The weather might be cooling down, but the weekend festivities are just heating up! With the change of the season comes an exciting lineup of festivities that promise to make this kickstart to fall one to remember! So grab your calendar, mark the dates, and take a dive into Festival Month!
Day at the Docks Festival: Hatteras, NC
September 15th-16th @ 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Day at the Docks was started to celebrate the “Spirit of Hatteras” when the village recovered from hurricane Isabel in 2003 as an intact community, anchored by the commercial and charter fishermen. The event celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and continues as a confirmation of the strength of the Hatteras Community. Come spend a weekend on the water enjoying live music, a chowder cook off, children activities, and enjoy watching two chefs go head to head in the annual Seafood Throwdown.
Hermitage Handmade Festival: Norfolk
September 16th @ 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM
The annual Hermitage Handmade Festival returns for its 8th year! Join us on Saturday, September 16th from 11-4pm to shop for arts and crafts handmade by 95+ artists. Plus, enjoy free admission to the Claudia Bueno: Echoes of the Heart exhibition, food and dessert vendors, Fairy Hair by Chelsea, children’s activities with ButtarCups, museum scavenger hunts, and more!
26th Annual Fall Wine Festival: Virginia Beach
September 16th-17th @ 12:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Join your friends by the oceanfront for an afternoon hosted by Virginia’s leading vineyards. Taste from more than 60 wines while you meet and greet the fascinating people who are forging Virginia’s reputation for quality wines. Enjoy delicious food, live entertainment and the opportunity to purchase the wines you like by the bottle and case.
Nashfest 757 : Norfolk
September 16th-17th @ 12:00 PM- 5:00 PM
Hot chicken, hard drinks, and Music City sounds! The NashFest Music & Food Festival, a one-day event celebrating the iconic culture and cuisine of Nashville, is set for its third act along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Town Point Park! Fusing together all of the elements that make Nashville one of America’s most popular cities, NashFest offers an experience akin to an evening stroll down Broadway, featuring national and local recording artists, mouth-watering hot chicken, barbecue, line dancing, craft beer & whiskey tastings, and much more for what is now one of Hampton Roads’ hottest new summer events!
Oktoberfest at New Realm Brewery: Virginia Beach
September 16th @ 12:00 PM- 11:00 PM
Get your lederhosen and dirndls ready! Oktoberfest is coming to New Realm! Get ready for some stein-hoisting, bratwurst-eating, beer-drinking fun! Enjoy live music with The Happy Dutchmen and Borderline Crazy, vendor market, New Realm stein specials, German beer flights and more!
Mutt Strut Festival: Suffolk
September 30th @ 12:00 PM- 6:00 PM
The annual Mutt Strut Dog Walk and Festival is Suffolk Humane’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The 15th Annual Mutt Strut will be held at Bennett’s Creek Park and will showcase exciting new pet-related activities and fun for the entire family, including the four-legged ones. Thanks to the generous support of businesses and individuals in our community, Suffolk Humane has been able to make a huge difference for so many animals since it was founded in 2007.
Norfolk Mac & Cheese Festival: Norfolk
September 30th- October 1st @ 2:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Join us for a family-friendly event filled with tons of Mac n’ Cheese, live entertainment, eating contests, themed activities & more! The Norfolk Mac & Cheese Festival will bring together over 15 of the area’s best restaurants, food trucks & chef’s cheesy visions into reality! Get ready to try a mountain of cheese goodness at Virginia’s largest-ever mac and cheese festival. No matter how you like it—peppery, with ketchup, crispy with breadcrumbs or creamy like butter, you’ll find the mac and cheese of your dreams right here!
Suffolk Peanut Festival: Suffolk
October 5th-8th
Known for its fun family activities, Suffolk Peanut Fest offers concerts, amusement rides, contests and competitions, a demolition derby, peanut cup race, motorcycle rally, fireworks and much more.
Whether it’s sipping fine wines or sampling cheesy delights, these events have something for everyone to enjoy. May you and your loved ones enjoy the start to another beautiful season here on the East Coast!
