City: Williamsburg, VA

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Telephone: (757) 258-5587

Description: Held the first Sunday in October, this annual free autumn salute to visual and performing artists boasts the oldest juried invitational art show in Virginia, limited to 150 artists and craftspeople. In addition to the art show, entertainers—magicians, musicians, dancers, mimes—are on hand, performing on a number of different stages. The festival begins at 10 a.m., with entertainment running until dark. Most performances last from 30 minutes to an hour. Food and beverages are on sale. As a finale, a professional band or musical group gives a 5:30 p.m. concert on the festival grounds. This concert, often held in the Wren Yard at the foot of Merchants Square, is dubbed “the Capper” by organizers, and typically lasts about an hour.First held in 1969, An Occasion for the Arts now draws about 40,000 people over the course of a single day. Artists and participants may park in designated lots a few blocks away. Visitors are encouraged to park on the William and Mary campus just off South Boundary Street, although other campus parking is usually available.