When Virginia’s summer reaches its golden peak, there’s nothing quite like stepping into a field of sunflowers in full bloom. This July and August, families can experience that magic at the Virginia Sunflower Festival The festival is a short, scenic drive from Charlottesville at the beautiful Chiswell Farm & Winery in Greenwood.
From July 9th through August 2nd, 2026, the hills around Chiswell transform into a sea of sunshine-yellow blooms. The Sunflower Festival offers it all. Families can enjoy memorable day trip, a stunning backdrop for photos, and time outdoors together. Mark you calendars and get ready for sunflowers!
At a Glance: Virginia Sunflower Festival at Chiswell Farm
- Dates: July 9 – August 2, 2026
- Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Location: Chiswell Farm & Winery, 430 Greenwood Road, Greenwood, VA
- Admission: Per person, includes sunflower stems; additional blooms extra. Children under 2 and adults over 90 enter free.
- Tickets: Purchase in advance for best availability.
What to Expect at the Virginia Sunflower Festival
If this is your first time attending Chiswell’s Sunflower Festival, here’s what you can expect.
Pick-Your-Own Sunflowers
Admission is per person and includes sunflower stems. Clippers and a basket are provided to make gathering your blooms easy and fun. Additional stems available for an extra fee.
Family-Friendly Fun
Chiswell is normally a 21-and-over venue. However, the Virginia Sunflower Festival is an exception. All ages are welcome! Families will find a shaded play area where little ones can rest, play, and even cruise around in a classic Cozy Coupe.
Refreshments
You can bring your own water bottles or baby food. Other snacks are offered on-site. There are shaded seating areas perfect for taking a break between exploring the fields.
Scenic Blue Ridge Beauty
Chiswell is known for its historic farmhouse, wide-open skies, and rolling vineyard views. It offers one of the most photogenic festival backdrops in the region.
Tips for Visiting with Kids
- Go early or late for cooler temperatures and softer light for photos.
- Wear closed-toe shoes for walking the field paths.
- Bring a hat and sunscreen for extra sun protection.
- Plan for downtime in the shaded play area so little ones (and parents!) can recharge before returning to the fields.
Sunflower Science: Fun Facts for Curious Kids
- Sunflowers track the sun. Young sunflowers exhibit heliotropism. This mean they turn their heads to follow the sun’s movement from east to west each day.
- They’re mini ecosystems. A single sunflower head can attract hundreds of pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Seeds come in stripes or black. The striped seeds are the kind you snack on. The solid black ones are often used to make sunflower oil.
- They can grow really tall. Most sunflowers reach 5–10 feet. But the tallest sunflower ever recorded was over 30 feet tall! That’s about the height of a three-story building.
- They’re math in bloom. The spirals of seeds inside a sunflower follow a pattern called the Fibonacci sequence. It’s a natural example of math patterns in plants! You can also see this pattern in shells, pinecones, and many other places.
Virginia Sunflower Festival Scavenger Hunt
Bring this checklist to the Virginia Sunflower Festival for a fun, hands-on way to explore the fields and enjoy the day with your kids.
Check off each item as you find it!
Sunflower Scavenger Hunt
☐ A sunflower taller than you
☐ A sunflower just starting to bloom
☐ A bee or butterfly visiting a flower
☐ A striped sunflower seed head
☐ A sunflower with more than 30 petals
☐ A spiral pattern inside a sunflower head
☐ The Cozy Coupe in the kids’ play area
☐ Someone carrying a basket of sunflowers
☐ A mountain view behind the flowers
☐ Two sunflowers that aren’t yellow
☐ A butterfly
☐ Your family’s biggest smile in the sunflower field
Frequently Asked Questions About the Virginia Sunflower Festival
Chiswell Farm & Winery is 21 and up. Can kids come to the festival?
Yes! While the winery typically welcomes guests ages 21 and older, the Virginia Sunflower Festival is family-friendly and open to all ages.
Do I need to bring my own scissors for sunflower picking?
No. Clippers and a basket will be provided for you to use.
What can kids do at the Virginia Sunflower Festival?
In addition to the sunflower fields, Chiswell Farm has places where kids can run and play. You’ll even find a shaded area with a cozy coupe for little ones. Special events include princess visits and butterfly releases. Snacks are available to purchase on site.
Can I bring my dog to Chiswell Farm?
Leashed dogs are welcome in outdoor areas. Pets must stay out of the sunflower fields.
Is outside food allowed at the Sunflower Festival?
Outside food is not permitted at the Virginia Sunflower Festival, but you may bring water bottles. Food trucks will be available on-site.
Planning a Family Outing with the Virginia Sunflower Festival
The Virginia Sunflower Festival is a family-friendly summer festival that makes a great outing for all ages. But if you want to plan a full day of adventure, you’ll be in exactly the right spot! The festival is conveniently located near Nelson 151, making it easy to explore the area.
Pair your sunflower picking with a stop at local favorites like Blue Ridge Tunnel, nearby orchards, or farm markets. Or, if you have kids who love to move, explore family-friendly hiking trails before or after your visit.
Find even more flower fun in our guide to u-pick flower farms in Central Virginia and Virginia’s many flower festivals. And don’t forget to visit Charlottesville’s family-friendly wineries.
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CHARLOTTESVILLEFAMILY EDITORS are locals who care deeply about family and community. We are almost all parents who serve alongside our readers in the PTO and band boosters, coaching sports teams, helping with the school fun fair and more. Our insider perspective, combined with great research and expert input from our wonderful CharlottesvilleFamily Advisory Panel helps us to provide you with trustworthy advice as you raise the next generation of brilliant and compassionate kids.