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Driving in Richmond gets more expensive this weekend

All-electronic tolling begins Saturday and red light cameras start issuing $50 tickets March 1.

News

Driving around Richmond will get more expensive starting this weekend. Why it matters: If you&#x27;re a red light-runner or non-E-ZPass toll road user, your grace periods are up.

Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes

State officials say the federal shift on childhood vaccines wasn't backed by evidence.

Health

The Virginia Department of Health is breaking with the Trump administration&#x27;s latest vaccine guidance, which narrows the list of universally recommended shots for kids.Why it matters: It&#x27;s at least <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the second time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" data-vars-content-id="76cff643-c268-4cbd-a989-8d55c8523cdf" data-vars-headline="Virginia health department defies Trump vaccine changes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/09/24/virginia-cdc-mmrv-vaccine-rules" target="_self">the second time</a> in the past six months that VDH has moved away from controversial federal changes.

Virginia may unwind decades-old liquor sales mandate

Lawmakers approved a tiered system to replace a food sales mandate dating back to 1968.

Legislation that would lower the Virginia restaurants&#x27; food-to-<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="liquor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/06/03/virginia-distilleries-generate-1-billion-a-year-for-the-states-economy" data-vars-content-id="71ad8b7c-f8b1-47e5-a9d8-d435474c04f6" data-vars-headline="Virginia may unwind decades-old liquor sales mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/06/03/virginia-distilleries-generate-1-billion-a-year-for-the-states-economy" target="_self">liquor</a> sales ratio is headed to Gov. Abigail Spanberger&#x27;s desk. Why it matters: Many in the restaurant industry have been pushing for a ratio change for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than a decade" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondbizsense.com/2016/01/21/bar-owners-take-shot-at-changing-45-percent-rule/" data-vars-content-id="71ad8b7c-f8b1-47e5-a9d8-d435474c04f6" data-vars-headline="Virginia may unwind decades-old liquor sales mandate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2016/01/21/bar-owners-take-shot-at-changing-45-percent-rule/" target="_blank">more than a decade</a>.

Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle

The latest mass shooting revives a long cycle of violence and uneasy recovery in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom.

