Spring 2020 Events & Festivals In Richmond, VA

2020 Spring Events & Festivals In Richmond, VA

Spring is right around the corner (although, where the heck was winter this year?), and unlike the holiday season, you have to search for things to look forward to in the early months of the year. Here, the hard work has been done for you with our list of the best events and festivals to attend in Richmond this Spring. Are we missing something? Let us know, and we’ll add it!

First Fridays

On the first Friday of every month, downtown Broad Street lights up with art gallery openings, food, and entertainment. The typical gallery line-up is an impressive one, with 1708 Gallery, Quirk Gallery, Gallery5, Art180, and so many others participating. Walk the streets until you catch the fire dancers or find yourself exploring one of the many pop-up artist booths. Don’t forget to take a peek at Quirk Hotel, it might just make you feel like you are in a Wes Anderson movie. Check out First Fridays’ website for full schedule and gallery list.

Richmond Black Restaurant Experience: March 1-8, 2020

The Richmond Black Restaurant Experience is a one-week celebration of Richmond’s exceptional black-owned restaurants, food truck and cart operators, caterers, and local chefs. RBRE is a city-wide event, with 2020 participating restaurants sure to excite local foodies! Keep tabs on the website and RBRE Instagram to get updated information as it’s available.

Virginia Wine Expo: March 3-8, 2020

The 2020 Virginia Wine Expo showcases Virginia’s amazing craft beverage scene. The Expo’s signature events will be held at Main Street Station in Shockoe Bottom, highlighting Virginia’s wine, beer, cider, spirits, and local cuisine. There are 30+ curated events, but if you just can’t make them all, make sure to check out the Walk-Around Grand Tasting, during which you can sample some of Virginia’s best wines!

Shamrock The Block: March 14, 2020

Perhaps Richmond’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Shamrock The Block is known for live music acts, plenty of food and drink, and lots (and lots) of people wearing their greenest getups. Make sure to get out for the FREE 16th annual event, the start to outdoor festival season in RVA! This year’s event is back on Arthur Ashe Boulevard between Leigh and Broad Streets.

Richmond Reptile Expo: March 21, 2020

If you’re looking for an offbeat activity on a Saturday, the Richmond Reptile Expo may be the way to go. The expo’s organizers are passionate about bringing together people who really care about the safety of their reptile, and attending the event can be a cool learning experience. If seeing a snake in the zoo is too tame, and one slithering across your backyard is too close, the reptile expo will provide you the perfect amount of interaction with these animals.

Church Hill Irish Festival: March 21-22, 2020

If all the beer and music of Shamrock the Block isn’t enough for you, feel like you’ve traveled straight to Ireland by only going a few miles east to The Church Hill Irish Festival. What makes this St. Patrick’s Day celebration great is the balance between those 21+ traditions (looking at you, green beer) and the kid-friendly activities. This festival is one of the few that’s a good time for all ages.

Richmond Brunch Weekend: March 21-22, 2020

Richmond loves a good brunch – and we mean, really loves it. So much so, that there is an entire weekend dedicated to celebrating the sort-of breakfast, sort-of lunch meal. A partnership between As Told Over Brunch and the Massey Cancer Alliance, Richmond Brunch Weekend is a collection of local favorite restaurants pledging to give back 15% of brunch proceeds to the VCU Massey Cancer Center, so you can feel great about dining out. Maybe even brunch twice?

French Film Festival: March 26-29, 2020

If the International Film Festival doesn’t have enough movies for you, or you missed all the films coming out of France, you’ll get a second crack at it at the end of March. The Byrd Theatre will host the 28th annual French Film Festival, which has, since 2003, been recognized by no less than the French Ambassador to the US as the most important French Film Festival in the country.

Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k: March 28, 2020

Join one of the country’s best races – the Monument Ave 10K! “Richmond’s biggest block party” will take place on March 28 this year, with nearly 25,000 participants. You can run, you can walk, you can cheer – whatever you choose, you’re sure to have a great time! There’s also a race for the kids, plus a literal rocking post-race party with live music and entertainment!

Easter On Parade: April 12, 2020

After church on Easter Sunday, head over to Monument Avenue for a different kind of parade. Your typical parade format is flipped on its head each year, as vendors and attractions remain in place, and spectators parade around Monument Avenue to see them all. Dress in your best pastel colors, perhaps don a large hat, and don’t forget to bring your dog!

Flying Squirrels Opening Weekend: April 16, 2020

See Richmond’s home team open their season vs. the Bowie Baysox at The Diamond! You’ll be in good company as Richmond often leads the minor leagues in attendance. Not a huge sports fan? No matter. The Squirrels’ games are about more than just baseball – there is local craft beer, deep fried PB&J, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment (dancing umpires and pot-bellied pigs, anyone?). If you can’t make it to opening weekend, check out the themed nights, or find an evening game with a fireworks show on the 2020 Squirrel’s schedule.

2020 RVA Street Art Festival: April 16-19, 2020

You know how RVA has hundreds of colorful, gorgeous murals sprinkled throughout the city? Did you know RVA also has a street art festival to recognize and honor these amazing pieces? The 5th annual RVA Street Art Festival “takes on its biggest canvas to date” this year along the Floodwall in Shockoe Bottom. The festival, in partnership with the Richmond Department of Public Utilities, will turn Richmond’s Floodwall into a canvas of mixed-media art, including painted murals, projection lighting, landscape art, and more.

NASCAR Races: April 18-19, 2020

Feel the roar of the crowd and the rumble of the engines as the cars fly past you at over 180mph. The April races are back under the lights on Friday and Saturday night! The Toyota Owners 400 (the main event) is on Saturday.

RVA International Film Festival: April 21-26, 2020

Over several days in April, two Richmond theaters will show quality flick after quality flick (over 120 in total, representing nearly 20 countries). In between screenings, you can catch panels, awards, musical performances, and more at both the modern Bowtie Movieland and the historic Byrd Theatre.

French Food Festival: April 24-25, 2020

Do you love French food? Do you long to stroll the streets of Paris? We can’t help you get to the real thing, but you’ll feel transported straight to France and all its food and drink with Richmond’s French Food Festival. Since 2009, this event has benefitted the Little Sisters of the Poor, which aids the elderly population of Richmond. Last year’s menu featured a “crusty filet of salmon coulibiac with spinach lobster sauce,” and this years’ impressive line-up of chefs includes Alsace-born Paul Elbling. Is your mouth watering yet?

Dominion Riverrock: May 15-17, 2020

Richmond’s river system, trails, and outdoor vibes are an integral part of the RVA culture – so much so that there’s a festival for it! And not just any festival, Dominion Riverrock is one of the world’s largest outdoor sports and music festivals. The weekend is packed full of events – mud runs, bike races, white-water kayaking, bouldering competitions, stand up paddle boarding, and more! And you know the high-flying Ultimate Airdogs are back! Anyone (or any dog) can participate in the amateur events, and for all the time between, you’ll find endless music and food!

You Might Also Like: