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Make Spotsy Your Spot for an Unforgettable Fall!
From colorful battlefield trails to corn mazes and cozy retreats, your perfect autumn adventure awaits in Spotsylvania County. Check out your ultimate Spotsy fall bucket list:
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CONQUER THE CORN MAZE & PICK THE PERFECT PUMPKIN: Kick off the season at Belvedere Plantation’s Harvest Festival (select dates through Nov. 7), where you can navigate a giant corn maze, pick the perfect pumpkin and enjoy wagon rides, zip lines and October Saturday night fireworks. For even more fall fun, head to Miller Farms Market's Fall Festival every Saturday in October for hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a corn maze and more. Be sure to also stop by Spotsylvania Farmers Market for special fall finds and fresh produce.
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CHECK OFF A FUN FALL EVENT: Autumn in Spotsy also brings a packed festival calendar! Immerse yourself in Greek culture and cuisine at the Fredericksburg Greek Festival (Sept. 26–27), celebrate man's best friend at America's oldest dog event, the Fredericksburg Dog Mart (Sept. 26), or catch aviation-style trick-or-treating at the Shannon Airport Harvest Festival Fly-In (Oct. 31).
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SIP YOUR WAY THROUGH SPOTSY: Crisp autumn air pairs perfectly with the craft beverage scene in Spotsylvania — home to a world-famous distillery, craft breweries, wineries and a local cidery. Start with a complimentary tour at award-winning A. Smith Bowman (Virginia’s oldest operating distillery), then forge your own path! Settle in for seasonal cider flights and delicious bites at Cider Lab, take in vineyard views at Eden Try Winery, or tackle the world’s spiciest beer and pinball at Maltese Brewing Co.
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SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH: Cool temperatures are no reason to skip dessert, because ice cream is a fall treat, too! Stop by Battlefield Country Store for legendary milkshakes and stacked sandwiches, then browse aisles packed with country market goods. There's no shortage of sweet treats in Spotsy—find your new favorite in our Dining Guide!
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PLAN TO STAY THE NIGHT: When it's time to call it a night, gather around the campfire for s’mores at Wilderness Presidential Resort, cozy up in a historic restored cottage at Stevenson Ridge, rent a yurt at Lake Anna State Park or pitch a tent under the stars at one of our other campgrounds. Plus, reservations are now available for Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, opening Nov. 12, 2026. Plan your getaway today and be among the first to experience everything the Spotsylvania resort has to offer!
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GET READY FOR A FALL ESCAPE: Whether you're here for a weekend getaway, a day trip or a longer stay, stop by the Spotsylvania Visitors Center for local tips and maps, or start planning today at VisitSpotsy.com.
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A behind-the-scenes preview at Kalahari
Get ready for world-class fun here in Spotsylvania! A group of county staff and local leaders recently were invited to a hard-hat tour, getting a sneak peek inside the upcoming Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, set to open Nov. 12, 2026. The countdown is officially on!
Exploring this massive, Africa-inspired resort gave us a front-row seat to one of the largest hospitality investments in Virginia history, and a preview of just some of the incredible fun ahead:
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175,000-square-foot indoor water park: This dynamic indoor destination will be home to year-round thrills, including the longest water coaster in North America, the Nile Crocodile! Thoughtfully designed with attractions for every age group, the park offers everything from splash areas for little ones to high-adrenaline slides, along with a dedicated section for adults seeking a quieter escape.
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90,000-square-foot Tom Foolerys Adventure Park: From high-energy rides and arcade games to bowling, a ropes course and a zip line, this expansive indoor space is built to deliver nonstop adventure and delight.
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150,000 square feet of convention space: State-of-the-art ballrooms and versatile meeting areas will provide an impressive backdrop for conventions, conferences, reunions and large-scale events of all kinds.
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Authentic African art: We got an up-close look at some of the gorgeous, hand-selected African artwork that will adorn the entire resort — meticulously crafted pieces that highlight the cultural inspiration behind the destination.
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Delicious eats: After our tour, we sampled some of Kalahari's impressive culinary offerings, including gourmet burgers, nachos and confections! Resort visitors can look forward to enjoying four signature restaurants — Double Cut Steak House, B-Lux Grill & Bar, Cinco Niños and Sortino’s Italian Kitchen — plus other dining spots like the speakeasy-style Redd’s Piano Lounge.
Whether you're craving an unforgettable meal, planning a getaway, or looking for your next family adventure, Kalahari is the perfect spot. Plan your stay now!
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Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
Noon to 5 p.m.
Eden Try Winery
This end-of-summer vineyard party will feature sangria flights and pitchers, live music, mocktails and one last excuse to wear your favorite sundress before fall rolls in. Click here for more information about Eden Try and Sundress & Sangria.
| | Fall Fairy & Dragon Festival | |
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mattaponi Winery
This festival aims to transform the rolling countryside at Mattaponi into a mystical realm where fairies flutter, dragons roam and families gather for a day of wonder. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume! Click here for tickets and info.
| | Jazz in the Park at Patriot Park | |
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
4-6 p.m.
