In celebration of National Immigrant Heritage Month, the City of Richmond's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement, in partnership with Henrico County's Multicultural Engagement Division and ReEstablish Richmond, proudly invite residents from across the region to attend the Multicultural Festival 2026.

This free event will take place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Richmond Raceway Expo Hall 1 (600 E. Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23222), located in Henrico County. 

Led by the City of Richmond and made possible through strong regional partnerships, the Multicultural Festival reflects a shared commitment to creating welcoming communities where all residents feel valued, connected, and empowered to participate fully in civic life. Immigrants and refugees play an important role in shaping the Richmond region. They contribute to our local economy, enrich our cultural life, strengthen neighborhoods, open businesses, and help make our communities more vibrant and connected.

According to the US Census American Community Survey, foreign-born residents currently make up roughly 14% of Henrico County's population and nearly 9% of Richmond’s population, driving the region’s cultural evolution, population growth, and economic vitality.

While anchoring our celebration of National Immigrant Heritage Month, the Multicultural Festival reflects a broader regional vision. The event honors the full spectrum of cultural heritage defining Greater Richmond—bridging the traditions of indigenous populations and longtime residents with those of our newest neighbors. In this spirit of interconnectedness, the festival also recognizes World Refugee Day (June 20), celebrating the profound courage, resilience, and contributions of refugees who have rebuilt their lives and strengthened our region. 

"The face of Richmond has changed over the last twenty years, and we have seen immigrants become a much bigger part of our story,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “We want to ensure they feel welcomed, because it is important not only for their lives, but for the identity of our city. It has been remarkable to witness this growth and the emergence of so many new immigrant voices. It is because of their presence, resilience, and the opportunities so many of our immigrant neighbors pursue that we are a much more vibrant city."

“The Multicultural Festival presents a wonderful opportunity for us to come together, neighbor to neighbor, to celebrate the cultural richness of our region,” Henrico Board of Supervisors Chair Roscoe D. Cooper III said. “We know that our youth, families and communities are stronger, healthier and happier when everyone feels welcomed, connected and encouraged to fully engage in civic life. Whether you’re a longtime resident of our region or a newcomer, the festival offers the perfect backdrop to enhance our appreciation of each other’s experiences while also recognizing our shared humanity.”

ReEstablish Richmond plays a significant role in mobilizing volunteers for the event this year:

“What makes this festival so special is that while the Richmond region has a ton of cultural events, rarely can you come to one spot and experience the true breadth of diversity that is our multicultural community,” says Will Cumbia, Outreach and Volunteer Manager of ReEstablish Richmond.  “Where else can you nibble on empanadas while chatting with folks at the Sudanese display with a Chinese choir serenading you from the stage? This festival is for everyone--a unique display of mutual hospitality. We want longtime Richmonders to show up, connect, and celebrate their newcomer neighbors, inviting one another into a deeper experience of being here at home.”

The Multicultural Festival serves as the grand finale for National Immigrant Month, bringing people together for a day packed with community spirit, connection, and culture. Attendees can look forward to a dynamic lineup of activities, including authentic food, vibrant music, live performances and dances, arts, crafts, local vendors and community resources.  

The event is made possible through the generous support of corporate and community sponsors, including Dominion Energy, Sheetz, Virginia Housing, Virginia Humanities, Super Radiator Coils, Dyer Immigration Law Group, and Ultra Radio Richmond. 

For more information about the Multicultural Festival, including vendors and itinerary visit: Multicultural Festival 2026 — ReEstablish Richmond 

About the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement 

The City of Richmond's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement works to build a more welcoming, inclusive, and connected city by strengthening relationships between immigrant and refugee communities and local government. Through language access, community engagement, education, resource navigation, and strategic partnerships, OIRE helps ensure all residents can access services, participate in civic life, and thrive in Richmond.

About the Henrico Multicultural Engagement Division

As part of the Henrico County Outreach and Engagement Agency, the Multicultural Engagement Division works to build trusted relationships, create opportunities for engagement, and foster belonging among Henrico's diverse cultural, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQIA+, and all ability communities. This work supports the agency's broader mission of enriching the lives of those who live, work, and play in Henrico through community engagement, education, resources, and equitable access to opportunities.

About ReEstablish Richmond                                                         

ReEstablish Richmond helps refugees and immigrants integrate into the Greater Richmond area by offering essential tools like English classes, driver’s education, and navigation of local services. Functioning as a regional resource hub, the organization drives regional collaboration by partnering with local service providers, volunteers, and stakeholders—such as the International Rescue Committee and Sacred Heart Center—to build a unified network of support across Henrico, Chesterfield and the City of Richmond.