Make It a Mountain Tradition at the Graves Mountain Apple Festival
Many Octobers, my family makes the scenic drive to Syria, Virginia, for one of our favorite fall traditions—the Graves Mountain Apple Festival. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this large-scale, family-friendly event is a joyful celebration of the season with apples, Appalachian music, handmade crafts, and so many ways for children to play and explore.
This year, the 2025 Graves Mountain Apple Festival runs the first three weekends in October—October 4–5, 11–12, and 18–19, from 10am to 4pm. With free admission for kids under 16, beautiful views, and something for every age group, it’s no wonder local families, including ours, return year after year. Looking for more fall fun? Check our guide to the Best Fall Festivals, round up of apple orchards and pumpkin patches as well as discover some farm fun at a corn maze.
What You’ll Find at the 2025 Graves Mountain Festival
From the moment you arrive, the Graves Mountain Festival hums with lively music and the scent of apple cider donuts and kettle corn. There’s so much to see and do, from shopping and snacking to active play areas and classic fall fun.
Some of the highlights include:
- Fresh-pressed cider, fried apple pies, and cider slushies
- Live bluegrass and country music throughout the day
- Pumpkin picking and a charming petting farm
- Apple picking at the on-site orchard
- Pony rides, a moonbounce, and hay maze for kids (some activities require tickets price $3-10)
- Over 70 vendors selling handmade crafts, gifts, and seasonal treats
The petting farm is always a favorite with little ones—goats, sheep, and rabbits they can gently interact with while parents snap photos. And for those of us who love to decorate, the pumpkins are plentiful and beautifully arranged for picking and pictures!
Tips for Visiting the 2025 Graves Mountain Festival with Kids
Since this is a large event with rolling terrain, I always recommend bringing a heavy duty stroller or wagon for younger kids. It makes navigating easier and gives little legs a break. Comfortable walking shoes are essential as this is essentially a field party. Water bottles, sunscreen, and a hat are also wise to pack.
Parking is free, and there are plenty of restrooms and carnival food options on site. Don’t forget extra cash for ticketed kids’ activities like pony rides and the moonbounce.
Family Tip: Buy your apple cider donuts and apple butter early—these favorites go quickly, and they’re perfect to take home!
More to Do at Graves Mountain
One thing I love about Graves Mountain is that it’s more than just a day-trip destination. You can actually stay right on the property at Graves Mountain Lodge. With cozy rooms and cottages, a farm-to-table dining room, and access to hiking trails and trout streams, it’s a peaceful way to extend your fall adventure.
Families can enjoy:
- Rustic lodging with scenic views in the lodge, cabins or tents
- Fishing and horseback riding
- Seasonal farm dinners made with local ingredients
- Quiet mornings and stargazing nights
It’s the perfect retreat after a festive day and ideal for families who want to slow down and savor the mountain atmosphere.
Graves Mountain Music Festival: A Local Legacy
No story about Graves Mountain would be complete without mentioning the Graves Mountain Music Festival, a beloved bluegrass tradition going strong for over 30 years. Held each spring, this festival draws nationally known acts and fans from all over the East Coast.
If your family loves live music in a relaxed, natural setting, the Music Fest is another reason to keep Graves Mountain on your calendar year after year. Pack your lawn chairs, bring the kids, and enjoy a weekend of music, dancing, and community spirit beneath the Blue Ridge skies.
A Fall Tradition Worth Keeping
From the first hayride to the last sip of cider, the Graves Mountain Apple Festival is a celebration of everything we love about fall. Whether you’re coming for the pumpkins, the music, the food, or the simple beauty of the mountains, this event offers an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
We’re already counting down the days until our next visit—and we hope to see you there, too.
JENNIFER BRYERTON, Ma Ed., our Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, started her career in teaching, Co-founded CharlottesvilleFamily and is a mom of four. A believer in experiential education and an avid gardener, beehives, a fruit and veggie plot, perennial borders and a chicken coop dot the family lawn west of Charlottesville. Jen also enjoys sharing travel, museums, theater performances and nature attractions with her family.