Make Plans for These Richmond Events

Outdoor concert series

• Groovin’ in the Garden. Monthly through Oct. 2 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
• Allianz Amphitheater. Through Oct. 21 at Allianz Amphitheater at the Riverfront, Richmond.

October

Richmond Folk Festival. In its 21st year of celebrating the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. FREE. Oct. 10 to 12, along the riverfront, Richmond. Artists include:

• The Amanda Cook Band (bluegrass) – Fancy Gap, Virginia
• Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy (blues) – Houston, Texas
• Meta & the Cornerstones (reggae) – New York, New York
• Raiatea Helm (Hawaiian falsetto singing) – Honolulu, Hawai’i
• Richard Hagopian Ensemble (Armenian) – Fresno, California
• Son Qba (Cuban son) – Miami, Florida
• Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys (zydeco) – Duson, Louisiana
• Yamini Kalluri & the Kritya Music Ensemble (Kuchipudi dance) – Lansing, Michigan
• Beat Ya Feet Academy (beat ya feet dance) – Washington, D.C.
• The Blackbyrds (jazz, R&B, and funk) – Washington, D.C.
• The Broussard Sisters (juré) – Opelousas, Louisiana
• Cécilia (Québécois) – Montreal, Québec, Canada
• Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band (Togolese) – Lomé, Togo, by way of Washington, D.C.
• Elizabeth King (sacred soul and gospel) – Memphis, Tennessee
• Melissa Carper (classic country) – Austin, Texas
• The Sinquah Family (Hopi hoop dance) – Phoenix, Arizona
• Saami Brothers feat. Ustad Naseeruddin Saami (qawwali and khayal) – Karachi, Pakistan
• Villa 5 (música norteña) – Los Angeles, California

Chesterfield PAL Fall Festival and Haunted Woods. Chesterfield Police Activities League hosts a festival of music, vendors, crafts, food trucks, and kids activities, followed by a haunted tour. Festival is FREE, charge for tour. Oct. 11, 3 to 7 p.m. for festival; 7:30 to 11 p.m., for Haunted Woods, at 13301 N. Woolridge Rd., Midlothian.

1950s Monthly Movie Series. Starting Monday, Sept. 15, Ashland Theatre presents 12 top movies from the 1950s. All tickets for the series will be just 75 cents. All showings begin at 7 p.m., at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.

• Oct. 13, Winchester ’73
• Nov. 10, Let’s Dance
• Dec. 8, Harvey
• Jan. 12, DOA
• Feb. 9, Rashomon
• March 9, Born Yesterday (Academy Award Best Picture Nominee)
• April 13, The File on Thelma Jordan
• May 11, Stage Fright
• June 15, In a Lonely Place
• July 13, All About Eve (Academy Award Best Picture Winner)
• Aug. 10, Les Enfants Terribles

“Roses in December” Book Talk. Author and historian Jody Lynn Allen examines the history of Black life in Hanover County, of newly freed people and their descendants, and the fight for civil rights. Oct. 15, noon, at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

Dr. Edda Fields-Black on “Combee.” The Lincoln Prize Lecture features the author of “Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War.” Fields-Black is winner of the 2025 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize and a Pulitzer Prize. Oct. 15, 6 to 8 p.m., at the American Civil War Museum at Tredegar, Richmond.

Smolder Smoked Beer & Food Festival. Featuring the release of Smolder, a smoked Helles lager; smoked foods from Brasa, ZZQ, Eazzy Burger, and Buttermilk Bake Shop; and Bierstacheln (aka beer spiking, beer sting, or beer poking), in which a metal rod, heated in a fire pit, is plunged hot into a cold beer, caramelizing the natural sugars. Oct. 18, noon to 5 p.m., at Ardent Craft Ales, Richmond.

Legends on Grace: Nightcaps & Stories.  Traditional cabaret-style performances with legendary Virginia artists. Subscriptions on sale now.

• An Evening with Tony DeSare: Hits from the Rat Pack + More – Oct. 18
• Yes And! Theatrical Company – Nov. 29
• My Funny Valentine: An Evening with Scott Wichmann + Friends – Feb. 14
• Laura Ann Singh + Rosette – April 25

Richmond Shakespeare 27th Season. Five plays explore identity, ambition, and the contradictions of being human. “One of the most complicated things about being human is our constant negotiation with our own identities. In our lives we adopt roles, whether they are social, cultural, gendered, political or moral – to gain freedom, power, love,” says artistic director James Ricks.

• Jen Silverman’s “Witch,” Oct. 23 to Nov. 9 at Theatre Gym. A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a “witch” and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought.
• “King James” by Rajiv Joseph, Jan. 15 to Feb. 1, 2026, at Theatre Gym. “King” LeBron James’s years playing in Cleveland bring promise, prosperity, and renewal to a city in desperate need of all three. His tenure also unites Shawn and Matt in an unlikely bond forged by fandom. The men navigate their turbulent friendship through their shared love of basketball – and endless amiable arguments.
• “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, March 27 to April 12, 2026, at Gottwald Playhouse. Ambition runs red in this gripping tale of power, prophecy, and betrayal. When Macbeth receives a haunting prediction from three mysterious witches, he and his wife set forth on a bloody path toward the throne of Scotland, no matter the cost.
• Richmond Shakespeare Festival begins with “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare at Agecroft Hall. Banished from court and cast into the Forest of Arden, Rosalind disguises herself as a boy and discovers that love, freedom, and self-discovery thrive far from the rules of society. As shepherds, fools, lords, and lovers wander through the woods, mistaken identities and unexpected romances blossom under the trees.
• Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” at Agecroft Hall. Lies, love, and low-stakes scandal collide in the deliciously absurd comedy of manners. Jack and Algernon each invent fictional alter egos, both conveniently named Ernest, to dodge social obligations and pursue romance, but their schemes unravel when their lies catch up with them.

Cap Trail 10M & 5k. Runners, walkers, and fall lovers can celebrate the season with a spirited run/walk along the scenic Virginia Capital Trail. The fully supported routes offer river views and fall colors. The race includes costume contests and a post-run celebration at Stone Brewing. Oct. 25, starting at 8 a.m., along Wharf Street, Richmond.

“Recipes from the American South.” Author and culinary historian Michael W. Twitty uses scholarship, lived experience, and storytelling to explore the South. He showcases the complexity of food traditions influenced by European, Indigenous, African and immigrant communities. The book includes 260 recipes and the culinary sweep of Southern history and its many cultures. In conversation with Leni Sorenson, researcher of African American slavery, American agriculture, and women’s work in colonial and post-colonial America. Oct. 28, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

November and beyond

“Kimberly Akimbo.” The winner of five 2023 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, presents the story of a teen girl navigating family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush, and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure. Premieres locally as part of Broadway in Richmond. Nov. 4 to 9 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

BrassWind. A mix of retired  and active-duty military, some original charter-member educators, performing styles including Motown, R&B, Jazz, Soul, and Funk. Nov. 9, 3 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

“The Life and Music of George Michael.” The concert-style show revives the performer’s magic, chronicling his musical journey and connection with fans. One night only. Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

“Remember the Ladies” Gender-Reversed Reenactment. In this historic rendition of the Liberty or Death reenactment, women from Richmond’s theatre and film community portray nine delegates to the Second Virginia Convention. Nov. 14 to 23 at Historic St. John’s Church, Richmond.

Shady Grove Coffeehouse 2025-2026. Performances at Unitarian Universalist Community Church, Glen Allen.

• Susan Greenbaum, Nov. 15
• Dana Robinson, Jan. 17, 2026
• The Honey Dewdrops, Feb. 21
• Bill Evans – The Banjo in America with Babi Evans

A Magical Cirque Christmas 2025. Bursting with festive charm, laugh-out-loud comedy, and heartwarming magic, this high-flying spectacle showcases the extraordinary talents of the world’s most elite cirque performers. The show blends world-class circus artistry and favorite holiday music with breathtaking acrobatics and soaring aerial performances. Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Boz Scaggs. The singer, songwriter, and guitarist, an early bandmate of Steve Miller in The Ardells and the Steve Miller Band, began his solo career in 1969. Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

“My Heart Wants to Sing.” Joyful Voices, a chorus for singers with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and their caregivers, presents its fall chorus. Nov. 20, 11 a.m., at Salisbury Presbyterian Church, Midlothian.

