The 2025 Folk Festival will take place Friday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 12. | Photo via Richmond Folk Festival
In the River City, you can find a party for every season. From food fests to film fests, here’s your year-round guide to Richmond’s never-ending extravaganzas.
First, let’s glance at the calendar for September and October:
Coming up
Black Literature Festival | Saturday, Sept. 6
Immerse yourself in the world of publishing with author discussions, exhibits, and live interviews at the Holiday Inn Express in Midtown.
Kennanee Native Arts Festival | Sunday, Sept. 14
Art, storytelling, food, and play weave together in a celebration of Indigenous voices at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Oktoberfest
Bier-Garden | Saturday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 21
This annual Oktoberfest celebration draws an energetic crowd to Maymont.
Annual fave
Pridefest | Saturday, Sept. 27
This year’s music headliner is Saucy Santana, known for viral hits like “Walk Em Like A Dog” and “Material Girl.”
Plan ahead
Richmond Tattoo + Arts Convention | Friday, Oct. 17-Sunday, Oct. 19
It’s all-things-ink at this annutal showcase at the DoubleTree Midlothian.
Beer Pong Tournament | 6-8 p.m. | The Brass Tap | $10 per team | Think you’re a beer pong legend? Prove your worth, and your team might leave with a $100 prize.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Community Care Night; “Hello My Name Is” | 6-8 p.m. | Gallery5 | Free | Contribute to Gallery5’s latest art exhibition by slapping your favorite sticker onto a school bus, later to be used for field trips with the local nonprofit.
Friday, Sept. 5
Pups, Plates, and Pours | 5:30 p.m. | Final Gravity Brewing | Free, $5 donation suggested | You and your pet can show some love for Richmond SPCA by grabbing food truck eats (and pet-friendly treats), listening to live music, and shopping vendors like Ginger’s Barkery and Orange Kitty Kreative.
Tell Me Lies: The Fleetwood Mac Experience | 8-9:30 p.m. | The Tin Pan | $35 | Don’t hate us for this word play... tickets are flying off “The Chain” to see this iconic tribute.
Saturday, Sept. 6
RVA Duck Race + Festival of Inclusion | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Brown’s Island | Free | Add this sensory-friendly festival to your September calendar, and place your bets on the 19,000 lucky ducks racing through the canal.
Vicky Hester, owner of Babes of Carytown, has died, according to an announcement made on the bar’s Instagram. The post acknowledges Hester as a “local industry trailblazer, philanthropist, and LGBTQIA+ icon.”
Theater
“Life is a cabaret, old chum,” especially now that a cabaret theater is set to open in Shockoe Bottom. DreamHaus will operate as a 200-capacity theater on North 18th Street, specializing in live entertainment such as theater, burlesque, drag shows, and talk shows. (Richmond BizSense)
Trending
Richmond “baddies” unite. Fueled by a viral TikTok video and one Richmonder’s desire to make new friends, the first “RVA Baddie Walk” connected an excited crowd of besties-to-be at Brown’s Island. The next group walk will take place this Saturday, Sept. 6, at Deep Run Park.
Announced
Music at Main Street returns with four September concerts, every Thursday from 5:30-8 p.m. Tomorrow’s show invites Brencore Allstars to serenade the station, so pack up a lawn chair and head downtown — all shows are free to the public.
History
Dot’s Back Inn is celebrating its 35th anniversary this Friday, Sept. 5, with $1 shot glasses, limited-edition anniversary pints, and 20% off food for anyone wearing Dot’s merch. Join the celebration, but learn a bit about Dot’s storied history first.
Biz
“Straightforward, transparent, and low stress.” That’s how one business described our self-service ad portal. No sales pressure. No hidden fees. Just you, your message, and the tools to get it out there — your way. Get started.
Mailbag
Yesterday, we asked our readers to brainstorm RVA-themed LEGO sets. Reader Leigh H. suggests Boulevard “Nickel” Bridge, a century-old route traversing the James. Have another idea? Share it below, and we might spotlight your LEGO dream next.
Asked
Asked
Share your idea for the quintessential Richmond LEGO set.
From Belle Isle to the viral Richmond gun hole, Richmond has multitudes to offer.
Your go-to item for upping fall runs and workouts: a top-selling weighted strength training vest. Choose from six pounds up to 30 pounds and add the weighted vest to runs, classes, or gym sessions to enhance calorie burning, improve your core, and increase muscle gains.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Last Friday, we made sure that your inbox wouldn’t miss out on a newsletter over the holiday weekend, but rest assured that I spent Monday away from screens.
I traded out my work-from-home view for this one, which just so happens to feature Boulevard “Nickel” Bridge in the distance, our reader’s LEGO set suggestion — don’t forget to brainstorm your own idea.
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