Fairs/Festivals
Virginia Highlands Festival 77th Annual - Juried Arts and Crafts Show 2026
Contact Information
Virginia Highlands Festival Inc
Contact Email: info@vahighlandsfestival.org
Contact Phone: 276-623-5266
Requirement Overview
- Eligible Applicant Types: Artist
- Emerging Artists: Emerging artists may apply.
- Submission Limit: 3
Media Requirements
- Images | Min: 6, Max: 6
- Total | Max: 6
Opportunity Summary
Join us for the 77th Anniversary of the Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Arts and Craft Show, July 24 - August 2, 2026! This year, in addition to our traditional spots on the Barter Green, we will once again be partnering with the legendary Martha Washington Inn to offer spots next door on their beautiful lawn!
Nestled in the center of historic Abingdon Virginia, across the street from The Barter Theater, The Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Arts and Crafts Show is an established fine arts and craft show that accepts both contemporary and traditional submissions and offers artist access to over 22k+ patrons from multiple states over a 10 day celebration of everything Appalachian (both 5 day and 10 day spots available). The VHF Juried Arts and Craft Show was voted Blue Ridge Country Magazine’s Best Arts and Craft Show of 2022 - 2025; Sunshine Artist 200 Best Shows of 2022 - 2025; Virginia Living Best Festival 2024, 2025.
Nestled in the center of historic Abingdon Virginia, across the street from The Barter Theater, The Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Arts and Crafts Show is an established fine arts and craft show that accepts both contemporary and traditional submissions and offers artist access to over 22k+ patrons from multiple states over a 10 day celebration of everything Appalachian (both 5 day and 10 day spots available). The VHF Juried Arts and Craft Show was voted Blue Ridge Country Magazine’s Best Arts and Craft Show of 2022 - 2025; Sunshine Artist 200 Best Shows of 2022 - 2025; Virginia Living Best Festival 2024, 2025.
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General Information
Show Amenities
- In addition to the Juried Arts & Crafts Show, the Virginia Highlands Festival also includes a curated Antiques show with over 50 vendors, a Juried Fine Arts Exhibition, Youth events, Musical concerts, Performing Arts, Outdoor excursions, Culinary Arts activities, Local History events, a day of writing workshops and numerous related community events over the 10-day Festival.
- Large farmers market on both Saturdays within walking distance of the festival grounds.
- Access to daily on site festival food and several restaurants within walking distance of the festival grounds ( two + blocks).
- On site parking during show hours at the Martha Washington Inn.
- Listing in the 77th edition of The Highlander Magazine, the exclusive magazine of The Virginia Highlands Festival. (ONLY FOR THOSE WHO JURY IN AND PAY BEFORE MARCH 20, 2026)
Artisan Amenities
- Assistance in loading and unloading free of charge
- Access to electricity free of charge (BARTER GREEN ONLY)
- Complimentary bottled water
- Booth sitting (no sales)
- On site parking at The Martha Washington Inn
- Snacks on the Thursday set-up day
Judging & Prizes
Judging will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026.
Judging will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026.
- Best in Show
- First, Second, Third Place
- NOTE : All awards are NON-category specific.
Marketing
The Festival has a multi-media marketing approach including print (local newspapers), magazines (Ex: Virginia Living, Blue Ridge Country Magazine,Virginia Travel Guide), local radio, billboards, posters, and our 100 page program guide to details of the entire festival, The Highlander (30,000 circulated). VHF's website, vahighlandsfestival.org, logs more than 100,000 unique visitors from April to August 15. In addition to the organization's Facebook page interacting with over 14,700 fans, Facebook and Instagram advertising as well as Google AdWords are also part of the VHF marketing efforts.
As the original Arts & Culture Festival in our region, VHF enjoys a great deal of publicity from local print publications, radio stations, and television news outlets throughout the summer.
Application Requirements
Artist applications are processed through Zapplication. We have an ongoing rolling submission process until the show is filled. However, all applications posted after midnight EST March 15, 2026 may not be considered if show is full. For an application to be processed, you must fully complete and submit the online applicaiton, including four digital images as specified below, and the $25 non-refundable payment through Zapp.
Early Application/Highlander Listing Application Deadline Information
Rules and Regulations
Only original craft or art, made by hand, or with the appropriate tools, by the artisan who is submitting the application, is eligible. If your work is based primarily on recycled, repurposed or salvaged materials, please be sure to note this clearly in your application and check the Mixed Media category.