Air Supply – 50th Anniversary Celebration. With nearly 50 years making music, the rock duo of the ’80s are still going. Nov. 23 at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas. Classic Christmas hits from the holiday albums along with multimedia effects in an intimate setting, with 15 musicians playing more than 20 instruments against a backdrop of dazzling multimedia effects. Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Virginia Repertory Theatre’s 2025-2026 Season, still to come:

• Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director, Rick Hammerly. Nov. 28 to Dec. 28 at the November Theater, Richmond.
• Ira Levin’s “Deathtrap,” the classic comedy thriller. Dec. 12 to Jan. 18, 2026, at Hanover Tavern, Hanover.
• Eboni Booth’s off-broadway hit, “Primary Trust.” March 5 to 29, 2026, at the November Theater, Richmond.
• Sandy Rustin’s “The Cottage.” March 27 to April 26, 2026, at Hanover Tavern, Hanover.
• Kids’ performance, “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley.” April 8 to May 3, 2026, at the November Theater, Richmond.
• Tony Award-winning hit, “Come from Away.” June 18 to Aug. 2, 2026, at the November Theater, Richmond.

Pops: Let It Snow! Richmond Symphony and Chorus present holiday music. Nov. 29, 2 and 7 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center.

Christmas Together. Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and Cece Winans present selections spanning the artists’ expansive Christmas repertoires with traditional classics and others from their holiday albums. Nov. 29, 7 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Pops: Holiday Brass. Richmond Symphony presents holiday hits played on brass instruments. Nov. 30, 3 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

“Les Misérables.” The popular musical returns to Richmond. It’s the moving story of transformation and integrity, of Jean Valjean’s powerful response to mercy, as he seeks to live with honor and love, pursued by the relentless Inspector Javert. The tale is set against the backdrop of 19th-century France and ideals of liberty and equality. Dec. 2 to 7 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Good Shot Judy: A Crooners Christmas. Classic hits from artists like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Michael Bublé, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Bette Midler, and more, with the expanded Good Shot 20-piece orchestra. Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

The Bizarre Bazaar 50th Christmas Collection. More than 450 juried exhibitors from across the country showcase their latest gift lines, holiday décor, gourmet foods, handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, crafts, lotions, and more. Dec. 4 to 7 at Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond.

Masters of Soul: A Motown Christmas. Celebrating Motown artists, their music, and their style, with costumed and choreographed tributes to male and female groups, backed by a live band. The Temptations, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Four Tops, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Jackson Five, The Commodores, and more. Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

“The Nutcracker.” Richmond Ballet presents Stoner Winslett’s cherished production of the classic Tchaikovsky tradition. Dec. 6 to 23 at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

TubaChristmas 2025. Presenting MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS, a world-wide celebration featuring the biggest and brassiest of instruments. Inviting players of the tuba, euphonium, and baritone to participate. FREE. Dec. 13, 3 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland. A blend of circus artistry and favorite holiday music, this spectacular production will transport you to a winter wonderland. Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

An Evening with Heart. The rock band formed in 1973 in Vancouver, BC. In 1975, their first album, “Dreamboat Annie,” achieved global success. Heart blends the sounds of ’70s hard rock and acoustic rock, punk, and even at times symphonic. Dec. 17 at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Celebrate Christmas Tour. Natalie Grant & Danny Gokey serve up reimagined holiday favorites and powerful worship-filled moments. Dec. 19, 7 p.m., at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Hints of great events ahead in 2026

“Back to the Future: The Musical.” The sensory-filled live experience is based on the 1985 movie, as teenaged Marty McFly is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown. Before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence. Jan. 20 to 25, 2026, at Altria Theater, Richmond.

