October is when Richmond’s calendar fills up, and this year the run starts almost immediately. The State Fair of Virginia is in its final weekend, the 2nd Street Festival lands in Jackson Ward on Saturday, and the Richmond Folk Festival takes over the riverfront the following weekend. This guide pulls together the dated events we could confirm from organizers and local reporting, in date order, with a note on where each one sits on the map. Dates are current as of September 30, 2026, so check each organizer’s page before you go.
The First Weekend of October
The State Fair of Virginia runs September 25 through October 4 at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, in Hanover County, according to 12 On Your Side’s announcement. This year’s theme is “Virginia’s Best of Show,” a nod to the competitions, talent and traditions the fair is built around. With the final day on Sunday, October 4, this is the last chance of the season for the midway and the livestock barns.
In town, the 2nd Street Festival takes place October 3 and 4 in Jackson Ward. It is now in its 38th year and celebrates the culture of the historic neighborhood that was once known as the “Harlem of the South.” RVAHub’s save-the-dates report by Richard Hayes lists both festivals and notes that Venture Richmond Events produces them. Jackson Ward is walkable from the Broad Street corridor, so parking near the festival fills early; plan to walk in from a downtown deck.
Richmond Folk Festival: October 9-11
The 22nd Richmond Folk Festival runs Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11 on the downtown riverfront and is free. Friday runs 6:30 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m., per the festival’s general information page. Six stages carry the music, and four of them are tented for rain. Our Folk Festival guide covers parking, what to bring and what is banned at the gate. The festival also returns to Brown’s Island while the $30 million renovation is still underway, so part of the island will be fenced off.
Concerts Worth Planning Around
Richmond Magazine’s fall arts preview by Peter McElhinney lists the season’s music calendar. The dates that stand out for the next six weeks:
- October 6-7: Phish at Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, two nights on the James.
- October 17: ZOSO, a Led Zeppelin tribute, at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County.
- October 24: Clint Black at Innsbrook Pavilion in western Henrico.
- October 30: Full Moon Fever at The Broadberry.
- November 4: The Menzingers at The National.
- November 7-8: the Richmond Symphony in the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center.
The Innsbrook show is a good reminder that Richmond’s live music map is not only downtown. Innsbrook has its own pavilion, restaurants and office campus, and the summer-to-fall concert season there is a real part of the neighborhood’s appeal for buyers who like to walk to a show. If you want a bar-and-brewery night before or after a concert, our roundup of Richmond neighborhoods where you can walk to a brewery covers where to base yourself.
Want to live near the action?
Most of the events above are within a short drive of Jackson Ward, the Fan and the riverfront. Set up a saved search for homes near downtown Richmond and get new listings in those neighborhoods as they hit the market.
Museums, Holiday Lights and the Weeks After Halloween
Two big cultural openings arrive just as the leaves finish turning. “The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art” opens at the VMFA on November 14 and runs through April 4, 2027, according to RVAHub. The museum sits on Boulevard in the Museum District, one of the most walkable pockets of the city. Four days later, WinterWorld opens at CarMax Park, and we cover that with the museum details in our winter guide.
If you are willing to drive, the Virginia Film Festival runs October 21-25 in Charlottesville, per Visit Charlottesville, and Charlottesville is one of the day trips we have written up for the region. For a running list of what is on, our own Richmond events page is updated as dates firm up.
How to Use This List
Three practical tips from watching Richmond event weekends over the years. First, weekends with two big draws, like October 3-4 with the State Fair and the 2nd Street Festival, stack traffic on I-95 and I-64, so build in a buffer. Second, downtown riverfront events use shuttles and satellite parking, and the Folk Festival’s satellite lot at Dogwood Dell runs a paid shuttle on Saturday and Sunday. Third, ticketed concerts at the amphitheater and pavilions sell parking separately in some cases, so read the ticket page.
Thinking about a move to be closer to this calendar? Our Buy With Us page explains how we work with buyers, and you can browse our active listings in the neighborhoods above. Subscribe to our updates and we will send new local news like this to your inbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Richmond Folk Festival in 2026?
The 22nd Richmond Folk Festival runs Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, 2026, on the downtown riverfront. It is free to attend.
Is the State Fair of Virginia still open?
Yes, through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at Meadow Event Park in Doswell. The 2026 theme is “Virginia’s Best of Show.”
Where is the 2nd Street Festival held?
In Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood downtown, on October 3 and 4, 2026. This is the festival’s 38th year.
Which big concerts are coming to Richmond this fall?
Phish plays Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront October 6-7, Clint Black plays Innsbrook Pavilion October 24, and The Menzingers play The National November 4, among others listed by Richmond Magazine.
When does the Monet to Matisse exhibition open at the VMFA?
November 14, 2026, and it runs through April 4, 2027. Adult tickets are $20, seniors 65 and up are $16, and youth and college students with ID are $10.
When does WinterWorld open at CarMax Park?
November 18, 2026, and it runs through January 3, 2027, with an outdoor ice rink, ice slide and Ferris wheel.
Is there a Richmond event calendar I can check?
Yes. Our Richmond events page collects dates as they are confirmed, and each organizer listed above posts its own schedule and any changes.
Written by the Mission Realty Team – meet the team. Real Broker LLC, 3701 Cox Rd, Richmond, VA 23233. (804) 601-4960.
