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Check out the October 2015 Festival Guide

Posted at 11:00 AM, Sep 28, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-01 16:12:30-04

RICHMOND, Va. — Fall has graced the River City again, but that doesn’t mean festivals are any less abundant. Nope. Just means you may need to grab a jacket before you head out.

October offers up a veritable cornucopia of festivals, and many of them are family friendly! October has plenty to offer, from BBQ to community volunteering, chicken wings, oysters, Oktoberfest, pumpkin worship and Indian food — and more.

Also, don’t miss Antoinette Essa’s weekly list of events around town. Sign up to have the weekly event email delivered on Friday afternoon, just click here. 

Sept. 25 – Oct. 4 — CANCELLED

The State Fair of Virginia guide is here.
10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

  • Adults (one-day tickets) – $12/Monday-Thursday or $15/Friday- Sunday
  • Youth 5-12 (one-day tickets) – $8/Monday-Thursday or $10/Friday- Sunday
  • Seniors 60+ (one-day tickets) – $8/Monday-Thursday or $10/Friday- Sunday
  • Children 4 and younger admitted FREE with paid adult admission

The Meadow Event Park, 13111 Dawn Blvd., Doswell

Oct. 2, Friday

First Fridays
A year-round art walk highlighting art, restaurants, shops and organizations in the downtown Art District, which includes Broad, Grace and Marshall Streets, running from Monroe Street down to 6th Street.
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
See galleries for independent events

Oct. 3, Saturday

Gallmeyer Farms Fall Festival — SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Celebrate fall’s official arrival with live music, craft vendors and local businesses, Kids Spooky hayride and pony rides, food vendors AND pick your own pumpkins. There will be a free hayride shuttle and free parking. Free admission also. Live music from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Pumpkin Patch
4506 Millers Lane

*** While multiple festivals and events were cancelled due to buckets of rainfall, Gallmeyer has boldly ADDED another day.***

Hanover Ruritan Club Bluegrass FestivalFour bands each play twice throughout the day: Southern Rail Express, Commonwealth Bluegrass Band, Nothin’ Fancy, Balsam Range. Beer and food available at this fundraiser for a community organization.

Tickets $15 in advance/$25 at the gate. Children 11 and under may enter free with paying adult.

Gates: 12 – 9 p.m. and music from 1 – 9 p.m.
8145 Walnut Grove Rd, Mechanicsville

Hogtober — CANCELLEDBBQ, bands and beer in historic Libby Hill Park. Bands include Church Hill Music Company, Honkytonk Heroes, The Trongone Band and Horsehead. For kids there will be face painting, balloon art, pig skin toss, and games. Lawn chairs welcome, but leave all coolers, food and beverages at home.

Noon – 7 p.m. Free admission/prices vary for food and drink.
Libby Hill Park
2801 E. Franklin Street

RVA Makerfest

A family-friendly event intended to encourage a collaborative DIY community in Richmond. Over 80 businesses and hobbyists present. See full list of makers, and exhibits, here.

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W Broad St, Richmond

Oct. 3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday

2nd Street Festival — CANCELLEDA popular event sponsored by Venture Richmond, that brings in nearly 40,000 people to celebrate the “Harlem of the South,” as Jackson Ward was known before Interstate 95 split the neighborhood in half. Visit Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward to hear live music on four stages, enjoy children’s activities, taste delicious food, shop in the marketplace, dance in the streets and renew old friendships. Free admission.

Click for complete band schedule.Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Oct. 9-11

Richmond Folk FestivalThree days of free music on and around Brown’s Island. This year some of the more popular performers return to celebrate the 11th anniversary of this beloved event.

Friday 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday noon to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Find everything you need to know about parking, food and the list of performers.

Oct. 16 and 17, Friday and Saturday

47th Annual Richmond OktoberfestThe largest German / American Oktoberfest festival in the state, playing host to nearly 5,000 people over the two-day indoor event. This event is a sample of German Bavarian culture, featuring lots of beer, food and dances. Don’t miss the Chicken dance.

