RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Ah, spring. The growing season brings plenty of things — rain, seasonal allergies and in Richmond, lots of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and try something new. Whether you’re into gardening, food or pop culture, there is something for everyone this season. Here’s just a taste of what Central Virginia has to offer this spring:
Jeni’s Ice Cream opens in Carytown
When: Every day starting on Thursday, March 9
Where: Carytown Exchange, 3500 W. Cary Street, #C150
Price: Scoops start at $5
What: Warm weather means it’s time to enjoy some cold treats. Jeni’s, an Ohio-based ice cream chain is best known for its popular flavors like Brambleberry Crisp and Gooey Butter Cake, is opening a new location in downtown Richmond. Swing by and find your new favorite tasty treat!
Ambassador Academy
When: Every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Sunday, March 19 and ending Sunday, April 30
Where: The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay Street, Richmond
Price: Free
What: Get involved in your community with the I am Tourism Ambassador Academy. The six week course will teach you about Richmond’s history as well as giving you vital skills to work in the tourism industry.
PopUP RVA at The Diamond
When: Every Saturday starting on Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: The Diamond, 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, “Red Lot”
Price: Free
What: Support local businesses every weekend through spring and summer with the PopUp market, which is back for its third season. The family and pet-friendly event offers a rotating line up of vendors, food trucks and musicians every Saturday, so there’s always something new to check out.
Riverfront Canal Tours
When: Starting Saturday, April 1, every hour between noon and 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and between noon and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tours will be available every day of the week starting in May.
Where: Boats depart from 139 Virginia Street
Price: $12 for adults, $8 for kids between 5 and 12 and seniors, free for kids under 4
What: Climb aboard a canal boat and learn about the unique history of Richmond during a 40-minute narrated tour of the James River and Kanawha Canal along Richmond’s historic Canal Walk.
Maymont Spring Break Hours
When: Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Maymont, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond
Price: $8 for attraction entry
What: Enjoy some extra time at two of Maymont’s most popular attractions. Explore The Robins Nature Center’s collection of animals or the historic Maymont Manison. These attractions are usually only open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will be open the entire first week of April.
Dominion Energy Family Easter
When: Saturday, April 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Maymont, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond
Price: $5, free for Maymont members and EBT recipients
What: It’s one of Richmond’s favorite spring traditions! Hunt for eggs on the Carriage House Lawn, enjoy live music, meet the Easter Bunny, or enjoy the usual fun of Maymont at the farm, Mansion and Robins Nature Center.
RVA Yoga Hang
When: Sunday, April 8, 11 a.m.
Where: Sword n Sheath, 1511 Altamont Avenue, Richmond
Price: $40
What: Go with the flow and with an hour-long all-levels yoga class taught by yoga teacher Carly Shields, followed by an afternoon of sword and axe throwing.
Toddler Time: Out and About
When: Monday, April 10, Monday April 17 and Monday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Maymont, 1001 Spottswood Road in Richmond
Price: $5 to $15. Maymont members receive a discount
What: Littles ones will have the chance to explore (while guided!) and meet the farm animals at Maymont, as well as enjoy a story time and a craft and a guided exploration.
Hamilton at The Altria
When: Tuesday, April 11 through Sunday, April 23.
Where: Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street, Richmond
Price: Tickets start at $49
What: Are you ready to be in the room where it happens? The international musical “Hamilton” is coming to Richmond and playing for 16 shows.
Treasures of the Earth: Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show
When: Friday, April 14, noon 6 p.m., Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, Henrico County
Price: Admission begins at $7 for adults
What: See all the wonders of the earth that Virginia has to offer. The Richmond Gem and Mineral Society will provide displays of Virginia rocks, minerals, fossils and even dinosaur bones, alongside on-site custom jewelry makers.
Orville Peck at The National
When: Friday, April 14, 7 p.m.
Where: The National, E. Broad Street, Richmond
Price: Tickets start at $35
What: Orville Peck, the beloved singer and songwriter known in equal parts for his sultry ballads and elaborate masks, is bringing his Bronco tour to Richmond.
Chesterfield County Earth Day Festival
When: Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road
Price: Free
What: Chesterfield County is hosting its first-ever Earth Day festival with entertainment, food and outdoor activities and free vegetable and herb plants.
