Fall has arrived in the Richmond Region, and the calendar is overflowing! Whether you’re chasing folk tunes, savoring seasonal sips, or exploring markets and family fun, this guide gathers the standout events of the season in one place. Get ready to plan your perfect fall in the Richmond Region!
Ongoing
Richmond Night Market
Every Second Saturday Through December | 17th Street Market
The Richmond Night Market is a monthly, open-air market in the heart of the arts and culture scene of Richmond. Stop by 17th Street Market in Shockoe Bottom for a fun, local shopping experience featuring unique RVA artisans, vendors & creatives, plus live musical performances.
Ashland Farmers Market
Saturdays through October | Ashland Town Hall
Find local, fresh produce, baked goods, and artisanal creations at the Ashland Farmers Market every Saturday. This producers-only event features goods that are grown, baked, or crafted within 30 miles of Ashland, VA, providing a truly authentic taste of the region.
Latino Farmers Market
Saturdays through November | Rockwood Park
Join for a vibrant celebration of Latino culinary excellence and local craftsmanship, where you can shop for items like fresh produce, Mexican salsa, empanadas, and sweet delights from a stellar lineup of vendors. Whether you’re a foodie seeking your next culinary adventure or a local vendor eager to showcase your craft, this is your invitation to be part of a cherished community gathering.
Manchester Manifest First Fridays
First Fridays through October | 1309 Hull Street
Manchester Manifest First Fridays transform the block into a fun celebration of local culture and community spirit. With live music, food trucks, games, and a dance party, it's a cookout-style extravaganza where everyone is invited to bring their own setup and join the fun. Mark your calendars for the September and October events.
September
43rd Street Festival of the Arts
September 13 | West 43rd Street and Forest Hill Avenue
Discover unique art and crafts at the annual 43rd Street Festival of the Arts! Enjoy a day of creativity, live music, and delicious food while supporting CARITAS in RVA's Forest Hill neighborhood.
Kenaanee Native Arts Festival
September 14 | Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Celebrate Indigenous culture, creativity, and connection at the Kenaanee Native Arts Festival. Rooted in the Powhatan Algonquin word for “friendship,” this gathering showcases Native traditions through art, storytelling, film, music, games, food, and a bustling arts market to uplift Indigenous voices from across the East Coast.
St. Benedict Oktoberfest
September 19-21 | St. Benedict Catholic Church
St. Benedict Oktoberfest returns this fall for its 20th year, bringing German food, brews, and traditions to Richmond’s Museum District. Enjoy live music, dancing, kids’ activities, and a festive Christkindlmarkt shopping village. Don’t miss your chance to snag a commemorative stein or show off your strength in the steinholding contest!
Richmond International Dance Festival
September 20 | Deep Run Park & Recreation Center
Visit the Richmond International Dance Festival, a vibrant celebration of global cultures featuring dance workshops, a food fair, and a grand performance by diverse groups representing India, the Philippines, Panama, Africa, and the Middle East. This free event offers a fun opportunity to explore cultural diversity through the universal language of dance for dance enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.
Kings Dominion Oktoberfest
Saturdays & Sundays, September 20 - November 2 | Kings Dominion
Celebrate Germany’s beloved Oktoberfest at Kings Dominion featuring a delightful mix of authentic German cuisine, beverages, and live music. Immerse yourself in the festivities with traditional beer, hearty dishes, lively polka bands, and engaging activities for the whole family, all while taking on the park's thrilling rides.
Maymont Bier-Garden
September 20-21 | Maymont
Get ready to raise your steins at Maymont's Bier Garden this September! Experience the magic of Oktoberfest with authentic brews, Bavarain bites, and fun for all ages, happening on the Carriage House Lawn.
Iron Blossom Music Festival
September 20-21 | Midtown Green
Get ready to rock at the Iron Blossom Music Festival at Midtown Green! Enjoy an incredible lineup featuring headliners like The Lumineers, Vampire Weekend, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, plus unique eats and craft drinks for a weekend of good vibes. Get your tickets now!
Richmond International Film Festival
September 23-28 | Byrd Theatre
Don't miss this exciting multi-day film festival featuring cutting-edge film premieres, live music and special events! Grab your passes and get access to daily film screenings, more than 30 live music performances, community and industry mixers, the red carpets, panels, parties, and more.
VA Pridefest
September 27 | Midtown Green
Celebrate love, diversity, and inclusivity at VA Pridefest, the city’s largest celebration of the LGBTQ community. With headliners like Tank and the Bangas and Crystal Waters, the festival promises unforgettable music, entertainment and community spirit. Proudly sponsored by OutRVA.
Run Richmond 16.19
September 27 | Brown's Island
Witness over 400 years of Black history up close during the Run Richmond 16.19 run-or-walk event. This cultural event offers 16.19k and 6.19k course lengths with sites and landmarks along the way commemorating the sacrifices and achievements of the African American community. Gear up to celebrate unity in diversity during this impactful event.
Chesterfield Honey Bee Festival
September 27 | Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
Buzz on over to the 14th Annual Honey Bee Festival, presented by the Rockwood Park Backyard Beekeepers Association and the Bumblebee Jamboree! Enjoy live music from The Bee Flats, kids’ activities, local honey, and more, all to highlight and celebrate the vital role of pollinators and remind us that We Are All Beekeepers!
Fall Market at New Kent Farmers Market
September 27 & October 25 | New Kent Farmers Market Pavilion
The New Kent Farmers Market is a vibrant producers-only market, showcasing a wide range of fresh, Virginia-grown products. Located at the New Kent Farmers Market Pavilion, you’ll find everything from fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms to honey, meats, and handmade goods—all grown, made, or crafted locally by the producers themselves. With a commitment to supporting local agriculture, this market is the perfect place to pick up fresh produce, baked goods, and unique crafts while experiencing a taste of Virginia.
