Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 13, 2026, and while cards and gifts are always sweet, time together is usually what matters most.
Whether Grandma and Grandpa live right down the road or are coming in for the weekend, the New River Valley has plenty of ways to spend the day together. We found a mix of special events happening Grandparents Day weekend plus some simple local outings that are perfect for kids, grandparents and everyone in between.
1. Spend the Morning at the Market
There is something about a farmers market that works for every generation. Start Saturday at Blacksburg Farmers Market & Market Square Park, where you can grab coffee or a baked treat, browse local produce and handmade goods and enjoy some time downtown. The market is open Saturday, September 12 from 8 am to 2 pm, with Jim Korb providing live music.
Can't make Saturday? Blacksburg Vintage Market takes over Market Square Park on Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 13, from 10 am to 5 pm. This one could be especially fun with grandparents — you never know what treasures (or memories!) something from decades past might bring up.
2. Make a Day of Rich Creek Autumnfest
If you're up for a drive to Giles County, Rich Creek Autumnfest is happening Saturday, September 12 from 10 am to 10 pm. The free festival includes local vendors, food trucks, live music, a kids' zone and family activities. It's an easy option when you've got several generations together because everyone can find something to enjoy.
3. Honor a Veteran at Mountain Valor Fest in Floyd
This could be an especially meaningful outing for families with a veteran grandparent. Mountain Valor Fest returns to Floyd on Saturday, September 12 from noon to 7 pm. Admission is free, with live music, food trucks, vendors, a kids' zone and a remembrance ceremony. There's also a Veteran Story Booth designed to record and preserve stories from those who served — a pretty special opportunity when you're spending the weekend with multiple generations
4. Bring Your Lawn Chairs to Rockin' Christiansburg
Kick off the weekend with some live music. Rockin' Christiansburg wraps up its 2026 season Saturday, September 12 from 5 to 9 pm at Uptown. Studio 249 opens the evening, followed by The Jared Stout Band, with food trucks, games and plenty of room to bring a lawn chair and settle in together.
5. Spend a Day at Claytor Lake
Pack a picnic and head to Claytor Lake State Park. Even after swimming season winds down, the park is a great place for a walk, fishing, lake views or an easy family picnic.
There are also several programs happening Saturday, September 12, including an 11 am Howe House History Tour, Survival Bracelets at 2 pm, Dip Netting at 4 pm and a Reptiles program at 7 pm. The history tour in particular could make for a fun grandparents-and-grandkids outing before spending some time by the lake.
6. Share Some Old-Time Music in Floyd
This may be one of our favorite Grandparents Day ideas. Head to The Floyd Country Store on Sunday, September 13 for its free Sunday Music Jams.
The Old-Time Music Jam begins at 1:30 pm, followed by the Bluegrass Jam at 4 pm. Grab something to eat, listen to the music and maybe even get grandparents sharing a few stories about the songs they grew up hearing.
7. Take a Slow Stroll Through the Hahn Horticulture Garden
Not every celebration needs a packed schedule. Hahn Horticulture Garden at Virginia Tech is free and open from dawn to dusk, making it an easy place for a leisurely walk, family photos or simply sitting together for a while.
The nearly six-acre garden includes perennial and shade gardens, water features and plenty of pretty spots to explore. Weekend parking is generally easier too, with no visitor permit required unless university event restrictions are in place. One heads-up for families: public restrooms at the garden aren't available on weekends.
8. Pair Radford History With a Walk Along the River
For history-loving grandparents, start Sunday at Glencoe Mansion, Museum & Gallery. The museum is open 1 to 4 pm on Sundays, admission is free and complimentary guided tours are available during open hours. The lower two floors are accessible by lift, with a stairlift available to reach the third floor.
Afterward, head over to Bisset Park for a walk or picnic along the New River. The park connects to the paved 3.5-mile Riverway Trail and also offers picnic areas, river access and a playground if younger grandchildren need to burn off some energy.
9. Cheer on a Local College Team Together
For sports-loving grandparents, Grandparents Day happens to fall on a good Sunday to catch a game. Virginia Tech Men's Soccer hosts Wake Forest at 6 pm at Thompson Field, with games and other fan activities planned around the match.
Over in Radford, Radford University Women's Soccer takes on ETSU at 7 pm.
It's an easy way to turn Grandparents Day into a family night out while supporting a local team.
10. Make the Memory the Main Event
You don't have to go anywhere special to make Grandparents Day memorable. Ask the kids to interview their grandparents about what they were like at their age. Pull out old family pictures. Cook Grandma's favorite recipe together. Take a new family photo in the same pose as an old one. Let the kids make a card listing their favorite things about Grandma or Grandpa.
Those are the little things that tend to become the keepsakes everyone holds onto.
Grandparents Day doesn't have to mean an elaborate gift or a perfectly planned day. Whether you're listening to bluegrass in Floyd, wandering a market in Blacksburg, walking beside the New River or simply sharing a meal at home, it's really about making time for the people who help make our families what they are.
**Event dates and details were checked for 2026, but schedules can change. As always, we recommend confirming details with the venue or event organizer before heading out.
Grandparents live far away?
Let them know you're thinking of them on Grandparents Day! Here are three ways to tell them you love them from a distance:
Make a video
Kids can list all the things they love about grandma and grandpa.
Send them a hug
Tape together a few pieces of newspaper or use the white side of wrapping paper and outline your child with their arms outstretched. Let your kids color themselves in. Fold it up, put it in an envelope, and send that hug to Grandma and Grandpa!
Ask them some get to know you questions
Check out our full list of grandparent questions here.
DIY coasters
Grandparents love personalized gifts, so make them DIY coasters, either with your kids' picture or a drawing they've completed.
No matter what you decide to do in honor of National Grandparents Day, simply recognizing their important place in your lives will mean the world to them!
