Here are all your festival listings for West Virginia and the greater Appalachian region for the month of May:

Check out our festival guide where you can find all of the music festivals, food festivals, cultural festivals, art festivals, historical festivals, wine, and beer festivals, and more in Harper’s Ferry, Lewisburg, Bluefield, Huntington, Beckley, Charleston, Parkersburg, Union, Princeton, Fayetteville, Marlinton, Oak Hill, Snowshoe, and the greater Appalachian region. Would you like to help sponsor our monthly event listings? Click here to contact us!

Have an event? Click here to submit it!

Monday, May 2-Sat, 7 – New River Birding and Nature Festival – Lansing

Since 2002, the annual New River Birding & Nature Festival takes place in and around the New River Gorge National River in the heart of the upland, hardwood forests that Cornell Lab of Ornithology identified as a crucial stopover habitat for the continued survival of species such as Golden-winged, Blue-winged, and Swainson’s Warbler, as well as the Scarlet Tanager. This bird and nature watching festival highlights more than 100 bird species on a variety of daily birding tours.

May 6-8 – So Fly Fest – Warm Springs, Virginia

Enjoy fly fishing, food and spirits, fly tying demos, casting clinics, shopping, and more! Started in 2019 and has been going strong ever since! A recent runner-up in Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine’s “Best of the Blue Ridge”, this festival in concentrated around Warm Springs, Virginia, is small buy mighty. Attendees enjoy an interactive festival rather than just a booth/vendor situation. There is something for everyone. New to fishing? Try a casting clinic. Advanced angler? Try your luck at Big Trout with this private fishing excursion. Married to an angler, but not into it yourself? Great, try a goat cheese-making class, enjoy local shopping, have a massage, or simply sit by the river and enjoy a good book.

The So Fly Fest is also proud to support Project Healing Waters. Some ticketed events donate their entire proceeds to the cause. We also have a silent auction thanks to the good people in the area, and all proceeds from that also go to PHW.

May 6 – Rock the Block – Covington, Virginia

Olde Town Covington will be holding the annual Rock the Block on Friday, May 6th at 6:00 p.m. on Main Street in Downtown Covington. There will be musical entertainment by the GASOLINE ALLEY BAND. Gasoline Alley is a five-piece rock band out of Roanoke, VA that has been together since 1999. The band specializes in playing note-for-note covers of classic tunes by AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Ted Nugent, Ozzy Osbourne and many others. There will be food sales available from Road Hogs Barbeque and Banger Burritos, as well as beverages from NoWhere Brewing, LLC.For more information please call the Olde Town Covington Office at 540-969-4424. 

Friday, May 6-Sat, 7 – Cheat River Festival – Albright

The annual Cheat River Festival is a celebration of new life, that which comes each Spring and the new life that can be found in the Cheat River watershed. Cheat Fest is Friends of the Cheat‘s annual fundraiser which helps us advance our watershed projects and supports the organization’s administrative costs. Rain or shine, Cheat Fest is always a good time!

From 5:30pm ’till 10:00pm on Friday, May 6th, and 11:30am ’till 11:30pm on Saturday, May 7th, the festival grounds in Albright, West Virginia will once again transform into a haven for boaters, music lovers, and families. Bands from all over Appalachia will entertain crowds with live music, while Fest goers browse the Art Market, learn about other non-profit organizations that share the FOC vision,  buy from a variety of food and merchandise vendors, and above all, help support Friends of the Cheat.

Friday, May 6-Sat, 7– Wild Edibles Festival – Marlinton

This event is not confirmed.

Friday, May 6-Sunday, 8- West Virginia Trout Fest (formerly Spring Fest) – Franklin

This event is not confirmed.

Saturday, May 7 – Vineyard in the Village – Barboursville

This event is not confirmed.

Saturday, May 7 – Heritage Farm Spring Festival – Huntington

Celebrating Appalachian ingenuity! Don’t miss Heritage Farm’s 26th Annual Spring Festival! Come celebrate the kick-off to the 2022 season. All museums open, wagon rides, petting zoo (with new spring critters!), nature center, treehouse trek, rock wall, children’s activity barn, live music, great food and more! Also, the MAKERSPACE WILL BE BACK by popular demand. Tickets available online at https://heritagefarmmuseum.com/visit/upcoming-events

For questions and more information please call 304.696.5954 or visit heritagefarmmuseum.com

Saturday, May 7 – Ramp it up! Ramp Festival – Oak Hill

The Third Annual Ramp It Up! Ramp Celebration in the Lost Paddle at ACE Adventure Resort celebrates a regional culinary delicacy and the coming of Spring in the West Virginia Mountains. Join us for a ramp focused dining experience including traditional ramp dishes and contemporary ramp explorations. Menu items to include Wood-Fired Ramp & Potato Pizza, Ramp O’roni Rolls, Ramp Quiche, Ramp Meatloaf & more.

