Community gatherings and large-scale festivals are central to Richmond’s vibrant local culture.
* **Richmond Folk Festival**: One of the largest free folk festivals in the nation, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to the riverfront for global music, dance, and food. * **Dominion Energy Riverrock**: The nation's premier outdoor sports and music festival, featuring bouldering, trail running, dog jumping, and kayaking competitions. * **Broad Appétit**: A massive summer food festival where local chefs offer small plates of their best dishes along Broad Street. * **Richmond Marathon**: Dubbed "America's Friendliest Marathon," this event brings thousands of runners to the city's scenic streets every November. * **Watermelon Festival**: Held in Carytown every August, it is one of the largest single-day street festivals in the state.