If There’s One Fall Festival You Attend in West Virginia, Make It the Black Walnut Festival

Crisp mornings. Sunny afternoons. Fresh, juicy, vine-ripened tomatoes. Apple cider. Brilliant colors on every tree. Yes, we're talking about fall in West Virginia, one of our absolute favorite times of year in the Mountain State. To add to the fun, West Virginia outdoes it in the fall festival department. And if you can only make it to one of the amazing fall festivals held in West Virginia this year, make it the Black Walnut Festival in Spencer, scheduled for October 9-12, 2025.

Where else can you even find a festival honoring the ubiquitous black walnut tree? There are only a handful of options around the nation, and in our admittedly biased opinion, West Virginia's is the best.

Held each October since 1954 and featuring all the best in walnut-themed food and fun, the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival transforms the small mountain town of Spencer into one giant celebration. Black walnut syrup. Black walnut baked goods. Black walnut wood. Black walnut stain. Black walnut swag. Who knew the black walnut was so versatile? And if you've never tried a black walnut pancake, well then you're in for quite a treat.

It all started when a growing demand for the Eastern Black Walnut brought local farmers to Spencer to weigh and distribute their walnuts via train to distributors. Today, it's a cherished tradition that hasn't slowed down in the decades since it started. In fact, many consider it to be the town's homecoming.

Plus, it's the perfect time to visit the area and check out this town, which has been named one of the prettiest in West Virginia.

So what can you expect from the festival? Part fair, part festival, the Black Walnut Festival fills the streets of Spencer with live music, parades, a car show, an art show, a craft show, a livestock show, a bake-off, a band competition, pageants, carnival rides, flowers, food, a flea market, a nut run, nut sweepstakes, and so much more. The festival has a distinct artisanal feel—crafts and made-from-scratch food are a big part of the community tradition.

The live music and carnival rides really underscore the fact that this is a family-friendly gathering, and locals agree that the rides are what make the festival so special. Let's just say there's a reason that Roane County welcomes nearly 40,000 visitors this time of year!

For additional details and updates, be sure to visit the festival's website or Facebook page. Have you ever attended the Black Walnut Festival in Spencer, West Virginia? It's definitely fall fun at its finest! And there's plenty more to do in Spencer when you visit, as well.

Inspired to keep exploring? Plan your own trip to West Virginia with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.