+ Live music by the Hillbilly Gypsies! They are best known for their high-energy live performances. They have entertained the crowd at major festivals, fairs, and concert venues across the mid-Atlantic region and abroad. Their “Old Timey” approach adds an authentic barn party atmosphere to their shows. Watching the whole band work around the single mic is like taking a trip back in time. It’ll sure make you want to get up and dance!

Saturday, May 7 – Main Street Spring Festival – Hurricane

Hurricane is getting excited about their annual event!! Lots of fun is in store – don’t miss it! THANK YOU to our community partners for helping make this happen:- Presenting sponsor – Electronic Services INC. – Annual sponsors – Putnam County Bank and Martin’s Peterbilt– Event sponsors – Allen Funeral Home, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Central, CAMC Teays Valley Hospital, Farmers Bank and Kevin’s Auto Body

Saturday, May 7 – North River Mills/Ice Mountain Day – Capon Bridge

This event is not yet confirmed

Saturday, May 7 – Mother’s Day Founder Festival – Grafton

This event is not yet confirmed…. On May 10, 1908, three years after her mother’s death, Jarvis held a memorial ceremony to honor her mother and all mothers at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church, today the International Mother’s Day, in Grafton, West Virginia, marking the first official observance of Mother’s Day. The International Mother’s Day Shrine has been a designated National Historic Landmark since October 5, 1992.

Friday, May 13-Sun, 15 – New River Gorge Fest – Minden

The New River Gorge Festival is back May 13th- 15th at ACE Adventure Resort in West Virginia. Let’s celebrate one of Earth’s oldest rivers that we all love to paddle, hike, bike, and explore. Many rivers have their own events such as Gauley Fest, Cheat Fest, StoneyFest, and MooseFest, but somehow the New River got left out. Not anymore! Meet friends new and old in the New River Gorge this spring and experience a weekend full of outdoor fun, adventure films, live music, vendors, camping, and more!

Friday, May 13-Sun, 15 – Minco Music Heritage Festival – Keyser

This event is not yet confirmed… Celebrating the musical and artistic heritage of Mineral County, West Virginia and the surrounding region. This year we will be recognizing the gifted artist Leslie Thrasher who was a Norman Rockwell Contemporary and who painted the covers for Liberty Magazine for a decade.  With musical performers, car shows, arts show, vendors & much more!

Saturday, May 14 – North Bend Bluegrass Festival – Cairo

Join Mike, Patsy, Sam and Danny at the North Bend State Park Bluegrass Festival!

Saturday, May 14 – St. Albans Founders Day – St. Albans

More information coming soon…

Saturday, May 14 – Feast of the Ramson – Richwood

Welcome to the Ramp Capital of the World! Don’t miss this culinary event of the 83rd annual Feast of the Ramson. Dinner consists of ramps, potatoes, brown beans, cornbread, ham and bacon, desserts, Sassafras tea (also available for sale) and cold drinks. In addition, there will be local Appalachian music being played. 10:00am – 3:00pm (or until the food runs out!) Location: Richwood Community Center (formerly Armory at the City Park)

Sunday, May 15 – Beltaine in the Forest Festival – Charleston – POSTPONED UNTIL 2023

Saturday, May 14-Sun, 22 – West Virginia Strawberry Festival – Buckhannon

Enjoy the West Virginia Strawberry Festival in beautiful downtown Buckhannon, West Virginia. Exciting events, great food, carnival, and fun for all. As always, there will be a car parade and cruise, which is a fan favorite. Fitting in perfectly with this years theme ‘Strawberry Flashback’, the car parade and cruise-in will take you back in time as you admire the beauty preserved in the vehicles showcased. Stick around for the grand feature parade on Saturday, May 21, and catch the classic car parade which will directly follow. As the cars reach Main Street from Strawberry Lane, they’ll park, and you’ll have the chance to take a stroll back in time down historical Main Street Buckhannon and once again admire the classic cars. Festival organizers would like to thank Performance Chevrolet and WV Classic Wheels Car Club for making the cruise in possible!

