28 Popular Festivals In Richmond, Virginia

1. Dominion Riverrock

This three-day celebration of music and sports is conducted in the month of May. The adventure sports like mountain biking, paddling, and adventure race course combined with the music concerts are sure to thrill you. You can expect to see professional athletes and listen to wonderful music at this festival. It is also a great opportunity to indulge yourself in delicious festival food. You can join the activities or watch from the sidelines, either way, you will surely have fun.

Dominion Riverrock

Address: Riverfront at Brown’s Island and Historic Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, VA

Website: Dominion Riverrock

Takes Place: May

2. IMAGINE Multicultural Festival

IMAGINE Multicultural Festival is an event hosted by the Richmond Office of Multicultural Affairs. As the name suggests, people of different cultures gather here to have some fun over games, music, and food. There is no reason to miss out on such a wonderful festival. It will give you a chance to celebrate and learn about so many cultures. The event also lets you savor some lip-smacking cuisines from around the world. Since it takes place every September, the great weather is another reason to participate.

IMAGINE Multicultural Festival

Address: Broad Rock Sports Complex,4801 Old Warwick Rd, Richmond, VA United States

Takes Place: September

3. Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival

Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival takes place during the month of August. As with most dragon boat races, the competition will be fierce. Cheer for your favorite team while spectating with family and friends. One always feels at ease when their loved ones are around. Games become more fun to watch, and you tend to enjoy yourself more when in good company. The high-energy atmosphere will fill you with enthusiasm and adrenalin, and that is what the Dragon Boat Festival is all about. With the addition of great music, this enthusiastic event becomes even more fun-filled.

Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival

Address: Rocketts Landing, 4708 East Old Main Street, Richmond VA 23231

Website: Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival

Takes Place: August

4. Richmond International Film & Music Festival

Richmond International Film & Music Festival happens in the month of April and is a great gathering for cinema lovers. It is one of the biggest film festivals in the mid-Atlantic and is generally spread across a seven-day duration. With films from all over the world being showcased, it is a treat for all the movie buffs out there. There is always more fun in cinema and books when you can share your love and appreciation with like-minded people. Share your thoughts - listen to their views, and give yours. If you are a big movie and music fan, this is where you can find your type of people under the same roof.

Richmond International Film & Music Festival

Address: 3126 W. Cary Street #605, Richmond

Website: Richmond International Film & Music Festival

Takes Place: Usually held in April

5. Richmond Folk Festival

Autumn truly marks the onset of festivities, and this season is when Richmond Folk Festival comes into play. This three-day event held in October intends to celebrate the roots, culture, and traditions of America through music, storytelling, art, dance, and food. Folk art and folk culture have a feeling of nostalgia attached to it - you will feel like you are going down memory lane. Various genres of art, spectacular performances, and fine pieces of folk art make this event even more wonderful. If you love exploring rich cultures, this festival is for you!

Richmond Folk Festival

Address: Historic Riverfront in Downtown Richmond, VA

Website: Richmond Folk Festival

Takes Place: October

6. VA PrideFest

VA PrideFest is the largest celebration in the state of Virginia for the LGBTQ+ community. It occurs during the month of September and sees huge participation from all communities. The LGBTQ+ community has been fighting for their rights for a long time now. While a few places in the world have happily embraced them, there are still those who face a tough time finding acceptance. This fest is a celebration of the long-time struggles, the victories, and ultimately, of love. This is an incredible festival to participate in, so be sure to check it out if you visit Richmond in September.

VA PrideFest

Address: Brown’s Island, Richmond, VA

Website: VA PrideFest

Takes Place: September

7. Richmond Jazz and Music Festival

Richmond Jazz and Music Festival is a wonderful, well-organized event that takes place during the month of August. If you are looking for the perfect place to have a fun date night, this festival might be the one! The sound of great music and the chill crowd is one of the best things about this festival. Celebrating music never goes out of style, and this particular one is a delight for all the jazz lovers out there. If you are looking to unwind, this should be a must-add on your itinerary.

