RICHMOND, Va. — September is the best time of year for Richmond festivals. The fact that summer vacations are over and school has started goes down a little easier with all the fun events to do, plus the days are still long and the weather is usually wonderfully temperate.
Don’t miss Antoinette Essa’s A-List events around town. To sign up for a weekly event emails delivered on Friday afternoon, click here.
Sept. 2, Friday
First Fridays
A year-round art walk highlighting art, restaurants, shops and organizations in the Art’s District.
Held in various locations around the Art District, which includes Broad, Grace and Marshall Streets, running from Monroe Street down to 6th Street.
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
See galleries for independent events
Sept. 3, Saturday
9th Annual James River Cellars Harvest Wine FestivalListen to live music, taste wine from four different wineries.
From Noon to 5 p.m.
11008 Washington Hwy.
$20/person
Sept. 9 – 11, Friday through Sunday
Center of The Universe OktoberfestA beer garden with German and American brews, live music, and delicious German dishes under a big fest tent. Families and leashed dogs are welcome.
Friday from 4- 9 p.m. Saturday 1- 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.
Center of the Universe Brewing
11293 Air Park Rd, Ashland
A pop culture convention. The artists, writers and stars behind well-known comics and shows in the entertainment industry come to town. Look for fun shopping, celebrity photo ops and lots of panels.
Tickets:
3-Day weekend ticket/$75 + service charge
Friday: 1-day ticket/$35 + service charge
Saturday: 1-day ticket/$45 + service charge
Sunday: 1-day ticket/$40 + service charge
Friday, 3p.m. – 8 p.m./Saturday, 10 a.m.– 7 p.m./Sunday, 11a.m. – 5 p.m.
Greater Richmond Convention Center
403 N Third St.
Sept. 10, Saturday
RVA Peace Festival
A multicultural celebration featuring entertainment, arts and crafts, food, exhibits, and activities for children.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
11 a.m. – 5p.m.
6000 Grove Avenue
Sept. 11, Sunday
Shockoe on the HalfshellCelebrate all things oysters at the festival, in its seventh year, where you can get your bivalves raw, steamed, fried, with sauce or without.
Beer and music will be on scene along with oysters. The event is free to enter. Individual items cost.
Noon to 5 p.m.
17th Street Farmer’s Market
Sept. 16-18, Friday – Sunday
The 58th annual event promises all sorts of delectable dishes prepared by members of the St. James Armenian Church: hyeburgers, lupia, pilaf, kebobs, pastries and Armenian wine.
Make sure to duck inside the church for a look at even more arts and jewelry vendors.
11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Noon to 7 p.m.on Sunday.
834 Pepper Avenue, at Patterson Avenue
Free to enter, individual dishes cost money
Goochland Field Day of the PastExpect over 40,000 people at this event dedicated to historic displays, buildings, demonstrations, and re-enactments.
Truck Pulls: 7 p.m. Friday; 6 p.m. Saturday
Rt. 623 (Ashland Road) and Rt. 622 in Goochland
Friday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – close; Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: $10/Friday; $15/Saturday; $10/Sunday; $8 for Senior Citizens 62 and older; 12 and younger; free
St. Benedict’s OktoberfestA much-anticipated festival that provides ample opportunity to try a tremendous amount of different beer, eat some tasty German food, and help support Catholic education.
For $20 the 2016 commemorative steins are available at the main ticket booth and include first pour. The 2016 beer taster glasses are available for $5 and include first taster pour.
After that, beer samples are $2 and a beer pour is $5, with the 2016 Stein, and $6 without it.
300 N. Sheppard St., Richmond
Free admission
Friday 4-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sept. 17, Saturday
43rd Street Festival of the ArtsThe 25th year for this Forest Hill festival, which features 75 fine artisans selling their wares. Count on local music and food vendors. The event is a fundraiser for CARITAS.
Forest Hill Avenue and W.43rd Street
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Free to enter, but bring money to buy art, food and more art.
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. and will feature 150 vendors, food, contests, live music, and family activities before the Richmond Symphony closes out the day at 7 p.m. Hardywood craft beer selections will be sold.
3524 Festival Park Plaza, Chester, VA 23831
Expect a family-fun event, dog-related vendors, interactive areas for pets, live music and beer and food trucks for humans. The Ultimate Air Dogs will compete at certain times throughout the day.
Admission to Fido Fest is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Children 12 and under and your furry friend are free. A portion of the proceeds from Fido Fest will benefit the Richmond SPCA.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Brown’s Island
Bottom of 12th St (at the James River)
Sept. 17 -18
South African Food and Wine Festival
Experience the cuisine, wine, food, music and culture of South Africa during a two-day festival at Grayhaven winery. The event first launched in 2006. Wine taster admission includes samplings of South African and Grayhaven wines plus a souvenir glass.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
General Admission $30, Wine Taster Admission $35 tax included.
4675 East Grey Fox Rd, Gum Spring
Sept. 22 – 24, Thursday through Saturday
The Poe Museum, in partnership with the Byrd Theater, will host the Poe Film Festival to showcase the best in Edgar Allan Poe movies of the past 90 years from around the world. Extraordinary Tales, House of Usher, The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale Heart will be screened at the Byrd.
Admission for each film or panel is $8. Admission to the Saturday evening reception is $75. Unhappy Hour at The Poe Museum on Thursday night is $5.
Sept. 23, Friday
Midtown RVA Fall Festival
This free, all-ages, family style event will feature live music, food trucks, games, and an outdoor movie with popcorn once the sun goes down.
Hosted by the United Methodist Family Services, at 3900 W Broad Street.
Sept. 24 – 25, Saturday and Sunday
Festival of IndiaA cultural and culinary event with live music and dance performances, as well as many different varieties of Indian cuisine, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies, such as dosa, kachori, samosas, tandoori chicken and sweets, all of which are supplied by local Indian restaurants and families, and prepared fresh in front of patrons.
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days
Free admission
Richmond Convention Center
403 N Third St, Richmond
Downtown 17th Street Market transforms into an Italian village. The festival raises money for charities Reinhart House, SCAN, ASK and the VCU Italian Studies Program.
Free admission
Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. abd Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
17th Street and Main Street, downtown
Sept. 24, Saturday
Capital Ale House Oktoberfest
Virginia beers paired with traditional German food items. Surrounding streets are closed off. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. and the first keg is tapped at noon. There will be live musical performances, German dance groups and family-friendly Kinderplatz: a kid’s space with giant inflatables, face-painting, balloon animals and many other family features.
11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Cap Ale House open until 1:30 a.m.)
623 E. Main Street
Pridefest 2015
PRIDE will be held on Brown’s Island. There will be food, brews, music, organizations, outreach, and performances.
Free admission
12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Brown’s Island
Bottom of 12th St (at the James River)
A family-friendly event intended to encourage a collaborative DIY community in Richmond. Over 80 businesses and hobbyists present. See full list of makers, and exhibits, here.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W Broad St, Richmond
The third year of this fitness-themed festival. Broad Street will be transformed into two areas, a running course and festival.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Broad Street between Belvidere Street and Hermitage Road
Click to see the different themed runs and sign up.
Sept. 23 – Oct. 2
State Fair of VirginiaIt’s that time of year for rides, exhibits, and deep-fried everything
See website for costs and hours
13111 Dawn Boulevard
Did we miss a festival? Drop us a line and share the details!