Middleburg Film Festival 2026: Weekend Itinerary and Where to Stay Guide

If you are planning around Middleburg Film Festival 2026, this is the weekend playbook — what to prioritize, how to move, and where to land after the main event. Locals keep coming back for details like Backstage All-Access Pass includes: Invitation to Thursday VIP Welcome Reception, Opening Night Film & After Party, Priority entry with RESERVED SEATING for all films and conversations, Saturday Night Centerpiece Film & After Party, Concert featuring leading film composer, Private Breakfast with Filmmakers & Film Industry Guests, Dedicated Festival Concierge, Commemorative catalogue and festival gift bag.; Film Lovers Pass includes: Opening Night Film and After Party, Entry to all films and conversations throughout the festival, Saturday Night Centerpiece Film & After Party, Concert featuring leading film composer, Commemorative catalogue..

Individual tickets may be purchased from the website at middleburgfilm.org or on the mobile app. Individual tickets will go on sale at the beginning of October when the full slate and schedule are announced. 2025 Advance Festival Passes are final, strictly non-transferrable, and may not be shared. There will be no refunds, exchanges, or substitutions unless events are cancelled by the festival. If the festival is cancelled, you will have the option to roll-over your pass to next year's festival or receive a refund. Box office hours will be posted as we get closer to the festival. Check listings on the website for more information on Conversations and other special events. Check the festival website closer to the festival for shuttle routes and times. Anchor your plans around Middleburg, Virginia so transfers stay short.

Here is what the official materials currently emphasize:

• Pre-opening Film: A "pre-opening" film will be shown on Thursday afternoon at the Middleburg Community Center.
• Opening Night Film: The Opening Night Film will be at 7:00 pm at Salamander Resort.
• Film Screenings and Conversations: Film screenings and conversations will take place at four venues starting at approximately 9:00 am until 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.
• Sunday Film Screenings: Film screenings and conversations will take place from 9:00 am until 7 pm on Sunday.
• Shuttle Buses: Shuttle buses will run throughout the day and evening with stops at Festival Headquarters, The Hill School, Middleburg Community Center, and Salamander Resort & Spa.

Treat Friday as a soft landing: check in near Middleburg, Virginia, walk the neighborhood, and set a dinner reservation so you are not hunting for a table after a long drive. Fun context while you settle in: The Middleburg Film Festival is located in Middleburg, Virginia, which is one hour from downtown Washington, D.C. and 30 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport.

Make Saturday your full commitment day. Start earlier than you think you need to, build in a mid-afternoon reset, and leave room for a spontaneous set, screening, or booth you did not plan for. Keep Pre-opening Film on your radar: A "pre-opening" film will be shown on Thursday afternoon at the Middleburg Community Center.

Sunday is for the one thing you skipped, a slower brunch, and an easier exit. If parking or rideshares spike after big closers, leave a little early and you will thank yourself on the highway.

Quick answers pulled from official pages:

• What kind of films will be shown at the Middleburg Film Festival? More than 45 films, including narratives and documentaries, are screened. These films are carefully curated and include many likely Academy Award contenders and the "best of independent film" selected from leading festivals. The film slate typically focuses on a wide variety of subjects including music, the environment, fashion, family relationships, history, biographies, and social justice issues.
• How do I get tickets? Individual tickets may be purchased from the website at middleburgfilm.org or on the mobile app. Individual tickets will go on sale at the beginning of October when the full slate and schedule are announced.
• What are the specific venues for the film screenings? Screenings take place at Salamander Resort (500 North Pendleton Street, Middleburg), The Hill School (130 S. Madison St, Middleburg), Middleburg Community Center (300 W. Washington St, Middleburg), and National Sporting Library (102 The Plains Rd, Middleburg).
• What other events will be there during the festival? There will be Conversations held throughout the festival, and a concert honoring a leading film composer. These and other special events will be held at the Salamander Resort & Spa, in either the Library or Coca Cola Tent & Lounge.
• Will it be difficult to park in town and/or at the venues? There's ample free parking at all venues throughout the festival as well as other places throughout the town. The parking meters on Main Street will be free throughout the festival. Shuttle buses also run on a continuous loop.

