Richmond Folk Festival Announces Full Performance Schedule

The Richmond Folk Festival returns October 9-11, in its twenty-second year as one of Virginia’s largest and most cherished events. Each year, thousands return 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 festival is held over three days and features six stages.

Showcasing music and dance from more than 30 performing groups from around the nation and the world, the Richmond Folk Festival today announces its full schedule of performances.

Full Festival Performance Schedule

See the full weekend event schedule.

Read all about each artist performing, plus audio and video samples of each.

Virginia Folklife Area

Dance Revolution

Get ready to groove! This year’s Virginia Folklife Area presents “Dance Revolution,” bringing together community dance groups from across the Commonwealth to share the traditions, stories and cultural connections that keep Virginia moving. 

Through performances and hands-on workshops, experience the Virginia Folklife Area featuring Red Crook-ed Sky, Intertribal Native American dance; The Mustard Cutters, old time music, flatfooting and square dance from Southwest Virginia; Semilla Cultural, Puerto Rican bomba and plena dance; Positive Force Line Steppaz, Soul line dance; and Thapasya School of Dance, Bharatanatyam, South Indian classical dance, plus special guests the Lua Project and Square Dancing, Richmond Style presented by the Virginia Folklore Society and RVA Square Dance. 

While most of the program will be happening in the Virginia Folklife Area, there are also three chances to see these artists, and dance with them, in the Allianz Amphitheater, Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage. 

Check out the full schedule and artists bios on our website.

Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage (at Allianz Amphitheater)

The Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage returns to the Allianz Amphitheater with a weekend celebrating remarkable musical traditions, creative energy and cultural connections from Virginia and beyond. This year’s lineup puts a special spotlight on Richmond and Virginia artists, alongside visiting performers and one-of-a-kind collaborations, including a Richmond tribute to the life and legacy of D’Angelo. Festivalgoers will also have several opportunities to experience artists from this year’s “Dance Revolution” program on the stage and join in the dancing.

This year’s lineup includes a remarkable collaboration by our old friend, multi-instrumentalist Danny Knicely joined by the Melichenko Family, Ukrainian musical virtuosos who have made a new home in the Shenandoah Valley after fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We’ll also welcome Charlottesville’s Central Virginia Bluegrass Destroyers, a rotating cast of some of the Commonwealth’s finest pickers, whose blazing musicianship have made their weekly Charlottesville performances a beloved local institution. And Richmond’s own Alexander Mack, a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and performer, will bring his soulful blend of R&B, hip-hop, jazz, and dance to the stage.

Check out the full schedule and artists bios on our website.

The Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage (at Allianz Amphitheater) Bag Policy

BAG CHECK HOURS: Saturday, October 11 from 11:30am-7:00pm and Sunday, October 12 from 11:30am-6:30pm

ENTRY POINTS: On 5th Street and on Brown’s Island Way

BAG POLICY:

• Allow only clear plastic, vinyl, or pvc bags (maximum size 12″ x 6″ x 12″) OR small clutch bags that don’t need to be clear (maximum size 6″ x 9″). All bags are subject to search upon entry.
• There will be a bag check/valet option for those with full size bags at each entry.
• The festival will provide a very limited number of clear plastic bags for temporary use.

The Virginia Folklife Area and Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage is a partnership between the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities and the Center for Cultural Vibrancy.

Family Area, produced by the Children’s Museum

It’s a Building Bonanza with CMoR and friends in the Family Area. Get your hand painted with a construction themed image then construct your personalized bag hat (a CMoR festival staple)! Build and measure at the Discover Tent. If bricks are more your jam, Build a Better City at the LEGO station. For a “kick,” join Soccer Shots for a pick-up game. Or, for a quieter option, our friends from ASCV will have a sensory zone. Visit the City Singers tent for percussion exploration of Colossal proportions. Discover how to create and build forts made of natural materials just like a Civil War Soldier and take part in the Junior Ranger Program with the National Park Service. Be sure to stop by our new partners: SPARC, to build your own musical instrument, and the Enchanting Bookmobile, to choose a book to take home. 

No matter how you like to play, there is something for everyone at this year’s Family Area, produced by the Children’s Museum. Check out the full schedule and artists bios on our website.

Richmond Folk Festival Outreach

The Richmond Folk Festival once again fills auditoriums and classrooms at Richmond-area public schools with performances and presentations of deeply rooted cultural expressions shared by some of the country’s finest traditional artists. These programs expose children to performances by excellent artists and provide them with opportunities to learn about new cultures, communities, and artistic traditions, expanding their horizons with interactive, multicultural learning experiences. These outreach programs often reach students with limited access to cultural enrichment opportunities.

This year, the festival will also continue its outreach to incarcerated communities as Cherokee country singer Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey visits the State Farm Correctional Complex, where he will perform for the residents there.

2026 participating performers*:

• Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey (country)
• Brinae Ali (tap dance)
• El Laberinto del Coco (Puerto Rican bomba)
• Insun Park & Generals (Korean traditional mask dance)
• Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials (Chicago blues)
• Reverie Road (Irish)
• Susana Behar (traditional Sephardic song)
• Swanky Kitchen Band (Caymanian kitchen dance music)

2026 participating schools:

• Albert Hill Middle School
• Dogwood Middle School
• Franklin Military Academy
• Lucille Murray Brown Middle School
• Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
• Thomas C. Boushall Middle School
• Thomas H. Henderson Middle School
• Richmond High School for the Arts
• River City Middle School 

*Artists and schools are subject to change.

These programs are made possible through the generous support of festival sponsors, especially its school shows partner, JAMinc, who provides transportation, audio support, and local on-site coordination. Check out the full schedule and artists bios on our website.

Festival Hours

Friday, October 10 — 6:30pm – 10:00pm

Saturday, October 11 — 12:00pm – 9:30pm

Sunday, October 12 — 12:00pm – 6:00pm

For all information about the Richmond Folk Festival, visit richmondfolkfestival.org. #RVAFolkFest
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