Events & things to do in Central Virginia.
There is always something happening across Central Virginia and Hampton Roads. From music festivals and farmers markets to outdoor adventures and holiday celebrations, explore what makes this region a wonderful place to call home.
Updated June 5, 2026
Events in Every Community
Richmond & Henrico
Southside & Tri-Cities
North of Richmond
Peninsula & Hampton Roads
Middle Peninsula & Countryside
Annual Festivals Across the Region
From Richmond's nationally recognized Riverrock and Folk Festival to beloved county fairs and waterfront crab festivals, every community in the region has a signature celebration worth attending.
Dominion Energy Riverrock
One of the largest outdoor sports and music festivals on the East Coast. Held along the James River riverfront, it features live music, kayak and SUP races, BMX stunts, trail running, and a massive outdoor expo — all free to the public.
Learn MoreRichmond Folk Festival
A three-day celebration of American music and culture along the Richmond riverfront. Featuring dozens of artists across multiple stages, this free festival draws tens of thousands and is one of the largest folk festivals in the country.
Learn MoreNewport News Greek Festival
Authentic Greek cuisine, live music, traditional dancing, and homemade pastries at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. A beloved annual tradition for families across Hampton Roads.
Learn MoreWest Point Crab Carnival
A beloved waterfront tradition at the confluence of the Pamunkey and Mattaponi rivers. Enjoy a parade, live music, fireworks, the famous Tour de Crab bike race, and plenty of local seafood.
Learn MoreAshland Strawberry Faire
A family-friendly festival in downtown Ashland featuring strawberry treats, artisan vendors, live entertainment, a children's area, and a car show. Benefits Hanover County school scholarships.
Learn MoreHanover Tomato Festival
Celebrating the famous Hanover tomato at Pole Green Park with live music, local vendors, tomato-themed contests, and family-friendly activities. A signature event showcasing Hanover County's agricultural heritage.
Learn MoreNew Kent County Fair
A community celebration with parades, pageants, 5K runs, agricultural exhibits, and family entertainment. A great way to experience the charm of New Kent County.
Learn MoreCharles City County Fair
Community displays, entertainment, and a car show in one of Virginia's original shires. A down-home celebration of Charles City County's agricultural roots and tight-knit community.
Learn MoreChesterfield County Fair
A large-scale county fair with carnival rides, live entertainment, agricultural competitions, and family activities. One of the most popular annual events in the Richmond metro area.
Learn MoreAmelia County Fair
A rural Virginia fair featuring livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, and family activities. A true taste of Amelia County's countryside community.
Learn MoreNewport News Fall Festival of Folklife
A free outdoor festival at Newport News Park celebrating traditional crafts, music, dance, and food from Virginia's diverse cultural heritage. Perfect for a family day out.
Learn MoreRassawek Autumn Festival & Pro Rodeo
A unique fall festival at Rassawek Vineyard featuring a professional rodeo, live music, craft vendors, and food. A one-of-a-kind event in the rolling countryside of Goochland County.
Learn MoreFarmers Markets
Supporting local farmers is easy across Central Virginia and Hampton Roads. Find fresh produce, artisan goods, and a welcoming community at markets from Richmond to Williamsburg.
RVA BIG Market
One of the largest farmers markets in Virginia with dozens of vendors offering fresh local produce, baked goods, artisan crafts, and prepared foods.
VisitCarytown Farmers Market
A community-favorite market at City Stadium featuring local produce, specialty foods, live music, and family activities in the heart of Carytown.
VisitSouth of the James Market
A vibrant farmers market bringing together local farms, bakers, artisans, and food vendors in one of Richmond's best neighborhoods.
VisitBirdhouse Farmers Market
A popular neighborhood market featuring local farms, artisan products, and prepared foods in the heart of Richmond's Museum District.
VisitScott's Addition Farmers Market
A neighborhood market in Richmond's booming brewery district. Shop local produce and artisan goods steps from some of the city's best taprooms.
