Arts, Culture & Appalachian Traditions
The Damascus area has a lot to celebrate! We have a busy schedule of festivals and community events throughout the year, often tied to the seasons and natural cycles. Take your pick and join us in celebrating ramps, molasses, apple butter, cranberries, and more! These festivals are rooted in Appalachian traditions of arts, history, and culture.
Mount Rogers Naturalist RallY
The Blue Ridge Discovery Center hosts the Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally four times a year, in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Held for more than 50 years, this weekend event showcases the biodiversity and natural history of Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Each rally features a full weekend of activities, including speakers and expert-guided field trips. Topics vary by season. Lodging is available on-site or nearby in Damascus.
Whitetop Mountain Festivals
Whitetop, Virginia is an unincorporated community a few miles east of Damascus, by the Mount Rogers High Country and Whitetop Station on the Virginia Creeper Trail. Held three times a year based on the seasons, the Maple, Ramp, and Molasses Festivals are located at the Mount Rogers Fire Hall in Whitetop. Each festival has a lineup of old-time mountain music, local craft vendors, and fundraiser dinners. Cash recommended. Proceeds benefit Mount Rogers Fire and Rescue.
March: Maple Festival
At the Whitetop Maple Festival in March, enjoy a pancake meal with locally made maple syrup, open all day Saturday and Sunday. Take the Tapping Tour to learn more about harvesting maple syrup on the mountain.
May: Ramp Festival
Every year in May, ramps are celebrated at the Whitetop Ramp Festival. Ramps, often called “wild leeks,” are a native plant in the Appalachian Mountains and have a unique garlicky flavor. Their brief appearance signals the arrival of springtime. Sample ramps with the BBQ chicken dinner, and don’t miss out on the ramp eating contest.
October: Molasses Festival
Each October is the Whitetop Molasses Festival. Learn about old-time sorghum molasses and apple butter making, and pick up a jar to take home.
Shady Valley Festival of Quilts & Cranberry Festival
Shady Valley, Tennessee is an unincorporated community a few miles southwest of Damascus, just past Backbone Rock.
April: Festival of Quilts
The Shady Valley Festival of Quilts is a two-day event held each April at the Shady Rock School in nearby Shady Valley, TN. The Festival of Quilts celebrates the art of quilting, featuring quilt exhibits, competitions, and guided tours of the historic rock school, plus vendors, door prizes, food vendors, and presentations. The festival hosts a Quilts of Valor ceremony to honor current service members and veterans. Paid admission; all proceeds benefit the nonprofit Shady Rock School.
October: Cranberry Festival
The Shady Valley Cranberry Festival, held for more than thirty years, is a community event celebrating the natural cranberry bogs found in Shady Valley. The annual festival is in mid-October at the Shady Rock School. This event features a bean supper with silent and live auctions on Friday, then a Saturday parade, craft and food vendors, live music, and family-friendly fun. Free admission.
Fall Festival at Grayson Highlands
The Grayson Highlands Fall Festival is the last weekend in September at the picnic area at Grayson Highlands State Park. Held since 1976, the fall festival celebrates Appalachian culture. Learn about the traditions of making fall-favorites – sorghum, molasses, apple cider, and apple butter – and buy some to take home. This event features handmade craft vendors, a bbq fundraiser by Rugby Volunteer Fire & Rescue, a lineup of old-time bluegrass and gospel music, and a pony auction.
Dashing Through Damascus
Dashing Through Damascus is a new, Hallmark-style Christmas market in downtown Damascus in late November and early December. Shop with local vendors for holiday gifts, handmade goods, warm treats, and unique finds.
(updated September 2026)
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