Your Fall 2026 Festival Roundup
BY THE RVAX TEAM
Fifty-degree temps are on their way back, which means you can soon pull out your flannels and sweaters and not feel ridiculous ordering anything pumpkin-spice flavored — especially those lattes. Fall officially begins Tuesday, September 22, but the unofficial start to Richmond’s fall festival scene kicks off even earlier (TG!), full of folk music, pumpkin-peeking, sparkling lights, and more. Scroll on for plenty of autumnal inspo!
PS: Did we miss one? This guide includes some of the classics and our favorites, but if there’s something you think we should add, let us know here!
Image Source: The Richmond Experience
First things first: Oktoberfests
We want you to actually have *time* to get to all the seasonal festivals this fall, so we’ve eased up on your reading assignment a bit and created a separate guide just for Richmond’s Oktoberfests here. Get to better know a couple of our faves, and mark your cal for any others you want to make it out to — we’ll keep adding them as plans pop up!
Otherwise, all the other must-visit fests are listed by month below 👇
September
Image Source: Iron Blossom Music Festival
Lebanese Food Festival
This fest celebrates Lebanese culture, food, music, and community. Bring the whole crew to St. Anthony Maronite Church and feast on shawarma, grape leaves, shish kebab, meat pies, and traditional Lebanese desserts while taking in live music and dancing.
Location: 4611 Sadler Rd (Glen Allen)
Dates & times: Friday and Saturday, September 11 and 12, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm; Sunday, September 13, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Iron Blossom Music Festival
Iron Blossom Festival is a (relatively) newbie but a goodie. Head into fall with some of the best songs stuck in your head, courtesy of this year’s lineup, including LCD Sound System, Dijon, and Jack White, among many others.
Location: 2401 W Leigh St (Scott’s Addition)
Dates & times: Saturday, September 19; Sunday, September 20 | 12 - 10 pm
>> Learn more <<
Richmond International Film Festival
This nearly week-long celebration of film and music features more than 180 films, bringing together great talent — from established to up-and-coming artists — and propelling forward and launching careers right from the River City.
Locations: Vary
Dates: Tuesday, September 22 - Sunday, September 27 (times vary)
>> Learn more <<
State Fair of Virginia
Ferris wheel rides, fried food, cotton candy, and carnival games are just some of the reasons why a visit to the State Fair of Virginia is a must every fall. And then, of course, there’s the Main Stage Concert lineup offering live music every single night.
Location: 13191 Dawn Blvd (Doswell)
Dates: Friday, September 25 - Sunday, October 4 (times vary)
>> Learn more <<
Pridefest
Virginia Pride and Diversity Richmond put on the area’s biggest celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, featuring entertainers, food and drink, and, generally, just lots of good-time havin’.
Location: 2401 W Leigh St (Scott’s Addition)
Date & time: Saturday, September 12 | 12 - 8 pm
>> Learn more <<
Richmond VegFest
More than 100 vegan-friendly vendors and a wide variety of entertainment at three different stages close out September with an afternoon that’s fun for everyone in your crew.
Location: 600 S Arthur Ashe Blvd (Byrd Park)
Date & time: Sunday, September 26 | 12 - 6 pm
>> Learn more <<
October
Image Source: Richmond Folk Festival
Armenian Food Festival
Scarf down award-winning food and bevs (lookin’ at you, kabobs) while you celebrate and soak up the Armenian culture’s well-known hospitality and lively atmosphere.
Location: 834 Pepper Ave (Three Chopt)
Dates & times: Friday, September 18 - Saturday, September 19 | 11:30 am - 9 pm
>> Learn more <<
2nd Street Festival
Celebrate Jackson Ward’s rich history and culture with two days of live musical entertainment, a Kidz Zone, food vendors, a marketplace and Artists Row, and the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club.
Location: 124 E Broad St (Jackson Ward)
Dates & times: Saturday, October 3 | 11:30 am - 7 pm; Sunday, October 4 | 12 - 6 pm
>> Learn more <<
Richmond Folk Fest
Nothing represents our hip, outdoorsy, artsy town as well as the beloved Richmond Folk Festival. Attendance here often breaks records and for good reason; as one of Virginia’s largest and most-celebrated events of the year, Richmond Folk Festival highlights the roots, richness, and variety of diverse cultures through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling, and food.
Location: Along Downtown’s historic riverfront, including Brown's Island and Tredegar Ironworks
Dates & times: Friday, October 9 | 6:30 - 10 pm; Saturday, October 10 | 12 - 9:30 pm; Sunday, October 11 | 12 - 6 pm
>> Learn more <<
Garden Glow
Every fall, Maymont decks out its beautiful trees and sprawling landscape with colorful lights and displays, welcoming visitors to take a tour through the gardens and trails to soak in the truly spectacular illuminated installations.
Location: 1700 Hampton St (Maymont)
Dates: Wednesday, October 14 - Sunday, November 8 (times vary)
>> Learn more <<
Richmond Tattoo & Arts Convention
This convention brings together industry founders, tattoo enthusiasts, artists, collectors, and fans, but it’s about more than just tattooing. The event also celebrates art, history, friendship, and family, offering live music, exciting competitions, interactive kids' activities, delish food, and much more.
Location: 1021 Koger Center Blvd (North Chesterfield)
Dates & times: Friday, October 23 | 3 - 11:30 pm; Saturday, October 24 | 12 - 11 pm; Sunday, October 25 | 12 - 7 pm
>> Learn more <<
Scott’s Addition Pumpkin Festival
It’s a lot harder to come by a reason to visit CarMax Park in the fall — but this is a fun and festive one. Gather up your friends, family, and/or four-legged friends and have an afternoon of live music, fall treats, local brews, costume contests, and more.
Location: 2929 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Diamond District)
Date & time: Saturday, October 31 | 12 - 6 pm
>> Learn more <<
November (& early December)
Image Source: Tom Hennessy via Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
GardenFest of Lights
*Millions* of colorful lights thread throughout Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for this literal winter wonderland of an event, along with decorated trees, model trains, hot cocoa, s’mores, plus.
Location: 1800 Lakeside Ave (Lakeside)
Dates: Tuesday, November 17 - Monday, January 4 (times vary)
>> Learn more <<
Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival
Enjoy a full few days dedicated to films by and about Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous peoples, with a focus on challenging stereotypes and highlighting under-told stories and perspectives. This festival features filmmakers, artists, discussions, performances, and cultural programming designed to deepen public understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, languages, and contemporary life.
Locations: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd and 428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd (Museum District)
Dates & times: November 18 - 22 (times vary)
>> Learn more <<
RVA Illuminates
This party at Kanawha Plaza starts the official holiday season with Richmond’s mayor lighting up the city's downtown skyline and a holiday tree, amidst an evening of live music, food trucks, and all kinds of other reindeer games.
Location: E Canal St (Downtown)
Date & time: Friday, December 4 | 4 - 9 pm
>> More details to come <<
Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a fall-season must-see, yes, but Richmond’s classic Christmas parade is another, as it ushers out our pumpkins and turkeys for the year and makes way for the man with the bag. Post up on the parade route along Broad St and watch for colorful floats, giant helium balloons, high school and college marching bands, princesses, superheroes, and Santa himself.
Location: Starts at 10th and Marshall St, passes the hospital's Children's Tower and Pavilion, turns onto Broad St, and travels west ending at Allen Ave (Downtown)
Date & time: Saturday, December 5 | 10:15 am - 12 pm
>> Learn more <<
Looking for more fun things to do?:
