What’s new in the Richmond Region?
Exhibitions
Summer of Space
Apollo: When We Went to the Moon
March 18 – December 31, 2023
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Included with Admission
This newly renovated museum presents an exploration of the Space Race, interactive NASA artifacts, and how Virginians influenced the first mission to the moon.
May 16 – August 13, 2023
Children’s Museum of Richmond, Included with Admission
This NASA-created interactive exhibit aims to lead kids through scientific discoveries, space technology, and what it takes to become an astronaut.
Space: An Out-of-Gravity Experience
May 27 – September 4, 2023
Science Museum of Virginia, Ticketed Exhibition
Using hands-on and large-scale interactive exhibits and multimedia components, Space: An Out-of-Gravity Experience gives guests a glimpse at the extraordinary conditions of human space travel.
Arts
Isaac Julien: Lessons of the Hour—Frederick Douglass
December 10, 2022 – July 9, 2023
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Ticketed Exhibition
Immerse yourself in the life and words of Frederick Douglas in this large-scale film installation. The sights and sounds in Julien’s work collapse time and space, bringing the historical figure to life for modern audiences in a profoundly resonating experience.
Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculpture
April 29 – October 29, 2023
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Included with Admission
This Lakeside landmark will present Incanto in 2023, the premiere exhibition of New York City-based artist Kate Raudenbush of Burning Man fame, in collaboration with fellow artist Sha Michele.
Science
February 11 – August 20, 2023
Science Museum of Virginia, Included with Admission
Playing with Light introduces visitors to basic physics principles, innovative interactive experiences, and a sense of fun. Visitors can explore the world and how it is illuminated through 22 exhibits with a multitude of outcomes.
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.
September 23, 2023 – January 21, 2024
Science Museum of Virginia, Included with Admission
Building on children’s natural interest in animals, Wild Kratts®: Creature Power®! transports guests to the Wild Kratts world, where creature adventures engage them in wide-ranging STEM experiences.
History
50 Years Beyond: The Vietnam Veteran Experience
Opened January 27
Virginia War Memorial, Included with Admission
The Virginia War Memorial’s newest exhibition features candid photos and archival material from 50 of Virginia’s veterans during their time in Vietnam alongside professional portraits taken by acclaimed photographer and Navy Veteran Laura Hatcher.
An Unfinished Museum: 125 Years of the Valentine
June 30, 2023 – September 2, 2024
The Valentine, Included with Admission
A collection of photographs and artifacts chronicling the development and expansion of The Valentine over the years, how it depicts Richmond as a city and as a society.
"In Domestic Service" Exhibition + New Welcome Center
Opened Fall 2022
Maymont, Ticketed Exhibition
A new Welcome Center in the Stone Barn at Maymont orients visitors to all there is to explore across the 100 acres, including an overview of its history and historic artifacts and an Active Learning Classroom. In the Maymont Mansion, the exhibition “In Domestic Service: Work and Life in the Gilded Age” has been updated with in-depth audio tours that braid together stories of those who worked and lived there.
NEW AND COMING SOON
Restaurants
Opened December 2022
This new spot for authentic Italian cuisine on Virginia Street has been hosting monthly wine dinners, fresh from Napoli.
Opened February 2023
This bar and restaurant can be found in Midlothian’s Winterfield Shopping Center with 100+ rums to sample.
Opened March 2023
Nokoribi is run by the folks at The Veil Brewing Co., inside the brewery itself, serving Japanese sushi, Takoyaki, and street food.
Opening Summer 2023
Burton’s is one of the newest tenants opening their doors at the Carytown Exchange this summer, featuring seafood, steak, and vegetarian options.
Opening Fall 2023
Just in time for Virginia Commonwealth students to return to campus, Mike Lindsey is opening a new sports bar concept on Broad Street.
Entertainment, Business + Lodging
Opened January 2022
Body Arc, Richmond's first queer owned, body positive + art focused gym is now working to open a new space, Crescent Collective, to host events, classes, and workshops that serve queer, BIPOC, and underserved community members in Richmond.
Opened November 11, 2022
Richmond area’s largest hotel operator, Shamin Hotels, opened its newest property with a new-to-market brand, the 100-room Moxy hotel at 501 E. Franklin St. Guests can check in at the hotel bar, trade notes with other guests, and take room art with them when they leave.
Opened November 30, 2022
This new venue consists of a mix of entertainment options, including an 18-lane duckpin bowling alley, an 18-hole mini golf course, three virtual golf bays, three bars, a food hall with six restaurant concepts, a beer garden-style area with 30 self-pour taps, a 200-person banquet hall, and a 200-seat auditorium for live music, comedy acts and corporate functions.
Opening Summer 2023
Virginia's largest indoor pickleball center is set to open in Chesterfield County this summer. It will boast eight pickleball courts, social seating, food, and beverages.
The Henrico Sports and Events Center
Opening Fall 2023
This new facility will offer 12 basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts and an arena with stadium seating. The 185,000-square-foot building is projected to help position Henrico County as a leader in sports tourism by bringing big-ticket weekend events and visitors to the region.
Continuing throughout 2023
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.
Open in late 2023 - early 2024
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
May 19 – May 21
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 river on Brown’s Island.
A10 College Baseball Championship Tournament
May 23 – 27
The Diamond
The Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament (A-10 tournament) is the conference baseball championship of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
June 23 - August 6
November Theater
This show tells the Tony® and Grammy®-winning inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.
Hill of Heroes Children and Family Festival
Friday, June 23
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.
Tuesday, July 4
Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Each year, dozens of individuals become naturalized United States citizens on Independence Day.
Sunday, July 30
Richmond Raceway
The checkered flag will fly at the Cup Series Race this season, featuring some of the biggest names in NASCAR.
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.
Saturday, September 9
Colonial Downs Racetrack
New Kent is the home of one of Virginia’s premiere horse races, with betting options at nearby Rosie’s.
October 13-15
Brown’s Island
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 20-22
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.
Saturday, November 11
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
Saturday, 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.
Saturday, December 9
Walton Park
It’s time to “turn up the tacky” to celebrate 10 years with over-the-top celebrations, including a snowflake theme that will turn Walton Park into a Winter Wonderland. This RVA holiday tradition invites participants to find a tacky sweater, grab a festive headband, come out in full costume, and admire millions of shimmering holiday lights along the route.
For all other new and exciting features of the Richmond Region, head to our events page and follow us on social media for more.
