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Media Information from the Virginia Tourism Corporation

What’s New in Virginia 2026

Last Updated August 26, 2026

EXPLORE MORE WHAT’S NEW 2026
Main | Where to Stay | Where to Eat & Drink
What to Do | Milestone Anniversaries


Openings, events and other information on these pages may be canceled or postponed to a later date. Please check with the individual location or business for more details.

Statewide News and Major Openings

  • Farm Aid Lands in Virginia Beach
    Farm Aid comes to Virginia Beach for the first time on Sept. 26, bringing its annual benefit concert to Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater. The all-day event features performances by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff, and more. Between sets, festivalgoers can dig into concessions featuring ingredients grown by local farmers.
  • Virginia’s Botanical Gardens Bloom with Major Updates
    Both Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Norfolk Botanical Garden unveiled major multi-year expansions in spring 2026. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden doubled the size of its Conservatory and added more than seven acres of native meadows. In Norfolk, the new 26,000-square-foot Perry Conservatory anchors the “Garden of Tomorrow,” featuring immersive desert and tropical biomes under one roof.
  • Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Set for November Opening
    Expected to open in November 2026, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Spotsylvania will become Virginia’s largest indoor waterpark resort, featuring a 175,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, more than 900 guest rooms, a 150,000-square-foot convention center, and extensive dining, shopping, and family entertainment.
  • Eataly Announces First Virginia Location at Tysons Corner Center
    One of the world’s most celebrated Italian culinary destinations is coming to Northern Virginia. Eataly has confirmed it will open its first Virginia location at Tysons Corner Center in 2027, transforming the former American Girl space into a two-level marketplace featuring authentic Italian restaurants, cafés, quick-service counters, specialty food shops, and imported products.
  • America’s 250 Tasting Tour
    Step into history with Colonial Williamsburg’s America’s 250 Tasting Tour, a self-guided culinary experience featuring seven unique stops across the Historic Area and beyond. This flavorful journey invites guests to explore a curated collection of historically inspired dishes and beverages. Each stop showcases the diverse people, traditions, and ingredients that have shaped American cuisine. From 17th-century cookbooks to the influence of West African kitchens, guests will get a delicious taste of the nation’s past.
  • Massanutten Resort Expands with Coaster, Waterpark, and New Hotel
    Massanutten Resort continues its major expansion with the opening of ShenandoaH2O in 2027, adding a new hotel with 140 guest rooms, flexible meeting space, new dining options, and expanded resort amenities. The resort also recently debuted Mountain Mayhem, an exhilarating coaster spanning 3,380 feet, while a 25,000-square-foot indoor waterpark expansion is slated to open early next year with new pools, private cabanas, and family attractions.

Where to Stay in Virginia in 2026

  • In July 2026, Stable Craft Brewing & Cidery opened The Lofts, a collection of five boutique hotel-style suites located above its working brewery at Hermitage Hill Farm in Waynesboro. The new accommodations debut as the family-owned brewery celebrates its 10th anniversary and the farm marks 20 years of operation.
  • The Virginia Guesthouse opened on the University of Virginia’s Ivy Corridor in April 2026, welcoming visitors with 214 guest rooms and suites, more than 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and three new dining concepts, including Poplar restaurant and The Perch rooftop bar. The university-owned hotel and conference center offers a modern stay just steps from UVA’s historic Grounds.
  • The Sitio, a new lodging option in Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park development, opened in March 2026. The contemporary coastal hotel has 20 rooms, an elevated pool and deck with lagoon views, and concierge surf experiences sure to please first timers and longtime surfers alike.
  • The Birdwood Mansion, located on the grounds of the Boar’s Head Resort in Charlottesville, officially opened its doors in June 2026. The historic property features four accommodations in the mansion, three adjacent cottages, and a culinary program that brings in some of the most experienced creative chefs from around the world to create seasonal, international tasting menus for the Birdwood Mansion’s dining room.
  • A luxury wildlife retreat opened in Halifax County in May 2026. A stay at Wilde Manor includes unforgettable encounters with wildlife and elegant suites. Experiences include giraffe feeding adventures and a penguin meet and greet.
  • Expected to open in early 2027, The Rook at South Boston will transform the historic John Randolph Hotel into a boutique luxury property as part of Choice Hotels’ Ascend Collection. The reimagined hotel will bring upscale accommodations and renewed energy to downtown South Boston while preserving one of the community’s most recognizable historic landmarks.

For more options on Where to Stay in Virginia for 2026, click here.

