As part of the 66^th annual Festival of Arts, the City of Richmond is hosting its Fourth of July celebration at Dogwood Dell on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

This free event will feature the Richmond Concert Jazz Band beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Richmond Concert Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. with a concert of patriotic and pop music. The evening’s fireworks display will be accompanied by the Richmond Concert Band playing “The 1812 Overture” at 9:15 p.m. The public is welcome to bring small coolers (glass bottles or alcohol are not allowed) or have the option of purchasing food from one of the vendors that will be on site. 

As always, we have taken every measure to help ensure the safety of our city, our residents, and our visitors. The Richmond Police Department is prepared to support and respond with the help of our partners, the Virginia State Police and the Department of Capitol Police. If you see something that alarms you or looks suspicious, please call or text 911.

Parking and Shuttle Availability

Parking is available at Dogwood Dell, with overflow parking at City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue, with free shuttle bus service from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

No Parking Areas

Richmond Police Department will enforce the following no parking areas from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on July 4. Towing will be enforced beginning at 2 p.m. A map can be seen here. 

• 700-1000 block of Blanton Avenue  between Garrett Street and Grant Street (Both sides)

• 400- 600 block S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard between Blanton and Idlewood Avenue (Both sides)

• 00-2200 block Park Drive between Pump House Dr. and Blanton Avenue (Both sides)

• 2600 block Idlewood Avenue between S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard and S. Robinson Street  (Both sides)

• Trafford Road (Police Memorial Way)

• 1000 block South Belmont between Grant Street and Garrett Street (both sides)

• 2900-3200 block Douglasdale Road between Blanton Avenue and Douglasdale Road

• 400-3600 block McCloy Street / Douglasdale Road between Idlewood Avenue and Portland Place

• 1400-2000 block Pump House Drive (Both Sides)

• 400-600 block S. Sheppard Street (Both Sides) between Blanton Avenue and  Idlewood Avenue

• 2000-2400 block Maplewood Avenue (Median Only) between S. Meadow Street and S. Davis Avenue

• 2000-2400 block Rosewood Avenue (Median Only) between S. Meadow Street and S. Davis Avenue

• 2900-3100 block Garrett Street (Both Sides) between Blanton Avenue and S. Belmont Avenue (Bus Route)

• 3500-3600 block Douglasdale Road (Both Sides) between Douglasdale Road and Portland Place

Arthur Ashe Closure

Arthur Ashe Boulevard at Idlewood Avenue will close to vehicular traffic beginning at 6 p.m.

Keep It Safe – No Celebratory Gunfire

Richmond Police Department reminds the public that what goes up must come down; celebratory gunfire is dangerous and puts your friends and family in jeopardy. Random gunfire that results in bodily injury to another person is considered a Class 6 felony and can carry a penalty of up to five years of incarceration (Code of Virginia 18.2-280).

Firework Use

Use and possession of fireworks in the Richmond city limits is also illegal and is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine (Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code).

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) will host the 2nd Annual Jubilation in June Festival on Sunday, June 18, co-sponsored with Radio One Richmond and Unlocking RVA at Intermediate Terminal (3101 Wharf Street) beginning at 3 p.m. This festival will feature performances from Richmond’s Thea Paul, the Virginia Union University gospel choir, national recording group WanMor, KAMAUU, and DJs from Power 92.1 and Kiss Richmond. The evening will culminate with the multi-platinum Grammy Award Winning group Arrested Development, whose distinctive celebration of Boom Bap & Classic Hip Hop Style, flow, vibe, influential wordplay, and infectious soundscapes will be the background to this year’s fireworks display.

“We’re excited to be in the second year of this new tradition for the City of Richmond, as a reminder that it is not just a celebration of freedom but also one of opportunity, equity, and access,” says Priscilla Wright, Special Event Manager for the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities. “It brings us jubilation to celebrate this event where many enslaved people first stepped foot in America.”

Those that plan to attend the event can park at the Main Street Station parking lot for free and catch the GRTC Pulse bus to the East River Front Station. On-street parking will not be available on East Main Street between the roundabout and Nicholson Street.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram or visit our website.

Looking for something to do this summer? The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) is sure to have an event or program to kick start your summer along with great, free activities for everyone in your family!

Parks and Recreation will be introducing Jazz at the Fountain at Fountain Lake in Byrd Park as a new event for 2023. On Sunday, June 4, Jazz at the Fountain will feature Richmond native Chan Hall beginning at 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to bring out their lawn chairs to enjoy the afternoon by the lake. Subsequent performances will take place on July 2, August 6, and September 3.