Price: $12 – $15 
Seniors/$12, Children 15 & under free

Friday: 6 p.m. to midnight
Saturday: 5 p.m. to midnight
Old Dominion Building, Richmond International Raceway
600 E. Laburnum Avenue

Oct. 17, Saturday

HandsOn Day 2014On HandsOn Day, over 1,000 volunteers serve at volunteer projects across the metro region to make a difference in Richmond. Volunteers will serve from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. with a celebration to follow at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery — and a free beer ticket.

More info: www.handsonrva.org/handsonday

OystoberFestFeast on bivalves for a cause. There will be fried, steamed and grilled oysters, as well as brats and hotdogs too. Count on beer and music too. The Kids’ Zone will include a moon-bounce, slides and more.

Free to enter with suggested $2 donation. Food, drinks, kids’ zone, charged separately.

Noon to 6 p.m.
3602 Hawthorne Ave

VCU Broad Street MileThe third year of this fitness-themed festival. Broad Street will be transformed into two areas, a running course and festival.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Broad Street between Belvidere Street and Hermitage Road
Click to see the different themed runs and sign up.

Virginia Hops and Harvest FestivalThe fourth year of an event that celebrates craft beer, food and music. Featuring local beer also, with beer sample tickets for $1 each. 5 oz. samples of each craft beer will be $2-$3 depending on the brew and full pours will be $6-$7 once again, depending on the brew.  Bands playing are: The Trongone Band, Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot, Skip Castro Band, and The Weight (Playing the Songs of The Band).

Admission is $12.50 in advance/$15 at the door
Noon – 9 p.m.
Pochantas State Park
10301 State Park Rd, Chesterfield

Oct. 18, Sunday

Kickin’ Chicken WingfestA celebration of all things chicken wings; hot, mild, sweet, spicy, teriyaki, buffalo, Asian, Thai and more.  Local music and beer will help wash it all down.

Event is free; food and beverages available for purchase.

Noon – 5 p.m.
17th Street Farmers’ Market, at Main and 17th

Oct. 24, Saturday

Innsbrook’s Great Pumpkin PaloozaSaturday, Oct. 25

Immediately following Short Pump Rotary’s Great Pumpkin Race. Festival staples like pony rides, petting zoos, and bouncy houses with fun live entertainment. Also, enjoy some seasonal festivities, including costume contests and a straw bale maze.

Fill up with an assortment of food from BBQ and kettle corn to gyros and souvlaki. Beer on-site.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
4951 Lake Brook Drive

Growl-weenGrab your pooch, and your costume. Event is fundraiser for The Friends of Hanover Dog Parks and the Hanover Humane Society. There will be music, beer, carnival games, and a costume contest for the dogs.

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Center of the Universe Brewing
11293 Air Park Rd

Powhatan Festival of the Grape30 wineries, 100+ quality arts and craft vendors, live entertainment and a vastselection of delicious, regional favorite foods. Now in its 13th year, this event offers wine tastings, wine by the glass and bottle purchases. Brown distributing sells craft beer.

Price: $15 – $30
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Powhatan’s Historic Courthouse Square
3887 Old Buckingham Road

Scott’s Addition Pumpkin FestivalThe pumpkin festival for the city, and beyond. Expect a heap of pumpkin foods, craft beer and live music, but there is also an emphasis on family events. There is an expanded kid’s zone, according to organizers.

Noon to 6 p.m.
Free to enter, food and drink prices vary.
On the Boulevard.

Oct. 24 and 25, Saturday and Sunday

Festival of IndiaA cultural and culinary event with live music and dance performances,  as well as many different varieties of Indian cuisine, including vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies, such as dosa, kachori, samosas, tandoori chicken and sweets, all of which are supplied by local Indian restaurants and families, and prepared fresh in front of patrons.

Free admission
Richmond Convention Center
403 N Third St, Richmond

Central Virginia Celtic Festival and Highland GamesThe Central Virginia Celtic Festival and Highland Games feature traditional dance, live music, Highland games competitions, gathering of clans and vendors.  The two-day festival provides fun for the entire family and benefits the Cullather Brain Tumor & Quality of Life Center, Children’s Hospital Foundation and Richmond International Raceway Cares.

Pets allowed with “proper paperwork” and $5 fee.

Tickets purchased at rir.com. $15/day, $25/two- day in advance.  $20/day, $30/ two-day at gate.

Richmond Raceway Complex
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day