Sunflower Festival Dates for 2026

Buchanan, Va – Have you ever wondered what the largest sunflower festival and vendor show on the East Coast looks like? Now is your chance to find out! The Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival, located in Buchanan, Virginia, is celebrating its 11th year this September with days of blooming beauty, community fun, and exciting new features.

Each fall, thousands of visitors travel to this small family-owned farm in Botetourt County to witness a breathtaking field of 700,000 sunflowers in full bloom. From scenic hayrides and photo ops to over 115 handmade craft and food vendors, the festival has grown into a must-see regional event—now recognized as the largest sunflower festival and vendor fair on the East Coast.

Beaver Dam Farm has deep agricultural roots. Purchased in 1900, it became a tomato cannery in 1916, a dairy farm in 1927, and today is a working beef cattle operation that also sells hay and straw. The sunflowers began as a simple idea.

“Back in 2015, we had an open field, and my father said out of the blue, ‘I’m going to plant sunflowers,’” recalls Candace Monaghan, the festival’s founder. “There was no other reason than he thought they were pretty.” The following year, Candace opened the field to the public, expecting 300 visitors. Instead, 1,600 people showed up that day. The festival has since grown to welcome more than 20,000 visitors annually, and in 2023, the family launched Gracely Hill, a wedding
and event venue overlooking the farm.

An independent economic study estimates the festival and its related businesses generated $1.4 million in local impact
in 2023.

The festival will run September 11–20, 2026. Tickets and full event details are available at www.BeaverDamSunflowers.com

2026 Schedule:

Saturday, August 22nd – 6pm AFOG Brewery in Buchanan, Sunflower Beer Release

Friday, Sept 11th – 4pm–7pm

Saturday, Sept 12th – 10am–5pm

Sunday, Sept 13th – 10am–5pm

Tuesday, Sept 15th – Preschooler Field Trip – 10am-1pm

Tuesday, Sept 15th – Ticketed Dinner – 5:30pm-7:30pm

Wednesday, Sept 16th – Senior Citizen Field Trip – 10am-1pm

Wednesday, Sept 16th – 5:00pm-7:30pm

Thursday, Sept 17th – Special Abilities Field Trip – 10am-1pm

Friday, Sept 18th – Ticketed Dinner – 5:30pm-7:30pm

Saturday, Sept 19th – 10am-5pm

Sunday, Sept 20th – 10am-5pm

Field Of Heroes will be open when the festival is open