Categories
Basketry, Candles, Clay, Decorative Glass, Decorative Metal, Drawing, Etching, Fiber-Wearable, Fiber-Non-Wearable, Gourmet Foods (grown, prepared, packaged by the Artisan: non-commercial), Jewelry (Precious/Metal; Glass; Other), Leather, Mixed Mediums, Painting, Paper, Photography, Sculpture, Soap, Wood.
We will consider any new, creative, quality expression made by hand.
We sometimes re-assign a submission to a different category if it's determined that the work fits better into an alternate category.
We strive to provide a varied show. If any category isn't filled, we will then accept the highest juried applicant regardless of category.
ONLY ONE APPLICATION PER ARTIST UNLESS YOU INTEND TO CARRY JEWELRY IN YOUR BOOTH AND IT IS NOT YOUR PRIMARY BODY OF WORK. SEE PARAGRAPH BELOW.
If your primary body of work is anything other than jewelry, you may not sell jewelry of any kind in your booth. To show jewelry in your booth you MUST SUBMIT JEWELRY AS A SEPARATE APPLICATION. Please be sure to answer YES to the question if you need to apply twice when filling out your artisan information. You will be emailed a coupon code that exempts you from paying a second jury fee at check-out. As with your original application, you must submit 3 images of your jewelry and 1 image of you making your jewelry; you may submit the same booth shot. Artisans whose jewelry is not accepted into the show may not carry jewelry in their booths. No exceptions. DO NOT SUBMIT A SECOND APPLICATION UNLESS YOU PLAN TO SHOW JEWELRY IN YOUR BOOTH AND JEWELRY IS NOT YOUR PRIMARY BODY OF WORK.
The artisan whose work is represented in the slides must be present at the show. No exceptions
The Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Arts & Crafts reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all work submitted for jurying as well as the right to ask an artisan to leave the show, without expectation of refund of any fees, if it is determined any of the above requirements have not been met. Signing the application form is an agreement that you, the artisan, are meeting all the eligibility requirements stated above. If it is determined that you have misrepresented the origin of your work, you will be excluded from future consideration.
Absolutely NO buy and sell items, hand-assembly of bought items, imports, or work that is commercially manufactured will be accepted. If you buy the products that you sell, please do not apply to this show. Commercial manufacturing is defined as any process by which the artisan consigns most of the artisan’s designs to assistants or contracted workers to produce/construct rather than hand-crafting each piece him or herself. We do not accept: floral arrangements (unless made of corn shucks), edible items (unless appropriate for our Food Court Area), any work on manufactured apparel including tee shirts, items that consist entirely of manufactured parts and are only assembled by the artisan, items created from kits.
Past acceptance is not a guarantee of acceptance to future shows. As with all juries, each one is different, and how you are scored by one jury may differ from how you are scored by the next. Within a category such as jewelry, where there are a high number of submissions, some artisans may not be accepted simply because we must limit the number of exhibitors. The decision of the jurors is final.
Jurying Process
Four jurors view the submissions at separate locations and score each submission on a scale of 1-4. Jurors are selected for their knowledge and experience in the craft or art fields and have included artisans, gallery owners, curators, and faculty from university studio art programs. We use their cumulative score to determine Artisan acceptance.
Regarding Jewelry: Due to the high volume of Jewelry applicants, we will limit the number of all jewelry exhibitors up to 1/3 of the accepted Artisans. If you intend to show jewelry in your booth, and it is not your primary category, you must submit a second application with 4 separate images. You may, however, submit the same image of your booth.
Regarding Commercially Printed Books: If you intend to sell commercially printed books in your booth, the books must primarily feature the works of the artist, illustrator or photographer who is making the application and may not occupy more than 20% of the merchandise displayed at any given time.
Regarding Painting: Reproductions of an Artist's original work must not comprise more than 50% of exhibited works, nor occupy more than 50% of the booth space.
Jurying Images. You must submit 5 different product images that accurately represent your current work, and which will be represented in your booth. Do not send different angles of the same piece, or "collage" images. A booth shoot is required with each application submitted for a total of 6 images to submit.
Notes on Images: Images should be of the product, only, on a neutral background. We strongly recommend that you do not shoot products outdoors using nature as a backdrop--it is only distracting and limits our ability to use your images in promotional pieces, and with no propping. We also strongly recommend that your booth photo be as professional as possible. Please do not include the artist and present the booth as it will be in the show (eg if your are applying Bring Your Own Tent make sure your booth shot is of your tent set up). Please be sure images are at least 300 dpi and a minimum pixel size of 1,200 (either vertical or horizontal).