Saturday, May 21 – WV PubFest – Cool Ridge

WVPubFest 2022 at Weathered Ground Brewery is next month and the lineup is stacked with a little something for everyone! Tickets -> WVPUBFEST.COM This festival is designed by musicians to be an escape into the incredible talent harbored in West Virginia, WVPUBFEST is a family-friendly all day concert featuring over 20 WV musical acts on 2 stages at the beautiful Weathered Ground Brewery.

WVPubfest is a fundraiser for WVCollective and WV Public Broadcasting that has raised $10,000 dollars to date that directly support public radio in the Mountain State.

Saturday, May 21 – Engines and Wheels Festival – Cairo

If it has an engine or wheels, bring it out May 5 to the annual Engines and Wheels Festival at North Bend State Park.

Saturday, May 21 – BB&T Malden Salt Fest – Malden

The 4th Annual BB&T Malden Salt Fest will be Saturday, May 21, 2022. This event is free to the public and will host artisans, food vendors, musicians, lecturers and activities from all over Appalachia to celebrate the history of the Kanawha Valley. Specifically the history stemming from the Salt Industry that once thrived in the valley, and now, thanks to Nancy Bruns and Lewis Payne, continues to prosper in a new light.

Live Music All Day

• Kanawha Tradition with the Appalachian Country Cloggers 11:30
• The Tray Wellington Band 1:00
• Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle  3:00

Kids’ Zone, Food Trucks, Food and Craft Artisans, Craft Beer, Historic Talks and Demonstrations by: The Appalachian Shawnee Tribe and The Daniel Boone Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. and more!

Thursday, May 26-Sat, 28 – Three Rivers Festival – Fairmont

Since 1983. Three Rivers Festival has opened on Thursday, with the start of the Grand Feature Parade followed by the Opening Ceremonies at Palatine Park in Downtown Fairmont. Following this are three days of fun-filled activities for the whole family. Please come and enjoy the live entertainment, carnival, parade, fantastic food and a gigantic fireworks display to finish it all off. It all culminates Saturday with the Amateur Pepperoni Roll Bake-Off, so come hungry because the public chooses the winner here.  So now that you have sampled the local fare and spent a weekend riding carnival rides, sit back and enjoy the evenings scheduled entertainment, followed by fireworks. Monongahela, Tygart and the West Fork River will lead you to a  weekend of fun to kick off your summer here in Fairmont.

Thursday, May 26-Sat, 28 – Country Roads BBQ Clash and WV WingFest – Morgantown

Welcome to Morgantown West Virginia’s 2nd Annual Country Roads BBQ Clash & WV WingFest. Wing Vendors from around the region will be competing for both the Judges & People’s Choice awards. Other competitions will be happening throughout the day for an afternoon of fun and excitement!

This is a community festival featuring amazing food, and entertainment in a family-friendly atmosphere supporting the Hoss Foundation. With competition teams from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond, they will be competing for over $10,000 in cash prizes, and the chance to compete in the annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue in Lynchburg, TN and The American Royal in Kansas City, MO.

Friday, May 27-Sat 28 – Oglebay’s Backyard BBQ Festival – Wheeling

Kick off summer with Oglebay’s first Backyard BBQ Festival presented by The Glessner Group. It’s a full weekend of beer, bourbon, bands, bacon, biscuits and some of the best BBQ from around the country! Throughout the weekend we will feature live entertainment on three different stages by local and national acts, including a live concert by the Gin Blossoms, with special guests The Clarks. 

Festival events and activities are open to the public. Tickets for the Gin Blossoms and The Clarks concert are on sale now!

Friday, May 27-Sun, 29– ArtSpring Festival – Tucker County

Don’t miss Tucker County’s annual celebration of the arts! ArtSpring was founded in 2011 when gallery owners, artists and musicians of Tucker County came together with a vision to connect and promote its rich and varied arts communities. From such was born the ArtSpring festival, a Memorial-Day-Weekend tour of Tucker County: an opportunity for visitors and residents alike to see the arts communities unite in a collective effort to show just how dynamic and extensive the presence of the arts are in our county.

