What's on in Richmond, United States through the year

Peak crowds — GardenFest of Lights, Christmas and New Year

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: GardenFest of Lights (15 Nov – 5 Jan (usually)), Christmas and New Year (24 Dec – 1 Jan)

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Busy — Spring break in United States

• Season

  James River rapids season

  15 Mar – 15 Jun · usuallyHigh water

  Spring flow is what makes the class IV whitewater through the middle of the city run, and the rafting companies work the Pipeline and Hollywood rapids until the summer drops it. Late summer it is a wading river.

Busy — one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: James River rapids season (15 Mar – 15 Jun (usually))

Busy — Dominion Energy Riverrock

• Festival

  Dominion Energy Riverrock

  14–26 May · usuallySporting eventCrowded

  A free outdoor-sports weekend on Brown's Island and Belle Isle: freestyle kayaking on the rapids, bouldering, trail running and dogs jumping off docks. The riverfront trails are busy rather than closed. Source ↗

Still on: James River rapids season (15 Mar – 15 Jun (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell

  1 Jun – 31 Aug · usuallyArts festival

  The city's open-air amphitheatre in Byrd Park has run a summer programme of concerts, dance and theatre since 1956, capped by the Fourth of July concert and fireworks. Bring a blanket; in 2026 the fireworks were called off for the heat. Source ↗

Still on: James River rapids season (15 Mar – 15 Jun (usually))

Peak crowds — Independence Day, Summer break in United States

• Holiday

  Independence Day

  3–5 JulNational holidayCrowdedClosures

  The Fourth of July is a federal holiday: banks and government offices close, fireworks draw large crowds to parks and waterfronts after dark, and roads and flights are busy over the long weekend. Claim a viewing spot early. Source ↗

Still on: Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell (1 Jun – 31 Aug (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Hazard

  Tropical storm remnants

  15 Aug – 15 Oct · usuallyHurricane season

  Storms that come up the Chesapeake or across from the Carolinas arrive here as flooding rain and downed trees, and the James can rise fast enough to shut the floodwall gates. Isabel is still the local benchmark. Source ↗

Still on: Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell (1 Jun – 31 Aug (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Tropical storm remnants (15 Aug – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Richmond Folk Festival

• Festival

  Richmond Folk Festival

  9–11 OctMusic festivalCrowded

  Three days of free stages on the downtown riverfront in the second week of October, and one of the largest events in Virginia. It runs rain or shine and the hills above the stages get muddy. Source ↗

Still on: Tropical storm remnants (15 Aug – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — Richmond Marathon, GardenFest of Lights

• Festival

  Richmond Marathon

  14 NovSporting eventCrowdedClosuresBook early

  A marathon, half and 8k on a Saturday in mid-November, run through the city's neighbourhoods and across the James River to a finish downtown. Roads close for the morning and downtown hotels fill up. Source ↗

• Opening

  GardenFest of Lights

  15 Nov – 5 Jan · usuallyLights & fireBook earlyCrowded

  Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is strung with around a million lights from mid-November into the first days of January. Entry is by timed ticket bought in advance, and the popular evening slots near Christmas sell out. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Thanksgiving

  25–29 NovNational holidayCrowdedClosures

  Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday of November, is the country's biggest travel holiday: airports and highways are at their busiest on the Wednesday before and the Sunday after, and on the day itself offices, banks and many shops close. Source ↗

Peak crowds — GardenFest of Lights, Christmas and New Year

• Holiday

  Christmas and New Year

  24 Dec – 1 JanChristmas & New YearClosuresCrowded

  Christmas Day and New Year's Day are federal holidays: on 25 December most shops, museums and many restaurants close, and airports stay busy through the week between as families travel. New Year's Eve fills bars and restaurants, many at set-menu prices. Source ↗

Still on: GardenFest of Lights (15 Nov – 5 Jan (usually)), Thanksgiving (25–29 Nov)