ARTIST STATEMENT
The application will have a field for the artist description of materials and technique using 300 characters or less. Please provide a balance between inspiration, materials, and technique. Statements are read to jurors during the process. Please submit a well-written statement, as portions will be posted on our website and social media pages to promote your work!
PRICE RANGE
We expect and encourage artists to offer a varied price range. We ask that the images you submit represent the price range you will display at the festival.
Additional Booth Information
Early Application/Highlander Listing Application Deadline Information
- All applications that are received BEFORE MARCH 15, 2026 will be juried on MARCH 16 and notified by MARCH 17.
- YOU MUST PAY ON OR BEFORE MARCH 20, 2026 TO BE LISTED IN THE HIGHLANDER (30,000 printed publications distributed regionally).
- ONLY THOSE WHO APPLY, JURY IN, AND PAY BEFORE MARCH 20 WILL GET LISTED IN THE HIGHLANDER
- If there are still spots available after March 20, we will reopen the application and will approve artists on a rolling basis depending on space and dates available.
Rules and Regulations
Only original craft or art, made by hand, or with the appropriate tools, by the artisan who is submitting the application, is eligible. If your work is based primarily on recycled, repurposed or salvaged materials, please be sure to note this clearly in your application and check the Mixed Media category.
Categories
Basketry, Candles, Clay, Decorative Glass, Decorative Metal, Drawing, Etching, Fiber-Wearable, Fiber-Non-Wearable, Gourmet Foods (grown, prepared, packaged by the Artisan: non-commercial), Jewelry (Precious/Metal; Glass; Other), Leather, Mixed Mediums, Painting, Paper, Photography, Sculpture, Soap, Wood.
We will consider any new, creative, quality expression made by hand.
We sometimes re-assign a submission to a different category if it's determined that the work fits better into an alternate category.
We strive to provide a varied show. If any category isn't filled, we will then accept the highest juried applicant regardless of category.
ONLY ONE APPLICATION PER ARTIST UNLESS YOU INTEND TO CARRY JEWELRY IN YOUR BOOTH AND IT IS NOT YOUR PRIMARY BODY OF WORK. SEE PARAGRAPH BELOW.
If your primary body of work is anything other than jewelry, you may not sell jewelry of any kind in your booth. To show jewelry in your booth you MUST SUBMIT JEWELRY AS A SEPARATE APPLICATION. Please be sure to answer YES to the question if you need to apply twice when filling out your artisan information. You will be emailed a coupon code that exempts you from paying a second jury fee at check-out. As with your original application, you must submit 3 images of your jewelry and 1 image of you making your jewelry; you may submit the same booth shot. Artisans whose jewelry is not accepted into the show may not carry jewelry in their booths. No exceptions. DO NOT SUBMIT A SECOND APPLICATION UNLESS YOU PLAN TO SHOW JEWELRY IN YOUR BOOTH AND JEWELRY IS NOT YOUR PRIMARY BODY OF WORK.
The artisan whose work is represented in the slides must be present at the show. No exceptions
The Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Arts & Crafts reserves the right to determine the eligibility of all work submitted for jurying as well as the right to ask an artisan to leave the show, without expectation of refund of any fees, if it is determined any of the above requirements have not been met. Signing the application form is an agreement that you, the artisan, are meeting all the eligibility requirements stated above. If it is determined that you have misrepresented the origin of your work, you will be excluded from future consideration.
Absolutely NO buy and sell items, hand-assembly of bought items, imports, or work that is commercially manufactured will be accepted. If you buy the products that you sell, please do not apply to this show. Commercial manufacturing is defined as any process by which the artisan consigns most of the artisan’s designs to assistants or contracted workers to produce/construct rather than hand-crafting each piece him or herself. We do not accept: floral arrangements (unless made of corn shucks), edible items (unless appropriate for our Food Court Area), any work on manufactured apparel including tee shirts, items that consist entirely of manufactured parts and are only assembled by the artisan, items created from kits.
Past acceptance is not a guarantee of acceptance to future shows. As with all juries, each one is different, and how you are scored by one jury may differ from how you are scored by the next. Within a category such as jewelry, where there are a high number of submissions, some artisans may not be accepted simply because we must limit the number of exhibitors. The decision of the jurors is final.
Jurying Process
Four jurors view the submissions at separate locations and score each submission on a scale of 1-4. Jurors are selected for their knowledge and experience in the craft or art fields and have included artisans, gallery owners, curators, and faculty from university studio art programs. We use their cumulative score to determine Artisan acceptance.