Patriot Park
Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation is bringing the 1-A Chord Band to the Patriot Park Amphitheater! Gates open at 3 p.m.; bring a chair or blanket. Admission is $5 for ages 13 and up, $2 for ages 9-12, and free for kids 8 and under.
| | Information is subject to change. Please confirm details before making your plans. | | |
A Landmark Long Gone
For more than a century, a well served as a familiar part of the landscape near the Spotsylvania Courthouse. Built before the Civil War, the structure is featured prominently in artist Norman Mills Price's 1932 illustration of the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.
By the 1970s, the well fell out of use and was removed as the county upgraded its water infrastructure.
To learn more about this "landmark long gone," check out the similarly named wayside exhibit in the Spotsylvania Courthouse Historic District.
If you're looking for a fun activity, see if you can find the three depictions of the old well on display at Spotsylvania County Museum (6159 Plank Road.) Two images are relatively well-hidden, while another is more prominently displayed. Here's a hint for your quest: look for images of three wooden posts tied together in a teepee shape. Drop by the museum any day of the week between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to take on this challenge and to learn more about Spotsylvania’s rich history.
Follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram for more fascinating stories about the county's people, places and history.
| | | What's new in Spotsylvania County | | |
OKTOBERFEST: Dust off your dirndls and pour the lager! Oktoberfest is underway in Spotsylvania. On Saturday, Sept. 19, Maltese Brewing Company (11800 Main St., Building 3) will kick off a day of Oktoberfest festivities with its Kegs & Eggs Breakfast at 9 a.m. One week later, Wilderness Run Vineyards & 1781 Brewing Company (11109 Plank Road) will host their 10th annual Oktoberfest celebration with live music, beer, music, pretzels and food trucks from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Meanwhile, Park Lane Tavern is celebrating by offering German beers in traditional ½-liter and 1-liter steins with a selection of delicious Bavarian classics from Sept. 19 through Oct. 12.
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FALL FUN: In addition to all our favorite fall festivals coming up, like Belvedere Plantation's Harvest Festival, Fredericksburg Dog Mart, Fredericksburg Greek Festival and Shannon Airport's Harvest Festival Fly-in, Spotsylvania Towne Centre is adding to the autumn action with its second annual Fallapalooza! On Saturday, Sept. 26, from 1-3 p.m., bring the whole family to the mall for a DJ, dance-offs, puppy costume contest and adoptions, pumpkin painting, face painting, games and prizes, a Mad Science Discovery Station, live radio broadcasts and more!
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HOLIDAY SPIRITS: Celebrate the season at A. Smith Bowman during the distillery's Holiday Cocktail Series! Each session begins with a guided tour through Virginia's oldest operating distillery and concludes with a festive holiday cocktail class featuring one of Bowman's award-winning spirits. Every class will showcase a different holiday cocktail, so no two will be the same. At each event, guests will enjoy the finished drink, mingle and take home a recipe perfect for recreating at your next gathering. Themes are Spooky Sips in October, Fall Forward in November, and Winter Wonderland in December. Classes are set for Sundays, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 8, Nov. 22, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20.
| | TOURISM NEWS: Spotsylvania County's tourism economy hit impressive new heights in 2025, generating $258.8 million in visitor spending—a 5.3% increase over the previous year. That spending supported 2,165 local jobs and delivered over $12 million in tax revenue to the county. Growth was well-rounded, with increases across all five travel categories evaluated in Virginia’s annual economic study, contributing to a record-setting $36.2 billion statewide tourism impact. Read more here. | | COMING SOON: Happy Beauty at Spotsylvania Towne Centre will hold a grand opening Saturday, Oct. 3. This value-focused store sells makeup, accessories and items for skin, nail and hair care. It's located near Belk next to Sunglass Hut. | NEW NAME: Peanuts Steak & Seafood has officially rebranded as Cherry Hill Fish Co. Be sure to check out Cherry Hill's Facebook page for the latest crab updates and fresh catches! | | MILESTONES: John J. Wright Educational Center Museum (7565 Courthouse Road) will celebrate its 16th anniversary with a special event on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In other anniversary news, Clean Eatz (5426 Southpoint Plaza Way) will celebrate five years in business with a ribbon-cutting celebration on Friday, Sept. 25, from 4-4:30 p.m. | | |
25 YEARS OF DANCE: Strictly Ballroom Dance Studio (125 Olde Greenwich Drive, Suite 190) will mark 25 years of local dance with a celebration Saturday, Sept. 26, starting at 7 p.m. with a dance lesson with Valerie from GottaSwing. At 8 p.m., attendees will enjoy live music by the Silver Tones Swing Band. Charcuterie by Graze Craze will be available all evening. Tickets are $75 in advance or $80 at the door and cover the lesson, the band and the food. No partner needed!
| | Information is subject to change. Please confirm details before making your plans. | | Autumn Awaits in Spotsylvania County | |
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