What to do in Richmond this weekend as temperatures climb
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
The weekend is coming in hot — literally (temps are expected to be in the 90s starting Friday).
- Here's how to distract yourself from the heat.
Friday
🎨 It's First Fridays, Richmond's monthly arts crawl with gallery openings, pop-up markets and live performances across the Arts District downtown. 5-9pm. Free.
🌙 Shop under the stars. Gallery5 and Richmond Moon Market are teaming up for a First Friday block party in Jackson Ward, complete with local artists, makers, food trucks and live music. 5-10pm. Free.
🔥 Artist Abigail DeVille's exhibition, "Deo Vindice (Orion's Cabinet)," which was inspired by images of Richmond burning after the Civil War, opens. Runs through Aug. 15. Free.
🏎️ It's also First Fridays at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, which has free admission, bounce houses, face painting, food trucks and a special NASCAR and Richmond Raceway theme (with cars). 5-8pm. Free.
🎸 Maymont is hosting its Summer Kickoff Concert with Three Sheets to the Wind and Tom Petty cover band Full Moon Fever. 5-10pm. Adult tickets start at $20.
👹 There's a Shrek Rave at The Broadberry. Yes, that's a Shrek-themed rave with the tag line, "it's dumb just come have fun." 9pm. Tickets start at $26.41.
Saturday
🌳 Head back over to Maymont for its Cheers to 100 years anniversary celebration. There will be food trucks, crafts, free mansion tours, keeper talks at the animal habitats and much more. Noon-5pm. Free.
🎶 Might as well make it a Maymont weekend and hit up Carbon Leaf at Music at Maymont. 6pm. $30.
🍓 The Ashland Strawberry Faire is taking over Randolph-Macon College's ground for strawberry-themed treats, vendors, food and live entertainment. 10am-5pm. Free.
🏅 Cheer on Virginia athletes at the Special Olympics Virginia Summer Games, with more than 1,200 competitors from across the state. All day Friday and Saturday. Free.
🎨 Family Day at VMFA celebrates African and African American cultures with performances, a make-your-own drum event and art activities for kids. 11am-3pm. Free.
Sunday
🏊 Get thee to a pool. All of the city public pools are open daily (1-7pm), as are the splash pads in the counties. All day, every day. Free.
⚱️ RVA Clay Tour has some self-guided tours of local studios and their work. Saturday 10am-5pm, and Sunday, noon-4pm. Free.