The early Saturday morning mass shooting in Shockoe Bottom was the latest in a string of violence going back decades in one of Richmond&#x27;s oldest neighborhoods.Why it matters: The Bottom&#x27;s recent history shows that high-profile violence can become a tipping point prompting lasting policy changes.State of play: Shockoe Bottom has a long and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="complicated history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/03/14/richmond-shockoe-bottom-slavery-center" target="_self">complicated history</a>, but the flood-prone valley as a Richmond nightlife destination didn&#x27;t really begin until the mid-1980s and super-charged in the mid-&#x27;90s, after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Floodwall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/public-utilities/news/floodwall-faqs" target="_blank">Floodwall</a> was completed.<ul><li>After the Floodwall was done in 1995 and the district was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mostly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">mostly</a> protected from frequent flooding, developers flocked in, converting old warehouses and buildings into apartments and retail, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style Weekly reported." data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style Weekly reported.</a></li><li>New restaurants, clubs and music venues quickly joined existing Shockoe spots, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bird in Hand" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/from-the-archives/plus/article_4a719cf3-4f30-5486-9b23-111a15ebecb4.html" target="_blank">Bird in Hand</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chetti&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/short-order-24/" target="_blank">Chetti&#x27;s</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moondance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/the-lights-go-out-on-moondance-saloon-ending-seven-years-as-richmonds-most-eclectic-and-reliable-musical-venue/" target="_blank">Moondance</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Flood Zone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Czb3oU8uqWR/?hl=en" target="_blank">the Flood Zone</a>. </li><li>By the early aughts, Shockoe Bottom had arrived. The nightlife destination offered high-end restaurants like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Havana &#x27;59" data-vars-click-url="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.havana59.com/our-story" target="_blank">Havana &#x27;59</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Julep&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://rva.juleps.net/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rva.juleps.net/" target="_blank">Julep&#x27;s</a>, live music at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alley Katz" data-vars-click-url="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmond.com/entertainment/article_67418ff2-7903-5327-a022-459864258672.html" target="_blank">Alley Katz</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bottom Line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.yelp.com/biz/bottom-line-tap-and-grill-richmond" target="_blank">The Bottom Line</a>, late-night eats at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="River City Diner" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/food-news/river-city-diner-shockoe-bottom-closes/" target="_blank">River City Diner</a> and dancing and debauchery in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tiki Bob&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mytiki.life/tiki-bars/tiki-bobs-cantina-4" target="_blank">Tiki Bob&#x27;s</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Have a Nice Day Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondbizsense.com/2014/12/05/nightclubs-party-days-are-over/" target="_blank">Have a Nice Day Cafe</a>, plus dozens more. </li></ul>Zoom in: Just as the Bottom&#x27;s upswing began, so did the violence. By mid-2004, Richmond Police started ramping up patrols in the neighborhood after nine people were shot, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Style" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/here-comes-the-neighborhood/" target="_blank">per Style</a>. <ul><li>It wouldn&#x27;t matter. The end of summer brought <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hurricane Gaston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2022/08/30/remembering-destruction-hurricane-gaston-18-years-later/" target="_blank">Hurricane Gaston</a>, which left much of the Bottom submerged. It took some businesses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two years to recover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/2019/08/28/we-came-back-have-been-successful-ever-since-bottoms-up-pizza-recounts-horror-gaston-years-later-paying-off-million-dollar-fema-loan/" target="_blank">two years to recover</a>. Some never did. </li><li>In 2010, the Bottom was back, but not the same. Another spate of violence brought another round of increased police attention — and action by Richmond City Council, which passed an ordinance requiring nightclubs get a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="permit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/months-later-some-clubs-get-dance-permits/#:~:text=Vernal%20Coleman,permit%20by%20mail%20last%20week." target="_blank">permit</a> to operate, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Style reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.styleweekly.com/after-the-party-2/" target="_blank">Style reported</a>.</li></ul>Yes, but: The Bottom was improving. Between 2005 and 2010, Shockoe Bottom was on track to see a 50% decline in major crimes, per Style. <ul><li>But by then, the Bottom had a perception problem, it seemed.</li><li>There were efforts by City Hall to turn things around. Notably, former Mayor Dwight Jones&#x27; failed pitch to put a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baseball diamond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.12onyourside.com/story/23937603/mayors-plan-brings-baseball-economic-development-to-shockoe-bottom/" target="_blank">baseball diamond</a> in The Bottom, the years-long renovation of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market" data-vars-click-url="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://richmondmagazine.com/news/meet-me-at-the-plaza/" target="_blank">17th Street Farmers&#x27; Market</a> and former Mayor Stoney&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shockoe Project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" data-vars-content-id="fd7be07c-d66b-4cf7-80b8-81908f1ad354" data-vars-headline="Shockoe Bottom shooting revives long violence cycle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rva.gov/capital-improvement-projects/shockoe-project" target="_blank">Shockoe Project</a> plan, which brought new businesses to the district. For a bit. </li></ul>The latest: Guns — the sheer number of them on the streets and in the hands of crowds flocking to Shockoe Bottom on the weekends — are the problem, Richmond Police chief Rick Edwards said in response to the Saturday shooting. <ul><li>RPD Major Crimes is investigating the mass shooting and asking anyone with information, particularly video to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Mayor Danny Avula said Saturday that the city&#x27;s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention is working on a &quot;community ambassadors&quot; program that will focus on the bars and clubs and should launch by summer.

Chesterfield's viral hot cop inspires new 2026 calendar

The OG is on the back, but the rest of Chesterfield's calendar crew is just as dreamy — and it's for a good cause.

Culture

Chesterfield just dropped a 2026 police department calendar dedicated to a dozen of its most swoon-worthy officers.Why it matters: All proceeds from the sales go to the county&#x27;s animal shelter and its domestic violence task force.

Richmond's Fanboy gets Grinch makeover for holiday pop-up

The mural also comes with a holiday menu, that includes a "Yippee Ki Yay (MF'er)."

Things to Do

Fanboy, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Broad Street cocktail bar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/02/16/fanboy-richmond-best-restaurant" data-vars-content-id="3eb373e3-b4c3-4657-ab4a-217eb06215d3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s Fanboy gets Grinch makeover for holiday pop-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/02/16/fanboy-richmond-best-restaurant" target="_self">Broad Street cocktail bar</a> known for its moody lighting, just added a mural of the biggest Scrooge in history: the Grinch.Why it matters: Anyone can see it in between &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wallowing in self pity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER_-XadyqJA" data-vars-content-id="3eb373e3-b4c3-4657-ab4a-217eb06215d3" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s Fanboy gets Grinch makeover for holiday pop-up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER_-XadyqJA" target="_blank">wallowing in self pity</a>&quot; and &quot;wrestling with their self-loathing,&quot; as Jim Carrey&#x27;s Grinch once put it.

Guess what Virginia's most uniquely Thanksgiving pie is

Spoiler: There aren't any sweet potatoes or pecans in it.

Business

And the award for Virginia&#x27;s most uniquely popular Thanksgiving pie goes to … chocolate pie?The big picture: New Instacart data shared with Axios, based on last year&#x27;s orders, found that the chocolatey-pudding-filled pastry has a fanbase in the Commonwealth.

What Richmonders say they're most thankful for this holiday season

Locals told us what's bringing them joy this season. Their answers (and pet pics) might brighten your day, too.

This week, we asked readers what they&#x27;re thankful for ahead of Thanksgiving.Why it matters: Dozens wrote in, and their replies are too good not to share.

2025 Thanksgiving cost drops — but at a price

A 16% drop in turkey prices helps, but this estimate leaves out mashed potatoes entirely.

Holidays

The average &quot;classic holiday feast&quot; for 10 people will run $55.18 this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thanksgiving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/27/first-thanksgiving-history-pilgrims" data-vars-content-id="462ebc43-9223-4e07-a778-f8e662accc09" data-vars-headline="2025 Thanksgiving cost drops — but at a price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/27/first-thanksgiving-history-pilgrims" target="_self">Thanksgiving</a>, per the American Farm Bureau Federation&#x27;s annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fb.org/news-release/cost-of-thanksgiving-dinner-declines" data-vars-content-id="462ebc43-9223-4e07-a778-f8e662accc09" data-vars-headline="2025 Thanksgiving cost drops — but at a price" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fb.org/news-release/cost-of-thanksgiving-dinner-declines" target="_blank">survey</a>.Why it matters: Per usual, the farm bureau estimates a meager feast with few leftovers, no green bean casserole — and now, no mashed potatoes.

Richmond's holiday pop-up bars return with reservations starting now

Toss those pumpkins and don&#x27;t even think about Thanksgiving, it&#x27;s Christmastime in RVA — at least if the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="holiday-themed pop-up bars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/13/richmond-holiday-themed-bars-2024" data-vars-content-id="30b4d92b-1bf1-4bfe-8a6b-1506b9f15a8d" data-vars-headline="Richmond&#x27;s holiday pop-up bars return with reservations starting now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/11/13/richmond-holiday-themed-bars-2024" target="_self">holiday-themed pop-up bars</a> are any indication. Driving the news: Reservations open this week for several beloved holiday bars — and they usually go fast.

How to get a spot on RVA TukTuk's Tacky Light tour

The beloved holiday tradition tends to have quickly sold-out tours, but there's still hope.

RVA TukTuk&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tacky Light" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/16/best-christmas-lights-tacky-ranking-virginia" data-vars-content-id="b6093f22-3ad6-4656-914d-e87d2b33ef04" data-vars-headline="How to get a spot on RVA TukTuk&#x27;s Tacky Light tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/11/16/best-christmas-lights-tacky-ranking-virginia" target="_self">Tacky Light</a> tours are back.Why it matters: They&#x27;re already booked through most of December, but a TukTuk spokesperson tells Axios that there&#x27;s still hope — if you hop on the waitlist.

Old-school costumes rule Richmond's Halloween

One K-pop demon hunter leads a list full of retro picks from Google's costume search data.

Rumi from Netflix movie &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KPop Demon Hunters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzCAwdp1uIQ" data-vars-content-id="a8206bd9-fd64-45cb-9e81-b697a30c5e54" data-vars-headline="Old-school costumes rule Richmond&#x27;s Halloween" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzCAwdp1uIQ" target="_blank">KPop Demon Hunters</a>&quot; is the Halloween costume Richmonders are searching for the most this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Google data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/37162288.53/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmlnaHRnZWlzdC53aXRoZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS9jb3N0dW1lcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcCNtYXA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bfc1cc16d" data-vars-content-id="a8206bd9-fd64-45cb-9e81-b697a30c5e54" data-vars-headline="Old-school costumes rule Richmond&#x27;s Halloween" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/37162288.53/aHR0cHM6Ly9mcmlnaHRnZWlzdC53aXRoZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS9jb3N0dW1lcz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcCNtYXA/621cf7632d0d7c1ea2551892Bfc1cc16d" target="_self">per Google data</a>.Why it matters: Other than Rumi, Richmonders went old school on their costume searches for the second year in a row.

Where to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Richmond

Here's how the city is honoring the Day of the Dead, from live cumbia to community ofrendas.

This weekend marks <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Día de los Muertos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/30/day-of-the-dead-ofrenda-altar-sf-holidays" data-vars-content-id="7c140446-cfbb-4a32-8213-8cf0a5fa91a2" data-vars-headline="Where to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Richmond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/30/day-of-the-dead-ofrenda-altar-sf-holidays" target="_self">Día de los Muertos</a>, or Day of the Dead — Mexico&#x27;s centuries-old celebration of life that honors those who&#x27;ve died.The big picture: From Nov. 1-2, Mexican families mark the holiday with &quot;ofrendas&quot; to welcome spirits back to the world of the living.

5 very Richmond Halloween costumes to try this year

Think duct tape, rainbow cookies and cat crowns.

Halloween is on a Friday this year, so it&#x27;s sure to be a party-heavy weekend. Why it matters: If you&#x27;re in need of a last-minute Halloween costume, we&#x27;ve got you covered — with some very local ideas.