What’s new in the Richmond Region?
Exhibitions
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life
Now – 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.
Now Accepting Visitors
Metro Richmond Zoo, Included with Admission
The Metro Richmond Zoo is excited to announce the birth of 3 capybaras! The pups were born on April 28 to parents Flora and Ocho. This is the first litter of capys at the zoo in more than 15 years.
Arts
Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller
Now – 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.
Science
Now – 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
Now – 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
Now – April 20, 2025
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Included with Admission
This exhibition explores the history and legacy of one of the most transformative educational initiatives in American history forged by Booker T. Washington, a Black educator, and Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish businessman and philanthropist. Between 1912 and 1937, their program provided seed money to build thousands of schools for Black children across the segregated South.
Inspired by this remarkable story, contemporary photographer Andrew Feiler traveled around the South to document Rosenwald schools and their communities; this exhibition showcases 26 of the photographs and his stories and provides a testament to the power of education and interracial collaboration.
Sculpting History: Art, Power, and the "Lost Cause" American Myth
Now Open
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.
Now Open
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 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 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.
Opened 2024
LaChan Toran, owner of Aces Sports Lounge in Shockoe Bottom, has just opened an upscale soul food dining spot in the former Postbellum restaurant space in the Fan.
Opening Mid-June 2024
The latest venture from Lindsey Food Group will serve California Fusion Cuisine, Cocktails and Wine and will feature a rooftop dining experience.
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
Opening Fall 2024
A new boutique hotel in Richmond's Fan neighborhood is set to open in the historic Shenandoah building.
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
Hill of Heroes Children and Family Festival
June 29
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.
Colonial Downs Festival of Racing
August 10
Colonial Downs Racetrack
The raceway's second NASCAR Cup Series race this year is set for a 6 PM start time.
Cook Out 400, NASCAR Cup Series
August 11
Richmond Raceway
The raceway's second NASCAR Cup Series race this year is set for a 6 PM start time.
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, family-friendly activities, a Secretariat poster giveaway, and more.
September 21
Downtown Richmond
2024 marks the 3rd edition of Run Richmond 16.19, the cultural run-or-walk event where participants get to experience more than 400 years of Black history along a custom course through some of the most significant sites in Richmond.
Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF)
September 24–29
Various Venues Across Richmond
RIFF, one of the largest international competitive film festivals in the Mid-Atlantic, brings cutting edge film & music to the Richmond Region. This year's festival will feature a documentary on the Richmond Folk Festival, which takes place the same weekend.
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 updates around the Richmond Region, head to our events page and follow us on social media.
