Quilting Shows in Virginia
Virginia's quilting tradition reaches from the Appalachian communities of Southwest Virginia to the colonial heritage of the Tidewater region. Quilting and fiber arts are deeply rooted in the state's cultural identity, with the Shenandoah Valley, Roanoke, and Abingdon carrying forward mountain quilting traditions that stretch back generations.
The State Fair of Virginia holds an adult quilt show among its competitions. The Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon — held since 1949 — includes a juried arts and crafts show with fiber arts among its media.
Top Quilting Events in Virginia
- Virginia Beach Spring Craft Market — Virginia Beach Convention Center; spring; check the organizer for current dates
- Virginia Highlands Festival — Abingdon; late July into early August; held since 1949; juried arts and crafts show including fiber arts
- Craftsmen's Fall Classic — Berglund Center, Roanoke; October; billed as a top 5 show in Virginia; juried art and craft festival
- Waterford Fair — Waterford (Loudoun County); early October (October 2–4 in 2026); National Historic Landmark village; juried demonstrating artisans and living history
- State Fair of Virginia — Meadow Event Park, Doswell; late September into October; home arts competitions including quilting categories
What to Expect
Virginia quilting events reflect the state's geographic and cultural layers. Southwest Virginia — centered on Abingdon and Roanoke — carries the deepest Appalachian quilting heritage. Holston Mountain Artisans, a craft cooperative in Abingdon, sells traditional Appalachian crafts. The Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon brings regional craft to a juried show each summer.
The Shenandoah Valley, Charlottesville, and the Piedmont wine country support quilting through both guild shows and fine craft events. The Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival, held since 1980 about 12 miles west of Charlottesville, features 125+ juried artists with consistent textile and fiber art representation. County fairs across the state include quilting in their home arts competitions — the Albemarle County Fair at James Monroe's Highland features craft exhibits and historic demonstrations.
Northern Virginia's proximity to Washington, DC, provides a large, educated consumer base that supports high-end artisan markets. The Waterford Fair in Loudoun County — held in a National Historic Landmark village — features juried artisans who demonstrate traditional methods. Art on the Avenue in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood draws thousands of visitors each October, with fabric artists among its 300+ artists.
Popular Cities for Quilting Shows
- Abingdon — Virginia Highlands Festival; Holston Mountain Artisans cooperative; Appalachian quilting heritage
- Virginia Beach — Spring Craft Market; Neptune Festival Arts and Craft Show
- Roanoke — Craftsmen's Fall Classic; fiber arts tradition in the Blue Ridge Mountains
- Richmond — Arts in the Park at Byrd Park; RVA Craft Show; Craftsmen's Classics
- Charlottesville — Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival; UVA creative community; Piedmont quilting guilds
See all craft events in Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the strongest quilting tradition in Virginia?
Southwest Virginia — particularly the Abingdon and Roanoke areas — has the deepest Appalachian quilting heritage. The Holston Mountain Artisans cooperative in Abingdon sells regional craft, including fiber arts. The Shenandoah Valley also has strong quilting guild activity. County fairs statewide include quilting competitions in their home arts divisions.
When are the best quilting events in Virginia?
Fall is the richest season. The State Fair of Virginia runs late September through early October, the Craftsmen's Fall Classic in Roanoke is in October, and the Waterford Fair is in early October (October 2–4 in 2026). Spring brings the Crozet Festival in May. The Virginia Highlands Festival runs from late July into early August.
Are there quilting guilds in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia has quilting guilds in Richmond, Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, Roanoke, and communities across the state. Most hold monthly meetings and annual quilt shows. The Holston Mountain Artisans cooperative in Abingdon sells work by regional artisans in fiber arts and other traditional crafts.