The Richmond Folk Festival returns October 13-15, 2023, and celebrates its 19th anniversary, having become one of Virginia’s largest events. The beloved festival draws fans each year to downtown Richmond’s riverfront to celebrate the roots, richness, and variety of American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling, and food.

The free event hosts 200,000 people over a three-day weekend. Featuring six stages and showcasing music and dance from more than 30 performing groups from around the nation and the world, the Richmond Folk Festival today announces the first eight artists of what will once again make up a culturally diverse and artistically excellent program.

“We are looking forward to showcasing downtown Richmond’s ever-changing riverfront once again for a beautiful weekend of music, dance, food, and crafts with the James River and our city skyline as the perfect backdrop,” said Stephen Lecky, director of events at Venture Richmond. “This is the 19th year of the festival, and we couldn’t be more proud of its legacy in Richmond and across Virginia.”

The Richmond Folk Festival is presented by Venture Richmond Events in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), Virginia Humanities, Center for Cultural Vibrancy, Children’s Museum, and the City of Richmond.

Artists to be featured at the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival include:

• Baba Commandant & the Mandingo Band (Mandinka)
  Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
• Bio Ritmo (salsa)
  Richmond, Virginia
• Chuck Mead (rockabilly and honky-tonk)
  Nashville, Tennessee
• Genticorum (Québécois)
  Montreal, Québec
• Hālau ‘O Lilinoe (traditional Hawai’ian hula)
  Carson, California
• Kala Ramnath (Hindustani violin)
  San Francisco, California
• Melody Angel (Chicago blues)
  Chicago, Illinois
• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper (bluegrass)
  Charlestown, Indiana

Click here for extended artist bios,
plus audio and video samples on our website.

PlanRVA will host PlanRVA Day on June 1 from 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at its new office at 424 Hull St. Rd. in the Manchester neighborhood. The event will focus on the topic of placemaking, the process of creating quality inclusive places where people want to live, work and play. Sessions will explore various aspects of inclusion and public engagement, with a focus on community connection through regional trails, public art and the environment.

The day will conclude with a film screening of the documentary “A River Called Home” with filmmaker Jess Wiegandt from 6-7:30 p.m. The film focuses on the journey of four women who launch at the headwaters of the James River and paddle to the Chesapeake Bay over three weeks, while conducting a water quality study.

“PlanRVA is where the region comes together to look ahead,” said Martha Shickle, PlanRVA’s Executive Director. “Regional collaboration and cooperation happens every day in Central Virginia. PlanRVA Day is an opportunity to celebrate the progress we’re making together to support quality of life and growth in the region. We hope you’ll join us for this exciting event.”

Attendees can tour PlanRVA’s office space and connect with staff and community partners throughout the day.

Sessions are free, but registration is required. People can sign up for single sessions or for the entire day.