In the River City, you can find a party for every season and interest thanks to our lively festival scene. Here’s our guide to when the biggest events are coming to town.
Don’t forget to bookmark this page so you don’t miss out on your favorite fest.
Note: We’ve added exact dates for upcoming events in September and October. For all other festivals, please check the event’s website for developing information. Some websites may lack event information if the festival is not yet scheduled.
January-March
Join the crowds for the Irish Festival in Church Hill, and don’t forget your glittery, green fedora hat.
Photo by Lindsay Biggs
Richmond XC Festival | January
Pole Green Park hosts the National Cross Country Championships this year, along with a kids’ run and post-race festivities.
Virginia Adaptive Sports Fest | January
Head to the Henrico Sports and Events Center to experience and play a variety of sports, including wheelchair rugby, archery, cycling, and more.
Chocolate Fest | February
Sample eight chocolate beers at Center of the Universe Brewing in Ashland and shop for your Valentine at the vendor market.
Richmond Beer Fest | February
Stone Brewing puts the spotlight on ~10 breweries at this craft beer bash.
Richmond Chocolate, Wine, and Whiskey Festival | February
Tantalize your taste buds with samples of artisan sweet treats, wines, and spirits at Main Street Station — snag tickets early.
RVA Environmental Film Festival | March
This free film festival showcases films about nature, environmentalism, and more.
Shamrock The Block | March
This street fest claims to kick off the outdoor festival season in Richmond. The party starts at noon on Leigh Street between Movieland and the Bon Secours Training Facility.
The Irish Festival | March
The Church Hill fest includes an opening parade and a 5K on Sunday morning — food, refreshments, and live music last through the day.
Dominion Energy Family Easter | March
Enjoy an afternoon on the Carriage House Lawn at Maymont.
Easter on Parade | March
Families and furry friends are welcome at this lively spring festival featuring music, crafts, vendors, and plenty of bonnets.
April-June
The ¿Qué Pasa? Festival brings hundreds of people to Brown’s Island in May.
Photo by Autumn Hart
Richmond Poetry Fest | April
Enjoy free classes, workshops, and a special event honoring Richmond’s first Poet Laureate, Roscoe Burnems, plus an introduction to the new poet in the position.
African American Book Festival | April
Diversity Richmond will host this free fest celebrating African American literature with author talks, book signings, giveaways, and kids’ activities.
Chesterfield Outdoor Fest | April
The inaugural festival will include Earth Day races, touch-a-truck, adventure demos, a sustainability showcase, and food trucks.
Richmond Animation Festival | April
Get tickets to see a shorts program and a special program by Robert Beatty at the Byrd Theatre, followed by an after-party at New York Deli.
Arts in the Park | May
The 53rd annual arts and craft show is free to attend and features 350+ exhibitors at Byrd Park.
¿Qué Pasa? Festival | May
The yearly fest includes artisans, food vendors, and entertainment in celebration of Hispanic and Latin American cultures.
Asian American Celebration | May
This cultural fest features vendors and performances from a variety of groups at the convention center.
Church Hill Spring Fest + Market | May
Head to Libby Hill Park for this neighborhood celebration featuring local vendors, nonprofits, food, drinks, music, and children’s activities.
Fan Arts Stroll | May
Explore blocks of local art and enjoy live music and tasty eats from food trucks.
Riverrock | May
Rock out at one of the best outdoor sports and musical festivals in the country.
Lebanese Food Festival | May
Expect food, drinks, live music, and cultural performances at this longtime festival.
Indian + Sri Lankan Food Festival | May
Enjoy a variety of dishes, including biryani, kothu roti, samosas, and kathi rolls in Glen Allen.
Richmond Greek Festival | May-June
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral host this Richmond tradition, celebrating Greek culture and cuisine for 40+ years.
Friday Cheers | Fridays May-June
This concert series will take a hiatus in 2026 due to Brown’s Island development, but that only amps up our excitement for the 2027 concert series.
Summer Kickoff Festival | June
Maymont will host Full Moon Fever and Three Sheets to the Wind on Friday, followed by five groups throughout the day on Saturday.
Spring Plant Sale + Pollinator Festival | June
Head to Deep Run Park to chat with Henrico Master Gardeners, learn from educational displays, and grow your garden — plus, live music and eats from Sandtopia Food Truck.
Cozy ol’ Brewgrass Festival | June
This environmental fest raises funds for Keep Virginia Cozy. Enjoy live music, food, craft brews, and a vendor market at Riverside Outfitters on 14th Street.
Sunflower Festival | June
Pick your own sunflowers at Alvis Farms, plus don’t miss the Thursday night kickoff concert with Slate River Quintet or Saturday’s 5K Dairy Fun Run.
Caribbean American Heritage Festival | June
Head to Dorey Park for a celebration with music, food, art exhibits, and traditional crafts.
Shakespeare Festival | June-July
Richmond Shakespeare will put on “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Doctor Faustus” at Agecroft Hall this summer.
July-September
Festival of Arts
Held each summer over several months, the city’s Festival of Arts features free concerts and events on most weekends. Most events are held at Dogwood Dell.
