Richmond

Richmond Alerts

Alert

blue

Axios Richmond Partners

Axios Richmond

Standard

A picture of the Richmond skyline with the letters RIC

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Richmond.

Axios Richmond Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Richmond Members

Membership

Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax County residents, Cardinal News founder Dwayne Yancey reports from new IRS migration data.

Why it matters: The state's most populous locality is peak NoVa and Richmonders have ... well, thoughts about Northern Virginia.

Driving the news: Fairfax has been shedding residents for years as more people move out of the county than into it, Cardinal News reports.

Just over 76,000 people left in 2023, according to the latest IRS data, which tracks where tax returns are filed (and locality changes within those filings).

More than half of those movers left the state, and the majority of those who stayed in Virginia moved somewhere else in NoVa.

Yes, but: When Fairfax residents leave NoVa, Richmond is increasingly where they land.

"There has been no other part of the state that has seen such a jump in the number of people moving in from Fairfax County," Yancey writes.

By the numbers: 1,540 Fairfax residents moved to metro Richmond in 2023, per Cardinal News' data. Including:

Stunning stat: That's about a 74% increase in the number of people who moved from Fairfax to Richmond in 2005, according to Axios' analysis of Cardinal News' numbers.

Between the lines: Affordability, job opportunities and housing costs are the biggest drivers of people relocating in-state or out, according to Virginia Realtors' analysis of the IRS data.

The bottom line: The Fairfaxians (Fairfaxers?) are here, so let's be welcoming to our new neighbors. Just as long as they leave traffic and Tyson's back home.

Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax movers

The number of Fairfax residents moving to metro Richmond has jumped dramatically since 2005.

Busy city highway with multiple lanes of traffic and orange construction cones, flanked by a glass office building on the left and a tan tower with arched tops; a red crane rises in the background.

Tysons Corner in Fairfax, any day. Every day. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images 

Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax County residents, Cardinal News founder Dwayne Yancey <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://cardinalnews.org/2026/06/10/roanoke-valley-and-richmond-metro-have-become-magnets-for-people-moving-out-of-fairfax-county/" data-vars-content-id="4f61aaef-0fa1-4a62-aa72-a5deb9e79c5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax movers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cardinalnews.org/2026/06/10/roanoke-valley-and-richmond-metro-have-become-magnets-for-people-moving-out-of-fairfax-county/" target="_blank">reports</a> from new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IRS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-migration-data" data-vars-content-id="4f61aaef-0fa1-4a62-aa72-a5deb9e79c5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax movers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-migration-data" target="_blank">IRS</a> migration data.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s most populous locality is peak NoVa and Richmonders have ... well, thoughts about Northern Virginia.

News

The flotilla of international tall ships sailing up the East Coast have arrived in Richmond. 

Why it matters: That means Richmond SailFest — the free, weekend-long festival that's part of the state's 250th anniversary celebration — is here. 

Driving the news: Richmond's fest is part of the broader Sail250 event, which has brought dozens of tall ships from across the globe to ports up and down the East and Gulf costs. 

Three of them — The Oosterschelde, Pride of Baltimore II and Virginia — sailed up the James and will be posted up near Dock Street Park through Sunday.   

In celebration of their arrival, the city and the Virginia Museum of History & Culture are throwing a festival along Dock Street and the riverfront from Great Shiplock Park to Rocketts Landing. 

The free festivities start Friday, June 12 at 10:30am and run through Sunday, June 14 at 4pm. 

⛵️ Ship tours (they're sold out, but a limited number of tickets will be released each morning here) 

🎶 Live music ranging from Bio Ritmo and No BS! Brass to the Richmond Symphony and U.S. Fleet Forces Band 

💃 Live performances of 1800s sea shanties, jump rope, Native American flute, Japanese drums and West African dance

📜 Traveling exhibitions from VMHC and historical re-enactors

🎨 Live art from Studio Two Three and VMFA's mobile museum 

🚣 Paddling workshops from RVA Paddlesports (advance registration recommended)

The fine print: No parking zones will be in effect around the festival and the park parking lots — and Ancarrow's Landing across the river — will also be closed, per the city.  

The bottom line: It's shaping up to be a heck of a kickoff party for America's big birthday. 

International tall ships make a rare Richmond stop

Three historic vessels are anchoring a free festival packed with music, art and fireworks.

