Richmond Folk Festival

Photo Credit: Richmond Folk Festival.

More than 200,000 visitors come to Richmond’s riverfront and downtown area in October to celebrate the annual Richmond Folk Festival.

This annual tradition celebrates the variety and richness of American culture. The festival features music, dance, storytelling and crafts.

Location

The Richmond Folk Festival takes place in the heart of downtown Richmond, surrounded by historical sites, culture, and locally owned restaurants.

The festival is located from 2nd to 7th streets and from Byrd Street to the river.

Richmond is about two hours from D.C., an hour from Charlottesville, and about three hours from Roanoke.

The festival has reserved several remote parking lots and will provide free shuttles to the events. Shuttles are available across from Spring Rock Green and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Admission

Admission to the Richmond Folk Festival is free although volunteers roam the crowds with donation buckets to support the event.

Food, drink, and merchandise are available for purchase.

Visitors to the Richmond Folk Festival are asked not to bring large coolers, pets, flying objects, or bottles.

The Festival

The Richmond Folk Festival schedule lineup is packed with some of the most talented and renowned artists from around the nation.

The festival features artists from a wide range of genres. Concerts take place on four separate stages: the Altria Stage, the MWV Stage, the Community Foundation Stage, and the Dominion Dance Pavilion.

Other Activities

Aside from the music, visitors to the festival can enjoy tasty local cuisine, crafts, listening to traditional folk tales, and perusing the open air market.

For families with young children, the Children’s Museum of Richmond hosts a Family Area.

The Family Area has craft stations, hula hooping, magicians, and a kazoo parade. Benjamin the Juggling Clown and Kiowa/Comache Drum and Dance will also be making several appearances.

Traditional crafts are on display and for purchase in the Crafts Marketplace. Crafts range from homemade items and string instruments to silver jewelry and local jams.

The festival is likely to be as diverse in its food as it is in its music. Vendors offer Indian, Thai, German, African, and Mexican cuisine.