Raven Con 2023
When: Friday, April 21, 3 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, April 22, 8 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, April 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Virginia Crossings by Hilton, 1000 Virginia Center Parkway, Glen Allen
Price: $50 admission at the door
What: Raven Con is a Richmond-based pop culture convention inspired by the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe. With gaming tables, guest authors, an escape room, vendors, an art show and a costume Masquerade, there’s plenty to keep you busy late into the night.
Earth Day at Lewis Ginter
When: Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond
Price: Free
What: In honor of Earth Day, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will be totally free to all visitors who want to celebrate the beauty of nature. The day will also honor the memory of Jonah Holland, a Garden employee who died in 2022.
Herbs Galore & More
When: Saturday, April 29, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Carriage House Lawn at Maymont, 1700 Hampton Street, Richmond
Price: Free
What: Take your pick from a selection of herbs, flowers, trees and vegetables from nurseries and vendors all over the country. Come for the garden goodies, stay for the live music and food trucks.
Kicks Mania
When: Sunday, April 30, noon to 6 p.m.
Where: Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, Henrico County
Price: $15 for general admission tickets
What: Calling all sneakerheads! Buy and sell from over a hundred vendors of shoes, streetwear and accessories at one of the biggest sneaker events in Virginia. There will be also giveaways, raffles, a live DJ, and food trucks.
Concluded Events
Citizen Science FrogWatch Workshop
When: Tuesday, March 7 and Thursday, March 9, both sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: The Robins Nature Center, 2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond
Price: Free
What: Become an amateur herpetologist — that’s someone who studies frogs and other amphibians! — by joining this training workshop for FrogWatch USA. FrogWatch is a national frog and toad monitoring program that collects data on local species across the country. These sessions are designed for high school age youth and adults.
Class: Creating a Backyard Wildlife Habitat
When: Every day starting Wednesday, March 8 to Wednesday, March 22, 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond
Price: Registration is $115 for members and $135 for non-members
What: Spring is the perfect time to take your garden to the next level, and Lewis Ginter is offering a two week long class for you to do just that. Learn how to add native trees, shrubs, grasses and other plants into your garden or backyard, as well as how to identify invasive species on your property.
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
When: Thursday, March 9, doors open at 6 p.m. and the first film showing is 7 p.m.
Where: Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street
Price: Regular Admission $30; At the door $35; College Student $15
What: Get inspired by the beauty of nature — while also getting inside for a bit. This film festival will screen an array of short films centering on nature, wildlife, agricultural, indigenous cultures, environmental activism and much more.
Roses at Hollywood Cemetery
When: Thursday, March 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Wilton House Museum, 215 S. Wilton Road, Richmond
Price: $10
What: Learn a bit about Richmond history while also sharpening your gardening skills with a lecture from heritage rose expert Connie Hilker at the historic Hollywood Cemetery. The lecture will offer an introduction to the cemetery and the care and maintenance of its historic roses.
Byrd Theatre’s Environmental Film Festival
When: Friday, March 10 through Monday, March 13
Where: The Byrd Theatre, 2908 W. Cary Street, Richmond
What: March is a great month for film lovers in Richmond, especially if you love films about nature. The Byrd Theatre will be hosting their annual free Environmental Film Festival with movies showcases on environmental issues important to Virginia and the Richmond community.
Shamrock the Block
When: Saturday, March 11, noon to 6 p.m.
Price: Free
What: The unofficial start to Richmond’s outdoor festival season will begin with the City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Put on your best green outfit and come down for live music and plenty of food and drink options.
Girl Scout Cookie and Beer Pairing
When: Saturday, March 18, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Intermission Beer Company, 10089 Brook Road, Unit A, Glen Allen
Price: $17.50 for five beers and five cookies
What: Spring is officially Girl Scout Cookie season, and now you can pair a sweet treat with local brews from the Intermission Beer Company. No pre-registration needed, but you can request your favorite cookies for pairings ahead of the event. Or, just show up and get a taste of the pre-selected cookie pairings. If five cookies isn’t quite enough, you can support local Girl Scout Troops and boxes order cookies at the event, too.