In recent years, this festival has embraced:

• fine art and craft demonstrations, open studio tours, gallery exhibits, and outdoor painting
• street musicians at numerous outdoor locations, as well as special bookings at the Purple Fiddle and Mountain State Brew Pub
• a community theatre radio show performance in the historic Cottrill’s Opera House in Thomas
• a traditional square dance• nature photography walks in Canaan Valley
• kids crafting, window painting, hair decorations, dance recital, and a student mural project
• artisan foods and drinks at local restaurants, including an Appalachian farm-to-table tapas and craft cocktail tasting
• outdoor farmer/artisan market
• a silent auction of local art to benefit art education in Tucker County schools and the restoration of Cottrill’s Opera House, slated to return as an arts center and community hub of Tucker County

Friday, May 27-Sun, 29 – Vandalia Gathering – Charleston

Each year at the Vandalia Gathering, West Virginia’s highest folklife honor – the Vandalia Award – is presented in a ceremony on the stage of the Cultural Center theater. The individuals who receive this award embody the spirit of our state’s folk heritage and are recognized for their lifetime contribution to West Virginia and its traditional culture.

This is an annual celebration of the traditional arts, music, dance, stories, crafts and food of West Virginia. Join them every Memorial Day weekend, Friday through Sunday.

Saturday, May 28 – Brewfest – Huntington

The 4th annual BrewGrass Festival will take place on Saturday, May 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 210 11th St in Historical Heritage Station, Huntington, West Virginia. Hosted by Taps at Heritage, founder, Ray Frye and a team of dedicated volunteers.The annual event raises money for the local Veterans Home and the Huntington community by attracting thousands of people from the tri-state area.BrewGrass 2022 features longer hours, additional bands, a wine tent, along with craft beer and cider, local food and merchandise vendors. Tickets will be available for purchase on March 1st on EVENTBRITE.COM or can be purchased at Taps at Heritage, located at 210 11th St Suite #9 in Huntington, WV.

Friday, May 27-Sun, 29 – West Virginia Dandelion Festival – White Sulphur Springs

In celebration and appreciation for the determination of the dandelion. The gutsy little flower fights its way through velvety lawns, dodges mowers and weed killer and against all odds, reigns supreme as it blankets the village each Spring. “We Salute you. Our West Virginia dandelion”

Schedule of events:

Friday, May 27:

• 5p-9pm: Sip n Stroll at Valley View Country Club. Music by Caleb Bailey and Paine’s Run
• 6p-8pm: Art Show Opening with wine and cheese reception. Music by Allan Sizemore. at White Sulphur Springs Libary
• 7-10pm: Music by Dark matters at Cross Creek on Main

Saturday, May 28

• 7:30am: Dandelion Dreams Chase 5k at Valley View Country Club
• 8am: Children’s Fishing Derby at National Fish Hatchery
• 10am-dusk: Vendors + Kids Activities
• 11am-3pm: Art Show Exhibit at WSS Public Library
• 11am: Walk and Talk like a Chicken on the main stage
• 11:30am: Turkey Calling Contest on the main stage
• 12:30pm: Teddy Bear Tea Picnic at Sugar Bears
• 12p-10pm: Beer Garden at Big Draft Brewing
• 12pm: Live music by Short & Company on the main stage stage
• 2pm: Live music by Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys at Old Mill Park
• 2pm: RC Race on main street
• 4pm: Live music by Of the Dell on the main stage
• 6:30pm: Dandy Legs Contest on the main stage
• 7p-10pm: Live music by Vern’s Pot O Chili on the main stage
• Evening: Fireworks show

Sunday, May 29:

• 11am-1pm: Art Show Exhibit at WSS Library
• 12p-2pm: Veterans BBQ Luncheon at Paisley Park Pavilion
• 2pm: Veterans Memorial Ceremony on the main stage
• 4pm: WV Dandelion Festival Parade

Friday, May 27-Mon, 30 – River City Festival of the Arts – Rowlesburg

More information coming soon…

Saturday, May 28 – Cracker & the Larry Keel Experience at The Farm at Glen Haven

Join The Farm at Glen Haven for a night of amazing talent & live music under the stars with headliners, Cracker and the Larry Keel Experience! This is a family-friendly Memorial Day weekend performance will be a genre-bending experience set to excite live music fans of all ages. From Americana, pop, country, bluegrass, blues, and rock n’ roll, there will be a display of ear candy for most every flavor.

The event will kick off with Alleghany favorites, Chad Nickell & The Loose Change, followed by Washington D.C.’s blues & guitar virtuoso, Bobby Thompson, & Revelator Hill. Joining Revelator Hill, will be the soulful sounds of special guest, Rachel Ann, of the Ron Holloway Band. 

