Events & What’s Happening
Long-running community festival at Elmwood Park featuring arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, food, and activities for all ages
💡The kids' activity area and face painting are big hits; bring a blanket for the lawn concerts in the evening
One of the oldest horse shows in the Southeast held at the Salem Civic Center, featuring hunter, jumper, and equitation classes
💡Kids love watching the jumping rounds; arrive in the morning for the best seating and cooler temperatures
Annual craft beer festival held in downtown Roanoke featuring local and regional breweries, live music, and food vendors
💡Arrive early for the family-friendly atmosphere before the evening crowds; younger children may find it overwhelming later in the day
Annual celebration of local arts and culture in the Roanoke Valley featuring visual arts, performing arts, and interactive exhibits throughout the city
💡Many exhibits are hands-on and geared toward children; check the schedule for family-specific programming on weekend mornings
Outdoor recreation festival in downtown Roanoke celebrating the region's trail systems, outdoor gear, climbing walls, and adventure activities
💡The free climbing wall and bike demos are great for older kids; the festival is entirely free to attend
Family-friendly German-themed festival in downtown Roanoke with food, music, games, and traditional celebrations
💡The kids' games and traditional music make this enjoyable for all ages; go on Saturday afternoon for peak festivities
Annual holiday parade through downtown Roanoke featuring floats, marching bands, local organizations, and Santa Claus
💡Stake out a spot on Jefferson Street at least 30 minutes early; bring hot chocolate and dress in layers
One of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in Virginia, located in the historic City Market Building in downtown Roanoke, offering local produce, meats, baked goods, and crafts year-round
💡Saturday mornings are lively but manageable before 10am; grab a pastry and let kids explore the historic market building
Free weekly story time sessions at Roanoke Public Library branches featuring read-alouds, songs, and crafts for young children
💡Best for ages 2-5; arrive a few minutes early to get settled and check specific branch schedules as times may vary by location
Guided family nature hikes at Roanoke's Explore Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway, covering local wildlife, plants, and trail features
💡Wear sturdy shoes and bring water; trails are well-maintained but some sections are hilly, making it best for kids ages 5 and up
The Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke opens its doors for free on select evenings with special programming, art-making activities, and rotating exhibitions
💡The ArtVenture children's gallery is a must-visit; evening events can run late so plan for younger children accordingly
Weekend educational programs at Mill Mountain Zoo featuring animal encounters, keeper talks, and nature-themed crafts for children
💡The zoo is small and perfect for toddlers; combine the visit with a walk on Mill Mountain trails and a view of the famous Roanoke Star
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡The Roanoke Star at Mill Mountain Park is free to visit any time, but go just after sunset on a clear night — the star switches to red-white-blue lighting on special occasions, and the city lights below are stunning for kids who've never seen a valley panorama at dusk. Drive up Mill Mountain Road rather than hiking it with young children, as the road hike is steep and mostly roadside.
- 💡The Virginia Museum of Transportation on Norfolk Avenue offers a 'First Saturday' discount the first Saturday of each month — admission drops for families, and kids can climb into the cab of a retired Norfolk Southern locomotive on the outdoor rail yard. Arrive by 10am before bus groups show up.
- 💡The City Market Building on Market Square has a downstairs food hall where vendors sell fresh kettle corn, local honey sticks, and Virginia peanuts — budget about $10–15 for snacks that will keep kids happy during a downtown walk without committing to a full restaurant sit-down.
- 💡For hiking with kids, the short trail to McAfee Knob on the Appalachian Trail is beloved but 8 miles round-trip — too long for most young children. Instead, take families to the Mill Mountain Star Trail from the Roanoke Valley overlook parking area, a 1.3-mile paved loop that reaches the star with minimal elevation gain and is stroller-manageable in good conditions.
- 💡Pack a picnic and head to the Blue Ridge Parkway's Roanoke Mountain Campground Loop (Milepost 120.4) — the 4-mile paved campground loop is closed to through-traffic and is used almost exclusively by local families for stroller walks and beginner bike rides on weekend mornings. It's free and rarely mentioned in tourist guides.
- 💡Roanoke's Elmwood Park splash pad runs mid-June through Labor Day and is completely free. It gets crowded between 1–3pm on hot weekdays — arrive before noon or after 4pm. The adjacent amphitheater hosts free Friday night concerts in summer that are very family friendly and draw local crowds.
- 💡If your family eats breakfast before hitting the trail, the Texas Tavern on Church Avenue (open 24 hours since 1930) serves 'cheesy westerns' — a local egg-and-cheese patty melt — for under $4 each. It's a genuine Roanoke institution with only 10 seats, so expect a short wait on weekend mornings, but it moves fast.
- 💡Smith Mountain Lake is 45 minutes from downtown Roanoke and worth a day trip in summer — rent a pontoon boat through Bridgewater Marina or SML State Park, which has a public beach with lifeguards (small fee), a playground, and a picnic area. The state park beach is far less crowded than private resort areas and much cheaper.