VisitLakeside Farmers Market
A convenient farmers market in Henrico County offering fresh produce, local meats, baked goods, and handmade products from regional vendors.
VisitPrince George Farmers Market
A seasonal market featuring local produce and artisan goods. Also features a special Holiday Market in November for gift shopping.
VisitWilliamsburg Farmers Market
A long-running market in downtown Williamsburg offering local produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, and crafts from Virginia's Eastern Shore and beyond.
Visit
Concert Series & Music Events
The Richmond metro and Hampton Roads area have a thriving live music scene. From outdoor summer concert series to intimate local venues, there's always a show to catch.
Friday Cheers
A beloved outdoor concert series on Brown's Island along the James River. Featuring regional and national acts, food trucks, and a festival atmosphere with stunning riverfront views.
Learn MoreAfter Hours Concerts at Innsbrook Pavilion
A major outdoor concert series at the Innsbrook Pavilion in Henrico County featuring national touring acts across multiple genres. A signature summer entertainment destination.
Learn MoreDogwood Dell Summer Concerts
Free summer concerts and performances at the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater in Byrd Park. A Richmond tradition since 1954, featuring music, dance, and theater.
Learn MoreNew Town Tunes
Outdoor summer concerts in the New Town commercial district of James City County. Enjoy live music, food, and a relaxed community atmosphere.
Learn MoreHopewell Downtown Concerts
Community concerts in downtown Hopewell featuring local and regional acts. A great way to enjoy live music in the Tri-Cities area.
Learn MoreWine & Beer Events
Virginia's wine country extends right through Shannon's service area, and the craft beer scene in Richmond is among the best on the East Coast. Explore vineyards, breweries, and tasting events across the region.
Virginia Wine Month
Virginia's annual celebration of its thriving wine industry. Wineries across the region host special tastings, food pairings, live music, and harvest events throughout the month.
Learn MoreSaudé Creek Vineyards Events
A picturesque vineyard on the Pamunkey River hosting live music weekends, food truck nights, wine tastings, and seasonal celebrations. A perfect day trip from Richmond.
Learn MoreHardywood Park Craft Brewery Events
Richmond's flagship brewery hosts regular events including food truck gatherings, live music, trivia nights, and seasonal release parties in their expansive beer garden.
Learn MoreRichmond Brewery District Tours
Explore Scott's Addition, Richmond's brewery district, with multiple taprooms within walking distance including Väsen, The Veil, Ardent, and Three Notch'd.
Learn MoreRassawek Vineyard Events
A working vineyard and event venue in Goochland County hosting wine tastings, the annual Autumn Festival and Pro Rodeo, and private events in a stunning countryside setting.
Learn MoreOutdoor Recreation
From whitewater rapids in Richmond to sprawling state parks south of the city and riverfront trails through historic countryside, this region is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
James River Park System
Over 550 acres of trails, rapids, and shoreline along the James River. Perfect for kayaking, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and tubing right in the city.
Learn MoreVirginia Capital Trail
A 52-mile dedicated pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting Richmond to Williamsburg through some of Virginia's most historic countryside. Perfect for a scenic ride or walk.
Learn MoreBelle Isle
A 540-acre island in the James River accessible by footbridge. Explore historic ruins, boulder fields, river views, and miles of trails — one of the most unique urban parks in the country.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
A hidden gem on the Chickahominy River with kayak and canoe launches, fishing piers, hiking trails, and waterfront picnic areas.
Tuckahoe Creek Park
A peaceful 30-acre park with creekside trails, a playground, and paddle access along Tuckahoe Creek. Great for a morning walk or an afternoon with the kids.
Pocahontas State Park
One of Virginia's largest state parks with over 8,000 acres of forests, lakes, and trails. Popular for camping, kayaking, swimming, and mountain biking.
Learn MoreNewport News Park
A sprawling 8,069-acre park with hiking and biking trails, a 53-acre reservoir for fishing and canoeing, an archery range, and one of the largest disc golf courses on the East Coast.