804 Day | August
The first 804 Day block party took place in 2023. This summer’s follow-up promises more local music, nonprofits, food, and hometown celebrations.
JamPacked Craft Beer & Music Festival | August
Greensky Bluegrass will headline this year’s waste-free fest on Brown’s Island.
Richmond Jazz and Music Festival | August
This weekend of music returned to Maymont last year after a hiatus.
Latin Jazz and Salsa Show Festival | August
This cultural celebration will take place at 17th St. Market.
Carytown Watermelon Festival | August
Celebrate all things watermelon at this classic summer festival in Carytown.
AfroFest | Saturday, Sept. 6
This free festival brings people to Pine Camp Arts + Community Center for food, artisan vendors, music, and family fun.
RVA Duck Race and Festival of Inclusion | Saturday, Sept. 6
Make your bet as 15,000+ lucky ducks race through the canal in support of the Autism Society of Central Virginia and sensory-friendly fun.
Richmond R&B Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6
Get outside and tap into a fresh lineup of music acts, food vendors, and merch booths.
Black Literature Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6
Author panels, exhibits, and live interviews connect the world of publishing at the Holiday Inn Express.
Oktober Forest Fest | Sunday, Sept. 7
Four local brewers and a nature conservancy team join forces for this food and drink fest at Fine Creek Brewing.
James River EcoFest | Saturday, Sept. 13
Head to the River Education Center for family fun, tree giveaways, educational activities, and a raffle.
Festival of India | Saturday, Sept. 13 + Sunday, Sept. 14
Enjoy food, art, crafts, entertainment, and more at this free festival at the convention center.
Kennanee Native Arts Festival | Sunday, Sept. 14
Art, storytelling, food, and play weave together at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in a celebration of Indigenous voices across the East Coast.
St. Benedict Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 21
Celebrate Oktoberfest in the Museum District with music, dancing, drinks, and plenty of German cuisine.
Bier-Garden | Saturday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 21
This annual Oktoberfest celebration draws a crowd out to Maymont for two days of live entertainment and a catalog of cultural foods.
Iron Blossom Music Festival | Saturday, Sept. 20 + Sunday, Sept 21
This music festival kicked off last year with headliners Hozier and Noah Kahan at the Leigh Street Training Facility.
Richmond International Film Festival | Tuesday, Sept. 23-Sunday, Sept. 28
Get festival passes or individual tickets to see films from around the globe.
RVA East End Festival | Saturday, Sept. 27
Enjoy music at Chimborazo Park from the Richmond Symphony and other acts to support RPS.
Pridefest | Saturday, Sept. 27
Put on by VA Pride, this festival takes the Bon Secours Training Center by storm each September.
Richmond Veg Fest | Sunday, Sept. 28
Get your fill of vegetarian food, music, speakers, and family fun.
October-December
Armenian Food Festival | Friday, Oct. 3 + Saturday, Oct. 4
Enjoy food and cultural performances at St. James Armenian Church.
Hog on the Hill | Saturday, Oct. 4
Libby Park becomes a scenic destination for live bands, cold beer, and local barbecue.
Powhatan Festival of the Grape | Saturday, Oct. 4
Tickets for this local fest in the historic Courthouse Village are already on sale.
2nd Street Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4 + Sunday, Oct. 5
This Jackson Ward street festival promises two days of performances, vendors, art, and markets.
Richmond Folk Festival | Friday, Oct. 10-Sunday, Oct. 12
Enjoy performing groups from around the world as well as food, drinks, a marketplace, and more at this free festival.
Richmond Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 17 + Saturday, Oct. 18
Get tickets to celebrate Oktoberfest in style at the Richmond Raceway.
Richmond Tattoo + Arts Festival | Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19
This convention for all things ink takes place at DoubleTree Midlothian.
Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival | Sunday, Oct. 25
This fall fest includes a costume contest, activities for kids, and drinks.
Explore the enchanting lights at Maymont during Garden Glow.
Photo by Dave Parrish
Garden Glow | October-November
Wander through light displays and enjoy food and drinks at Maymont.
Hardywood Bluegrass Festival | November
Enjoy an afternoon and evening of bluegrass grooving with local acts at the Richmond location of the brewery.
Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival | November
Celebrate and honor indigenous languages, cultures, and communities through the appreciation of film and art.
Richmond Fitness Festival | November
Get out and about at this Byrd Park fest with a 2-mile jog, shoe demo, yoga class, breakfast pizza, bagels, coffee, and more.
GardenFest of Lights | November-January
Walk among millions of twinkling lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival | December
Elegba Folklore Society typically hosts this festival at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
First Fridays
Shop from local artisans at First Fridays in Manchester.
Photo via Manchester Manifest
RVA First Fridays
The Arts District lineup typically includes special events, gallery shows, and specials — it changes each month.
Manchester Manifest: First Fridays
Head to Southside for a community block party on the first Friday of the month, April-October.
First Fridays at VMHC
Running from August to December, stop by the Virginia Museum of History + Culture for free after-hours admission, live music, drinks + mocktails, and plenty of kid-friendly activities.
Know a great festival that’s not featured here? Let us know and we might add it to the list.