September festivals

School is back in session and autumn begins to rear its lovely head. It’s the perfect time to have some outdoor fun.

August 26, 2013; 6:49 AM • by RVANews staff

RVA Wake N’ Sun Fest

Enjoy the Labor Day weekend with a Water Pong tournament, jet ski rentals, water jet pack and jet bike rentals, music, and more. And yes, you read that correctly: water jet pack and jet bike rentals!

• Sunday, September 1st • 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
• Rocketts Landing next to Boathouse
• $10 in advance, $12 at the door

FALL LINE FEST

Music! Food! Art! This inaugural festival will have performances by Cold Cave, Big Freedia, Neon Indian, and many more. There will be special dishes created by Ipanema, Pasture, Saison, among others. Annnnnd there are exhibits at the likes of 1708 Gallery, ADA Gallery, and Art 180.

• Friday, September 6th – Saturday, September 7th
• Various locations
• $20 for a weekend pass

Harvest Wine Festival

Live music, wine tastings from four wineries, wine 101 seminars, and craft vendors are a great way to celebrate the fall harvest. It also makes for a great picnic!

• Saturday, September 7th • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• James River Cellars • 11008 Washington Highway in Glen Allen
• $15

RVA Street Art Festival

Last year this event coated the Shockoe Flood Wall in all sorts of crazy awesome colors. This year the event eyes the abandoned GRTC bus depot in The Fan where national and local artists will give the drab 5.5 acres a much needed makeover.

• Wednesday, September 11th – Sunday, September 15th
• Former GRTC bus depot
• FREE

Shockoe-on-the-Half Shell Festival (PDF)

This sixth-annual festival is a must for anyone who loves oysters. Not only that, but the event is smack dab in the middle of Shockoe Bottom, giving you ample access to local shops after you get your fill of oysters.

• Saturday, September 14th • 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• 17th Street Farmers Market
• FREE to attend

43rd Street Festival of the Arts

Love crafts? Love original local art? Consider this Saturday booked! Over 70 of the region’s finest artisans will showcase their goods. There will also be music and food.

• Saturday, September 14th • 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• 1412 W. 43rd Street
• FREE to attend

Armenian Food Festival

If you think the Greek Festival is over-hyped and over-crowded, you might want to consider this festival. This year is the 55th Armenian festival so you can be sure they’re well-practiced at food, dance, and fun.

• Thursday, September 19th – Sunday, September 22nd
• St. James Armenian Church
• FREE

St. Bendedict Oktoberfest

Don’t bother trekking all the way to Deutschland to celebrate Oktoberfest. Save your money and spend it at one of RVA’s best festivals. Not quite enticed? How about this: bratwursts!

• Friday, September 20th – Sunday, September 22nd
• 300 N. Sheppard Street
• FREE to attend

Capital Ale House Oktoberfest

If being outdoors isn’t your thing, you can still get your Oktoberfest on inside Capital Ale House. There will be plenty of Virginia craft beers and plenty of German-style cuisine.

• Saturday, September 21st and Saturday, September 28th
• 623 E. Main Street
• FREE to attend

Virginia State Fair

It’s back! All the rides, petting zoos, and cotton candy returns later this month. In addition to general admission tickets, you can nab wristbands that will give you unlimited rides on any day ($21 each).

• Friday, September 27th – Sunday, October 6th
• Meadow Even Park • I-95 exit 98 (Doswell)
• $8 – $75

RVACON

Finally, Richmond now has its very own con! Stop by Plant Zero on the last weekend in September for the very first RVACON, a convention dedicated to anime, comics, gaming, technology, and design.

• Friday, September 27th – Sunday September 29th
• Plant Zero, 3 E. 3rd Street
• TBD

RVA Peace Festival

This event arose after 9/11 and celebrates religious and cultural tolerance along with diversity. In addition to representing different faiths and backgrounds, there’s also children crafts, food, and entertainment.

• Saturday, September 28th • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church • 6000 Grove Avenue
• FREE

Richmond Italian Festival

Live la dolce vita without the pricey airfare. Organizers turn the 17th Street Farmers Market downtown into a quaint Italian village that bustles with food, drink, music, and games. The festival also benefits The Faison School, a non-profit autism center that helps families with autistic children.

• Saturday, September 28th – Sunday, September 29th
• 17th Street Farmers Market
• FREE to attend

Festival of India

Started in 1981, this festival is one of the best places for Indian food and culture. The theme for this year’s festival is “India Today.” In addition to food, there will be clothing, jewelry, movies, yoga demonstrations, and lectures.

• Saturday, September 28th – Sunday, September 29th
• Great Richmond Convention Center • 403 N. 3rd Street
• FREE to attend

August 26, 2013 6:49 AM 0