Starting the Festival of Arts season, PRCF in partnership with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement, will host the National Immigrant Heritage Month Festival on Saturday, June 10 beginning at 11 a.m. at Dogwood Dell. This event will feature performances from the Panama Traditional Dance Group, Salsa Rueda de Casino representing Cuba, and a traditional performance from Afghanistan with food from Central America, Ukraine, and Argentina.

The department will host the 2^nd Annual Jubilation in June, with the kickoff beginning at the 66^th annual Festival of Arts. Desiree Roots and Friends will be performing at Dogwood Dell, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd, on Friday, June 16 at 8 p.m. On Saturday, June 17, the Dell will host the R& B cover band Legacy Band beginning at 8 p.m. On Sunday June 19, Jubilation in June will culminate with a festival co-sponsored by Radio One Richmond at Intermediate Terminal (3101 Wharf Street) beginning at 3:30 p.m. This festival will feature performances from the Virginia Union University choir, national recording group WanMor, and DJs from Power 92.1 and Kiss Richmond. The festival will end with a fireworks show beginning at 9:15 p.m.

The full schedule for the 66^th Festival of Arts can be found on the Parks and Recreation website.

The department is also hosting summer camps that will begin on Tuesday, June 20. There are still slots available for the Summer Blast Day Camp, Pine Camp Summer Spotlight, Summer Dance Intensive, Theatre Fundamentals camp for teens, Page to Stage Theater Camp, and Nature Film Camp.  More information can be found on our registration site parksandrecreation.richmondgov.com under the “Spring& Summer Camps” tab.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit our website.

Road closures at Byrd Park to begin this weekend
The City of Richmond introduces a new event beginning June 4

Richmond, VA – Using the Open Streets concept as seen in other cities around the nation, the City of Richmond is reducing automobile traffic in Byrd Park on weekends beginning Saturday, May 13, 2023. The gate closures will open the space to be used for a range of activities for visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Beginning at 7 a.m., Saturday, May 13, the following road closures will be implemented in Byrd Park:

1. Entrance to the park at S. Arthur Ashe Jr. Blvd. and Grant Street

2. S. Robinson Street at Boat Lake Drive

3. Lakeview Avenue at S. Robinson Street

4. Strollers Lane at Grant Street

5. Westover Road at Boat Lake Drive

6. Trafford Road at Westover Road

Parking is available on S. Arthur Ashe, Jr. Blvd, Grant Street at Blanton Avenue, S. Sheppard Street, or S. Davis Avenue.

These closures will be in effect through 7 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023.

To further make use of the space and bring the community together, the City will be hosting Jazz at the Fountain at Fountain Lake. Beginning on Sunday, June 4th, Jazz at the Fountain will feature Richmond native Chan Hall beginning at 4 p.m. The July 2nd performance will feature the quartet Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood, which features Mr. Hawkins on bass, James “Saxsmo” Gates on Alto Saxophone, Dr. Weldon Hill on piano, and Billy Williams Jr. on drums. Information for the August 6th and September 3rd performers will be posted on the Parks and Recreation website and social media channels.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit our website.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF), in partnership with 8 News and Summit Media, will host RVA Illuminates at Kanawha Plaza, 801 E. Canal Street, on Friday, December 2, 2022 beginning at 4 p.m.

RVA Illuminates will feature performances from the Richmond Police Department Band, DJ Lonnie B, and Sam Reed and Friends. Kelli Lemon will emcee for the evening. Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders will flip the switch at 6 p.m., lighting up the downtown skyline and announcing the arrival of the holiday season. At 7:15 p.m., the holiday movie “Elf”, presented by Venture Richmond, will be shown.

“Each year we continue to build in new traditions with the old. Partnering with Venture Richmond to show “Elf” is a great new addition,” says Chris Frelke, Director of PRCF.

In addition to the event at Kanawha Plaza, Shockoe Illuminates will take place at the 17^th Street Market, 100 N. 17^th Street, on the same day. From 5 - 8 p.m., patrons will be able to begin their holiday shopping, enjoy holiday carolers, and partake in the skyline lighting.

Also adding to the holiday tradition, PRCF is asking city businesses and residents to light up their own storefronts and homes on December 2 at 6 p.m., adding to the illumination of the entire city.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit our website at www.rva.gov/parks-recreation.

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