A Guide to Spring Events in the Roanoke Region
Save the date for sunshine, beers, races, and kites! One of the first things you notice when you move to the Roanoke Region is that once warm weather hits there is a festival, race, or event EVERY. SINGLE. WEEKEND.
You’ll often find yourself having to choose from a myriad of fabulous choices. Life here is so hard!
Our team compiled all the top Spring events throughout the region to including athletic pursuits, epic adventures, live music, multicultural affairs, foodie feasts, fine art, and historic parades. All events listed are guaranteed good times!
2023 Spring Events Guide
The Appalachian Journey
LOCATION: Floyd, Virginia
DATES: April 1, 2023
Call it a race if you’d like, but it’s more of an experience. The Journey is a duo race, which means you and a partner have to stay within five minutes of each other. Paired riders can choose 35, 65, or 110-mile routes with each featuring 100 feet/miles of elevation. It’s events like these that make life in the Roanoke Region unique and adventurous.
Blue Ridge Kite Festival
LOCATION: Green Hill Park – Salem, VA
DATE: April 15, 2023
Watch as festival-goers fill the sky with thousands of colorful kites. This free annual event provides fantastic family fun to welcome spring.
Free kites are available from Anthem, while supplies last. Other activities include kite demos, crafts, kite showcase and contest, vendors, and food trucks.
Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon & Festivities
LOCATION: Starts/Ends in Elmwood Park, Downtown Roanoke
DATE: April 22, 2023
Every year thousands of runners descend on Roanoke from across the world. In our humble opinion, it’s one of the best weekends in the city all year long. Why? Aside from our sister brand Roanoke Outside putting the event on, the region’s community spirit and natural beauty is center stage for this race; you won’t want to miss it!
68th Vinton Dogwood Festival
LOCATION: Downtown Vinton
DATES: April 28-29, 2023
Get an intimate glimpse into the creative processes and the vibrant artistic community of the Roanoke Valley. The tour spans six neighborhoods, 12 studios, and showcases 38 artists. View the map and meet the artists that call Roanoke home.
Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon
LOCATION: Smith Mountain Lake State Park
DATE: May 6, 2023
The beginner-friendly triathlon is set at the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake State Park, and gets rave reviews from first-timer and seasoned triathletes alike. The event includes a 750-meter open swim, a 20k bike ride, and a 5k run. Race support and training programs are hosted by Fleet Feet Roanoke and Cardinal Bicycle.
Kids to Parks Day
LOCATION: 64 Parks in the City of Roanoke and Free Movie Night in Elmwood Park.
DATE: May 20, 2023
The City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating Kids to Parks Day with a FREE movie night in Elmwood Park.
BYO chairs, blankets, and snacks. Two Roosters Kettle Corn and Charlee Tropical will be on site.
Taubman Museum Sidewalk Art Show
LOCATION: Taubman Museum of Art and surrounding streets in downtown Roanoke
DATES: June 3-4, 2023
The 65th annual Sidewalk Art Show is one of Virginia’s oldest and most anticipated outdoor art events. Original paintings, prints, sculptures, photography, jewelry, pottery, mixed media, etchings…all forms of fine art will be available for viewing and purchase.
Botetourt Restaurant Week
LOCATION: Restaurants all over Botetourt County
DATES: April 1-8, 2023
Botetourt County offers a slice of Americana with charming, historic downtowns and Southern hospitality in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Head to some of their crown jewels like 1772 Rooftop on Main, the Greenwood Restaurant, Town Center Tap House, or Donnie D’s Bagels for a dining adventure.
Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival
LOCATION: Elmwood Park Amphitheater + 10 venues in downtown Roanoke
DATES: April 20-23, 2023
Downtown Roanoke will be alive with sound for four days; explore and discover 11 venues with live acts all weekend long. Performances include a variety of genres from acoustic sets in intimate settings, to rock concerts at breweries, to funk and reggae at local venues, to national acts in Elmwood amphitheater. Many events are free!
Earth Day Roanoke
LOCATION: Grandin Village
DATE: April 22, 2023
Earth Day Roanoke is an environmental and cultural celebration of our planet and the people in our region whose businesses or clubs support the earth’s bounty. This year’s in-person street fair-style event will take place on Saturday, April 22nd from 11 am to 3 pm in Grandin Village.
Enjoy kids’ activities, earth-forward vendors, crafters, businesses and ideas, live music, and fun.
Also, check out the Clean Valley Council’s separate event in Melrose Neighborhood from 9 am-12 pm.
Open Studios Tour Roanoke
LOCATION: 12 Studios throughout Roanoke
DATES: April 29-30, 2023
The oldest festival in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, the annual event features 90+ vendors, entertainment stages, an antique car show, free kids’ zone, free teen space, oversize games, street performers, and the crowning of the Vinton Dogwood Festival Queen and Court.
Strawberry Festival
LOCATION: Elmwood Park, Downtown Roanoke
DATES: May 5-6, 2023
Voted one of “Southwest Virginia’s Best Festivals” by Virginia Living Magazine and “Favorite Annual Festival” by the readers of The Roanoker Magazine, this annual fundraiser is a family-friendly event where you eat your fill of shortcakes, sundaes, and chocolate-dipped berries and peruse local artisans and vendors.
Daleville Summer Concert Series Kick-Off
LOCATION: Daleville Town Center Amphitheater
DATES: May 6, 2023 (kick-off) – Concert Series Runs May-October
The Daleville Town Center outdoor amphitheater has become a must-see venue for country music lovers and outdoor festival goers. The town center community in Botetourt is a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, complete with eateries, tap rooms, fitness facilities, and, of course, the permanent pavilion. Experience the best of Botetourt and pick a concert to add to your spring/summer fun calendar.
Local Colors Festival
LOCATION: Elmwood Park
DATE: May 20, 2023
Roanoke’s largest, FREE multicultural festival celebrates the many ethnic cultures represented in the Roanoke Valley.
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