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July 15, 2026
On Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH) invites families, dinosaur enthusiasts, and curious explorers of every age to experience Dino Festival, an action-packed, two-day celebration of Earth's prehistoric past featuring towering dinosaur skeletons, rare fossils, hands-on activities, the opportunity to interact with renowned paleontologists, and the final opportunity to experience the museum's blockbuster special exhibition, The Age of Dinosaurs, before it closes forever. Additionally, the event features life-like animatronic dinosaurs, including the Dino Festival debut of a life-size Tyrannosaurus rex.
Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, Dino Festival transforms the museum into Virginia's — and the region's — ultimate destination for dinosaur discovery.
"Whether you're introducing your little one to dinosaurs for the very first time, searching for an unforgettable family day trip, or reliving your own childhood fascination with prehistoric giants, Dino Festival promises two days packed with discovery, adventure, and memories millions of years in the making," said Visitor Services and Events Manager Robbie Hendrix-Wirt.
Throughout Dino Festival, visitors will have the opportunity to stand among giants and come face-to-face with an incredible collection of life-size skeletons, skulls, and models, including some of the most recognizable creatures to ever walk the Earth, ranging from the infamous Stegosaurus to the lesser known Appalachiosaurus.
"Every turn offers another jaw-dropping photo opportunity and another chance to marvel at the incredible diversity of prehistoric life," said Henrix-Wirt.
Though no dinosaur bones have ever been discovered in Virginia, the museum's paleontology collections contain an incredible number of dinosaur bones collected from numerous locations, especially ones collected during the museum's regular excavations in Wyoming. From enormous sauropod bones to the fossil remains of armored dinosaurs and ancient reptiles, this year's edition of Dino Festival is set to showcase an extraordinary collection of authentic prehistoric specimens, many of which have never been displayed before.
"While dinosaur bones in Virginia remain undiscovered, VMNH took in donations of 100 million year old footprints this year discovered along the Rappahannock River belonging to huge dinosaurs, from two-legged meat-eaters to giant long-necked sauropods," said Associate Curator of Paleontology Dr. Adam Pritchard, who will be one of multiple expert paleontologists who visitors can meet and learn from during the event. "At Dino Festival, you'll be able to see those footprints for the very first time in public, along with dinosaur bones from out west that show what Virginia's dinosaurs likely looked like. "During our last digs in Wyoming, we recovered some amazing samples of fossil dinosaur scales. If you come to the festival, you'll have the chance to come as close as possible to touching an actual dinosaur."
While the focus of the event is on authentic dinosaur fossils and specimens, Dino Festival doesn't skimp on good old-fashioned entertainment.
Life-size skeletons and fossils will be paired with animatronic dinosaurs ranging from Dilophosaurus to the Dino Festival debut of a life-size T. Rex. Additionally, attendees will have access to many traditional festival offerings, including face painting, balloon animals, children's activities and crafts, as well as the Dino Fest Photo Booth, all of which are included in the price of festival admission. The Museum Store will also be open for business both days of the event, offering a large variety of dinosaur-themed merchandise and souvenirs for sale.
"The museum goes all-out for Dino Festival," said Hendrix-Wirt. "Attending the event is nothing like a normal museum visit. While you get access to all of the exhibit galleries when you visit, you truly are given an action-packed adventure that we believe will provide visitors with memories they will cherish for years to come."
Dino Festival also marks the final weekend to explore the museum's wildly popular special exhibition The Age of Dinosaurs.
"This special exhibit has been a hit with visitors ever since it debuted last February," said Hendrix-Wirt. "It features everything from an interactive fossil dig pit to incredible displays, such as a life-size cast skeleton of Triceratops to the only known fossil evidence that Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex engaged in battle and Triceratops having survived the encounter."
The event also features the Dino Dining District, which will boast a lineup of regional favorites available to visitors throughout days, including:
- Chick-fil-A
- Ello Gelato
- Smokin' Blaze BBQ
- Palumbo's Hoagie House
- MalloyDogz
- Kona Ice
- Bahama Sno-Shack
- El Tilin Mexican Food
- Jen's Cakes with Personality
- D's Hot/Ice
- Factory Roast
- GOT Lemonade
Admission to the festival is $15 for adults ages 18-59 and $10 for ages 3-17, seniors 60+, and college students. Admission is free for children under 3, museum members, and members of museums and science centers that participate in the ASTC Passport program. Visitors who attend the first day of the festival will be allowed to experience the event again on the second day at no additional charge.
The museum also participates in Museums for All, an initiative of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the Association of Children’s Museums, offering discounted admission to EBT cardholders and their immediate family members. Through this program and additional funding provided by Hooker Furnishings, Carter Bank, and Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, visitors who present their EBT card and accompanying ID at the admissions gate will receive free festival admission. Free admission is available to EBT cardholders from any state and up to 5 immediate family members living within the same household as the cardholder.
The museum is also offering free admission to active and retired military families who present military ID. Free admission for military families is made possible by Blue Star Families.
Dino Festival takes place rain or shine, with activities held both indoors and outdoors. Free off-site parking will be available, and parking information will be released on the official Dino Festival webpage prior to the event.
Dino Festival is sponsored by Atlantic Union Bank, Bassett Furniture Industries, Brightspeed, Carter Bank, Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, Hooker Furnishings, Renewal by Andersen of Roanoke, The Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, and Virginia Tourism Corporation.
