Summer is here, and you know what that means: outdoor event season is back in Richmond! Our real estate agents are already marking their calendars for their most anticipated festivals, concerts, and other events.  

Start planning your summer social season with these five outdoor events happening near our Richmond homes for sale.  

5 Richmond Outdoor Events and Festivals to Add to Your Calendar 

Flowers After 5 

Address: 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228 

Every Thursday evening from late May to October, the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden hosts Flowers After 5 concerts for guests to enjoy. The series features a single act each night with a short intermission mid-evening to give you time to stretch your legs. Look out for the following performers over the coming weeks: 

• Los Hermanos Alacranes on June 11
• Bobby Baine on June 18 
• Portico on June 25

The show runs from 5 to 8 p.m. each Thursday at the facility's Grace Arents Garden. Admission is included with standard Garden tickets, which cost $24 for adults or $14 for kids aged 4 to 12. Seniors, military members, full-time teachers, and first responders get a $4 discount on their personal tickets.  

Juneteenth Festival 

Address: 1200 Brander Street, Richmond, VA 23224 

Richmond's annual two-day Juneteenth Festival is held in recognition of the city's long and complicated history of slavery. The event celebrates the emancipation of formerly enslaved people with: 

• A torchlight night walk along a route once used to transport enslaved people through the city 
• Live music and dance performances 
• Speeches and cultural demonstrations 
• An ujamaa cultural shopping event 

This year's event will take place on June 13 and 14 at the city's historic Manchester Dock. It's a ticketed event, but ticket prices haven't been finalized yet. Attendees are encouraged to wear white as a symbol of respect and bring ancestral offerings of flowers, fruit, or water to honor the many enslaved people who lost their lives and their freedom. 

Sazón Latin Food Festival 

Address: 1603 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA 23220 

Sazón Latin Food Festival is a traveling culinary fair dedicated to showcasing the bold, herb-forward flavors of Latin cuisine. The festival will be in Richmond on July 18 at Main Line Brewery on Ownby Lane with: 

• Latin food and drink vendors 
• Opportunities to sample new foods 
• Live music and dancing  
• Family-friendly activities for kids 

The party's on from noon to 5 p.m. – just in time for lunch or an early dinner.

Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival 

Address: 3800 James River Road, Midlothian, VA 23113 

The 15th annual Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival is scheduled for August 1st at Robious Landing Park, a 100-acre green space near our Midlothian homes for sale. This exciting cultural event offers guests the opportunity to: 

• Watch a fleet of dragon boats race each other down a 500m stretch of the James River 
• Explore the Health and Wellness Village, a pop-up market and demonstration space filled with traditional Chinese medicine and remedies 
• Watch live performances from Chinese cultural groups 
• Sample delicious food from local food trucks and restaurants 

The event is free to attend and does not require advance registration.

Richmond Jazz and Music Festival 

Address: 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond, VA 23220 

The Richmond Jazz and Music Festival is a yearly celebration of all things jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. As one of the biggest live events on the East Coast, the festival features two components:  

• Two packed days of performances from local and national musicians (past years' performers include Cee Lo Green, Norman Brown, and Jodeci) 
• Food and drink vendors and a small business market, where you can shop between sets 

This year's event will take place on August 8 and 9. Both day passes and weekend passes are available. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Richmond Summer Events

What are some family-friendly outdoor events in Richmond this summer?

Richmond offers plenty of family-friendly summer events, including the Sazón Latin Food Festival with kids' activities, the Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival, and the Flowers After 5 concert series at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

When do Richmond summer festivals typically take place?

Most Richmond outdoor festivals and events take place between June and August, with concerts, cultural celebrations, food festivals, and music events throughout the summer.

Are Richmond's outdoor events free to attend?

Many Richmond summer events are free or low-cost to attend. The Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival is completely free, while events like Flowers After 5 and the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival require tickets or admission passes.

Live it Up This Summer in Richmond, VA 

With weeks of summer fun ahead of us and the best weather of 2026 still to come, now is the perfect time to settle into a new home where you can make the most of it all. Contact us today to discuss your real estate needs with a member of our team. We'll help you sift through our collection of premium Richmond properties to find a home that captures your heart.