The hills and slopes of Virginia light up in the fall, both with rich autumn colors and a great selection of fun festivals. Here are a few to consider:

• Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (Bristol, Sept. 15–17): The line-up is still being finalized, but this weekend commemorating the 90^th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Session recordings will include panels, performances and premieres, with the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion taking the stage.
• VA PrideFest (Richmond, Sept. 23): Ranking as the largest annual celebration of the LGBTQ-plus community in the Commonwealth, this event includes plenty of great food and family-friendly events, activities and entertainment.
• Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival (Smith Mountain Lake, Sept. 23–24): Now in its 29th year, this vine-focused fest includes more than 85 craft and food vendors, 27 Virginia wineries and plenty of live music.
• Chincoteague Oyster Festival (Chincoteague, Oct. 7): The kick-off event for the state’s oyster season, this event showcases oysters in every form — raw, steamed, frittered and fried. Live entertainment provides the backdrop, along with family games and activities.
• The Blacksburg Brew Do (Blacksburg, Oct. 7): More than 40 local and national craft brews and plenty of accompanying food will be enjoyed, along with live music and home brewing demonstrations.
• Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival (Syria, October weekends): The 48^th annual festival includes live bluegrass performances, arts and crafts, hayrides, horseback rides and apple picking.
• Blue Ridge Folklife Festival (Ferrum, Oct. 28): Traditional Blue Ridge folk life comes alive for a full day, with authentic demonstrations of moonshining, fiddling, dulcimer making, spinning, tatting, tobacco twisting, rug braiding and plenty more.
• Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival (Nov. 18): Thomas Jefferson’s own Bedford County retreat is the setting for culinary offerings, artisan food producers and exceptional wines and ciders.