Salem takes pride in hosting the fast-growing and second largest state fair in Virginia. The Salem Fair offers eleven days of wholesome family fun, featuring agricultural exhibits, crafts, food, games and carnival rides. The Salem Fair always offers a variety of free entertainment acts every day. Entertainment includes racing pigs, clowns, magicians, a petting zoo, contests, beauty pageants, music and more. The Salem Fair takes place every July at the Salem Civic Center, offering free parking and free admission.

In March, college basketball fans can enjoy all the thrills of Salem's NCAA Division III Basketball Men's Championship. Held in the spacious Salem Civic Center Coliseum, tournament-goers watch the premiere teams contend for the title.

NCAA Division III Softball Championships are scheduled at the City of Salem's James Moyer Sports Complex for 2003 and 2004 .

Held every June the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, which consistently ranks among the ten best horse shows in the United States, is the largest all-breed, AA (USA Equestrian) show in Virginia. Breeds shown include Arabians, Hackneys, Hunters, Jumpers, Racking, Roadsters, Saddlebred and Western. The show attracts exhibitors from up and down the east coast. Shows begin most days at 8 a.m. with evening performances starting at 6:30. Special attractions like barrel race competitions, the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales, and the Jack Russell Terrier Races are part of each year's show. The finale is the Grand Prix Cup. Come watch the riders compete for thousands of dollars on the final night.

Held every December for the past ten years at Salem Football Stadium, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl features two Division III college football teams that have earned the right to compete in the Bowl. The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl is telecast by ESPN.