Your Spring 2025 Festival Roundup
THE RVAX TEAM
What we’ve all been waiting for is just around the corner — warmer weather! And with it comes a plethora of spring events to enjoy the new season and everything in bloom. We’re ready to spring forward with these to-dos, happening March through June.
Church Hill Irish Festival
What it is: Church Hill’s 38th annual, weekend-long Irish celebration, benefiting MANY amazing local organizations (such as the Child Savers, Richmond Hill, the Church Hill Association, Fulton Neighborhood Resource Center, St. John’s Church, Chimborazo School, Bellevue School, Church Hill Boys and Girls Club, Saint Francis Home, Sandston USO, and McShin Foundation) and featuring food, music, and dozens of Irish vendors.
Where it is: 215 N 25th St (Church Hill)
When it is: Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16, 10 am - 6 pm
Cost: $5 suggested donation to attend
Pro tip(s): The opening-day parade kicks things off on Saturday, and The Hill Topper 5K starts the day on Sunday. There are free shuttles all weekend picking up from marked locations, so you don’t have to fight traffic, and it’s a kid-friendly event, but pets are not allowed.
Shamrock the Block
What it is: Shamrock the Block considers itself the official start to outdoor festival season in RVA, celebrating its 19th year with live bands, food, adult bevs, and more.
Where it is: On Leigh St between Movieland and Bon Secours Training Facility (Scott’s Addition)
When it is: Saturday, March 15, 12 - 6 pm
Cost: Free to attend
Pro tip(s): Get there early if you can; the lines can get long throughout the day. The event will have a dedicated kids’ space with face-painting, bounce structures, games, and more.
The Big Bloom
What it is: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s kick off to A Million Blooms, its months-long celebration of spring blooms, featuring the likes of daffodils, tulips, bluebells, and more.
Where it is: 1800 Lakeside Ave (Lakeside)
When it is: Friday, April 11 (time TBD)
Cost: $10+ (included with Garden admission)
Pro tip(s): There are mini events planned throughout A Million Blooms, too, including the Groovin’ in the Garden Concert Series and the Spring Plant Sale.
Richmond Fringe Festival
What it is: Says Fringe itself, “This culture and arts event is a boutique sized, multi-vector, curated, profit-sharing festival aiming to cross pollinate people in Richmond, Virginia. It is shepherded by the local creative haus, SPECTACLE & MIRTH.”
Where it is: Varies; learn more here
When it is: Saturday, April 12 - Monday, April 14 (times TBD)
Cost: Varies; cost TBD
Pro tip(s): Richmond muralist Emily Herr is guiding the Community Chaos Mural again this year, so def make sure you stop by and get a little messy.
Dominion Energy Family Easter
What it is: Head to Maymont on Easter weekend to enjoy games, fun activities, hands-on crafts, live entertainment, and a visit from the Easter bunny.
Where it is: 1700 Hampton St (Maymont)
When it is: Saturday, April 19 (time TBD)
Cost: Details to come
Pro tip(s): Typically, advance reservations are recommended, but everyone can stay and play all day! In the past, admission has included activity tickets, which get guests a fun activity or prize. Bring an Easter basket to carry them all home!
Friday Cheers
What it is: An outdoor concert series, bringing “some of the biggest up-and-coming artists to Brown’s Island and Downtown Richmond’s riverfront, every Friday in May and June.” Peep the 2025 lineup here.
Where it is: Brown’s Island (Downtown)
When it is: Every Friday in May and June, 6 - 9:30 pm
Cost: $10 - $15/show or $60+/season pass
Pro tip(s): Kids 12 and under are free to attend! Parking can be tough, so consider using the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond parking lot (as allowed) or finding free parking on S 5th St and elsewhere. More FAQs here.
¿Que Pasa? Festival
What it is: The Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s celebration of the diversity and beauty of Richmond’s Hispanic and Latin American cultures.
Where it is: Brown’s Island (Downtown)
When it is: Saturday, May 3 (time TBD)
Cost: Free to attend
Pro tip(s): Come hungry! The festival will have at least 15 food trucks and vendors dishing out delish cuisine throughout the day.
Dominion Energy Riverrock
What it is: Richmond non-profits Venture Richmond and Sports Backers come together to showcase the outdoor beauty of the River City with a fun mix of athletic events and entertainment on and around Brown’s Island.
Where it is: Brown’s Island (Downtown)
When it is: Friday, May 16 - Sunday, May 18 (times vary)
Cost: Free to attend (but individual activities vary in price)
Pro tip(s): This event involves lots of fresh air and opportunities for physical activity — mountain biking, running, fishing, kayaking, and more — so dress comfortably and pack that sunscreen.
Lebanese Food Festival
What it is: Saint Anthony Church invites Richmonders to indulge in the rich flavors of Lebanon at the 40th annual Lebanese food festival, “where every dish is made with love and care,” from pies to shawarma.
Where it is: 4611 Sadler Rd (Glen Allen)
When it is: Friday, May 17, through Sunday, May 19 (times vary)
Cost: Free to attend
Pro tip(s): Performances happen at throughout the weekend, so be sure to plan your visit around one (or more) of those.
Richmond Greek Festival
What it is: Voted by many local publications as one of the best festivals in the city, with this festival, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral aims to raise the visibility of the Cathedral and introduce Richmonders to Greek food and culture and the rich spirituality of the Orthodox faith.
Where it is: 30 Malvern Ave (Mary Munford)
When it is: Thursday, May 29, through Sunday, June 1 (times vary)
Cost: Free to attend
Pro tip(s): The festival does not have designated parking, but the streets surrounding the grounds typically have street parking available.
Richmond Shakespeare Festival
What it is: Richmond Shakespeare’s covers a variety of classical and contemporary works of theatre each season, including this year’s main springtime showing of Cyrano de Bergerac. Says the org, “Cyrano de Bergerac is a fearless soldier. A loyal braggadocio. And a man furiously self-conscious about his very protuberant nose. He’s also a man in love with a woman (Roxane) who’s in love with someone else (Christian), and promised in marriage to yet another (De Guiche). When Christian is assigned to Cyrano’s platoon, Roxane begs him to protect her love, which Cyrano reluctantly agrees to do. And when Christian in turn begs Cyrano to help him woo Roxane, a plot unfurls that begs the question: does love truly lie in the eyes or in the soul?”
Where it is: 4305 Sulgrave Rd (Windsor Farms)
When it is: Sunday, May 22, through Tuesday, June 8 (times vary)
Cost: $22+
Pro tip(s): If you’re looking to enjoy this festival into the summertime, the company begins A Midsummer Night’s Dream right before summer’s official kickoff, on Thursday, June 19.
June
Image Source: Maymont
Summer Kickoff Festival
What it is: Maymont kicks off Richmond’s outdoor music season with an afternoon of hometown favorites.
Where it is: 1700 Hampton St (Maymont)
When it is: Saturday, June 6 (time TBD)
Cost: Details to come
Pro tip(s): Maymont is still in the planning stages of this event, so keep an eye on the link below for deets.
Cozy Ol’ Bluegrass Festival
What it is: Keep Virginia Cozy celebrates Richmond’s upcoming summer adventures with live music, brews, a vendor village, and more.
Where it is: 325 S 14th St (Downtown)
When it is: Thursday, June 19, 5:30 pm
Cost: $35
Pro tip(s): Tickets have sold out for the last four years of this event, so make sure to snag yours ASAP. There will be 365 available this time around!
Looking for more fun things to do?:
