What’s new in the Richmond Region?
Exhibitions
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life
March 16 – September 2, 2024
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Included with Admission
This touring exhibition will make a stop in the Richmond Region for the spring and summer and will tell the story of Julia's life. It will feature an interactive "The French Chef" television set; video, audio, and photography of Julia and her contributions to the culinary world; sounds and smells of Julia's kitchen; and a place to view and share memories of Julia's legacy.
Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller
April 20 – August 4, 2024
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Ticketed Exhibition
View one of the world's largest collections of stunning Japanese samurai armor from the collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller. This collection will offer visitors a rare personal encounter with samurai artistry and tradition spanning more than 700 years of history.
Arts
March 20 – 23, 2024
Greater Richmond Convention Center
Artists from all over the world will gather at Coalescence, the 58th annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. View collections of ceramics, live demonstrations, and galleries of sculpted art throughout the conference.
April 7, 2024
Cultural Arts Center Theatre | Sara Belle November Stage
Eleone Dance Theatre ushers in cutting-edge works that challenge traditional boundaries. Enjoy contemporary, modern, spiritual, rhythm and blues, African, hip-hop, and more at this stunning performance!
Science
February 10 – August 18, 2024
Science Museum of Virginia, Included with Admission
Discover Steampunk: A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure is a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) exhibition with a focus on creative problem solving by using functional art sculptures modeled after the work of famous historical figures.
Body Worlds: The Anatomy of Happiness
May 25 – September 2, 2024
Science Museum of Virginia, Additional Ticket Required
Through dozens of human specimens called plastinates, explore how anatomy is involved in happiness, how positive or negative emotions can affect health. and the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of what lies beneath the skin.
September 28, 2024 – January 12, 2025
Discover the fascinating ways math shapes music, sports, movies, games and more in MathAlive! Hear from a diverse range of personalities, from skateboarders to computer scientists, as they reveal how they leverage mathematics to enhance their abilities.
History
Sculpting History: Art, Power, and the "Lost Cause" American Myth
Opened January 25
The Valentine, Included with Admission
This new exhibition will explore the myth of the Lost Cause through five big themes: education, violence, politics, religion, and media. Valentine's newly reimagined studio will provide visitors a space to confront and reckon with the painful history of Richmond’s and Valentine’s early role in the development and spread of this harmful myth.
Opening Spring 2024
The American Civil War Museum at Historic Tredegar, Included with Admission
This new exhibition will delve into the events, individuals, and topics that led to the division of the United States on the verge of civil war. Explore multiple perspectives and view exclusive artifacts from this period in our nation’s history.
NEW AND COMING SOON
Restaurants
Opened October 2023
RVA Hospitality’s “modern Chinese cocktail house” opened in late 2023, replacing their former restaurant, Max’s on Broad, at the same location.
Opened December 2023
Floris at VMFA will offer guests an enjoyable, authentic tea experience. Tearoom staff have been trained in tea culture, inspired in part by classic English and French salon tea service. Menus will change seasonally and with special exhibitions.
Opened December 2023
The latest venture from Lindsey Food Group is a spinoff of their beloved Lillie Pearl restaurant. Find Farm + Oak in Henrico County at 3601 Cox Road—reservations are encouraged.
Opened February 2024
Patrick and Megan Fitzroy Phelan, spouses and owners of Longoven and Lost Letter, have opened a “modern yet mature spin on an oyster hall” in Scott’s Addition.
Opening Spring/Summer 2024
LaChan Toran, owner of Aces Sports Lounge in Shockoe Bottom, is opening an upscale soul food dining spot in the former Postbellum restaurant space in the Fan.
Opening in 2024
Daniel Harthausen, winner of HBO Max’s “The Big Brunch” competition, is creating a permanent space for his restaurant pop-up, Young Mother, in Carytown.
Entertainment, Business + Lodging
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Richmond Colonial Heights
Opened December 2023
The 500th TownePlace Suites hotel is now welcoming guests. Its convenient location just off I-95 and its pet-friendly designation make it an ideal place for travelers to stay the night, while the all-suite room layouts make for comfortable, longer stays as well.
The Henrico Sports and Events Center
Opened Fall 2023
This brand-new, 185,000 square-foot facility offers 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts, an arena with stadium seating, VIP suites, coaches' suites, food courts, and more. In 2024, the A10 Women's Basketball Championship and the Adult and Junior Division Wheelchair Basketball National Tournaments will be held at the center.
Continuing throughout 2024
Work continues on this 43-mile north-south regional trail courses through six localities in the Richmond Region: Ashland, Hanover, Henrico, Richmond, Chesterfield, and Colonial Heights.
Projected opening 2027
Lego announced that it’s hiring 1,700 people to work in its pending Chesterfield facility, which will soon be churning out the famous toy sets and distributing them around the country.
Richmond Region Events & Performances
Toyota Owners 400, NASCAR Cup Series
March 31
Richmond Raceway
The first of two NASCAR Cup Series races takes place on Easter Sunday at 7 pm.
May 17–19
Brown’s Island
From yoga classes to trail runs, group art installations to bike exhibitions, sustainability projects to music, scavenger hunts, dog dock jumping and more happening by the James River on Brown’s Island.
Hill of Heroes Children and Family Festival
TBA – June 2024
Virginia War Memorial
Every June, 12,000 American flags are placed on the hillside of the Virginia War Memorial representing the 12,000 Virginian names engraved in the Shrine of Memory. After volunteers finish placing the flags in the ground, the Virginia War Memorial Foundation will host a fun and patriotic festival for children and families.
July 4
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Each year, dozens of individuals become naturalized United States citizens on Independence Day.
September – October
Kings Dominion
Ghosts, zombies, vampires, and everything in between can be found stalking the grounds of Kings Dominion on fall nights. The haunted houses and mazes are open most weekends up to Halloween.
September 7
Colonial Downs Racetrack
New Kent is the home of one of Virginia’s premiere horse races, with betting options at nearby Rosie’s.
September 27–29
Brown’s Island
Now in its 20th year, the Folk Festival's three days of free live music will bring thousands to the shores of the James River yet again. Musicians from all over the globe perform at six stages around downtown Richmond.
PGA Dominion Energy Charity Classic
October 14–20
Country Club of Virginia
The Dominion Energy Charity Classic is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour Champions, played at Country Club of Virginia in Henrico County. The inaugural edition was in November 2016.
November 16
Downtown Richmond
“America’s Friendliest Marathon” is a must for runners, with volunteers and spectators cheering on participants every step of the way.
The Commonwealth of Virginia’s Veterans Day Ceremony
November 11
Virginia War Memorial
The Virginia War Memorial invites the public to join them for the annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony to honor those who have served and who are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. The Ceremony will be held in-person in the Heilman Amphitheater, and there will be guest speakers, patriotic music, and recognition of the winners of the Virginia War Memorial’s Veterans Day Student Essay Contest.
For all other new and exciting features of the Richmond Region, head to our events page and follow us on social media for more.