Richmond Folk Festival 2024

Head to the Richmond Folk Festival this year to experience the beauty of American culture, presented through its music, dance, traditional arts, and delicious food.

From 2005 to 2007, the traveling National Folk Festival took place on downtown Richmond's historic riverfront. This event significantly influenced the creation of the Richmond Folk Festival, which has since grown into one of Virginia's largest cultural events. The National Folk Festival, born from the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), has kept close ties with the Richmond Folk Festival, helping to keep the cultural diversity alive and well.

Marking its 20th anniversary in 2024, this three-day festival will be phenomenal. The festival's impressive program is the reason many are making the trip, drawing fans from all over the country. It will take place on September 27 - 29 on downtown Richmond's riverfront from 2nd to 7th streets and from Byrd Street to the James River with free entry and many attractions.

The crowd will be huge since annually this festival is visited by 200,000 attendees.

What to Expect When Attending Richmond Folk Festival 2024

Organizers have made some changes since it’s likely to be rainy this festival season. Sun or rain, the fun and enjoyment are guaranteed!

You can check out the schedule with all the performances on the official event’s website. Keep in mind that there will be some changes in case of rain! For the updated performance schedule, you can find informational booths located throughout the festival grounds. Expect six stages with five of them under the tent! Here are the new locations of those stages alongside some other notable ones:

• Corner of 2nd and Byrd Streets: CarMax Stage, Family Area & Stage, and a Performance Group Food Court
• Tredegar Street near 5th Street: Virginia Folklife Program Area and Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage
• Brown’s Island: Dominion Energy Dance Pavillion Stage and CoStar Group Stage
• Tredegar Green: Altria Stage

Festival open hours:

• Friday, September 27 — 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
• Saturday, September 28 — 12:00 pm - 9:30 pm
• Sunday, September 29 — 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tickets

This is a free event, but as the festival continues to grow, the organizers are encouraging visitors to make donations. $10 per day doesn't sound like much for this fantastic experience, but it will significantly help support the festival's growth. Not a bad trade, right? Don't be surprised when you see volunteers carrying orange buckets - that is their way of collecting donations! So drop at least $10 and support the Richmond Folk Festival!

Security Protocols

• Medical services/first aid - You will easily find medical help if you need it. It’s going to be marked on the festival map.
• The help of volunteers - In case you or some of your friends get lost, you can ask the volunteers scattered throughout the festival grounds for help.
• Bag Restrictions - Large backpacks and bags are not allowed.
• Alcohol and Dangerous Objects - Bringing in alcohol and dangerous objects is strictly forbidden.
• Pets - Your pet needs to stay at home unless it's a guide animal.

How to Get To or From the Event

• Train - If you are coming from an area outside of Richmond, going by train is a great option. Check this site called Amtrak to find the one that matches your location.
• Car - You can go by car, but keep in mind that you can't enter the festival grounds by vehicle and you'll have to park somewhere nearby.
• GRTC bus transportation - Going by bus is convenient. GRTC is free and you can easily get to the downtown riverfront. Bus routes #3A, 3B, 3C, or #87 go to the stop at Belvidere and Holly (southbound) or Belvidere and War Memorial (northbound) by the river. The #3A/B/C routes operate every 30 minutes, and the #87 bus runs every 60 minutes.

Many streets are closed during the festival. Here is the list of streets you should avoid if going by car:

• Spring Street from 2nd to Belvedere Street
• 2nd Street from Byrd to the Lee Bridge 
• Brown’s Island Way
• Tredegar Street
• 3rd Street between Canal and Byrd Streets   
• 4th Street between Canal and Byrd Streets
• 5th Street from Byrd to Tredegar Street
• 7th Street from Byrd to Tredegar Street
• 10th Street from Haxall Point to the Federal Reserve Bank

Richmond Folk Festival 2024 Bag Policy

As previously mentioned, you won't be able to enter the festival with large backpacks or bags. 

Unfortunately, there is no specific area where you can store your bags at the festival. That's where Bounce comes to help! Contact us via the website or our app and we will give you the perfect solution. We’ll find a perfect Bounce location that will keep your things safe so that you can relax and surrender to the charms of the festival!

Richmond Folk Festival 2024 Bag Storage

Keep the Festival Fun in Focus with Bounce’s Help

A Bounce partner can help you book the perfect location for storing your bags.

Choose the spot where you can leave your bags on the website or via the app. All you have to do is find a suitable place among our 12,000 locations in more than 2000 cities worldwide. Let us know which location is best for you and the Bounce partner will do the rest!

The price is only $5.90 per day and each booking includes $10,000 in protection. Cancellation is free!

So leave your worries with Bounce and explore this culturally diverse event!

How to Stow Your Bag at Richmond Folk Festival 2024 With Bounce

• Book in just a couple of steps: Explore the Bounce website or app, choose the location, and pay online.
• Go to the location: Leave your bags at the chosen location after showing the confirmation.
• Simply enjoy the festival: You’re all set!! Now you’re ready to head to the downtown riverfront and explore the festival's majestic attractions!

Tips to Make the Most Out of Richmond Folk Festival 2024

• Plan out your schedule: There will be 6 stages showcasing music from more than 30 artists. Explore this year’s entertainers, and don’t forget to plan out your festival day in advance! The festival also offers cultural demonstrations, workshops, and craft showcases that might interest you. Dance lessons at the festival offer a fun opportunity for both kids and grownups to learn some cool new moves!
• Explore food and art: Exploring traditional crafts is a great opportunity to see well-made and beautiful art. Tasting local and international foods is a fantastic opportunity to discover new flavors by trying something you’ve never had before!
• Check out family activities: If you're going with kids, the festival offers a Family Area with activities like crafts, games, and performances, designed for younger audiences.
• Support the festival: Although it’s free to attend, donations are encouraged to keep the festival going. You can support the event by buying merchandise, donating on-site, or participating in fundraising activities.

Don't think twice about visiting the Richmond Folk Festival if you're a fan of American folk culture! With Bounce handling your belongings, you can enjoy the festivities with ease.