Summer festivals in Richmond, Virginia give us a chance to get to know another culture, eat delicious food, hear live music and see our fellow RVA residents in all their diversity. Go to urban intersections, parks, rivers, church yards and breweries to take in the sights and enjoy the balmy, and sometimes steamy, weather. Enjoy!
Afrofest is the final hurrah for the Richmond Parks and Recreation summer festivals and gives everyone the chance to embrace and celebrate culture of Africa and the diaspora.
All summer
Festival of the Arts at the Dogwood Dell Byrd Park – With its eclectic mix of old and new, the Festival of Arts has become one of Richmond’s cultural treasures. Through our programming, the Festival of Arts strives to bring the Richmond community some of the most innovative and avant-garde performers, while also respecting the value and importance of traditional and classical works. Throughout June, July, and August, a variety of shows can be enjoyed at the “Dell” including classical music and dance; drama, comedy, and musical theatre; reggae, pop, swing, rhythm and blues, rock, jazz and contemporary music concerts. The Festival of Arts is flavored for every taste. Come early for a seat in the amphitheater or bring a blanket to sit in the surrounding park.
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August 2019 (Check back as more festivals are announced.)
31 August – AfrofestRVA. At Pinecamp Park and Arts Center (4901 Old Brook Rd, Richmond, VA 23227) 12-6pm. Celebrates Africa’s rich culture and includes food, music/drumming, African performances, fashion show, vendors to display African
clothes/accessories/business, children activities
31 August –End of Summer Festival at Bryan Park, 4308 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Virginia 23227 4-8pm, Enjoy live music, food, animals, and many more great activities at Bryan Park’s End of Summer Festival! Here you can learn all about Bryan Park, current projects, and aspirations. Meet local businesses and government officials to find out who is contributing to your community. Spend your last weekend of summer learning how you can make an impact with the Friends of Bryan Park!
23-31 August – Chesterfield County Fair at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. Live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, tasty fair treats, a parade, and much more.
…earlier in the month we enjoyed…
3 August – The St. Elizabeth Catholic Church Jazz & Food Festival, presented by St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, is a community event that blends traditional and contemporary jazz with great food in a Christian, family-oriented atmosphere. It is through fundraising events such as the Jazz and Food Festival, that St. Elizabeth Catholic Church supports its parish ministries and provides outreach to its parishioners as well as members of the Highland Park Community. 2712 2nd Ave. Richmond, VA 23222 – Stliz3c.com
3 August – BrewHaha Virginia Craft Beer Festival – In the spirit of Virginia Craft Beer Month, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will host its second annual “BrewHaHa” craft beer festival, featuring selections from 10 Virginia breweries and 2 Virginia cideries, live music, food, and more. VirginiaHistory.org/Beer
3 August – Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival. teams from across the eastern seaboard and beyond travel to join local crews for a fun day of dragon boat festivities on and off the water. Rocketts Landing is located at 4708 East Old Main Street, Richmond VA 23231 – https://www.gwndragonboat.com/default.asp?id=richmond&l=1
9 & 10 August – Filipino Festival, Live music, line dancing, cultural performances, traditional food. FREE admission. Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 8200 Woodman Rd. Henrico, VA 23228
8-11 August – Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont. Jazz giants. R&B and pop legends. Funk royalty. Retro-futuristic virtuosos. This RJF lineup is one for the books in a beautiful setting. 1700 Hampton St. Richmond, VA 23220 – richmondjazzfestival.com
11 August – Carytown Watermelon Festival – Over 3000 watermelons and you! With 80 musicians, over 100 exhibitors, one of the largest kids areas of any festival on the east coast and all of the great Carytown style. http://carytownrva.org/watermelon-festival.html
17 August – 29th Annual Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration of African American. weekend festival of world music and dance, a Heritage Market, children’s events, interactive site demonstrations & down home healthy food. This is one of the Elegba Folklore Society’s original programs created in 1990 to connect aspects of West African cultural traditions with African Americans and to show their influence on the American South. Bringing the world home, audiences are exposed to the artistic expressions of African world cultures in a lively, colorful and informing celebration of heritage and light.
24 August – Latin Jazz & Salsa Festival – FREE “The 12th Annual Latin jazz and Salsa Show Festival” Free Concert “ The king and his court” Tito Puente Jr, Melina Amordoval, Wanda Lopez, Melena La Timbera, Rafael Ortiz y Su Tumbao Urbano Orqestra, Friday Love, Kadencia Orqestra, DJ Eddy Mayorga, A tribute to our veterans and first responders. Food vendors, Community out reach programs, family-friendly event. Richmond Virginia the hub of Latin jazz and salsa in the south. At Dogwood Dell, 1300 Blanton Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23220
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September 2019 (Check back for exact dates as they are announced.)
