More What’s Booming RVA: Oct. 30 to Nov. 6
Curated events, road trips, and event news in our one-of-a-kind Richmond calendar
Coffee, classic fall fun, Día de los Muertos, whiskey dinner, a Broadway in Richmond premiere, lectures, concerts, comedy, day trips, tickets, and more. What’s Booming in Richmond, Virginia, October 30 to November 6, 2025.
Explore:
- Boomer’s Top 5 picks in RVA this week,
- The week ahead – below,
- Event news + a road trip – way below, and
- Our updated events page for Down the Road happenings and ongoing exhibitions and performances.
October 30 to November 6, 2025
What’s happening in and around the Richmond region
Thursday, Oct. 30
“Poplar Forest: Thomas Jefferson’s Villa Retreat.” The author and former director of architectural restoration at Poplar Forest in Bedford, Virginia, looks at the President’s private retreat. Presented in person (tickets required) and livestreaming (free). Oct. 30, noon, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
Distill My Heart. A Halloween four-course pairing dinner featuring the liquors of Copper Fox Distillery. Costumes encouraged. Oct. 30, 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Hanover Tavern, Hanover.
The Magic of Eric Eaton. Bringing quick wit comedy and mind-blowing magic in an adults-only show. Oct. 30, 7 p.m., at Funny Bone, Richmond.
Dreamers’ Circus. The Scandinavian trio blend their Nordic roots and an adventurous attitude for an original sound. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m., concert 7:30 to 9 p.m., at Camp Concert Hall, University of Richmond.
“Halloween.” See Boomer’s top picks.
John Splithoff. A blend of soulful pop, R&B, and funk presented with smooth vocals and groove-driven instrumentation. Oct. 30, 8 p.m., at the Tin Pan, Richmond.
Friday, October 31
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Brian Simpson. The pianist presents smooth jazz music with strong contemporary grooves, blending soulful melodies with upbeat rhythms. Oct. 31, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Richmond’s Eerie Canal Tours. Riverfront Canal Cruises hosts three nights of haunting narrated canal boat tours, of strange and monstrous occurrences along the Richmond riverfront, with spooky décor and surprises to punctuate the ride. Ages 7+. Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 on the James River and Kanawha Canal, Richmond.
“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere.” The American biographical musical drama film, with Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen. Oct. 31 to Nov. 9 at Ashland Theatre, Ashland.
Saturday, November 1
Día de los Muertos Festival. See Boomer’s top picks.
Hardywood 2025 RVA Bluegrass Festival. Six bluegrass groups perform their variations on the genre. FREE. Nov. 1, 2 to 9:30 p.m., at Hardywood on Ownby, Richmond.
Richmond Coffee Festival. From artisanal roasters to specialty blends and single origin beans, this coffee connoisseur’s event is a chance to taste the latest trends in the coffee world, attend brewing workshops, and indulge in delicious treats. Nov. 1 to 2 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond.
Richmond Tree Week. See Boomer’s top picks.
Sunday, November 2
Día de Muertos. Traditional food, a colorful Day of the Dead altar, folk art, activities, live music, and delicious traditional Pan de Muerto sweet bread). Nov. 2 at La Milpa, Richmond.
Discovering Virginia’s Old Graveyards. Some final resting places in Virginia are sublime, others eerie and frightening. In the age before modern medicine, disease and death visited often. Superstition and myths sprang from the constant hope of outsmarting the Grim Reaper. Ages 16+. Nov. 2, 2 to 3 p.m., at Deep Run Park, Henrico.
Tuesday, November 4
“The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A Story of Climate and Hope on One American Street.” Author Mike Tidwell discusses his book on how climate change has affected one city street, set against the background of record climate events across the world. Nov. 1, 6 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Richmond.
Mania: The ABBA Tribute. See Boomer’s top picks.
“Kimberly Akimbo.” The 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 and embark on a great adventure. Nov. 4 to 9 at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Wednesday, November 5
Book Signing with Anne de Marcken. “It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over,” an award-winning, life-after-death novel, asks the reader to consider how much of our memory, of our bodies, of the world as we know it – how much of what we love can we lose before we are lost? And then what happens? Nov. 5, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Shelf Life Books, Richmond.
Virtual Talk: “Native Nations: A Millennium in North America.” Library of Virginia presents Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Kathleen DuVal, who recounts how Indigenous Americans built diverse civilizations long before the colonization of North America. They adapted to a changing world in ways that reverberated globally. FREE, registration required. Nov. 5, noon, online.
Live at the Branch: Jesse Fox. The folk artist blends sharp-witted charm and heartfelt storytelling into performances that feel both fresh and timeless. Nov. 5, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Branch Museum of Design, Richmond.
