Roanoke’s annual Anthem GO Outside Festival (GO Fest) returns next weekend, marking its 15th anniversary with an expanded celebration spanning two locations across Virginia’s Blue Ridge. The free, family-friendly festival kicks off Friday, October 17, and runs through Sunday, October 19, featuring outdoor activities, live music, professional athletes, gear demonstrations, and films.
Festival Expands to Dual Locations for Anniversary Celebration
This year’s milestone edition features a dual-location format with Festival Basecamp at downtown Elmwood Park and an Adventure Outpost at Explore Park. A shuttle service will connect both venues throughout the weekend, allowing attendees to experience the full range of activities.
“This is our 15th year and we are harkening back to that Roanoke outdoor circus from the first year,” said Kait Pedigo, events manager with the Roanoke Outside Foundation. “We’ll be doing an outdoor circus themed parade through the festival base camp downtown led by Soul Driven Train, who is host of fun times.”
The festival gates open Friday from 5-10 p.m., with vendor booths closing at 8 p.m. and Mountainfilm on Tour screenings beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday hours extend from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (vendors until 8 p.m.), while Sunday runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adventure Outpost Enhances Experience at Explore Park
The Adventure Outpost at Explore Park significantly expands this year’s offerings with activities not available at the downtown location.
“We do have the Member One Ultimate Air Dog show returning to the Adventure Outpost on Saturday and Sunday,” explained Alex North with Roanoke County Parks & Recreation. “We’ll also have TreeTop Quest, daytime and nighttime zips on Saturday and daytime zips on Sunday as well.”
North added that new activities for 2025 include “river tube ring toss and some water safety sessions,” complementing the bike demos, outdoor vendors, and food trucks that will be at the park throughout the weekend.
Regional Musicians Take Center Stage
The festival’s musical lineup includes an impressive roster of regional talent performing throughout the weekend.
“We will be enjoying some Larry Keel, which is going to be amazing on Sunday,” Pedigo said. “We’ve got Corey Hundley and the Songwriters in the Round, which is always amazing. Time Florencio and the Feeling who just won the On the Rise award at Floyd Fest.”
Hands-On Activities and Professional Demonstrations
Beyond the music and films, GO Fest offers more than 100 outdoor groups providing hands-on clinics and demonstrations. The event features nationally touring athletes, interactive sessions at the Campfire Stage, and numerous opportunities for visitors to try new outdoor activities.
According to festival organizers, this year’s GO Fest will include a wide variety of unique activities and different presentations from speakers, panels, storytellers, and films across both locations.
National Recognition and Community Impact
Known as one of the nation’s premier outdoor festivals, GO Fest has become a signature event for Virginia’s Blue Ridge region. The festival not only showcases Roanoke’s outdoor amenities but also drives tourism and economic activity during the peak of fall colors in the region.
“October 17–19: Nationally recognized outdoor festival returns to Roanoke with music, competitions, and hands-on adventures across two locations,” states the official GO Fest news release, highlighting the event’s continued growth and importance to the region.
The complete festival schedule, including maps, zone information, and hour-by-hour lineups, is available HERE.