Backstage All-Access Pass includes: Invitation to Thursday VIP Welcome Reception, Opening Night Film & After Party, Priority entry with RESERVED SEATING for all films and conversations, Saturday Night Centerpiece Film & After Party, Concert featuring leading film composer, Private Breakfast with Filmmakers & Film Industry Guests, Dedicated Festival Concierge, Commemorative catalogue and festival gift bag. Film Lovers Pass includes: Opening Night Film and After Party, Entry to all films and conversations throughout the festival, Saturday Night Centerpiece Film & After Party, Concert featuring leading film composer, Commemorative catalogue. Hill School Venue Movies Pass includes: Entry to all films screening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only at the Hill School Performing Arts Center, Commemorative Catalogue. The Middleburg Film Festival is located in Middleburg, Virginia, which is one hour from downtown Washington, D.C. and 30 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport. The festival screens more than 45 films, including narratives and documentaries, that are carefully curated and include many likely Academy Award contenders and the "best of independent film". The film slate typically focuses on a wide variety of subjects including music, the environment, fashion, family relationships, history, biographies, and social justice issues.

These nearby spots clear a high bar — Excellent, Great, or Good on Google with a deep review history. Meal pricing is included only when we can source it:

King Street Oyster Bar | Middleburg — Great · highly reviewed · 1 E Washington St Vibe / cuisine: Seafood. A great spot at 1 E Washington St — useful when you want a crowd-tested meal without gambling on a random reservation.

Salamander Middleburg — Good · highly reviewed · 500 N Pendleton St Vibe / cuisine: Restaurant. A good spot at 500 N Pendleton St — useful when you want a crowd-tested meal without gambling on a random reservation.

Hunter's Head Tavern — Good · highly reviewed · Upperville, VA Vibe / cuisine: American · $$. Pricing: Mains $26-79. Hunter's Head Tavern is a great spot to grab a bite after visiting the Upperville Garden Club Flower Show. Enjoy their classic American fare in a welcoming atmosphere.

Vacation rentals within 15 miles that clear a Good (4.5+) rating bar — handy when you want a kitchen or more space for a group. Browse more options on VRBO.

The Van Gogh Room in Villa — Great · highly reviewed · ~6.1 mi from Middleburg, Virginia A great stay about 6.1 miles from the venue — practical when you want less transit stress.

Country Cottage on 1700’s Horse Farm /Wedding Venue — Excellent · highly reviewed · ~7.4 mi from Middleburg, Virginia Pricing: from$105. This charming cottage on a historic horse farm offers a unique and tranquil escape. It's a perfect place to relax and soak in the rural atmosphere after a day of festivities.

Lunar Loft, with mountain views — Good · highly reviewed · ~9.1 mi from Middleburg, Virginia Pricing: From $323/night. Enjoy stunning mountain views from your stay at Lunar Loft, conveniently located just over 9 miles from your event.

Add one curated experience so the weekend is not only the main ticket — from-prices appear only when Viator states them. See more tours on Viator.

Private Loudoun County Wine Tour from DC with 3 Winery Stops — From $275.00 Embark on a private wine tour from DC to Loudoun County, visiting three distinct wineries for a full-day experience. This tour is a popular choice and is likely to sell out. View on Viator.

3 VA Wineries Day Trip with Optional Tasting — From $255 Embark on a wonderful experience in Virginia with this day trip to three wineries, enjoying spectacular views and great wine with discounted tastings. View on Viator.

Pair the main weekend with a neighborhood walk, a waterfront sunset, or a short museum stop so the trip feels like more than a single ticketed block. Passholders should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of a film to ensure seats. Seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis for most passes.