Virginia PrideFest

Virginia PrideFest is Richmond's big free outdoor Pride, and it is held in September rather than June. Virginia Pride runs it under director James Millner. For years it took place on Brown's Island in the James River, where Richmond Magazine reported more than 30,000 people in 2017. It has since moved to Midtown Green, the former Bon Secours Training Center on West Leigh Street.

It is a single afternoon and evening, from noon to 8pm: a main stage with national headliners, close to 200 local vendors, food trucks, and a youth pavilion for LGBTQ+ teens. Admission is free.

The 2026 festival was on Saturday, September 12, with the theme "Our Pride. Our Joy. Our Resistance!" David Archuleta headlined, with country singer Chris Housman and Madison Rose also on the main stage. The 2025 edition was on September 27. Local outlets reported thousands of people, but nobody has published a count for recent years. The 2027 date hadn't been announced when we checked.