Richmond Jazz and Music Festival

Address: 1700 Hampton St, Richmond, VA 23220, United States

Website: Richmond Jazz and Music Festival

Takes Place: August

8. Arts in the Park

Arts in the Park is an annual arts festival that happens in the month of May in Blanton Avenue, Richmond. It is a juried event that offers a great collection of artworks on display from a number of artists all over America. Is there anything else in the world more creative and inspirational than art amidst a beautiful natural backdrop? You can visit this festival with your kids, friends, or your partner. Even if you go alone, you won’t be bored for even a moment. You will surely find a lot of art enthusiasts happy to share their mutual love of art with you. If you are an art collector, this event will fill your heart with joy and your pockets empty!

Arts in the Park

Address: 1301 Blanton Ave, Richmond, VA 23221, United States

Website: Arts in the Park

Takes Place: Usually held in May

Price: Free

9. Richmond Shakespeare Festival

Richmond Shakespeare Festival is a wonderful celebration of one of the finest writers in the history of English literature. This festival takes place during the summer - June and July, specifically - and focuses on celebrating the works of Shakespeare through plays and books. Shakespeare is truly one of the greatest writers of all time and has been an inspiration to many generations. Even today, there are only a few names as universal as his. There are different ways to celebrate Shakespeare. While some like re-reading his classics, others like to enact his plays. Attending this festival is a great way to pay tribute and celebrate this legendary writer. If you love literature, especially the classics, you do not want to miss this.

Richmond Shakespeare Festival

Address: 201 S 1st St, Richmond, IN 47374, United States

Website: Richmond Shakespeare Festival

Takes Place: July

10. d Street Festival

2nd Street Festival occurs in the month of October and celebrates the culture of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood in Richmond. You can expect a fun-filled weekend with a lot of art, culture, and heritage all around. Knowing and exploring other cultures never gets boring. The celebrations are meant to educate people about their long-lived heritage, and any history buff or even those with an interest in culture will enjoy a visit to this place to participate in the festivities.

2nd Street Festival

Address: 200 S. 3rd Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Website: 2nd Street Festival

Takes Place: October

11. Miles of Lights

Holidays are always a time to enjoy and witness the most beautiful things present on earth. Most people like to make their holidays memorable and different from the last one, while others like to stick to tradition. If you want to see a breathtaking and iconic view during the holiday season, this is the festival for you. 100 Miles of Lights is an event that showcases two million lights stretching from Richmond to Virginia Beach. Join a tour and take a magical walk around to witness the amazing sights. You can take inspiration from the display and use some of the decor ideas for your own house.

100 Miles of Lights

Address: Richmond to Virginia Beach, VA

Website: 100 Miles of Lights

Takes Place: December

12. Dogwood Dell Festival of Arts

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Dogwood Dell Festival of Arts is spread out during the months of June, July, and August, and it is a fine festival of arts and crafts. It is a summer-long event filled with various art exhibits, concerts, and culture. It has become one of Richmond’s most anticipated festivals, and this is where you can enjoy some performances by the youth onstage. The only thing to be aware of is that you will probably spend more time and money than you expect. The art here is so exquisite and wonderful that you will be compelled to come back time and again.

Dogwood Dell Festival of Arts

Address: 600 S Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220, United States

Website: Dogwood Dell Festival of Arts

Takes Place: June to September

13. BrewHaHa Craft Beer Festival

BrewHaHa Craft Beer Festival happens in the month of August. If you are a craft beer enthusiast, you will definitely enjoy attending this event. Richmond is famous for its craft beer, and this festival is a cherry on top. Beer is something a lot of people love, and for some, it is not just a drink but a whole experience. You can expect a diverse range of beer, a lot of food, and great music. Relax and unwind with good company.

BrewHaHa Craft Beer Festival

Address: Virginia Museum of History & Culture, 428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220, United States

Takes Place: August

14. Filipino Festival

Filipino Festival takes place in Richmond in the month of August. It celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Filipino community. You can expect a great combination of art, music, and authentic Filipino food during this festival. A culture can teach us so many things. Filipinos in Virginia gather every year to educate others about their culture, to celebrate their community, and to have fun with friends and family. They also donate some of the money collected to charity, which is all the more reason for you to help them for a good cause.

Filipino Festival

Address: 8200 Woodman Road, Glen Allen

Website: Filipino Festival

Takes Place: August

15. Stony Point Beer Festival

Stony Point Beer Festival is a great event to keep the Oktoberfest festivities alive until the month of November. This offers a lot of fun, along with some great music, amazing food, superb beer, and a lot of entertaining games. Join this and have a wonderful time with your friends, family, or even solo! You’re sure to enjoy yourself either way. This can be another check to your wishlist of events to attend if you are a beer lover.