Where to Eat & Drink in Virginia in 2026

  • Richmond International Airport will add several new dining options later this year, including concepts from local brands The Beet Box and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery and national names like Wolfgang Puck.
  • This year, Ashton Creek Vineyard became the first vineyard in Virginia to earn Certified Regenified status, recognizing their leadership in regenerative agriculture and sustainable winegrowing practices. The certification highlights measurable improvements in soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem stewardship, reinforcing the vineyard’s commitment to producing high-quality wines while protecting the land for future generations.
  • Richmond soul food staple Mama J’s opened Mama J’s Market in February 2026 to sell grab-and-go versions of menu favorites as well as pantry staples.
  • Two new dining concepts opened this spring at The Inn at Warner Hall in Gloucester. At Tavern 1642 guests can imbibe on elevated cocktails and refined whiskies while gathering on plush leather couches, next to one of Virginia’s largest wood-burning fireplaces. Austin’s brings refined seasonal American cuisine to Virginia’s Historic Triangle, with dishes such as Braised Pork with Stone Ground Grits and Dijon Apple Cider Reduction, all set against scenic waterfront views on the Severn River.
  • DC’s world famous Old Ebbitt Grill is expanding for the first time ever with Ebbitt House in Reston Station, adjacent to the new JW Marriott hotel. The restaurant, slated to open in fall 2026, will have 12,000 square feet of space, a 300-seat dining room and 125-seat patio with an outdoor bar.

For more options on Where to Eat & Drink in Virginia for 2026, click here.

What to Do in Virginia in 2026

  • The Federal Club in Glen Allen will be the new home of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, set to take place October 5-11. Spectators can take in all the action of the season finale in person or by watching live on the Golf Channel.
  • The minor league Richmond Flying Squirrels began playing in their new home in April 2026. As a multi-use entertainment venue, CarMax Park plans to host hundreds of events in addition to Squirrels games, from concerts and boxing matches to corporate gatherings and fundraisers.
  • The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will usher in a new exhibit in November 2026. The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse will remain at the museum until March 2027.
  • The Greater Williamsburg Sports & Event Center celebrated its grand opening in June 2026. Located on the campus of the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, the $80 million facility features courts for basketball, volleyball and pickleball, a roll-out turf system for indoor soccer and similar sports, a climbing wall and a gym. The 200,000-square-foot venue also includes a banquet hall, conference rooms with retractable walls and flexible event spaces available for a variety of functions.
  • In June 2026, Mount Vernon unveiled a reimagined 21,000-square-foot education center. This $20 million redesign houses the exhibition “George Washington: A Revolutionary Life” which now includes nine galleries and six immersive media spaces that bring the first president’s world to life.

For more options on What to Do in Virginia for 2026, click here.

Milestone Anniversaries

  • 260th Anniversary of the Omni Homestead Resort
    The Omni Homestead Resort celebrates its 260th anniversary alongside America’s 250th. Anniversary offerings include daily historical social hours, Virginia wine experiences, falconry demonstrations, and culinary events.
  • 125th Anniversary of the Virginia Zoo
    In honor of this milestone, the Virginia Zoo hosted a 125th Anniversary Event in August that included several chats and animal encounters about the history and future of the organization.
  • 125th Anniversary of Main Street Station
    Richmond’s Main Street Station is often recognized as one of the most beautiful train stations in the country. This restored 1901 Beaux-Arts landmark has continuously served as a gateway to Richmond, connecting history to modern life under its iconic clock tower.
  • 125th Anniversary of the Town of South Hill
    The Town of South Hill celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2026 honoring more than a century of history, heritage, and small-town charm in Southern Virginia.
  • 100th Anniversary of Agecroft Hall
    Agecroft Hall celebrated its centennial on Virginia soil with a Roaring 20s–themed party in April. Guests will enjoy live jazz, themed drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, lawn games, a silent auction, and the spectacle of more than 5,000 tulips in bloom.
  • 100th Anniversary of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
    Founded from John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s 1926 vision to restore 18th-century Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg has grown into the world’s largest U.S. history museum and a global leader in education, preservation, and research. Programming and special accommodations packages are being offered in celebration of this milestone.
  • 100th Anniversary of Maymont
    In 2026, Maymont celebrates 100 years of its founding as a public park and museum gifted to the city by the Dooleys. The Dooley Mansion reopened this year after undergoing renovations, plus an enhanced Virginia Wildlife Trail with new habitats for porcupines and coyotes.
  • 100th Anniversary of the John Jasper Memorial Room & Museum at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond
    This museum is one of the earliest church-run museum initiatives in the country and houses a collection of artifacts tied to Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church’s rich history and the legacy of its founder John Jasper.
  • 100th Anniversary of Hampton Cup Regatta
    North America’s oldest continuously run hydroplane boat race returned for its 100th year in August. The Hampton Cup brings racing action and family-friendly activities to the East Mercury Bridge at Fort Monroe. Dating back to 1926, the event remains one of the most prestigious courses on the American Power Boat Association circuit, attracting top hydroplane racers from around the world.

For more Milestone Anniversaries for 2026, click here.