Bigfoot believers, curious skeptics, and families looking for a one-of-a-kind Appalachian experience will have plenty to explore when the 2026 West Virginia Bigfoot Festival comes to Summersville Oct. 9-11.
The annual celebration of West Virginia’s legendary Sasquatch will take place at Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park, marking a new home for the popular festival. The event is sponsored by the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum and has grown into one of the country’s largest gatherings dedicated to Bigfoot and cryptozoology.
The three-day festival will bring together Bigfoot enthusiasts, researchers, cryptozoology experts, vendors, musicians, television personalities and families from throughout West Virginia and beyond. Organizers say the event is expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Summersville area.
Festival-goers can expect a weekend filled with Bigfoot research and presentations, live music, Appalachian entertainment, family activities, vendors, food and opportunities to meet personalities from the world of cryptozoology and paranormal television.
The new festival grounds will accommodate a large marketplace, with space for as many as 400 vendors, along with numerous food trucks and exhibitors. Handmade crafts, Bigfoot-themed merchandise, artwork, books, and other unique items will be available throughout the weekend.
For those wanting to make a full weekend of the experience, limited camping opportunities are also available at the festival grounds. RV and tent camping will be offered, with a bathhouse available for campers.
The West Virginia Bigfoot Festival began in 2021 alongside the opening of the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum. Since then, the event has continued to grow, drawing visitors interested not only in the legend of Bigfoot but also in West Virginia’s rich Appalachian folklore and outdoor culture. The festival has become an important part of the region’s growing cryptid tourism industry.
Festival organizers invite visitors to come with an open mind — and perhaps a camera ready. Whether attendees are dedicated Bigfoot researchers, lifelong believers, curious newcomers, or simply looking for a fun fall weekend, the festival promises plenty of entertainment and plenty of opportunities to search the crowds for one particularly elusive guest.
The 2026 West Virginia Bigfoot Festival will be held Oct. 9-11 at Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park, located at 19 Memorial Park Drive in Summersville. Festival hours are scheduled for Friday afternoon through Sunday evening.
One thing is certain: come October, all eyes will be on the woods around Summersville – and everyone will be wondering the same thing: Could Bigfoot be nearby?