Saturday, May 28 – Pickin on the Hill Bluegrass Festival – French Creek

More information coming soon…

Saturday, May 28 – BrewGrass Beer, Cider and Music Festival – Huntington

Brewgrass is the regions premier Beer and music festival and in our 4th year, BG continues to gain fans who want a festival with a more personal experience. Our festival is set in the historic surroundings of Heritage Station, nestled by the river in beautiful downtown Huntington, WV. This intimate festival offers live music from a variety of genres from national, regional, and local acts. Past performers have included Ona, The Bing Brothers, Shultz Creek, The Sour Mash String Band, Matt Petty and the Whiskey Chasers, Sasha Colette, Bar and John Bassin. We continue to highlight local and state breweries at BG as well as a pleasant mix of national and global beer selections. The menu will be more robust this year as we include craft ciders and a new wine tent to the festival!

Saturday, May 28 – Martinsburg Wine Festival – Martinsburg

Enjoy amazing regional wine and beer, delicious food, fantastic music and More!

@hashtagwv

Alderson Berry Fest, Thomas Taylor Band, Crawfish Boil, and so much more! Pick up #HashtagWV this May! #eventsforyou

♬ Flop Eared Mule – Clark Kessinger

Saturday, May 28 – Alderson Strawberry Festival – Alderson

The 2022 Alderson Strawberry Festival will be Saturday, May 28 from 10am until 4pm. Come out and enjoy family-friendly fun, shopping, food, games, music & of course all things strawberry! Much of the festival takes place on the pedestrian bridge spanning across the beautiful Greenbrier River! There will be plenty to do on both sides of the bridge so be sure to visit Greenbrier and Monroe Counties to enjoy the complete festival. There will be a variety of activities and fun for all ages! After you take in the festival, take the short 4 mile trip to the 2+ acre strawberry patch at Sunset Berry Farm to pick your own strawberries, ride the bucking cow barrel train, play on the largest jump pad in the state, do a scavenger hunt in the fairy garden, test you skills at paintball target shooting and find your way through the cover crop maze!

Saturday, May 28-Sun, 29 – Woodchopping Festival – Webster Springs

Each Memorial Day weekend, woodchoppers from around the world compete for the Southern U.S. World Championship title in Webster Springs, WV.

This festival is a natural outgrowth of Webster County’s timbering heritage. The sport of Wood Chopping, was born in the mountain logging camps as young men sought to entertain themselves showing off their skill and endurance. All-Around Champion Arden Cogar, Sr., a native of Webster County is one of the many local legends who has helped build the festival. He began competing in 1956 and has since won 47 championship titles in the US and Australia

Saturday, May 28-Sun, 29 – North Mountain Arts Festival – Martinsburg

More information coming soon…

Thursday, June 2-Sat, 4 – Mountain Music Festival

West Virginia’s best music festival is back at ACE Adventure Resort this summer June 2- 4, 2022. They are super excited and gearing up for the 8th year of Mountain Music Festival. Features over 30 bands on a beautiful mountaintop stage including Galactic, Cory Wong, TAUK PAPER SCISSORS!, Ripe, Big Something, The Motet & more!!

Plus tasty food, creative vendors, mind blowing visual artists, fun workshops, glorious camping and epic adventures right here in the New River Gorge. This is Appalachia’s destination music festival featuring outdoor adventures alongside your favorite music! Stay up to date on their Facebook Event Page!

Friday, June 3-Sun, 12 – Cole Chevy Mountain Festival – Bluefield

For more than 30 years, the festival has provided carnival rides, a lumberjack contest, petting zoo, traditional carnival food, vendors, entertainment, music and more. Special events throughout the week this year include Mutts Gone Nuts, Magic by Chaz, Roasaire’s Royal Racers-Pig Racing, Bowling Tournament, Little Roy & Lizzy, Miracle on the Mountain Wrestling VIII, Beach Night and of course a HUGE Fireworks display.

The Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias is the sponsors for the Cole Chevy Mountain Festival with events to  include:  James H . Drew Exposition – Carnival; entertainment and activities during the 10 day festival; fireworks for two nights.  Visit the Chamber’s website as schedule of entertainment is set during that week.  Kyle Hurt is the General Chairperson.  For more details, call the Chamber office at 304-327-7184.

Have an event? Click here to submit it!