How to Spend Your Summer in Downtown Richmond

Looking for a lineup of the best events in Richmond, VA to celebrate this summer? From outdoor live music to dragon boat racing, there is something for everyone to do in downtown Richmond! Check out our list of summer events in Richmond, VA and spend the season near the River!

From tunes to trail running, bikes to bouldering, SUPs to pups, fishing, craft brews, paddling on the James, and more…it’s all happening right here in Richmond!

Highlighted by the James River, surrounding trail network, and numerous parks, we are lucky to have so many options for outdoor adventure! Join Venture Richmond and Sports Backers to #RockTheOutdoors as you discover new ways to experience Richmond’s amazing outdoor scene!

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Festival Open Hours

Friday, May 17, 5-9:30 PM | Saturday, May 18, 12-9:30 PM | Sunday, May 19, 12-5 PM

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Check out the full Riverrock schedule.

Friday Cheers is a weekly summer concert series that brings some of the biggest up-and-coming artists to Brown’s Island along Downtown Richmond's riverfront every Friday in May and June at just $10-15 for a family-friendly night of live music. Fun for all ages! Friday Cheers returns for its 39th season in 2024 as Richmond’s longest running concert series showcasing some of the nation’s hottest touring bands and all-time regional favorites. Did we mention tickets start at only $10?

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Check out the full lineup of artists performing through June.

Enjoy some great shows from the Broadberry Entertainment Group on Brown's Island! With artists like Chappell Roan, Faye Webster, and AVAIL, these outdoor shows in Richmond are sure to be a summer highlight!

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Explore the 2024 lineup of shows through September.

There's something for the whole family at the Richmond Night Market! Explore the Artisan Village and support local artists and small business owners while the Creative Kids Hangout keeps your young explorers busy then check out the Main Stage, which offers live music and crowd engagement. The Maker Space is where adults can create and have fun with friends, and new mural artists will be painting live throughout the night.

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Don't miss out on the fun of these summer activities in Richmond VA, held every second Saturday from 5-9 PM (April-December) at the 17th Street Market!

Join UnlockingRVA for their 'Silent Party' within the 17th Street Market from 7-10 PM! Upon arrival you will receive a wireless pair of headphones in order to fully tap into the 'Silent Party' DJ's LIVE mixes and appropriately distance yourself wherever you feel most comfortable in the marketplace. Each headphone will be fully sanitized prior and in your possession throughout the event.

Come join Keep Virginia Cozy as they celebrate upcoming summer adventures at the newly renovated 14th Street space of Riverside Outfitters. Chow down on some delicious food from Tiny Vegan Food Cart, 1115 Mobile Kitchen, Goatocado and Vegan Action! Give your ears a treat while listening to the sweet sounds of Andrew Alli & Josh Smalls! Get your chill on as you wash it all down with some of the finest brews from Väsen Brewery, New Realm Brewery, Starr Hill Brewery, and Ninja Kombucha.

Radio One Richmond presents the return of Stone Soul Music and Food Festival! This summer Sat. June 22nd , 2024, back on Brown's Island. Save the date to see some of your favorite artists, food trucks, and local vendors. More information is coming soon! To stay up to date visit the Stone Soul website. Part of the Richmond Area Honda Dealers LiVE LOUD Concert Series.

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For vendor, ticket, and event information/questions please reach out to organizers Radio One Richmond.

Forever Summer Fest, produced by The Veil Brewing Co., brings together some of the world’s best breweries and brewers to raise funds for ChildSavers, a Richmond nonprofit organization dedicated to children’s mental health and trauma recovery in Virginia. Every year The Veil, along with event sponsors, showcases exceptional beers that 1000+ event attendees may not have had access to otherwise. Taking over Main Street Station's second floor event space, the fest will mostly be indoors and fully air conditioned for a nice escape from the summer heat.

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General Admission tickets ($70) get you:

• A FSF beer glass
• Festival access from 1pm-6pm with unlimited pours from over 45+ amazing brewers from all over the world
• Map of festival grounds

Designated Driver tickets ($5) get you:

• Festival access from 1pm-6pm
• Access to non alcoholic and food options ONLY

Rally your coworkers, friends and family, and join Sports Backers for Richmond’s biggest spectacle on water – dragon boating! Led by the rhythmic beat of a drum, teams of 20 synchronized paddlers, one drummer and one steersperson race 500 meters up the river in 40-foot canoes rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. The sport brings social groups and businesses alike down to the water to bond and compete, building a stronger sense of “team” with every stroke. From vets to newbies, anyone can have a good time!

Richmond’s biggest block party in the heart of Shockoe Bottom is back! Enjoy a day of music performances across multiple stages and a hometown celebration of all things Richmond. Experience live music from some of Richmond's most diverse indie talents, with the food, drink, arts, culture, and community energy that makes the 804 thrive.

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Check out the list of nonprofits, businesses, vendors and charities on-site for 804 Day 2024.

JamPacked Craft Beer & Music Festival is made for the intersection of those of us who appreciate live jam music and craft beer. Once again, JamPacked 2024 will feature 30 local, regional and national craft breweries each offering two of their juicy wonders. To make selections even more flexible, this year the festival will feature cider, canned cocktails and (new in 2024) a no-alcohol beer! Along with some delicious brews, enjoy performances by Greensky Bluegrass, Kitchen Dwellers, Sicard Hollow, and more!

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Check out breweries on-site, stage lineup and food offerings on the JamPacked website.

Luckily for us, there are tons of fun things to do in Richmond, VA. Check out our downtown calendar, chock-full of RVA events.

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Written by Hunter Bonniwell