Tall sailing ship with cream canvas sails, brown masts and complex rigging, gliding on a blue ocean under a partly cloudy sky; crew visible on the deck.

Dutch tall ship Oosterschelde will port in Richmond. Image: Courtesy of  Tom Dixon.

The flotilla of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international tall ships" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/20/international-tall-ships-sail250-america-250-celebration" data-vars-content-id="5dfca841-41fc-4f5f-b8a7-59a3f20d1807" data-vars-headline="International tall ships make a rare Richmond stop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/new-orleans/2026/05/20/international-tall-ships-sail250-america-250-celebration" target="_self">international tall ships</a> sailing up the East Coast have arrived in Richmond. Why it matters: That means Richmond SailFest — the free, weekend-long festival that&#x27;s part of the state&#x27;s 250th anniversary celebration — is here.

Culture

Things to Do

A veritable village of miniature Richmond landmarks is now on display at the Valentine museum. 

Why it matters: They were made entirely by local students — and they're incredible. 

Driving the news: The Valentine's exhibition, "Building a City: Richmond's Landmarks," is the result of the museum's yearlong partnership with more than 500 Richmond students.

K-12 students across the region were invited to build models of one of 31 historically significant Richmond buildings, research their historical and architectural impact, and write exhibit labels to go with their miniatures.  

They could use any material they wanted, from Legos and cardboard to popsicle sticks. Just nothing edible.

Landmarks they could choose from included everything from the Maggie Walker House, Maymont Mansion and St. John's Church (all favorites) to Beth Ahabah, Altria and the Egyptian Building. 

Two wall photos in a gallery: left shows Tudor-style houses with a green lawn; right features a tall white corner tower on a red brick building labeled Richmond Dairy Building under a blue sky. Scale models sit in clear display cases below.

Agecroft and the Richmond Dairy Building, by 7th graders. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios 

The result: Stunning and shockingly accurate miniatures of Richmond landmarks constructed entirely by Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield students, from elementary to high school. 

Fun fact: Many of the students included interior details, like functional elevators and furniture that are only visible if you look closely. 

Some unearthed historical details they added in their models include people standing outside the windows at St. John's Church. 

Triptych of LEGO brick buildings in a museum display: left "John Marshall House," center wall photo above a model, right "Leigh Street Armory" diorama.

John Marshall House, Main Street Station and the Leigh Street Armory. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios 

The bottom line: Richmond has some very talented students. You should  see for yourself.  

If you go: "Building a City: Richmond's Landmarks" is on display through May 2027. 

The Valentine is open every day but Monday and admission is free on Thursdays. 

Adult admission is $12 other days. Kids under 18 are free. 

A miniature Richmond is now on display at the Valentine

Local students recreated everything from Maymont to Main Street Station in striking detail.

Three museum dioramas in glass cases: left a white church steeple; middle a red brick building with green-striped awnings; right a display with a helmet and armor on a grassy base.

St. John's, Maggie Walker and Belgian Friendship Building at VUU. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios 

A veritable village of miniature Richmond landmarks is now on display at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Valentine museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/16/richmond-gun-hole-valentine-museum-artifact" data-vars-content-id="7690a440-f92f-4781-90bb-75e441ff716f" data-vars-headline="A miniature Richmond is now on display at the Valentine" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/10/16/richmond-gun-hole-valentine-museum-artifact" target="_self">the Valentine museum</a>. Why it matters: They were made entirely by local students — and they&#x27;re incredible.

Richmond may not be hosting any World Cup matches, but there are still plenty of ways for locals to get in on the action.  

Why it matters: RVA has long been a hotbed for soccer fandom, and with the FIFA World Cup's arrival, locals can expect one glorious month of wall-to-wall soccer fever. 

The big picture: For the first time in decades, the men's World Cup will unfold on North American clocks. 

The global spectacle co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada begins Thursday at 3pm, when Mexico opens the tournament against South Africa. 

In total, 48 nations will vie for the game's most coveted trophy in 104 matches through July 19. 

Zoom in: Tons of Richmond restaurants are getting in on the global spectacle. More than a dozen of them are airing all the games, and plenty are also offering specials. 

Here are the ones shaping up to be the biggest: 

Abuelita's on Midlo in South Richmond has its TVs ready and the World Cup happens to coincide with "Aguas Locas" season. 

That's a Mexican party drink, served with tequila or mezcal and topped with Mexican candies, which might be the perfect soccer drink. 

Game Plan Bar in Midlothian has turned itself into a World Cup Pop-Up bar.

They'll have themed hot dogs for $7.99, special cocktails and buckets of beer, and for the Thursday opener, they'll put your picture on a Guinness pint glass.

Gus' Bar and Grill in the Fan has long been a soccer hot spot, so head here if you're looking to watch with soccer die-hards. 

House of Futbol near the Diamond District will air all the matches as Richmond's newest soccer bar, and we're pretty sure the only coffee soccer bar in town.

Penny Lane is airing all but three matches and expecting to be packed.

The downtown pub is asking full groups to arrive together, instituting game spend minimums and adding gratuity to all checks, but it'll still be one of the coolest places to be for any match.

Scotty's Taphouse in Scott's Addition is airing the matches on all 23+ of its TVs and its "MASSIVE projector," plus pouring drink specials and serving wings with team-inspired sauces.

The British Embassy downtown will have "savory meat pies, plenty of sausage rolls and an abundance of beer."

Cochiloco in Scott's Addition promises game-day vibes and plenty of birria tacos. 

Galley in Stratford Hills will have buckets of beer and any pizza for $14.95 with matches airing on its two walls of TVs.

Importante Bodega in Carytown is extending its hours to show all the matches. Go for the soccer, stay for the wine club. 

Las Palmas Mexican and Seafood in the West End will have the matches on all their TVS, and will have specials. 

Memi's, an Egyptian restaurant in the Fan, will run happy hour specials until 9pm for the opener. And of course they're opening early for Egypt's 3pm Monday match. 

The Park in the Diamond District will have $14 buckets of PBR and Tecate.

Parlay Bar & Lounge in Scott's Addition will have all of the matches on its patio big screen, "ParlayTron." When Team USA plays, they'll also air the matches inside. 

Performance Pickleball RVA's in-house restaurant, Kitchen RVA, will be serving up $10 domestic beer buckets and $12 import buckets while all the matches play on the Regency spot's giant TVs. 

Rosie Connolly's in Shockoe Bottom is hosting watch parties with day-of updates on their social media.

Taco Bamba in Willow Lawn will offer happy hour deals during all matches, plus $20 Modelo buckets.

Nighttime stadium scene with a packed stands and colorful banners along the wall. Bright floodlights cast glare over a red, two-story press box as spectators watch a game on the green field.

Just some of the space for 6,000 fans in City Stadium. Image: Courtesy of the Richmond Kickers 

Zoom out: The World Cup is an international competition, of course, but a few local spots are going all-in for Team USA, which plays Paraguay on Friday at 9pm. 

Here's where you can find those big deal parties: 

⚽️ The Richmond Kickers expect "close to a sellout" for Friday for their first of four free World Cup watch parties, team spokesperson Gaby Di Gangi tells Axios.

That means you can watch Team USA on City Stadium's 65-by-35-foot screen with 6,000 of your (soon-to-be) closest friends. 

Plus, the Kickers are throwing pre-match parties with $4 Michelob Ultra pints for happy hour (7-9pm), live music, food trucks, a photo booth,  soccer Skee-Ball and giveaways.

 Advance registration for the free tickets is strongly encouraged. 

🤘 The Broadberry is also having a watch party on Friday with five screens and beer buckets (doors open at 7:30pm). Free.

🎳 River City Roll promises "Red, White & Roll" energy on Friday with full sound on all of its screens, plus food and drink specials and freebies. They're getting the party started at 3pm. Free.

🍻 Bingo Beer Co.'s beer garden will be dedicated to soccer fans Friday night with the match on the projector and sound on. Free.

📆 And save the date for the city's finale watch party on July 19 in 17th Street Market, with the match on a giant LED screen. 

📺 If you hate people and crowds, you can also catch the World Cup on TV. 

Games will be broadcast in English on Fox, FS1, and the Fox One app.

Telemundo will air Spanish-language broadcasts on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app.

The bottom line: The World Cup is here. If you weren't a soccer fan already, you'll likely be by mid-July, along with the rest of Richmond. 

Richmond bars and restaurants embrace World Cup fever

From City Stadium to soccer bars, RVA has watch parties and drink specials for the next month.

Illustration of a falling soccer ball with one patch replaced by the United States.