Songs from the Center of the Universe
September 27 | Historic Hanover Arts & Activities Center
Sing along with the spirit of Ashland at the Songs from the Center of the Universe Concert! Cheer on the winners of the Ashland Song Contest as they perform their original hometown anthems live on the lawn, with free recordings by Jambalaya for streaming and radio play. Enjoy a day full of farm-to-fork food trucks, local vendors, lawn games, and community cheer!
Richmond VegFest 2025
September 28 | Byrd Park
Calling all plant-based food lovers! Richmond VegFest returns to Byrd Park with more than 100 vegan-friendly vendors, live music, cooking demos, and entertainment across three stages. Celebrating over 20 years, this free festival is the perfect way to explore delicious plant-based eats and connect with local resources that make sustainable living easy and fun!
October
Virginia Wine Month
October | Various Locations
Celebrate Virginia Wine Month this October! Make RVA your wine tasting destination and explore the variety of local sips our region has to offer. Stop by a scenic vineyard this fall in New Kent County or sample new sips at a cool wine bar in the Fan. Click here to browse winery locations across the region and start planning your perfect itinerary. (Plus, many locations are family and pet friendly!).
artoberVA
October | Various Locations
Celebrate creativity all October long with artoberVA, a month-long showcase of arts and culture across Richmond and the Tri-Cities! From live music, dance, and theatre to visual art, museums, and community events, artoberVA spotlights over 1,000 experiences from 100+ artists and organizations, uplifting the region’s vibrant creative scene.
Dachtoberfest
October 4 | Richmond Raceway
Get ready for a tail-wagging good time at the Richmond Raceway Complex! This annual wiener dog festival is a one-day celebration of all things dachshund—complete with wiener dog races, adorable costume contests, and fun mini-competitions like “longest doxie” and “shortest doxie.” Families, friends, and four-legged pals alike will enjoy guest speakers, vendor booths, raffles, live demos, and plenty more dachshund-inspired fun.
2nd Street Festival
October 4-5 | Historic Jackson Ward Neighborhood
Enjoy two days of live music, delicious food, and local vendors while honoring the Historic Jackson Ward neighborhood’s legacy as the “Harlem of the South.” Mark your calendars for this free community festival and be part of this beloved RVA tradition!
Scotchtown's Annual Fall Festival
October 4 | Patrick Henry's Scotchtown
Get into the spirit of fall with this family friendly event at the historic Patrick Henry's Scotchtown. Visit the many traditional artisans and vendors demonstrating their trades and selling their wares, take part in children’s activities and 18th-century games, and bring your folding chair or blanket to enjoy live music performances. Food trucks will be on-site for meals and snacks.
Richmond Folk Festival
October 10-12 | Brown's Island
This beloved festival draws fans each year to downtown Richmond’s riverfront to celebrate the roots, richness, and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling and food. This free, three-day event hosts 200,000 people over the weekend and features six stages showcasing music and dance from around the world.
Annual Fall Classic Car Show
October 11 | Keystone Truck & Tractor Museum
Rev up your engines and head to Keystone for the Classic Car Show, where classic car enthusiasts can marvel at stunning vintage vehicles and enjoy a weekend filled with pipe makers, tobacco blends, and a vibrant community atmosphere. With special exhibits, prizes, BBQ dinners, and a chance to connect with fellow car lovers, this is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about classic cars.
Garden Glow
October 15 - November 9 | Maymont
Get ready to see the historic Maymont property in a whole new light! Enjoy a beautiful fall night exploring the illuminated Maymont trails and gardens. Plus, grab a bite from local food trucks and warm up by a fire pit. Grab your family and friends (and your camera for those photo-worthy moments).
55th Richmond Oktoberfest
October 17 | Richmond Raceway
Prost to 55 years of tradition! The Richmond Oktoberfest is back at the Richmond Raceway Complex, bringing authentic German flavors, lively party bands, and traditional Bavarian dancers. Guests can enjoy a bustling beer garden, delicious hand-crafted sausages, German pastries, fun contests, and plenty of festive cheer, all for just $10 admission.
Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention
October 17-19 | DoubleTree Midlothian
Immerse yourself in over 35 years of tattoo history at the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Convention, a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. Hosted by world-renowned tattoo artist Jesse Smith and InkMaster winner and judge Ryan Ashley, this event brings together top tattoo artists, live painting, and performance art for an unforgettable weekend of self-expression and connection.
Richmond Restaurant Week
October 20-26 | Various Locations
Richmond Restaurant Week is a celebration of the city’s culinary scene, offering three-course meals for just over $35 at dozens of locally owned restaurants. More than just a food-lover’s dream, your dining supports a great cause with $5.25 from every meal donated to Feed More, helping provide meals for seniors, kids, and neighbors in need.
November
Hops in the Park
November 2 | Henricus Historical Park
The Henricus Foundation presents the annual Hops in the Park, a national award-winning hops & harvest festival celebrating the long and rich history of brewing in Virginia! Hops in the Park features dozens of Virginia craft beers, brewing demos, a farmers market, music, food, children’s activities, and of course, Virginia history.
Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon
November 15 | Downtown Richmond
See why the Richmond Marathon has earned its reputation as America’s Friendliest Marathon! A lot has changed about the Richmond Marathon over the past 40 years, but Sports Backers’ dedication to offering you the best race experience possible remains the same. Whether you choose to take on the marathon*, half marathon, or 8k, when you run Richmond, you’ll receive VIP treatment! With thousands of volunteers and spectators encouraging you, and more race perks that you can count, join the race today!
*Marathon is sold out as of August 26, 2025
The Fun Doesn't Stop Here!
For even more things to do in the Richmond Region this season, check out our full calendar of events!