Regarding Jewelry: Due to the high volume of Jewelry applicants, we will limit the number of all jewelry exhibitors up to 1/3 of the accepted Artisans. If you intend to show jewelry in your booth, and it is not your primary category, you must submit a second application with 4 separate images. You may, however, submit the same image of your booth.
Regarding Commercially Printed Books: If you intend to sell commercially printed books in your booth, the books must primarily feature the works of the artist, illustrator or photographer who is making the application and may not occupy more than 20% of the merchandise displayed at any given time.
Regarding Painting: Reproductions of an Artist's original work must not comprise more than 50% of exhibited works, nor occupy more than 50% of the booth space.
Jurying Images. You must submit 5 different product images that accurately represent your current work, and which will be represented in your booth. Do not send different angles of the same piece, or "collage" images. A booth shoot is required with each application submitted for a total of 6 images to submit.
Notes on Images: Images should be of the product, only, on a neutral background. We strongly recommend that you do not shoot products outdoors using nature as a backdrop--it is only distracting and limits our ability to use your images in promotional pieces, and with no propping. We also strongly recommend that your booth photo be as professional as possible. Please do not include the artist and present the booth as it will be in the show (eg if your are applying Bring Your Own Tent make sure your booth shot is of your tent set up). Please be sure images are at least 300 dpi and a minimum pixel size of 1,200 (either vertical or horizontal).
ARTIST STATEMENT
The application will have a field for the artist description of materials and technique using 300 characters or less. Please provide a balance between inspiration, materials, and technique. Statements are read to jurors during the process. Please submit a well-written statement, as portions will be posted on our website and social media pages to promote your work!
PRICE RANGE
We expect and encourage artists to offer a varied price range. We ask that the images you submit represent the price range you will display at the festival.
Additional Booth Information
- Two Artisans with different mediums may share one booth—if you plan to do so, please note this in your application form. Both Artisans must be accepted by jury score. Each artisan must make a separate application with each paying their own application fee.
- Electricity provided ON BARTER GREEN ONLY (free of charge). The Martha Washinton Inn Lawn does not have electricity.
- Artisans are responsible for their booths including tents (if selecting Artists Own Tent booth category), chairs, tables, booth lighting, display.
- No signage offering discounts, sales, 2 for 1 or other deals are permitted.
- No past award ribbons may be displayed.
Jury Details
Average number of applications submitted each year
150
Average number of artists selected from the jury to participate in the event
100
Booth Information
Booth Options
The 77th Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Arts & Crafts Show offers three types of booth spaces as follows.
1. Big Tent on the Barter Green: all spaces are 8 ft deep by 15 ft wide space. This tent is set up in quadrants of four, with cross aisles between the 4-booth quadrants and perimeter aisles on all sides of the tent. Elecricity is available by drop downs that occur in the center of each quadrant. You must bring extensions cords. These booths are FULL SHOW ONLY.
2. Exhibitor's own tent on the Barter Green: all spaces are 10 ft by 10 ft; if you need a 10ft by 20ft space, please purchase 2 spaces. You may purchase for FULL SHOW or first 5 days or last 5 days. You must bring your own outdoor rated extension cords.
3. Exhibitor's own tent on the Martha Washington Lawn: all spaces are 10 ft by 10 ft; if you need a 10ft by 20ft space, please purchase 2 spaces. You may purchase for FULL SHOW or first 5 days or last 5 days. NO ELECTRICITY AVAILABLE.
Additional Booth Information
The application fee is $25, non-refundable, and must be paid at the time of application.
Big Tent: Full Show only $750.
Double Booth Full Show $1500 *may be configured as 8 ft. by 30 ft. (side by side) or 16 ft by 15 ft (back to back).
Exhibitor’s Own Tent Fees:
10 ft. by 10 ft.: Partial Show (Week 1 or Week 2) $275.
Full Show $550.
10 ft. by 20 ft.: Partial Show $550. (same dates as above)
Full Show $1100.
Bring Your Own Tent Rules
* Please note this is a rain or shine event*
July 24 - July 28 Partial Show First 5 days (Bring your own tent only)
July 29 - August 02 Partial Show Second 5 days (Bring your own tent only)
July 24 - August 02 Full Show
Load In Times
*Please Note You will not be able to drive directly up to your spot so we suggest briging a cart to help load in and out.*
Thursday, July 23, 2026: 8 AM until 6 PM
Friday, July 24, 2026: 6 AM until 8 AM
(Friday, July 24, 2026: 9 AM Show Opens to Public)
Tuesday, July 28, 2026: 6 PM until 9 PM
Wednesday, July 29, 2026: 6 AM until 8 AM
(Wednesday, July 29, 2026: 9 AM Show Opens to Public)
The 77th Virginia Highlands Festival Juried Arts & Crafts Show offers three types of booth spaces as follows.