Richmond may not be hosting any <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/2026-fifa-world-cup-schedule" data-vars-content-id="87fe8dc0-45c7-4989-91a9-e634ef26d421" data-vars-headline="Richmond bars and restaurants embrace World Cup fever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/06/2026-fifa-world-cup-schedule" target="_self">World Cup matches</a>, but there are still plenty of ways for locals to get in on the action. Why it matters: RVA has long been a hotbed for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="soccer fandom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/05/31/richmond-soccer-ivy-kickers-attendance-tickets" data-vars-content-id="87fe8dc0-45c7-4989-91a9-e634ef26d421" data-vars-headline="Richmond bars and restaurants embrace World Cup fever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/05/31/richmond-soccer-ivy-kickers-attendance-tickets" target="_self">soccer fandom</a>, and with the FIFA World Cup&#x27;s arrival, locals can expect one glorious month of wall-to-wall soccer fever.

State lawmakers and consumer advocates are questioning how beneficial the proposed Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy merger will actually be for Virginians' wallets.

Why it matters: The deal comes with billions of dollars in credits for Dominion customers, so it's certain to affect Richmonders' power bills, but it's unclear by how much and for how long.

Driving the news: Last week, state lawmakers questioned Dominion leadership during an Energy Commission of Virginia meeting, honing in on the $2.25 billion in electric bill credits both energy giants are promising for Dominion users if the merger is approved.

Dominion's Virginia customers would see $1.8 billion of those credits over two years under the proposed deal. 

That would work out to a rebate of "roughly $10 a month for a residential customer" for 24 months, Dominion Energy Virginia president Ed Baine told the commission, calling it "the largest customer credit that's been proposed" in his 30 years with the company. 

Yes, but: While Dominion's Virginia customers would see that targeted bill relief, there's no indication that ratepayers would be protected from future bill hikes. 

Plus, the state regulatory commission ultimately decides the final credit amount, a company spokesperson told Axios last month.

What they're saying: "The intent was to provide meaningful credits in the short term" to help with affordability, Baine told the commission when questioned by members about long-term savings for ratepayers.

Long-term savings could come through "efficiencies" created once the companies merge and passed onto Virginians through Dominion's biennial rate review, he added.

Baine didn't quantify how much or what that could look like.

But a merged company would be able to buy equipment, like poles and wires, plus borrow money more cheaply, and customers would ultimately see those long-term savings in their bills, Dominion officials tell Axios.

Threat level: Critics of the deal say the credits are meant to buy political capital and ensure the merger's approval, not help Virginians with energy costs, the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism reports. 

Those include Clean Virginia, a clean energy advocacy group, and consumer protection organization Virginia Poverty Law Center. 

They point to NextEra subsidiary Florida Power & Light's latest rate increase — $7 billion over four years — which went into effect this year and was the largest in the company's history.

The merger would "create the country's largest regulated electric utility. And the risks to Virginia ratepayers are equally large," Clean Virginia's executive director Brennan Gilmore told the commission last week.

Gilmore urged lawmakers and state regulators to carefully scrutinize the merger and the effect it could have on Virginians' bills. 

What's next: Baine said Dominion plans to file its merger application with the state SCC in the third quarter of this year, which will begin the regulator's formal review process.

The SCC could require additional consumer protections to be added to the deal as part of their review, officials told lawmakers last week.

What Dominion-NextEra merger could mean for Richmond bills

Supporters tout short-term bill relief, while critics warn future rate hikes could erase the gains.

an illustration of a one dollar bill with a lightning bolt cut out of the middle

State lawmakers and consumer advocates are questioning how beneficial the proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/18/dominion-nextera-merger-richmond-virginia" data-vars-content-id="c4fb0882-b4ec-46d2-84f4-e111180b47ab" data-vars-headline="What Dominion-NextEra merger could mean for Richmond bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/18/dominion-nextera-merger-richmond-virginia" target="_self">Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy</a> merger will actually be for Virginians&#x27; wallets.Why it matters: The deal comes with billions of dollars in credits for Dominion customers, so it&#x27;s certain to affect Richmonders&#x27; power bills, but it&#x27;s unclear by how much and for how long.

Karri Peifer

Featured stories

A miniature Richmond is now on display at the Valentine

What Dominion-NextEra merger could mean for Richmond bills

Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax movers

International tall ships make a rare Richmond stop

Richmond bars and restaurants embrace World Cup fever