October 4 @ 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Richmond’s 2nd Street Festival returns to historic Jackson Ward on October 3–4, 2026, for its 38th year celebrating the neighborhood’s culture, music and history.
The free, two-day festival transforms an eight-block stretch of North 2nd Street into a community celebration featuring three stages of live music, Artists Row, a marketplace, food vendors, a Kidz Zone and the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club.
The festival honors Jackson Ward’s legacy as the historic heart of Richmond’s African American community and the era when 2nd Street was widely known as the “Harlem of the South.”
Acclaimed R&B artist Stokley headlines the Waverly R. Crawley Main Stage on Saturday, October 3, performing at 5:50 p.m. The former lead vocalist of Mint Condition has built a career spanning R&B, soul and funk, both with the group and as a solo artist.
On Sunday, Richmond saxophonist, songwriter and producer J. Plunky Branch and his band, Plunky & Oneness, close the Main Stage with a 5 p.m. performance. Branch has spent more than five decades blending jazz, funk, R&B, house and go-go while maintaining deep roots in Richmond’s music community.
Beyond the Main Stage, the festival features performances on the Joe Kennedy Jr. Jazz Stage and Eggleston Hotel Community Stage, along with local artists, dancers, spoken-word performers and community groups.
Visitors can also explore Artists Row and the festival marketplace, enjoy food from festival vendors, participate in family activities at the Kidz Zone and take free guided walking tours exploring the history of Jackson Ward.
Festival Hours
Saturday, October 3: 11:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sunday, October 4: Noon–6 p.m.
Location
Historic Jackson Ward
North 2nd Street between East Broad and East Jackson streets
Richmond, VA 23219
Admission is free. Food, beverages and merchandise will be available for purchase.
The festival takes place rain or shine. Folding chairs are recommended for enjoying stage performances. Pets are not permitted except for service animals.
Free