Cabell First Novelist Award 2025 Anne De Marcken. The author gives a reading from “It Lasts Forever and Then It’s Over,” a fresh take on a zombie novel, and participates in a Q&A session. FREE. Nov. 5, 7 to 9 p.m., at James Branch Cabell Library, Richmond.
Kristin Key. Raised a conservative preacher’s kid, Key honed her comedy craft while still in the closet. Now, her act includes her hilarious story of coming out, taking it back, living in the closet, and meeting her wife. She blends thought-provoking and funny true stories and original songs with outrageous off-the-cuff improv moments. Nov. 5, 7 p.m., at Funny Bone, Richmond.
Thursday, November 6
Lecture: Declarations of Independence – Indigenous Resilience, Colonial Rivalries, and the Cost of Revolution. In 1776, 200 miles northwest of Philadelphia, colonial squatters on Indigenous land declared their independence, part of a broader and longer struggle of diverse peoples. Dig into the racial violence over land and sovereignty that suffused the Revolutionary Age and helped restore Indigenous peoples. Livestreamed and in person. Nov. 6, noon to 1 p.m., at Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond.
Virtual Talk: Spatial History of Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation. The senior map archivist at the Library of Virginia discusses the geographic impact of one of the most controversial documents of the American Revolution – Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation. Issued in November 1775, the proclamation declared martial law and offered freedom to enslaved people and indentured servants who agreed to fight for the king. FREE, registration required. Nov. 6, noon, online.
Play It Forward. Live performances including a friendly instrument showdown, a silent auction, raffle, and the joy of investing in Richmond’s young musicians. Plus hors d’oeuvres, pizza, and beverages. Fundraiser for Music Orchard Richmond, providing inclusive and accessible music resources to K-12 students. Nov. 6, 6 p.m., at Triple Crossing – Fulton, Richmond.
Sanctuary and Survival: Indigenous Urban Resilience in Petersburg. Learn about Pocahontas Island in Petersburg and the refuge it afforded Virginia Indians seeking economic opportunity and freedom from gender norms and racial classifications. Nov. 6, 6 p.m., at Peterburg Public Library, Petersburg.
Pride & Pour: Richmond’s Queer History. Celebrating Richmond’s LGBTQ+ stories, from camp to community, theatre to history. W&M Professor Jay Watkins, author of “Queer Virginia,” shares highlights of Richmond’s LGBTQ+ history. His research focuses on Southern LGBTQ+ history in theatre, for a vibrant perspective. Nov. 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Black Heath Meadery, Richmond.
Gone Today, Here Tomorrow: The Fight for Democracy. Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian politician, author, historian, and former political prisoner, shares his experiences and insights as an activist in Russia. FREE, tickets required. Nov. 6, 7 p.m., at Blackwell Auditorium at Randolph-Macon College, Ashland.
Speaker Series: Bert Dunkerly. The author and historian delves into two newly updated books shedding light on the Civil War: “No One Wants to be the Last to Die,” chronicling the intense fighting at Appomattox, and “The Final Bivouac,” exploring the surrender and departure aftermath. Nov. 6, 7 p.m., at Hanover Tavern, Hanover.
Mike Farris. A blend of soulful gospel roots with blues, rock, and Americana, delivered with powerful, emotive vocals. Nov. 6, 8 p.m., at The Tin Pan, Richmond.
Richmond Coin and Currency Show. More than 55 tables of U.S., foreign, and ancient coins and currency to buy, sell and trade. Submissions for grading accepting. FREE. Nov. 6 to 8 at ACCA Shriners Center, Richmond.
Day Trips
Apple and heritage festivals
Apple Harvest Festival. Celebrate a quarter-century of community at the 25th annual festival. Cash suggested for classic festival favorites, including mountainside hayrides, fresh Brunswick stew and apple butter. Plus live music, heirloom apple tastings, cider pressing demos, classic apple pie contest, pie crust and jam making demos, cool weather gardening presentation, and more. FREE. Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Albemarle CiderWorks, North Garden.
Heritage Day: Clarke Through the Ages. Featuring cider pressing, mill grinding, re-enactors, blacksmithing and more. This year’s festivities will also feature numerous other historic organizations from around the area and will incorporate more historic time periods. Part of the VA250 programs in Clarke County. Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Burwell-Morgan Mill, Millwood.
News to Know
Sorry, Romeo!
“& Juliet” Tickets on Sale. Part of Broadway in Richmond, “& Juliet” flips the script on the greatest love story ever told and asks: what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Instead, she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love – her way. Tickets on sale Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. – online, by phone at 800-514-3849(ETIX) or at Altria Theater box office. Performances May 12 to 17 at Altria Theater, Richmond.
Explore future events and ongoing exhibitions and performances here.
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