This list is your ticket to a plethora of FREE and cheap events in Richmond, Virginia.
Enjoying all that is great about Richmond while saving money should be easy to do with this roundup of FREE and cheap events in and around the city this week from Monday, October 18, 2021 to Sunday, October 24, 2021. From culture to the outdoors, literary to crafty, there are many FREE and low cost events all around the city that won’t break the bank. Use this calendar as a guide for cheap fun and an excuse to get out into the city and also fun day trips. With so many in need around our area, don’t forget to give back by volunteering in the community.
Attractions, fitness, nature, art, entertainment or food. Richmond has a wide variety of events that are FREE or low cost. Each season means a whole array of indoor and outdoor options to enjoy in the city or beyond. Check with venues to confirm event details. Even if it’s on this list, it’s possible that it’s canceled or changed.
Be sure to subscribe to email updates, follow @rvacheap on Twitter or like RVA (Richmond) on the Cheap on Facebook to stay in the know about the latest freebies & deals.
From October 18-31, 2021, Richmond Restaurant Week offers diners the opportunity to experience a three-course meal at the city’s best, locally owned restaurants for less than $30.
Take care of your two-wheeled friend. Join the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation on October 18th to learn the basics of bicycle maintenance and repair. This is a free entry-level, hour-long class. It is based at one of the Trail’s Fixit Stations and is followed by a short group ride. Bring your bike, a helmet, and a water bottle if you would like to join. Sign up here:
Hot Wheels: Race to Win exhibit. Buckle up and race with the most famous toy vehicles on the planet—Hot Wheels® at the Science Museum of Virginia. Open through January 23, 2022
Monday, October 18, 2021
🌽 See all Richmond’s Farmers Markets 🍅
Goochland Farmers Market – Courthouse is a seasonal weekday boutique Open Tuesdays 4pm-6:30pm May-Sept. in lovely, rural Goochland Courthouse, Virginia. We are a program of the Goochland County Parks & Rec Program. Located in a park-like setting one block South of Fairground Road on Route 522, across from the County’s ball field parking lot.
⭐️ Check out more Taco Tuesday deals around Richmond
Lalo’s Cocina – (2617 W Broad St Richmond, VA 23220) ⭐️ $2 Taco Tuesdays
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
The Farmers Market at Urban Farmhouse – Midlothian occurs every Wednesday through the summer.
Tunnel To Towers 9/11 Mobile Exhibit, 6807 Midlothian Turnpike Richmond, VA 23225, On the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Entrance into the exhibit is free of charge and will be open Wednesday, October 20 – Monday, October 25. Weekdays: October 20, 21, 22, 25 – 9AM-2PM & 4PM-8PM, Sat., Oct. 23 | 11AM-7PM, Sun., Oct. 24 | Noon-6PM. The exhibit will be in the parking lot of Rosie’s Gaming Emporium in Richmond: https://rosiesgaming.com/tunnel-to-towers-exhibit/
Garden Glow at Maymont tickets are now on sale. Brighten your autumn nights, October 15-November 7, Each Wednesday-Sunday night, experience Maymont in a different light! At sunset, the Carriage House Lawn transforms into the Glow Village with food trucks, Glow Shop, fire pits and expanded Glow Bar. Hike down the historic Woodland Trail to explore the iconic Japanese Garden and wander its dramatically illuminated paths. Maymont’s landscape will shine brilliantly for a wondrous experience to delight guests of all ages. Purchase tickets online at https://maymont.org/calendar/garden-glow-2021/
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
⭐️ Fun events in October around Richmond – concerts and more!
Thursdays, 4-6:30pm – The Powhatan Village Farmers Market is a seasonal farmers market open from May-September in the Village of Powhatan Courthouse on the grounds of beautiful Bienvenue featuring local farm products and artisan crafts, music and food.
⭐️ Review: Learn about Farm Life Through Chesterfield Children’s Museum New Exhibit
Gus Garrison enjoys the new exhibit on farming at the Children’s Museum of Richmond Chesterfield location. The Children’s Museum of Richmond Chesterfield location is located at 6629 Lake Harbour Drive, in the Winterpock Crossing Shopping Center and is open Thursday – Sunday; 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison
⭐️On stages around Richmond the show must go on…again
Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream returns in full force select nights Sept. 10 – Oct. 31, taking over the entire park with five haunted houses, four terror-tories, four sinister shows, two party zones and unsuspecting horrors awaiting their victims at every turn. Test your thrill threshold with seven world-class coasters at night, offering a completely different ride experience. Three NEW haunted houses, two NEW terror-tories and two NEW shows make for a night of screams never to be forgotten, while returning Howl-O-Scream icons welcome back the bravest of Howl-O-Scream fans. Parental discretion is advised after 6:00 PM, as this year’s event contains amplified scares that are not recommended for children.
