The Chautauqua Festival is an eight-day family oriented music and arts festival presented each year by the Wythe Arts Council in Wytheville, Virginia. Approaching its 41st year, it has become an event anticipated all year long by a growing throng of fans locally and across the region. In producing this large undertaking annually, the Wythe Arts Council’s mission is to provide entertainment and extend cultural opportunities to a largely rural area and beyond. What really makes this festival unique is the nightly entertainment is provided to the public, free of charge.

The week-long festivities are conducted in and around Elizabeth Brown Park, just next to the heart of downtown Wytheville. The Festival officially starts with a parade on the third Saturday of June and runs through the following Saturday. On the first Friday evening before the official start the next morning, a Festival Prelude is held featuring a hot air balloon glow, food trucks, games, and a DJ on the lawn at Wytheville Community College.   

During festival week, the park is filled with art displays, photo exhibits, food vendors, and a crafts bazaar. Clowns and actors perform throughout the park and there’s music from local-regional groups that perform on the upper and lower stages. The large number of lunchtime festival visitors can enjoy an array of live music while they eat, too.

Each night brings a different musical theme with performances on the main stage by regional and national talent. The festival is proud to offer genres like beach music, 50's, country and western, tribute bands, folk, Celtic, gospel, jazz, rock, and bluegrass from the backyard of the Crooked Road. Festival goers bring their lawn chairs and blankets for an evening of FREE entertainment, all underwritten by a host of local sponsors.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, June 20, 2025

7:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Balloon Glow - WCC

Saturday, June 21, 2025

06:00 am: Hot Air Balloon Rally - WCC - Weather Permitting
08:00 am - 12:00 pm: Wytheville Farmers Market - Product sampling, kids crafts, and giveaways
08:45 am - 09:30 am: Kid's Fun Run Registration - Open Door Cafe - Ages 12 and under, free, no limit
09:30 am: Kid's Fun Run - Open Door Cafe - Start at Open Door Cafe, run the parade route and finish at Wytheville Town Office

10:00 am: Parade Through Downtown Wytheville - Main Street - Parade line up will begin at 9am on West Main Street beside Open Door Cafe.
The Parade will begin at 10am and will end at the Wytheville Town Office.

10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Craft of the Day-Sponsored by St. John's Preschool - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Outdoor Art Exhibits (until 6 p.m.) - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG
10:00 am - 5:00 pm: Craft Show and Bazaar - CC, UL      
10:00 am: Adult Yoga with The Groovy Elephant - EBMP, LG - $15, Ages 15 and up.Bring your own mat and explore vinyasa yoga, which encourages breathing and movement.  

11:00 am: Kids Yoga with The Groovy Elephant - EBMP, LG - $10, Ages 4-8 (parent must be present). Bring your own mat and learn the basic poses of yoga. Max 15

11:00 am: Butterfly the Clown - EBMP, UG - Face Painting-Will start after the parade
11:00 am: Becki the Balloon Lady - EBMP, UG - Balloon Art
11:55 am: Blessing of the Festival - Main Stage      
12:00 pm: Wytheville Community Band- National Anthem - Main Stage      
12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL      

01:00 pm: Hot Air Balloon Clay Craft - Upper Shelter - $15, Ages 8 and up.Make a hot air balloon wall hanging using air dry clay with Laurel Creek Pottery. Max 10

06:00 pm: Hot Air Balloon Rally - WCC - Weather Permitting
06:15 pm: Miss Chautauqua Introductions - Main Stage      
06:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Biergarten - Sponsored by Clarke Precision Machine, Inc.- Next to Main Stage - 21+; Featured Brewery-The Damascus Brewery

Sunday, June 22, 2025

06:00 am: Hot Air Balloon Rally - WCC - Weather Permitting
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG      
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Craft Show and Bazaar - CC, UL      
12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL      
12:00 pm: Butterfly the Clown - EBMP, UG - Face Painting
12:00 pm: Becki the Balloon Lady - EBMP, UG - Balloon art
01:00 pm: Sidewalk Chalk - EB Courthouse Sidewalk - Decorate the sidewalk and see your art all week long!
02:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Games on the Lawn - EBMP, LG - Enjoy lawn games at your leisure
02:00 pm: Lisa's School of Performing Arts - Main Stage      
06:00 pm: Wytheville Community Choir - Main Stage

Monday, June 23, 2025

10:00 am: Outdoor Art Exhibits (until 6 PM) - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Butterfly the Clown - Upper Shelter - Face painting and balloon art
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Craft of the Day-Sponsored by Hitachi Energy - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: 4-H Club- Craft - Upper Shelter - Free, ages 5-12,max 20
11:00 am: Flower Painting Craft     Upper Shelter - Free, ages 3 and up (with an adult).Flower finger painting-straw flower painting. Max 15
12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL      
02:00 pm: Create Your Own Bookmark Craft with the Wytheville Public Library - Upper Shelter - Design and create your own bookmark
06:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Biergarten - Sponsored by Clarke Precision Machine, Inc.- Next to Main Stage - 21+; Featured Brewery- Seven Sisters Brewery