Ari Shapiro: Thank You For Listening. Known widely as an NPR journalist, Shapiro is becoming one of America’s beloved storytellers. His new cabaret solo show is hilarious and moving, adapting tales from his best-selling memoir, “The Best Strangers In the World,” into an evening of stories and songs about the power of listening to forge connections. Jan. 29, 2026, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.

The Imaginaries. Husband and wife duo Shane Henry (guitar, vocals) and Maggie McClure (piano, vocals) form a unique blend of Americana music. Feb. 7, 2026, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Kadencia! Bomba, Plena and Salsa. Using bomba, plena, and salsa to promote Puerto Rican culture. Pay what you can. Feb. 21, 2026, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Virginia Wine Expo 2026. Returning to venues in and around Richmond, Feb. 28 to March 8, 2026.

Bindlestiff Family Cirkus. A hybrid of vaudeville, circus, wild west shows, burlesque, and sideshow, adding a contemporary twist to the grand traditions of American circus. March 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m., at Perkinson Center, Chester.

Inaugural Salute to Service Reunion Celebration. A special day dedicated to reuniting Operation Desert Storm & Operation Desert Shield Virginia veterans, honoring their service, and commemorating the 35th anniversary of the conflict. Guest speakers, musical performances, film screenings, a wreath-laying ceremony, and more. Veterans and families can request an invitation to be part of this meaningful event. March 21, 2026, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Virginia War Memorial, Richmond.

The Bizarre Bazaar 34th Spring Market. More than 275 juried exhibitors from across the country will display new spring gift lines, accessories for the home and garden, fine art, handmade jewelry, gourmet foods, clothing, toys, quality crafts, lotions, soaps, pottery, bulbs, plants, and more. April 10 to 12, 2026, at Richmond Raceway Complex, Richmond.

Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen. Featuring Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, the group has been performing their tribute to Queen since 1993. May 1, 8 p.m., at Dominion Energy Center, Richmond.

Ongoing Performances & Exhibitions

Around Richmond, and the occasional road trip

Homes & Habitats. Experience nature through the eyes of seven regional artists’ large-scale installations inspired by ecosystems. Many works feature interactive and educational elements. Through Sept. 28 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond.

2025 Season of Valentine Walking Tours. For 25 years, the Valentine’s guides have helped visitors and residents learn about important historic sites, discover off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods and engage with the diverse stories that define Richmond – this year, dog-friendly History Hounds series returns. Various times and locations around Richmond.

“Conversations with Mother.” Richmond Triangle Players presents a heartwarming and hilarious comedy tracing the relationship between Italian matriarch Maria Collavechio and her gay son, spanning the course of five decades. As they continue to test their lifelong bond, the play depicts the funny and sometimes infuriating dynamic between conventional mother and free-spirited son. Through Oct. 4 at Robert B. Moss Theatre, Richmond.

“Night Must Fall.” A secluded British cottage, a dead body in the woods, and a strange and seductive visitor. Is the visitor a murderer, and will he seduce an innocent young woman? Through Oct. 11 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, South Chesterfield.

“Long Day’s Journey Into Night.” Widely recognized as one of the greatest plays in American and world theatre, Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece portrays a single day in the turbulent life of the Tyrone family. Addiction, unfulfilled dreams, and the complexities of love intertwine in this searing portrait of fragility and forgiveness. Cadence partners with CultureWorks’ artoberVA program on October 2 to offer a pay-what-you-will performance. Through Oct. 11 at The Carol Piersol Stage at Firehouse Theatre, Richmond.

“Murder on the Orient Express.” Virginia Repertory Theatre presents Agatha Christie’s masterful mystery adapted for stage by Ken Ludwig. Through Oct. 12, at the November Theater, Richmond.

“Gabriel.” ATLAS Partnership brings to life the people and events surrounding Gabriel’s Rebellion, one of the most significant uprisings of enslaved people in American history, set in and around Richmond in 1800. An official program of the Virginia 250 Commission (VA250). Through Nov. 9 at the Historic Hanover Tavern, Hanover.