Stony Point Beer Festival

Address: Stony Point Fashion Park, 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Richmond, Virginia 23235

Takes Place: November

16. Richmond World Festival

The rich culture and heritage of Richmond is something to be celebrated. Richmond World Festival is basically a giant party held over a long weekend in Minoru Park. You can expect some electric musical performances, delicious food, and an awesome crowd of locals and tourists from around the world.

Richmond World Festival

Address: Minoru Park, Richmond, VA

Website: Richmond World Festival

Takes Place: August

17. Armenian Food Festival

Armenian Food Festival takes place in the month of September, along Pepper Avenue in Richmond. This city has a small but active Armenian community, and they take it upon themselves to make sure the city can experience the best food from their culture. The delicious Hye burgers (Hye means Armenian) are something you must try when you are here. Over the years, this festival has grown to become a three-day affair with a lot of great food, music, shopping opportunities, and drinks.

Armenian Food Festival

Address: 834 Pepper Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23226, United States

Website: Armenian Food Festival

Takes Place: September

18. d Street Festival of the Arts

43rd Street Festival of the Arts is a curated event filled with fine arts, great music, and dance. The organizers work hard to raise funds for CARITAS, but entrance to the event is free to the public. This is a great place to eat, shop, and support local artists. Make sure you come prepared to buy a lot of things from this festival because the collections on display are worth the money. The autumn weather, along with the beautiful crowd and wonderful ambiance makes this a great experience to have while visiting Richmond. The festival takes place in the month of September.

43rd Street Festival of the Arts

Address: 1412 W 43rd St, Richmond, VA 23225, United States

Website: 43rd Street Festival of the Arts

Takes Place: September

19. Richmond Zine Fest

A “zine” is short for magazine, and Richmond Zine Fest, held in the month of October, is a great exhibit for all magazine lovers. However, it is not only fun for creators, but it also provides a great platform for anybody who likes magazines - creator or reader. A one-of-a-kind event, the zine fest is held at Richmond Public Library and is usually attended by a good crowd. Entrance to this event is free.

Richmond Zine Fest

Address: Richmond Public Library,101 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA

Website: Richmond Zine Fest

Takes Place: October

20. Richmond Veg Fest

Hello vegetarians! Ever felt disappointed by the thought of food festivals having more options for non-vegetarians? If the answer is yes, then this event is one you absolutely must visit when holidaying in Richmond. Held at Byrd Park, this festival occurs during the fall season and offers more than 100 stalls to choose from, plus some great music to accompany your meals. Gobble up as much you can and invite all your friends - both vegetarians and non-vegetarians are welcome to partake in all the good food.

Richmond Veg Fest

Address: Byrd Park, Richmond, VA 23220, United States

Website: Richmond Veg Fest

Takes Place: Usually held in September

21. Carytown Watermelon Festival

Aren’t watermelons a thing of joy? When the sun becomes unbearable in the summer, breaking open a juicy watermelon to enjoy the refreshing fruit is a great pleasure. At Carytown Watermelon Festival, you will find everybody in a festive mood. Your kids can get their faces painted, there are a lot of melon drinks available, plus merchants park their goods and offer them to visitors. This annual watermelon festival is held in August and comes with great live music and interesting drink concoctions in a fun-filled environment.

Carytown Watermelon Festival

Address: Carytown Merchants Association, 3126 W. Cary Street #715, Richmond, VA

Website: Carytown Watermelon Festival

Takes Place: August

22. St. Benedict Oktoberfest

St. Benedict Oktoberfest is unique in its own way because of the fact that it is being celebrated in September, not October! They have local bands coming in to perform, great options for food, and a carnival that keeps the vibrant atmosphere going. Of course, there is also beer here, but for the non-beer drinkers, there are other options to choose from. You can consider this festival as a warm-up for all the beer festivities coming your way during October. Beer has never been a bad idea, so get set to enjoy some of the finest brews in Richmond at this event.

