All the can't-miss fall festivals in Richmond
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Richmond's 2nd Street Festival in 2017. it's on October 5-6 this year. Image: Courtesy of Richmond Region Tourism
Fall festival season has arrived in Richmond.
Why it matters: It's the city's very best festival season, usually promising minimal rain, zero humidity and just the right temperature to rock some boots or a statement jacket.
The big picture: Richmond is a town that will "throw a festival for just about anything ..."
- "It's like they've got an unspoken competition to see who can come up with the most obscure reason to block off half the streets for a weekend."
- Wait, no, that's not us writing. That's how ChatGPT responded when we asked it last week to roast Richmond.
- But, hey, when the chatbot's right, it's right.
Here's the proof, by way of a sampling of the nearly two-dozen festivals happening over the next six or so weeks.
September
Sept. 12-15: 🎻 Strad Fest, a new four-day festival from the Richmond Symphony, is a celebration of Stradivarius violins and the kickoff of the symphony's new season.
- All weekend at the Carpenter Theatre. Ticketed event; times and prices vary.
Sept. 14: 🍸 Virginia Distilled is a mini-fest that celebrates the state's craft distilleries and booze history at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
- Five local distilleries will be there pouring unlimited samples, plus food trucks and live music. 6pm; tickets are $40 for non-members, $10 for DDs.
Sept. 14: 🏳️🌈 Pridefest, the best delayed pride festival on the East Coast, is back and once again at Bon Secours Training Center, which was just renamed Midtown Green.
- Attendees will find live music and performances from Crystal Waters, Tank and the Bangas, RuPaul's Drag Race alums Mistress Isabelle Brooks and Kennedy Davenport, plus food and booze trucks. Noon-8pm. Free.
Sept. 14: 🏺 The 43rd Street Festival of the Arts brings together 75 regional artists and makers, plus live music and food trucks, for a South Richmond block party.
- On 43rd Street off Forest Hill Avenue. 10am-4pm. Free.
Sept. 20-22: 🍻 St. Benedict Oktoberfest is Richmond's favorite Oktoberfest with three days of beer, stein-holding contests, chicken dances and German food outside St. Benedict church in the Museum District.
- Friday-Sunday, times vary. Free.
Sept. 21-22: 🌺 Iron Blossom Music Festival is back at Bon Secours Training Center/Midtown Green after last year's incredible premiere, and likely much cooler than August 2023.
- Headliners this year include: Caamp, Mt. Joy, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and the Turnpike Troubadours. Single-day tickets start at $135.22.
Sept. 21: 🎺 The RVA East End Festival music and dance fest features student and professional performances and collects funds for East End schools' performing arts programs.
- Noon-9pm at Chimborazo Park. Free.
Sept. 21-22: 🍺 Maymont Bier-Garden — Maymont's two-day German-style festival gives locals something they can't get from the one in the Museum District: grass, and lots of it.
- Craft beer will be served, plus Bavarian specialties, and there will be food trucks and live music, too, of course. Don't miss the parade of costumed Dachshunds at 3:30pm both days. Non-member adult tickets are $10.
Sept. 27-29: 🪕 Richmond Folk Festival — ICYMI, Richmond's favorite festival is two weeks early this year to avoid falling on Yom Kippur. This three-day fest is always a can't-miss, especially this year, its 20th anniversary.
- Attendees will find dozens of performers across five stages, more than 30 food vendors, tons of beer and wine options and crafts and events for kids. Free.
Sept. 28-29: 🇮🇳 The Festival of India brings together the fantastic food, culture, clothes and jewelry of India for two days at the Convention Center.
- Did we mention the food? You can check out dozens of food vendors and sample all types of dishes from across the country. Free.
Sept. 27-Oct. 6: 🎡 The State Fair of Virginia — not technically a festival, but when you consider the food options alone, it can definitely be treated as one. Back again at Meadow Event Park.
- Tickets start at $10.50, and unlimited ride wristbands are $22.50.
October
Tired yet? Richmond's festival energy isn't. So, briefly, save the dates for next month's festivals:
Oct. 4-5: 🇦🇲 The Armenian Food Festival —feast on Armenian food and drink at St. James Armenian Church. Free.
Oct. 5-6: 🎤 2nd Street Festival, celebrating all things Jackson Ward in J. Ward. Free.
Oct. 5: 🥗 Richmond VegFest, 100 vegan-friendly vendors at Byrd Park. Free.
Oct. 5: 🦪 OystoberFest, oysters and beer in Ginter Park. Free.
Oct. 5: 🍷 Powhatan Festival of the Grape, wine (and beer and liquor) in the country. $35.
Oct. 12: 🐷 Hog on the Hill, pork and beer at at Libby Hill Park in Church Hill. Free.
Oct. 18-19: Richmond Oktoberfest, our most German of German fests at Meadow Event Park. $15-18.
Oct 19: 🎃 Scott's Addition Pumpkin Festival, a mixed-up celebration of pumpkins and street drinking and Scott's Addition. At Bon Secours Training Center/Midtown Green. Free.
The bottom line: Richmond, we have a problem. But it's a super fun one to have, so let's change nothing and keep having all the festivals.
- We'll see you there.