image source: https://discoverrichmondtours.com/spring-events-festivals-richmond-va/
May in Richmond is basically the city showing off. After months of cold and grey, the river comes alive, the parks fill up, and suddenly there’s something worth getting off the couch for every single weekend. Whether you’re into hot air balloons drifting over the Museum District, local artists lining the streets of the Fan, or just wandering through Byrd Park with a funnel cake in hand, this month has you covered.
From the return of Riverrock on the James to the grand reopening of Maymont’s Wildlife Trail, May 2026 is stacked — and that’s before you factor in Greek food, comic cons, ballet, beer festivals, and a musical that asks what would’ve happened if Juliet just… didn’t. Here’s everything worth circling on your calendar this month.
📅 May 2nd – 3rd
- 55th Annual Arts in the Park | 11am to 6pm/5pm |📍 The Carillon in Byrd Park
📅 Saturday, May 2nd
- Virginia Wildlife Trail Grand Reopening | 10am to 4pm | 📍 Maymont
- “After a two-year enhancement project, explore the new and remodeled habitats, with more accessible pathways, new interpretive signs, and more ways to view our wildlife residents.” – maymont.org
- Chesterfield Bee Festival | 10am to 3pm | 📍 Chesterfield County Fairgrounds | Enjoy food vendors, a goat petting zoo, live music, and hands-on activities for children.
📅 Sunday, May 3rd
- Mother’s Day Artisan Market | 1pm to 5pm | 📍 Main Line Brewery | Craft Beer, local artisans, outdoor games, dog-friendly vibes, family-friendly fun
📅 May 8th – 9th
- Richmond Hot Air Balloon Festival | Gates open at 5pm |📍 Museum District | Tickets required | Hot Air Balloon rides, balloon glow + laser show, etc.
📅 Saturday, May 9th
- VA ComiCon | 11am to 4pm |📍 Richmond Raceway | Tickets required
📅 Sunday, May 10th
- Mother’s Day House and Garden Tour | 1pm to 6pm |📍 Museum District | Tickets required | Stroll through the neighborhood and tour 8 Museum District homes
- History Hounds Explore Ginter Park | 10am to 11:30am |📍 St. Paul’s Catholic Church | $20 for adults / $10 for members | a special dog-friendly tour of Ginter Park
📅 May 12th – 17th
- & Juliet | Showtimes vary |📍Altria Theater
- Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.
📅 May 14th – 24th
- Richmond Ballet Presents ‘Moving Art Four: Legends’ | Days and times vary |📍VMFA
📅 May 14th – 15th
- Fan Arts Stroll | 4pm to 8pm |📍2000-2500 Hanover Ave & 2200-2500 Grove Ave | Stroll through the historic Fan district and enjoy local art, live music, and tasty treats.
📅 May 15th – 17th
- Dominion Energy Riverrock | Event times vary |📍James River | The nation’s largest outdoor sports and music festival on Richmond’s riverfront, featuring trail running, kayaking, biking, and yoga.
📅 Saturday, May 16th
- 21st Annual ASK 5k & Fun Run | 8am to 12pm | 📍Carmax Park | presented by the Childhood Cancer Foundation
- Goochland Day Parade and Festival | 10am to 3pm | 📍Goochland Sports Complex
📅 Sunday, May 17th
- Spring Artisan Market | 1pm to 5pm | 📍Zorch Pizza Parlor | enjoy food, drinks, and local vendors/artisans
📅 Thursday, May 21st
- Murals of Jackson Ward Walking Tour | 6pm to 7:30pm | 📍325 N 2nd St | $20 for adults / $10 for members
📅 Saturday, May 23rd
- Indian and Sri Lankan Food Festival | 11am to 3pm | 📍10509 Greenwood Rd
📅 May 23rd – 24th
- Shop Small Weekend | 12pm to 5pm | 📍Strangeways Brewing – Scotts Addition
📅 May 28th – 31st
- Richmond Greek Festival | Times Vary | 📍30 Malvern Ave
📅 May 30th
- Spring Plant Sale + Pollinator Festival | 9am to 1pm | 📍1440 N. Laburnum Ave
- Appomattox River Wine Festival | 12pm to 5pm | 📍Appomattox Boat Harbor
- Wings and Wheels Fly In and Car Show | 10am to 5pm | 📍Dinwiddie County Airport | Enjoy displays of vintage and modern aircraft, classic cars, and custom motorcycles, plus food and other vendors
- ¿Qué Pasa? Festival | 12pm to 8pm | 📍Carmax Park
📅 Ongoing Events
- Silent Reading Party | Day and location vary month to month
- Flying Squirrels Baseball Games | Days and times vary
- Shows at the Allianz Amphitheater
- Wine and Watercolors with Shop Made in Virginia
- Shows at The Altria Theater
- Sunday Artisan Market at Brambly Park | Sundays from 1pm to 5pm
- Trivia Night RVA at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Wednesdays from 7pm t0 9pm
- BINGO Night at Benchtop Brewing Co. | Thursdays from 7pm to 8pm
- Comedy Shows at the Funny Bone
- Music and Events at Hardywood Brewery | 📍Richmond | 📍West Creek
- South of the James Farmers Market | Sundays from 10am to 1pm | 📍4021 Forest Hill Ave
- RVA Big Market | May-Oct: Saturdays from 8am to 12pm | 📍Bryan Park