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

10:00 am: Outdoor Art Exhibits (until 6 pm) - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am - 4 pm: Free Tours of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum and Bolling Home - Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum - Free
11:00 am: Tie Dye Fun - Upper Shelter - Bring your own t-shirt, Ages 8 and up (with an adult), max 15
12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL

01:00 pm: Scherenschnitte - German paper cutting - Upper Shelter - $10, Ages 16 and up. Create your own decorative paper cutting while learning the history of the German tradition. Max 16

02:00 pm: Paint Workshop with Debi Gouge - Upper Shelter      
06:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Biergarten - Sponsored by Clarke Precision Machine, Inc.- Next to Main Stage - 21+; Featured Brewery-Seven Sisters Brewery

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

10:00 am: Outdoor Art Exhibits (until 6pm) - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Butterfly the Clown - EBMP, UG - Face painting and balloon art
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Water Day-Water Bounce Inflatables - Withers Park - $15 per person, child must be supervised by and adult
10:00 am - 4 pm: Free Tours of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum and Bolling Home - Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum - Free
12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL 
06:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Biergarten - Sponsored by Clarke Precision Machine, Inc.- Next to Main Stage - 21+; Featured Brewery-Tumbling Creek Cider Company

Thursday, June 26, 2025

10:00 am: Outdoor Art Exhibits (until 6pm) - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Craft of the Day - EMBP, UG      
10:00 am: Butterfly the Clown - EBMP, UG - Face painting and balloon art
10:00 am - 4 pm: Free Tours of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum and Bolling Home - Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum - Free
11:00 am: Homemade Flower Stickers - $2, Ages 6 and up, max 20 people
12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL      
01:00 pm: Old Fashioned Butter Making Workshop - Upper Shelter Stage      
02:00 pm: Paint Workshop with Deb Gouge - Upper Shelter Stage      
05:00 pm: Flower and Table Show Entries and Setup (Until 8 pm) - CC, UL - Free flower show entries, Table Pre-registration required, but is also free
06:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Biergarten - Sponsored by Clarke Precision Machine, Inc. - Next to Main Stage  - 21+; Featured Brewery-Seven Dogs Brewery

Friday, June 27, 2025

10:00 am: Outdoor Art Exhibits (until 6 pm) - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG
10:00 am: Craft of the Day - EMBP, UG
10:00 am: Butterfly the Clown - EMBP,UG - Face Painting
10:00 am: Becki the Balloon Lady - EMBP,UG - Balloon Art
10:00 am - 4 pm: Free Tours of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum and Bolling Home - Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum - Free

10:00 am: Sugarbirds Sourdough Workshop - Upper Shelter - $32, Ages 8 and up.Preregister and pay by June 22, hands on class to learn the traditional techniques of sour dough bread; take home your own dough to bake that night, you must bring your own mixing bowl and apron. Max 50 people

11:00 am: Pet Show - Upper Shelter - Come show off your pet. Prizes awarded for best in show, owner lookalike, talent, and more!
12:00 pm: Flower and Table Show, (Until 7 pm) - CC, UL - Open to the public
12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL
02:00 pm: Craft-Design a Hot Air Balloon! - Upper Shelter - Free, Ages 5 and up (with an adult), max 30 people
06:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Biergarten - Sponsored by Clarke Precision Machine, Inc - Next to Main Stage - 21+; Featured Brewery-Creek Bottom Brewery

Saturday, June 28, 2025

07:45 am: 5-K Registration (Until 8:45 am) - Entry Fee: $30.00 - Pre-registration, $35.00 - WRC, UG - Pre-Registration suggested
09:00 am: 5-K Run - Around Town - Race begins on 4th street in front of Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park and the Rec Center
09:00 am: Chautauqua Cars in the Park (Until 12:00 pm) - Withers Park      
10:00 am: Outdoor Art Exhibits (until 6 PM) - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Artisan of the Day - EBMP, UG      
10:00 am: Butterfly the Clown - EMBP,UG - Face Painting
10:00 am: Becki the Balloon Lady - EMBP,UG - Balloon Art
10:00 am: Flower and Table Show, - (Until 7 pm) - CC, LL - Open to the public
10:00 am - 4pm: Free Tours of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum and Bolling Home - Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum - Free

10:00 am: Journey with Jen Yoga - EBMP, BACK LAWN - $5, Ages 8 and up,Join us for an uplifting outdoor yoga class, perfect for all ages and all levels. Bring a mat, a friend, and good vibes!

12:00 pm: Indoor Art-Youth Art-Photography Exhibit - CC, LL      
02:00 pm: 3D Rainbow Fish - Upper Shelter - Free, Ages 5 and up with an adult, max 30 people
06:30 pm - 9:30 pm: Biergarten - Sponsored by Clarke Precision Machine, Inc - Next to Main Stage - 21+; Featured Brewery- Seven Dogs Brewery

Date:
June 20 - 28, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in Wytheville, VA

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