Armenian Food Festival, 834 Pepper Ave, Richmond, VA 23226. Join St. James Armenian Church for the 59th annual Armenian Food Festival. Experience one of Richmond’s oldest cultural festivals. Delicious food, wine and beer, Armenian music, and dancers. Gift shop of items straight from Armenia. Tour the beautiful church and learn more about the Armenian Orthodox religion.
Northside Big Tent Community Festival – In Tune with the Northside: Celebrating its History and People. The Richmond Northside Festival 2018, In Tune with the Northside: Celebrating its History and People, in conjunction with the Richmond Symphony, seeks to showcase talented artists, outstanding school programs and exceptional community groups during a one day festival to be held September 8, 2018 in Bryan Park. This festival will feature the Richmond Symphony’s state-of-the art mobile stage known as the “Big Tent” and will include a variety of music, dance, theater performances, art exhibits, booths, food trucks, and other creative activities. Bryan Park, 4308 Hermitage Road, Richmond, VA 23227
Hispanic Parade and Festival, Hispanic American School for Advancement HASA,brings the community together as part of celebrating Latino Heritage month. Entertainment, games, live music and food. Broad Rock Park
Pickled & Fermented Festival. The Artisan Pickles club hosts an annual Pickled & Fermented festival – a celebration of all things pickled and fermented! Pickled fruit, pickled veggies, hot sauce, kimchi, BEER, Kombucha, live music from a local band, a pickle themed beer … if it’s pickled or fermented, they’re celebrating it! Hosted by Artisan Pickles and Center of the Universe Brewing. Center of the Universe Brewing Co. 11293 Air Park Rd., Ashland, VA – http://www.cotubrewing.com – http://www.artisanpickles.com/
21 September – Richmond Bluegrass Festival – lineup includes Nobody’s Business, Ragged Mountain String Band, Gallatin Canyon, Slack Family Bluegrass Band, Hogweed, and The Hot Seats. Hardywood Craft Brewery, 2408-2410 Ownby Ln., Richmond, Virginia 23220
Gallmeyer Farms Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch, 4506 Millers Lane, Richmond VA 23231 FREE VISITS TO JUMPING BUNNY BOUNCE HOUSE, FREE admission. Free Parking with free hayride shuttle. Fresh fall vegetables and mums for sale at The Veggie Stand. Live music. Craft vendors & local businesses. Hay rides & pony rides. Activities for all ages. Food vendors. Coolers, chairs & picnics welcome
Festival of India at the Greater Richmond Convention Center
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October 2019 (Check back for exact dates as they are announced.)
5 & 6 October – 2nd Street Festival, The 2nd Street Festival in historic Jackson Ward neighborhood features four stages of live music over two days. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the Mid-Atlantic’s largest street festivals.\
6 October – RVA Street Eats Festival
11-13 October – The Richmond Folk Festival embraces the heritage and traditions of all Americans. Legendary masters and the next generation of dynamic young artists will celebrate the musical soul and cultural roots of America on many stages of continuous music and dance. World-class artisans, countless varieties of ethnic foods and a Family Area ensures there’s something for every taste and every age! The Richmond Folk Festival will engage the entire community, bringing together diverse groups and drawing visitors from across the country.
13 October Indo-Sri Lankan Food Festival 2019 – authentic Indian and Sri Lankan Cuisines prepared fresh on site! FREE Admission, FREE Parking & FREE LIVE Music. 10509 Greenwood Rd. Glen Allen, VA 23059-4687
Fire, Flour & Fork – food festival extraordinaire
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April
French Food Festival. All proceeds of the festival go directly to support the Little Sister of the Poor.
May
Que Pasa? Festival food vendors from different Latinamerican countries such as Peru, Venezuela, El Salvador, Mexico and more, see the original Xochimilco boat decorations sent by the Mexican Embassy, try your dance moves to the sounds of salsa and bachata. At the Historic Canal Walk (139 Virginia St, Richmond VA – 23219)
Richmond Dance Festival – Three-weekend festival features local and national dance artists, as well as international dance film artists in the heart of historic Manchester in Richmond, VA. The festival includes live performances, as well as screenings of dance on film. This year, Richmond Dance Festival will showcase the work of 18 choreographers and 9 film artists. Performances include modern dance, hip-hop, contact improvisation and ballet, representing Richmond Dance Festival’s commitment to bringing diverse audiences together to enjoy the art of movement.
