An exhibition exploring connections between place, identity, and the cultural landscapes that shape our understanding of Appalachia and beyond.

Exhibit dates: April 30 – November 29, 2026

Explore the history of stained glass in Southwest Virginia and discover how migration, faith communities, and regional craftsmanship helped shape the area's rich artistic heritage.