To view upcoming events such as live music performances, tournaments, trivia nights and beyond, please see event calendars and social media pages maintained by our Towns.

Town of Appalachia Facebook
Town of Big Stone Gap Event Calendar

Town of Coeburn Facebook
Town of Pound Facebook

Town of St. Paul Events Calendar
Town of Wise Facebook

City of Norton Events Calendar

This winter festival fully embraces the cold and kicks off with an adrenaline-pumping 5K Polar Run and Plunge into an icy pool of water! Following the exhilarating run, contestants and spectators are invited to warm up at the Chilly Chili Cook-Off. Enter your best chili recipe for a chance to win trophies, prizes, and even cash. Not a chef? Purchase a locally made chili cup to sample others’ creations and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award! Hot chocolate, cider, and other delectable treats are also available from various food vendors. The festival promises a lively atmosphere with music, games, and fellowship.
More information

Gathering in the Gap is a music festival to celebrate the rich tradition of old-time and bluegrass music found in Southwest Virginia. Activities include competitions, jams, and performances by local and regionally known musicians. The day’s events will culminate in a main-stage concert by various professional performers. All events take place on and around the grounds of the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park in the town of Big Stone Gap. In addition to the featured Main Stage performances, Gathering in the Gap includes an annual songwriting competition, musical competitions, music jams, a children’s area, and the “Stitch in Time” Quilt Show. Antique, food, and craft vendors will also be on hand.
More information

The annual Spring Jeep Jamboree draws Jeep owners for a day of friendly car competition, live music, and food trucks all in charming downtown Wise.
Check out the Town of Wise Events Facebook page for more information.

Join the High Knob chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists for the annual Pine Mountain Naturalist Rally. Experience themed hikes, presentations on local flora and fauna, and special sessions highlighting and exploring the natural wonders of Pine Mountain.
Search Pine Mountain Naturalist Rally on Facebook page for more information.

Held annually since 1913, The VA-KY District Fair features thrilling rides, bull riding and equestrian shows, pageants, baking and agricultural competitions, and many more family-friendly activities. Saddle up for a local summertime tradition!
More information

This weekend celebration in the Town of St. Paul is a blend of nature, culture, and festive fun! Celebrate the incredible biodiversity of the Clinch River by participating in the Mussel Walk, birding walks, guided canoeing and caving trips and more. Explore art and photography exhibits, enjoy local entertainment and games, and savor regional flavors from vineyards and craft breweries.
More information

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine is the longest continually running outdoor drama in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the official Outdoor Drama of Virginia. The play is an entertaining account of the story made famous in the early 1900’s by notable author John Fox, which depicts the effect that the discovery of coal in the Appalachian Mountains had on the people of this beautiful mountain region.
More information

This weekend-long BBQ & Music Festival features a KCBS-sanctioned contest to crown the Virginia State BBQ Champion and an SCA-sanctioned Steak Contest to name the Virginia State Champion Steak Cook, not to mention a chance at winning cash prizes!
More information

A 5-day celebration leading up to July 4th. The Town of Big Stone Gap is painted red, white, and blue to celebrate the USA’s independence. Live music performances by area bands, food vendors from all over Southwest Virginia, games, inflatables, races, contests, and more! This is an event for all, culminating with a 4th of July parade and a huge outdoor concert at Bullitt Park. The celebration concludes at dusk with one of the greatest fireworks displays around!
More information

Celebrate the heritage of Appalachia at the annual Coal Railroad Days, taking place the first weekend of August. Immerse yourself in the town’s history with craft vendors, delicious food, live music, and exciting reenactments including a bank robbery and shootout. Also explore the town visitor center’s impressive model railroad display, a testament to Appalachia’s legacy as a major coal mining and railroad junction since 1890.
Check out the Appalachia Special Projects Facebook page for more information.

The Town of Coeburn comes alive each Labor Day weekend with the Guest River Rally, an event that captures the essence of the area’s natural beauty and locals’ warm hospitality. Coeburn’s small downtown area is blocked off to allow rally-goers an opportunity to leisurely stroll vendor tents, enjoy live music and traditional clogging and square-dancing performances and lessons, participate in a cornhole tournament or other family-friendly games and contests.
Check out the Guest River Rally Facebook page for more information.

Woodworking takes center stage at this annual artisan event in Big Stone Gap. A dedicated carving space is set up for seasoned woodworkers to give demonstrations to those interested in learning the artform, along with a vendor area offering the chance to take home unique wooden treasures.
Check out the Mountain Tradition Woodcarvers Facebook page for more information.

Historic Wise Main Street has been “the place to be” the second weekend of each October for nearly half a century. The Town of Wise’s Famous Fall Fling draws locals and visitors in with craft and artisan vendors lining the streets, food trucks offering a variety of cuisines, and two days of live bluegrass, country, and gospel music all performed at the Big Glades Amphitheater. The week leading up to the festival offers games and activities for all ages, including a town-wide yard sale, an “anything apples” baking competition, pet show, cornhole tournament, a traditional soup bean luncheon, and more!
More information

The inaugural Blue Highway Fest was held in 2022 to an overwhelming local and national response, with attendees traveling from near and very far to celebrate the rich heritage of bluegrass and roots music, food, and culture of the Southwest Virginia region. The festival grows in size and popularity each year and took home the coveted International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Industry Event of the Year Award in 2023. Lively musical performances, including from headliner and festival namesake the Blue Highway band, are held on multiple stages along with interactive songwriter workshops throughout the 4-day festival.
More information

Celebrating the rich music, culture, and artistry of Southwest Virginia, the Home Craft Days Festival, held annually on the third weekend in October, features two full days of concerts, craft vendors, and demonstrations of weaving, pottery making, grist milling, wood crafting, basket weaving, broom making, quilting, tatting and more. Approximately 20,000 people attend the festival annually, which includes a standing-room only Friday night kickoff concert.
More information

Each year in the Town of Pound – the first settlement founded in Wise County by explorers in the 1750’s – the community gathers for an afternoon of captivating storytelling. Local storytellers weave spooky tales, legends, and extraordinary stories from the Southwest Virginia region from days past at the annual Red Fox Storytelling Festival. Area musicians and artisan vendors add to the family fun. Attendees interested in exploring the Pound area and locations mentioned in the oral stories are also invited to participate in a 5K or 10K Chasin’ Red Fox Trail Race along the Red Fox and Pine Mountain Trails.
Check out the Red Fox Storytelling Festival Facebook page for more information.

Celebrate the holiday season in Wise County, where festive decorations, markets, parades, and tree lighting ceremonies set the scene for Christmas cheer! 

https://bigstonegap.com/annual-event/greenbelt-in-lights

https://bigstonegap.com/annual-event/tree-lighting-and-christmas-parade

https://bigstonegap.com/annual-event/christmas-craft-vendor-show

https://bigstonegap.com/annual-event/festival-of-trees

https://bigstonegap.com/annual-event/greenbelt-in-lights-fun-run

For parade dates and other Christmas festivities, see social media pages for the Towns of Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Coeburn, Pound, St. Paul, Wise, and the City of Norton.