River and Trail Festival. Good Shepherd Episcopal School’s River and Trail Festival (formerly Community Bike Bash) celebrates all things outdoors afforded by our beautiful Forest Hill Park and James River Park System. This year we will be including river sports in the outdoor theme, as well as conservation organizations, local food, music, and artists. Most importantly, this event will benefit the Richmond Cycling Corp, a non-profit organization which creates and coaches cycling teams for youth living in Richmond’s housing projects. Come and enjoy food by Forest Hill’s own Kitchenette, music by Tin Can Fish Band, crafts for the kids, and art by local artists. Children will love the one-day-only Pop-up Adventure Playground, filled with loose parts for creative play. Stop by on your way to the Farmer’s Market– we’re two blocks from South of the James! Good Shepherd Episcopal School, 4207 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA 23225 http://www.gses.org
Southside Big Tent Community Festival. Music, dance, community, family, friends, food. Southside Community Center, Centro Comunitario Southside, 6255 Old Warwick Road, Richmond, Virginia 23224
Strawberry Street Festival at Fox Elementary School on Hanover Avenue in The Fan
Twisted Culture Art Festival, Twisted Ales Brewing 212 W. 6th St Richmond VA 23224. Featuring live music, spoken word, a cypher circle, & visual art. Free fun for the whole family. Come out & enjoy.
Annual Richmond Greek Festival! Enjoy delicious food, amazing entertainment, and our diverse Agora Marketplace. Greek dances, Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Ave. Richmond, VA
The Richmond Shakespeare Festival at Agecroft Hall is a treasured part of Quill Theatre’s season, and a truly unique experience in Richmond. Come see ‘Shakespeare Under the Stars’, where Quill performs some of the Bard’s finest work in the courtyard of an authentic Tudor home built in the 15th century and brought over from Lancashire, England in 1926. The grounds of Agecroft Hall open at 6pm for pre-show picnickers. Feel free to bring a blanket and a picnic dinner, and enjoy the beautiful gardens surrounding Agecroft, as well as the spectacular view from the Bluff. As you dine, members of Lord Moxley’s Players, the Festival Young Company, will stroll the grounds and entertain you with Shakespearean monologues, sonnets, and songs. The Taming of the Shrew runs through August 4. At Agecroft Hall, 4305 Sulgrave Rd., Richmond, VA 23221
June
RVA Latino Festival, Sacred Heart Cathedral, 1400 Perry St. Richmond, VA 23224 The festival kicks off with a Catholic Mass and includes tacos, live marimba band, folkloric dancing, games, raffles, Mexican bingo and more. A warm and colorful community festival.
Afro Cuban Mini-Fest by CLAVES allows attendees to Immerse themselves in the roots and rhythms of Afro-Cuban culture and dance with world-class master teachers and a dance and percussion community. Presented jointly brought CLAVES UNIDOS, Dogtown Dance Theatre and cinema partner, Afrikana Independent Film Festival
Ashland Strawberry Faire – Randolph-Macon College Campus. this festival fills the town with strawberry treats and more than 300 booths featuring food, antiques, arts and crafts, and information about local businesses and nonprofits. A Kids’ Zone has games and fun for the smaller set, while the whole family will enjoy live entertainment including local bands, a strawberry pageant, pet pageant, and more.
Festival of India. Cultural Center of India, Chesterfield. Indian food, entertainment, shopping and art. Free parking and free admission.
Juneteenth, A Festival of Freedom. Sponsored by the Elegba Folklore Society, Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration combines history with a contemporary family gathering featuring performances, speakers, the Freedom Market and children’s activities. A symposium and the Annual Torch Lit Night Walk on the Trail of Enslaved Africans are featured in observance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day.
Richmond Vegetarian Festival. Azalea Gardens at Bryan Park. live music, vendors, speakers, food demonstrations, and of course lots of amazing vegetarian and vegan fare!
JULY
20 July – Crab, Wine and Beer Festival, Browns Island
20 July – Dogtown Beer and Tacos Festival, Dogtown Brewing Co., 1209 Hull St, Richmond, Virginia 23224
11 – 14 July – Festival San Agustin, 4400 Beulah Road, Chesterfield, Virginia 23237 – rides, food, entertainment
13 July – RVA Reggae JERK Festival – Brown’s Island – music, food, crafts
13 July – Festival de Musica – 1-4pm – Chesterfield County’s Bensley Community Recreation Center presents Festival de Música. Featuring Plena music by Kadencia, Bomba dancing lessons by Semilla Cultural, Salsa lessons by The Salsa Guy, and music by DJ Peluche. This event also includes food trucks and vendors. Free fun for all ages. Bring your lawn chairs and come ready to eat, learn, dance, and sing.
12 & 13 July – Hanover Tomato Festival – From tomatoes to talented musicians, tomato pies to fried green tomatoes, artisans to agricultural vendors, bow-wow beach to the MaterFUN zone, this event is uniquely Hanover! Presented by Black Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Mechanicsville Local and Hanover County Parks and Recreation, this is the 40th anniversary of Hanover’s signature event. Visit www.hanovertomatofestival.com for entertainment schedule, vendor list, food vendors and their signature tomato cuisine. Pole Green Park Ln. Mechanicsville, VA 23116
27 July – HeArt and Soul Brewfest, 2408-2410 Ownby Ln, Richmond, Virginia 23220, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery from 1-9PM. With the Brewers Association, Dope Music. Urban Art. Craft beers. Soul Food. FREE. Family Friendly.
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Pine Camp Arts and Community Center
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