Summer 2024 Events & Festivals In Richmond, VA

Summer 2024 Events & Festivals in Richmond, VA

The weather is hot, the river is refreshing, and festival season is in full swing. Food, music, sports, culture, and more, Richmond has a festival (or several) for everyone this summer. Here, the hard work of planning your weekends has been done for you with our list of the best events and festivals to attend in Richmond this Summer. Are we missing something? Let us know, and we’ll add it!

You can also check out our events guides for Fall, Winter, and Spring. Looking for other things to do? Read about our top things to do in Richmond in the Summer.

Richmond Night Market: April-December (Second Saturday)

Richmond Night Market hits the second Saturday of every month (April-December). This open air event highlights creativity, commerce, and community, all in one place – Richmond’s 17th Street Market at 100 N 17th St. From an artisan village independent artists and small business owners to a kids hangout, from live music on the main stage to a Maker’s Space, the Richmond Night Market has something for everyone to enjoy.

Friday Cheers: May-June

Brown’s Island is home to Friday Cheers, a weekly summer concert series with some of the biggest up-and-coming artists taking place every Friday in May and June. In it’s 39th season, it is Richmond’s longest-running concert series. Check out the full 2024 lineup here!​

Flowers After 5: Mid-May-October (Every Thursday)

Every Thursday of the summer, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens puts on Flowers After 5, a music, food, and drink series that allows you to wander the gardens (until 9PM), have a few drinks, and listen to relaxing music (5-8 PM) as the day starts to cool down. This year, the second and fourth Thursday nights are also Fidos After 5 nights – Lewis Ginter partners with the Richmond SPCA and leashed dogs are allowed.

Dominion Riverrock: May 17-19, 2024

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!

Richmond Greek Festival: May 30-June 2, 2024

The Richmond Greek Festival is probably one of RVA’s most well-attended food festivals! Gyros, Souvlaki, Spanakopita, Baklava, oh my! Check out all of the music, dancing, and culture that the festival has to offer while feasting on all the Greek delights! In a rush? Go through the drive through and serve it up on the go or at home. And if you can’t wait until June, you can always pay a visit to Greek on Cary or Stella’s.

Richmond Shakespeare Festival: May 23-July 21, 2024

Come check out the Richmond Shakespeare Festival in the courtyard of an authentic Tudor home built in the 16th century! This year’s show will feature performances of Much Ado About Nothing (May 23-June 23), and Doctor Faustus (July 4-21). Bring your lawn chairs, picnics, and blankets for a lovely outdoor performance!

Richmond ToolBank’s Hammer & Ales: June 8

Get ready to party for a purpose! Hammers & Ales is an all-day event at Dorey Park & Recreation Center that features a half-day community and corporate volunteer experience. This experience has participants using ToolBank materials, tools, and instructions to hand-build outdoor furniture that is then donated to local community groups in need. Dorey Park becomes an open-air festival with tool-themed games & activities, local beer, and lots of fantastic food trucks.

RVA Black Farmers Market: June-November (Second & Fourth Sundays)

RVA Black Farmers Market is held on the second and fourth Sundays from June through November. Here, you can pick from the freshest selections of produce, homemade goods, and crafts by Black farmers and artisans. Founded in August 2020, this market was born in celebration of cultural togetherness and resilience. It celebrates Black farmers and home growers throughout Virginia and beyond.

Hanover Tomato Festival: July 12-13

The Hanover Tomato Festival at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville features rides, tomatoes, live music, tomatoes, games, and tomatoes! This family-friendly (and free!) event attracts over 25,000 attendees each year and features more than 200 vendors with creative, unique tomato dishes.

Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ: July 27

This festival is perhaps the ultimate afternoon of overindulgence. Featuring 40 types of Bourbon, 60 beers on tap, AND unlimited tastings, Bourbon, Beer, and BBQ is a fun way to spend the day filling up on your favorite vices. “This annual affair offers up all those pleasures that true Southerners live by – Beer, Bourbon, Barbecue, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass, and Smoked Beasts!” A portion of the proceeds go to Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation.

Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival: August 3

Come watch as colorfully-costumed Richmonders (and non-Richmonders) race dragon boats down the James River. Or if you’re feeling up for it, sign up a team and ACTUALLY race down the river! Between boat races, there will be Chinese cultural performances and plenty of food trucks and beer gardens to keep you nourished.

Carytown Watermelon Festival: August 11

Watermelon and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly. Don’t believe us? Just ask the nearly 100,000 people who flock to Carytown each August for Virginia’s largest single-day festival. With more than 3,000 watermelons, 80 musicians, a beer garden, and watermelon-themed goods and edibles, you’ll be full and entertained at the annual Carytown Watermelon Festival.

Iron Blossom Music Festival: September 21-22

The Iron Blossom Music Festival is back and will bring world-class music and local favorites to Richmond. The 2024 lineup is yet to be announced but is sure to include an awesome variety of musical genres sure to please everyone. Don’t miss out on the Artisan Bazaar Culinary Village, which will reflect the best of Richmond food and drink (with an emphasis on local sourcing!)

PrideFest: September 24

Help RVA celebrate its LGBTQ community at PrideFest 2024! This event brings tens of thousands of people to Brown’s Island and features daylong entertainment, plus tons of food and activities. The best part – it’s free for everyone!

Richmond Jazz and Music Festival: TBD

For one weekend in August, Maymont Park is taken over by beautiful sounds and expressions of creativity in the form of jazz. The festival is a true celebration of the art-form and makes for a full weekend of entertainment. The Richmond Jazz Fest is one of the largest such festivals on the East Coast, meaning you’ll certainly get your saxophone and soul fix here!

Broad Appetit: TBD

When 70+ of Richmond’s best restaurants create $3 dollar mini-dishes for all to enjoy, how could you possibly stay away? Multiple awards are given out at the end of the festival, including a People’s Choice Award. Broad Appetit benefits FeedMore, an organization that helps to solve hunger and nutrition problems in vulnerable areas. More thirsty than hungry? The festival also sells samples of various Virginia beers for just $6.

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