1. Big Tent on the Barter Green: all spaces are 8 ft deep by 15 ft wide space. This tent is set up in quadrants of four, with cross aisles between the 4-booth quadrants and perimeter aisles on all sides of the tent. Elecricity is available by drop downs that occur in the center of each quadrant. You must bring extensions cords. These booths are FULL SHOW ONLY.
2. Exhibitor's own tent on the Barter Green: all spaces are 10 ft by 10 ft; if you need a 10ft by 20ft space, please purchase 2 spaces. You may purchase for FULL SHOW or first 5 days or last 5 days. You must bring your own outdoor rated extension cords.
3. Exhibitor's own tent on the Martha Washington Lawn: all spaces are 10 ft by 10 ft; if you need a 10ft by 20ft space, please purchase 2 spaces. You may purchase for FULL SHOW or first 5 days or last 5 days. NO ELECTRICITY AVAILABLE.
Additional Booth Information
- Power is available throughout the BARTER GREEN ONLY but you must bring your own outdoor-rated extension cords for access. The Martha Washington Inn Lawn does not have electricity but does offer shade.
- Artisans are responsible for their booths including tents (if selecting Artists own Tent booth category), chairs, tables, booth lighting, and display.
- No past award ribbons may be displayed.
- No generators are permitted but battery powered fans and devices are allowed.
The application fee is $25, non-refundable, and must be paid at the time of application.
Big Tent: Full Show only $750.
Double Booth Full Show $1500 *may be configured as 8 ft. by 30 ft. (side by side) or 16 ft by 15 ft (back to back).
Exhibitor’s Own Tent Fees:
10 ft. by 10 ft.: Partial Show (Week 1 or Week 2) $275.
Full Show $550.
10 ft. by 20 ft.: Partial Show $550. (same dates as above)
Full Show $1100.
Bring Your Own Tent Rules
- All tents must be of professional quality and must have drop down walls
- No back yard or "tail gate" style pop up tents will be allowed on site
- There must be 40lb of weight for each tent leg
- All tents must fit in a 10ft by 10ft foot print. Please no extensions or overhangs that will protrude into your neighbor's booth space.
- All tents must be able to be staked down into the ground. The area can get very windy and we recommend all exhibitors tie down their tents for safety.
* Please note this is a rain or shine event*
July 24 - July 28 Partial Show First 5 days (Bring your own tent only)
July 29 - August 02 Partial Show Second 5 days (Bring your own tent only)
July 24 - August 02 Full Show
Load In Times
*Please Note You will not be able to drive directly up to your spot so we suggest briging a cart to help load in and out.*
Thursday, July 23, 2026: 8 AM until 6 PM
Friday, July 24, 2026: 6 AM until 8 AM
(Friday, July 24, 2026: 9 AM Show Opens to Public)
Tuesday, July 28, 2026: 6 PM until 9 PM
Wednesday, July 29, 2026: 6 AM until 8 AM
(Wednesday, July 29, 2026: 9 AM Show Opens to Public)
Refund Policy
- NO REFUNDS AFTER APRIL 1st 2026
- This is a rain or shine event. We are unable to issue refunds due to weather.
Additional Fees
10 X 20 BYOT Full Show Barter Green: $1,100
10 X 20 BYOT Full Show Martha Lawn: $1,100
8 x 15 Single Big Tent Full Show: $750
10 x 10 BYOT Full Show Barter Green: $550
10 X 10 BYOT Full Show Martha Lawn: $550
10 X 20 BYOT 1st 5 Days, Barter Green: $550
10 X 20 BYOT 1st 5 Days, Martha Lawn: $550
10 X 20 BYOT 2nd 5 Days, Barter Green: $550
10 X 20 BYOT 2nd 5 Days, Martha Lawn: $550
10 X 10 BYOT 1st 5 Days, Barter Green: $275
10 X 10 BYOT 1st 5 Days, Martha Lawn: $275
10 X 10 BYOT 2nd 5 Days, Barter Green: $275
10 X 10 BYOT 2nd 5 Days, Martha Lawn: $275
Terms to Apply
Application Fee (Non- refundable): $25