See here for full event details: https://bit.ly/3DO1DsS
⭐️ Free and Cheap Date Ideas in Richmond, Virginia
Thursday, October 21, 2021
The carousel at the Children’s Museum of Richmond is located at 2626 W Broad St Richmond, VA 23220 and is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
⭐️ The Ultimate List of Richmond-area Halloween Events and Activities
Buy one, get one FREE *off regular admission when you purchase via the Richmond Home Show Facebook Event. Shop, compare, and save. Let local pros help with your renovation and decor wish list. HOURS Friday, October 22, 2021 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Saturday, October 23, 2021 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Sunday, October 24, 2021 10:00 am – 5:00 pm TICKETS Adults $8.00 Adults (online) $6.00 Children Ages 12 & Under FREE Seniors (60+) FREE Admission on Fri. Oct. 22 only with ID (Available at box office only.) Hero Day is Sun., Oct. 24. FREE Admission only with ID (Available at box office only.)
Friday, October 22, 2021
RED VEIN is Richmond’s scariest indoor/outdoor haunted attraction. Located at Hanover Vegetable Farm, which is just 10 miles from Short Pump and 20 miles from downtown Richmond. 13580 Ashland Road Ashland, VA 23005
On Saturday mornings at 9am, join CLAVES UNIDOS and Kevin LaMarr Jones for an hour of FREE African roots community dance class. Online live only. Please register for this class one hour before it’s starts in our Vagaro app. Donations accepted. http://ow.ly/YEIp50CVMir
Saturday, October 23, 2021
🎃 Richmond area Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Fall Fun Farms
CARYTOWN FARMERS MARKET Locally grown produce, freshly baked foods, crafts, popsicles, coffee and flowers. 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Sundays, May-November. City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Ave, Richmond,
Busch Gardens is offering silly, not-too-spooky fun every Saturday and Sunday Sept. 25 through Oct. 31 at The Count’s Spooktacular! Children (9 and younger) are invited to come dressed up in their favorite Halloween costume to experience dance parties with their favorite Sesame Street friends, a festive hay maze, pumpkin scavenger hunt, and trick-or-treating throughout the park with more treats than ever before! Different themes every weekend with unique activities and special photo opportunities offer new experiences for guests with every visit. For more details regarding the event see: https://bit.ly/3EfmW6P
Weekend tips: Free and Cheap Date Ideas in Richmond, Virginia
King’s Dominion Halloween-themed event is the Peanuts’ themed The Great Pumpkin Fest – Saturdays & Sundays, Sept. 25 – Oct. 31, 2021. Family-friendly, pumpkin painting, hay mazes, ghostly games, not-so-scary live entertainment and more, this scare-free festival makes for the perfect fall and Halloween activity for kids and everyone in the family.
⭐️ Richmond’s Museums shine a spotlight on history, art, science, play and more.
Sunday, October 24, 2021
🎃 October Festivals, Halloween Fun & More
Learn about more Richmond entertainment and arts events. And don’t forget to check the list of the Top FREE Things to Do in Richmond for more good ideas. Sign up for deals through Goldstar to learn about discounted events and shows in Richmond and nearby areas.
⭐️ Richmond’s Farmers Markets ⭐️
⭐️ 12+ Free Things to do in Colonial Williamsburg ⭐️
Be sure to subscribe to email updates, follow @rvacheap on Twitter or like RVA (Richmond) on the Cheap on Facebook to stay in the know about the latest freebies & deals.
More things to do in and around Richmond:
- Richmond’s Museums Highlight History, Art, Science and More
- The Ultimate List of RVA Parks and Playgrounds
- Bicycling routes around Richmond
- Richmond’s Public Pools & Splash Pads
- RVA Dog-Friendly Parks
- 12+ Free Things to do in Colonial Williamsburg
- RVA Historic Sites
- RVA’s Nearby Ski Resorts
- 50+ Things to Do in Richmond
- Orchards and Berry Farms
- Things to Do: RVA
- 50+ Events & Festivals
- Special Resources
- Military Discounts
- FREE for Kids (or really cheap)
- Garage, Moving, Estate Sales and more
- Metro Richmond Zoo
- Richmond boat launches and marinas
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