Virginia Highlands Festival

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Arts & CultureAbingdon
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsIts founder's credentials give the festival
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon

The Virginia Highlands Festival, founded in 1949 by Barter Theatre founder Robert Porterfield, is one of Southwest Virginia's longest-running cultural celebrations, held each summer in historic Abingdon. Now spanning roughly ten days with over 200 individual events, the festival features a juried arts and crafts show voted best in the region, an antiques market, live music, and Appalachian storytelling and heritage programming.

The Virginia Highlands Festival was founded in 1949 by Robert Porterfield, the actor and producer who had already established the historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon in 1933, an institution that would go on to become one of the longest continuously operating professional regional theaters in the United States.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Its founder's credentials give the festival an unusually strong artistic pedigree from the outset: Robert Porterfield, who founded the historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon in 1933, one of the longest-running professional regional theaters in the country, brought that same commitment to sustaining Appalachian arts and culture to the festival he created in 1949, building it as a vehicle for preserving Virginia Highlands heritage rather than commercial entertainment

02

The mystery stays covered

Its arts and crafts show has earned specific outside recognition, voted Best Art Show in the Region by Virginia Living Magazine readers

03

The city starts moving

Now encompassing more than 200 individual events across roughly ten days, the festival has grown from a focused cultural gathering into a genuinely comprehensive regional celebration spanning visual art, antiques, music, storytelling, and outdoor recreation

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The juried arts and crafts show

Water and renewal

Living ritual

honoring Southwest Virginia and Appalachian craftsmanship

The sacred route

Living ritual

has remained the festival's centerpiece since Robert Porterfield's 1949 founding

The local code

Living ritual

alongside storytelling and heritage programming rooted in the region's specific cultural identity

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For Virginia Highlands Festival, plan transport around the exact Abingdon venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual clothing suited to a mix of outdoor market browsing, live music, and, for those joining guided excursions, wilderness trails; comfortable shoes are recommended given the festival's...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Virginia Highlands Festival, stay near the part of Abingdon you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map36.71 N, 81.98 WOpen in Google Maps

Abingdon, VA

Nearest airportTRI — Tri-Cities Regional TN/VA
TransportFor Virginia Highlands Festival, plan transport around the exact Abingdon venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Virginia Highlands Festival, stay near the part of Abingdon you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Abingdon via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Abingdon, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearCasual clothing suited to a mix of outdoor market browsing, live music, and, for those joining guided excursions, wilderness trails; comfortable shoes are recommended given the festival's largely outdoor, walkable format.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Virginia Highlands Festival?

Virginia Highlands Festival is listed for July · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Virginia Highlands Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Abingdon, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Abingdon, VA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLvahighlandsfestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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