Tour: Women in the Wickham House
When: Thursday, March 23, 2023, 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Where: The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay Street, Richmond
Price: Free
What: March is Women’s History Month, so learn a bit about some women from Richmond’s past with a 45-minute guided tour through the Valentine’s Wickham House. The tour will walk visitors through the stories of the women who lived and worked in the house through the 19th and 20th century.
Alice in Wonderland at the Dominion Energy Center
When: Friday, March 24, 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace Street, Richmond
Price: $29
What: Go down the rabbit hole like you never have before with this family-friendly performance from SOUL Aerial & Performing Arts Center. Follow Alice through Wonderland and meet familiar the Mad Hatter, March Hare, the Jabberwocky, and the Red Queen, now in an aerial cirque production.
Richmond SPCA’s Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party
When: Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Richmond SPCA, 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond
Price: Free to attend, race registration prices start at $45
What: Get out and run for a good cause, and bring your pup with you for Richmond SPCA’s 21st Annual Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party. There will be a “people-only” 5K to start off the event, followed by the Little Paws Fun Run for kids ages 4 to 10, and then the one-mile Dog Jog. The Block Party kicks off at noon with live music and performances. There will also be a virtual option for anyone that wants to join in from their own neighborhood.
Richmond Ballet New Works Festival
When: Every day from Tuesday, March 21 to Sunday, March 26. Times vary daily
Where: Studio Theater at Richmond Ballet, 407 E. Canal Street, Richmond
Price: Tickets start at $25
What: The fan-favorite performance is back! The New Works Festival challenges four choreographers to create a work in only 25 hours.
Richmond’s GalaxyCon
When: All day Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26
Where: Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. Third Street, Richmond
Price: Single-day tickets start at $40
What: Don your best costume and get ready for a full weekend of pop culture fun! GalaxyCon Richmond is described as “a 3-Day festival of fandom,” complete with a chance to meet celebrities, artists, writers and actors and attend panels on everything from art to voice acting to cosplay.
Vine to Glass: Up and Coming Virginia Varietals
When: Tuesday, March 28, 6 p.m.
Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond
Price: $64 for members, $77 for non-members
What: Discover the newest flavors that Virginia winemakers are cultivating this season with a special wine tasting, complete with hor d’oeuvres pairings and a complimentary wine glass. Only for guests 21 and older.
Spring Migration Tour
When: Wednesday, March 29, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond
Price: Free for members, $20 for non-members
What: Start your morning with a walk through Lewis Ginter, and learn about how birds use the garden to rest up and nest before their seasonal migrations in April and May.
Dragons and Mythical Beasts at the Altria
When: Wednesday, March 29, 7 p.m.
Where: Altria Theater, 6 N. Laurel Street, Richmond
Price: Free
Price: Tickets start at $38
What: “Dragons and Mythical Beasts” is a family-friendly show that brings the audience on an adventure as performers use giant puppets to bring beasts of myth and legend to life, from familiar unicorns and dragons to creatures you may not know as well, like the mysterious Indrik from Russia or Baku from Japan.
Stony Point Easter Egg Parade
When: Saturday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Stony Point Fashion Park, 9200 Stony Point Parkway, Richmond
Price: Free
What: Bring your Easter baskets to this family-friendly event with face painting, balloon art, activities and of course, egg hunting.
Poe’s Enchanted Garden
When: Saturday, April 1, noon to 1 p.m.
Where: The Poe Museum, 1914-16 E. Main Street, Richmond
Price: Free
What: Kick off National Poetry Month with a family-friendly afternoon at the Poe Museum, complete with crafts, a story time and poetry writing and gardening workshops.
April Fools’ Day Mischief & Music Fest
When: Saturday, April 1, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Main Line Brewery, 1603 Ownby Lane, Richmond
Price: Free, with a recommended donation
What: Come out for food, laughs, music and some special guests at this April Fool’s event. Local bands like Indira & Guppy Jo, The Taters and Cary Street Ramblers will be playing, joined by none other than Tim Kaine and his harmonica! There will also be food from 191 Smokery and a joke competition for budding comedians. The event will benefit Commonwealth Autism VA.