Learn MoreLake Chesdin
A 1,600-acre reservoir popular for bass fishing, boating, and kayaking. A favorite outdoor escape south of Richmond.
History & Culture
Virginia's history runs deep, and many of the most significant sites in American history are right in Shannon's service area. From Jamestown to Petersburg's Civil War battlefields, there is always something to discover.
Colonial Williamsburg
The world's largest living history museum with hundreds of restored 18th-century buildings, costumed interpreters, and trades demonstrations. A must-visit for families and history buffs.
Learn MoreHistoric Jamestowne
The original site of the 1607 Jamestown settlement, America's first permanent English colony. Explore archaeological ruins, visitor center exhibits, and ranger-led tours.
Learn MoreHistoric Autumn Pilgrimage
A guided tour of historic plantation homes and gardens in Charles City County, one of Virginia's original shires. Experience centuries of architecture and Virginia history firsthand.
Learn MorePetersburg Old Towne Historic District
One of the best-preserved Victorian-era downtowns in America. Explore Civil War history, the National Battlefield, historic churches, and a revitalizing arts and dining scene.
Learn MoreAmerican Revolution 250th Anniversary (VA250)
Virginia is leading the nation's 250th anniversary celebration of the American Revolution with special events, exhibits, and commemorations across Hampton Roads and Central Virginia.
Learn MoreHenricus Historical Park
A living history park interpreting the second successful English settlement in America (1611) with costumed interpreters, period demonstrations, and seasonal events.
Learn More
Holiday Events
The holiday season is special in Virginia. From Richmond's iconic Christmas parade to festive celebrations in Hopewell, Newport News, and beyond, the whole region comes alive.
Dominion Energy Christmas Parade
Richmond's beloved holiday tradition featuring elaborate floats, marching bands, giant balloons, and Santa Claus rolling through downtown. One of the largest parades in the Southeast.
Learn MoreRVA Illuminates
A spectacular holiday tree lighting ceremony in downtown Richmond kicking off the season with live entertainment, fireworks, and thousands of twinkling lights.
Learn MoreBizarre Bazaar Christmas Collection
One of the Southeast's largest Christmas shopping events at the Richmond Raceway. Hundreds of vendors offering unique gifts, décor, and holiday specialties.
Learn MoreHopewell Light Up the Night
A festive holiday parade and community celebration in downtown Hopewell with lights, music, and seasonal cheer. A signature Tri-Cities holiday tradition.
Learn MoreNewport News Fall-O-Ween
A family-friendly Halloween festival at Newport News Park with costume contests, trick-or-treating, live entertainment, and spooky activities for all ages.
Learn MoreFamily Activities
Whether you're looking for a fun weekend activity with the kids or want to explore new neighborhoods, these family-friendly events and destinations are spread across the entire region.
Amelia Day Festival
A community celebration at Amelia's Courthouse Square with local artisans, food vendors, live music, and family activities showcasing this charming rural county.
Learn MorePrince George Easter Egg Hunt
A beloved annual Easter egg hunt at Temple Park for children of all ages. A fun family tradition in one of Prince George County's most popular parks.
Learn MoreGoochland County Summer Concert Series
Free outdoor concerts in Goochland County parks featuring local musicians. Bring a blanket and enjoy live music under the stars in the Virginia countryside.
Learn MoreHenrico Earth Day Celebration
An educational and fun event at Deep Run Park featuring environmental activities, nature walks, recycling demos, and live entertainment. Great for kids and nature lovers.
Learn MoreColonial Williamsburg Programs
Interactive programs for kids and families including trades demonstrations, puppet shows, and the Junior Ranger program. Children can try colonial crafts and learn living history.
Learn MoreJames City County Parks & Recreation Events
Year-round family programming including outdoor movie nights, nature camps, fishing clinics, and seasonal festivals at parks throughout James City County.
Learn MoreDiscover What Makes Virginia Home
There's so much to love about living here.
From festivals and farmers markets to outdoor adventures and historic landmarks, every corner of this region has something to offer. Let me help you find the perfect home so you can enjoy it all.