Riverfront Canal Cruises 25th Season. The new season offers of 40-minute historical narrated tours and private charters, beginning on April 4 and operate until November. Shockoe Bottom on the Canal, Richmond.

“Faith & Resilience: The Legacy of Black Catholics in Virginia.” Using personal stories, historical artifacts, and community reflections to emphasize the vital contributions of Black Catholics, from growing the church in Virginia to their commitment to justice and the spiritual richness through worship, education, and evangelization. Through Nov. 29 at The Black History Museum, Richmond.

Brambly Park Artisan Market. The weekly market features local artisans selling handmade home décor, jewelry, apparel, ceramics, candles, and more. Grab food and drink from the Sundays, 3 to 7 p.m., through Dec. 14, at Brambly Park, Richmond.

“‘I made this…’: The Work of Black American Artists and Artisans.” The first exhibition looking solely at the work of diverse Black artists and artisans from three centuries opens at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. Through Dec. 31, 2025, at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Williamsburg.

Virginia Museum of History & Culture Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Spring 2025 Exhibition and Related Events. “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation” opens as the first major show for the anniversary commemoration, accompanied by traveling presentations across the state. The exhibition delves into Virginia’s important role in the American Revolution, exploring the confluence of continental and global forces as well as the actions of both iconic and often-overlooked people who together established a new nation and changed the world. The opening coincides with Patrick Henry’s “liberty or death” speech. Through Jan. 4, 2026, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

Julien Creuzet. “Attila cataract your source at the feet of the green peaks will end up in the great sea blue abyss we drowned in the tidal tears of the moon” is an immersive video and sculptural installation that focuses on water as a site of both historical and contemporary traumas and emancipatory futures. The multisensorial project is deeply sonic and draws from hip-hop, jazz, and other musical forms and bodily gestures across the African diaspora. Through Feb. 22 at the Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU, Richmond.

“House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History.” The new exhibition explores the story of the first Black homeowner in the area now known as Jackson Ward and the removal of his house in advance of the construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The history anchors a larger national story of Black American experience from the founding of the nation through the Jim Crow era. Through Feb. 28, 2026, at the Library of Virginia, Richmond.

“Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond” Exhibition. Richmond’s Asian American communities are one of the region’s most quickly growing populations. “Generations” shares stories of personal experience and cultural identity: how people found their way here and became integral parts of our local community. Through May 25, 2026, at The Valentine, Richmond.

“West by Water: Richmond’s James River and Kanawha Canal.” The new exhibition features Richmond photographer John Henley and writer Harry Kollatz Jr. along the city’s historic James River & Kanawha Canal, which even after two centuries, remains to some, resident and visitor alike, elusive and mysterious. Sept. 26 to Sept. 7, 2026, at The Valentine, Richmond.

Virginia Museum of History & Culture Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Spring 2025 Exhibition and Related Events. “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation,” the first major show for the commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary, delves into Virginia’s role in the American Revolution, exploring the confluence of continental and global forces as well as the actions of both iconic and often-overlooked people who together established a new nation and changed the world. Through Jan. 4, 2026. At the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond. Related events include:

• We The People: Through Jan. 3, 2027
• “Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619–1865”: Through July 4, 2027 (see below)
• Sail250 with Tall Ships RVA: June 12 to 15, 2026
• IllumiNATION: June to July 2026

“Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865.” Examining the lives of free Black Virginians from the arrival of the first captive Africans in 1619 to the abolition of slavery in 1865. Through powerful objects and first-person accounts, visitors see how Virginia’s people of color achieved -freedom, established communities, and persevered within a legal system that recognized them as free but not equal. Through July 4, 2027, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.

“Sculpting History.” The exhibition from the Valentine shows how those who created the Lost Cause narrative used cultural and social centers of power to make it successful: education, media, politics, money, religion, and violence. The exhibition demonstrates how sculptor Edward Valentine, Richmond leaders, and others around the country reframed the war. It uncovers the Lost Cause, its legacy, and those who resisted. The Valentine, Richmond.