Celebrate the history, culture, music, and natural beauty of Virginia’s Tidewater at the Rise & Fall Festival, a three-day celebration in historic Tappahannock and Essex County along the Rappahannock River.
Inspired by the meaning of “Tappahannock” — “town on the rise and fall of the water” — the festival honors the people, stories, traditions, and waterways that have shaped the region for centuries.
Friday
Kick off the festival with an afternoon reception at the Essex County Museum, followed by an evening performance featuring members of the Ship’s Company Chanteymen.
Saturday
Enjoy a Book Fair and Craft Fair from 10AM –3PM, historic walking tours, live music, presentations from local authors and historians, and a Pirate Stunt Show by the Moravian Armory Stunt Team. Saturday night, Grammy Award-winning musician Dom Flemons headlines under the big tent in the Max Silver Memorial Courtyard.
Sunday
Close out the weekend with live music from the Good Hope Nu Generation Youth Choir and a visit to the VA250 Mobile Museum.
The VA250 Mobile Museum will be on site all three days. Most festival activities are free and open to the public, with tickets required for the Ship’s Company Chanteymen and Dom Flemons concerts.
More festival activities and details will be announced soon.

















