January is a quieter, cozy, and often overlooked time to explore Virginia. With fewer crowds, winter festivals, cultural events, and outdoor adventures, it’s a great month for relaxed getaways and meaningful local experiences across the state.
Stay cozy and entertained this January with a curated list of events across the Commonwealth. To help you plan your winter travels, I’ve organized these activities by region.
✨ January 2026 Virginia Events at a Glance ✨
| Category | Highlight Event | Location |
| Dining | Alexandria Restaurant Week | Alexandria |
| Wildlife | Whale Watching Tours | Virginia Beach |
| Music | Winter Roots Concert | Harrisonburg |
| Culture | Winter Blues Jazz Fest | Williamsburg |
Northern Virginia
Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week
- When: January 23 – February 1, 2026
- Where: Throughout Old Town and Del Ray, Alexandria
- What: Enjoy 10 days of dining deals at over 70 restaurants. Top chefs offer prix-fixe dinner menus for $30, $40, or $50 per person—the perfect way to warm up a winter evening.
Ice & Lights: The Winter Village
- When: Weekends through January 4, 2026
- Where: Cameron Run Regional Park, Alexandria
- What: The village transforms into a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice rink and dazzling light displays.
Wolf Trap: The Barns Concert Series
- January 16–21: The Del McCoury Band
- January 23: Gaby Moreno
- January 30: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Central Virginia (Richmond Area)
25th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival
- When: January 9–10, 2026
- Where: Meadow Event Park, Doswell
- What: The largest event of its kind in the US. Enjoy fly-tying demos, casting clinics, and tastings from Virginia’s top wineries and breweries.
- January 16: Saved By The 90s
- January 17: Del Water Gap
- January 24: Butcher Brown + Nate Smith
Coastal Virginia (Hampton Roads)
- When: Daily throughout January 2026
- Where: Virginia Beach (Rudee Inlet and VA Aquarium)
- What: January is peak season for spotting Humpback and Fin whales. Both Rudee Tours and the Virginia Aquarium offer guided excursions with expert naturalists.
12th Annual Winter Blues Jazz Fest
- When: January 16–19, 2026
- Where: Downtown Williamsburg (Alumni House at William & Mary)
- What: A four-day celebration of jazz and blues featuring the Latin Jazz Conspiracy, the Joe Baione Vibraphone Experience, and the popular Big Band Brunch.
22nd Annual Bacchus Wine and Food Festival
- When: Late January 2026 (TBA)
- Where: Virginia Living Museum, Newport News
- What: Sample gourmet fare and fine wines while exploring museum galleries. Proceeds support science education and animal conservation.
Blue Ridge & Shenandoah Valley
- When: January 24, 2026 (7:00 PM)
- Where: Wilson Hall Auditorium, Harrisonburg
- What: Red Wing presents an evening of folk and Americana featuring The Steel Wheels and The Lone Bellow. It’s the premier indoor music event in the Valley this winter.
- When: January 2, 2026
- Where: Downtown Harrisonburg
- What: Kick off the year with a self-guided tour of 16 different art venues, including gallery openings, live music, and artist receptions.
- When: January 1, 2026
- Where: All Virginia State Parks
- What: Start 2026 fresh. Visit Shenandoah River State Park for mountain views or Sky Meadows for scenic pasture hikes.
Want these events in an easy, printable format?
Download the latest Virginia Events Guide here.