St. Benedict Oktoberfest

Address: St. Benedict Catholic Church, (Church) 300 N. Sheppard St. Richmond

Website: St. Benedict Oktoberfest

Takes Place: September

23. Bluegrass & Blue Crab Festival

Bluegrass & Blue Crab Festival takes place in the month of October at Tredegar Iron Works. It is a fundraiser to support the people from St. Francis Home. This family-friendly event offers lots of great music, a wide variety of crab dishes, and ample wine and beer for you to enjoy. They also have a good variety of non-seafood options like BBQ for those who don’t eat seafood. But for those who do and love it, you must not miss this event.

Bluegrass & Blue Crab Festival

Address: Tredegar Iron Works, Richmond, VA

Website: Bluegrass & Blue Crab Festival

Takes Place: October

24. Richmond Tattoo, Art and Music Festival

Tattoos are a great way to express your personality and feelings. If you are a tattoo enthusiast or have been looking for a tattoo to be done, you can give this festival a shot. Richmond Tattoo, Art and Music Festival is held in the month of September and has invited some of the finest tattoo artists in the state. While you’re here, you can consult the artists, have one designed, and get it done. You also get to enjoy music, lots of art displays, and other entertainment.

Richmond Tattoo, Art and Music Festival

Address: Doubletree by Hilton Richmond-Midlothian, 1021 Koger Center Blvd., Richmond, VA

Website: Richmond Tattoo, Art and Music Festival

Takes Place: September or October

25. Richmond Dog Festival

The cute faces and wagging tales are hard to resist. Dogs are one of the best things that exist on earth. We can never give enough credit to these wonderful, selfless souls who love us with all their hearts. If you are a dog lover, this festival will be a paradise for you. Held in the month of September, it is the biggest canine festival held in the city of Richmond. You can come to see dogs in different breeds and check out the stalls offering canine-friendly goods. Your four-legged friends are most welcome here, provided that they are leashed. This is a must-attend festival for all dog owners, dog lovers, and dogs!

Richmond Dog Festival

Address: Chimborazo Park 3215 E Broad Street, Richmond, VA

Website: Richmond Dog Festival

Takes Place: September

26. Craftsman Classic Art and Craft Festival

Craftsman Classic Art and Craft Festival is celebrated two times each year - once in spring and the other in winter, typically during March and December, respectively. You can expect some great exhibits of local arts and crafts. Some will attract you from a distance, urging you to buy to add to your collection. This festival will have many such craftworks, so get ready to splurge. In case you end up missing one, you can always come back to the next one, or maybe even attend both! This event is a must-visit for all the craft lovers and collectors out there. Be sure to plan your visit to Virginia just in time to catch either one.

Craftsman Classic Art and Craft Festival

Address: Richmond Raceway, Richmond, VA

Website: Craftsman Classic Art and Craft Festival

Takes Place: Usually held in March and December

27. Richmond Oktoberfest

Richmond Oktoberfest is held inside Old Dominion Building. This festival is a familiar one that is celebrated in many parts of the world. It comes with a selection of beer and lots of food options to go with it. You can expect a wide variety, some of which you would not be able to find in local groceries or bars. There is nothing better than having a great beer with your pals in good weather. It is an added advantage to have food that pairs well with it. If you want to enjoy awesome entertainment, a vibrant atmosphere, and good drinks, you should plan to visit this festival. Get ready for this wonderful amalgamation of food, fun, and festivity.

Richmond Oktoberfest

Address: Old Dominion Building at Richmond Raceway, 600 E Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA

Website: Richmond Oktoberfest

Takes Place: Usually held in October

28. Inlight Richmond Festival and Lantern Parade

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This is a gathering of people who love lights! InLight Richmond is a public exhibition of light-based art and performances, the entry to which is free! You can expect performances, videos, interactive projects, and sculptures that light up areas like pathways and green spaces. There is also a community lantern parade plus food stalls selling palatable fair food. You can make your own lanterns and take part in the parade. The festivities take place in November, in Church Hill.

Inlight Richmond Festival and Lantern Parade

Address: 1330 North 25th Street in Church Hill, Richmond, VA

Website: Inlight Richmond Festival and Lantern Parade

Takes Place: November

It's time to be festive!

With so many festival options around, Richmond truly is a fun city to visit at any time of the year. If you can’t decide, well, how about all of them? Before you plan your trip, be sure to check this list to see if your plans coincide with festival dates. After all, who doesn’t want to take a break from the mundane every once in a while? And what better way to escape than by participating in a festival that celebrates art, food, music, dance, and life!