Broadening the Story of Appalachia Since 1949
Join us for the 75th Celebration of our annual summer event. You don’t want to miss this!
July 26 - August 4, 2024
75 years ago, Robert Porterfield began a cultural experience unparalleled to our region. The Virginia Highlands Festival has continued to grow in size and scope to become a destination for tourists and a beloved regional cultural resource for the arts, history and culture of Southwest Virginia.
Take a look back at our 2023 VHF Festival Events:
July 21st - July 30th
Arts & Crafts Show
A staple of the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon for over 70 years. Voted the “Best Art Show in Region” by Virginia Living Magazine readers in 2019, the Juried Arts and Crafts show is a free activity, open rain or shine!
Antiques & Vintage Market
Discover those special, hard-to-find items at the Juried Antiques Market & Vintage Show at the SWVA Higher Ed Center. We’re excited to build on the success of the 2022 festival. Treasures are waiting to be uncovered!
Weekend Concerts
You can’t have a festival without live music! 5 nights of rock, country, and bluegrass music curated for you. Enjoy the region’s best food trucks, plus beer and wine from some of your favorite summer bands.
Outdoor Adventures
Take an adventure during the Festival to the great outdoors. Wherever your wild heart wants to explore, we’ll have guided trips for adults and kids alike. Each year, our festival will focus on a different outdoor asset.
Local History
For over 200 years, Abingdon has been the cultural, political, and economic center of the entire region. People are drawn to Abingdon to hear the stories of this rich history via lectures, walking tours & more.
Culinary Arts & Traditions
Food lovers will find plenty to satisfy their palate throughout the Festival set in Abingdon, Virginia, the Best Small Town Food Scene (USA Today 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022)
Writers & Readers Days
Writers & Readers Days are a long standing tradition at the Virginia Highlands Festival, with each year dedicated to an immersive experience in telling your stories.