Thursday, July 1st

Summer Concert Series.  6pm-8pm.  Short Pump Town Center, Main Plaza.  Families are invited to enjoy free live music performed by local bands, great food, prizes and of course, fabulous shopping!  This week’s performance by 80z Enuff.  The Salvation Army  School of Performing Arts has a free kids zone from 6-8pm with kid friendly activities during the concerts.  Weather-permitting.  Free.

Thursday, July 1st and Friday, July 2nd

National “got milk?” Milk Moustache Mobile Tour.  11am-1pm.  Virginia Center Commons Mall.  Sample low-fat and fat-free milk products, play games, participate in interactive displays, enter contests for free prizes, and learn about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity.  Free.

Thursday, July 1st – Sunday, July 4th

Free admission to the Valentine for Chesterfield County residents.  10am-5pm.  Valentine Richmond History Center.  Show a picture id with county address. For more information, call 804.649.0711. 

Fireworks at Busch Gardens.  9:15pm.  Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, VA.  Celebrate four nights of fireworks displays at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.  Included in park admission.
 

Friday, July 2nd

Green Hour.  11am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children of all ages are invited to spend a Green Hour in the Children’s Garden reading, listening to story books, and making connections with the natural world.  Featured books will be selected using the Children’s Garden monthly seasonal theme.  Free with garden admission.

Lions in the Library.  1pm.  Maymont Mansion.  Designed to teach young visitors about the animals that inhabit Maymont.  Fee.

Genworth Financial’s 27th Annual Concert & Fireworks Display.  6:30pm to 9:00pm..  Genworth Building, 6620 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA.  An All-American evening of music, fireworks and family fun.  804.281.6699.  Free and open to the public. 

Saturday, July 3rd

Kids Night Out.   5pm-8pm.  Romp n' Roll-Mechanicsville.  Drop the kids off while you get an evening away.  They keep the kids busy with gym, art, and music activities PLUS feed them dinner.  For kids ages 2-6.  Potty training not required!  Preregistration required.  730.2060.  Fee.

Powhatan Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks.  The Huguenot Fire Department hosts their Annual Independence Day Celebration at the Bullnaza Arena in Powhatan. Gates open at 5 pm for fire apparatus displays, a car & truck show, kids’ events, and a magnificent fireworks show.   Free.

Fireworks at Kings Dominion.  10pm.  Kings Dominion, Doswell VA.  Kings Dominion celebrates Independence Day with brilliant fireworks displays. 804.876.5000.

Brandermill Parade & Fireworks.  10:00am.  Gardens At Sunday Park, Midlothian, VA.  Grand Marshal Nutzy, the mascot for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, will delight baseball fans of all ages.  Other stars of the parade include: the Doctors of Jazz, Jonathan the Juggler, Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums, clowns, Kurt and Hugs, Uncle Sam, Abraham Lincoln, Chesterfield County officials and Fire and Police Departments, Midlothian American Legion, Clover Hill High School Drumline, antique cars, and neighborhood floats.

Parham Road Independence Day Parade/Festival. 10:00am  Parade.  11am to 3pm  Festival.  The parade starts from the parking lot of Trinity Lutheran Church (Parham & Lansdowne) and ends at the parking lot of Parham Road Baptist Church, 2101 N. Parham Road. Free.

Colonial Downs.  5pm.  A horse racing, patriotic concert and fireworks triple-header. Fee.

Saturday, July 3rd and Sunday, July 4th

Museums on Us.  Children’s Museum of Richmond – Central, 2626 W Broad Street.  Bank of America customers get into the museum for free.  Visit the website for more details and program rules. 

Sunday, July 4^th

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is waiving admission on July 4 as part of its 25th anniversary.  1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA.  Admission is free all day (9am-5pm).

Ashland’s July 4th Parade & Lawn Celebration. 1:00p to 4:00pm.  Hanover Arts And Activities Center, Ashland VA.  Old fashioned food and fun at the annual July 4th Parade & Lawn Party.   Free.

Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration. 1-5pm. Meadow Farm Museum/Crump Park in Henrico County. Activities will include musical entertainment, arts and crafts, face painting, a petting zoo for children, contests and games, pony rides, and two spectacular sky diving shows with Uncle Sam! Other highlights include a watermelon feast, Uncle Sam on stilts, Jonathan Austin the juggler, a patriotic performance featuring a historic color guard, drum and fife music, and a period musket salute.  804.501.5121. Free. 

Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks.  5pm.  Dogwood Dell.  Byrd Park, 700 Blanton Avenue, Richmond, VA. Head out to Dogwood Dell for free music and fireworks in celebration of Independence Day.

Chesterfield County Fourth of July Celebration .  5:00pm.  Chesterfield County Fairground, Chesterfield VA.  Enjoy food, fun, children's activities and free fireworks at the Chesterfield County Celebration.  Fireworks at dark. 

Colonial Downs.  5pm.  A horse racing, patriotic concert and fireworks triple-header. Fee.

Colonial Heights Fireworks.  9:15pm.  City of Colonial Heights, Colonial Heights, VA.  The City of Colonial Heights will sponsor a fireworks display in the vicinity of Charles Dimmock Parkway.

Great Meadow Fourth of July.   10:00am.  Great Meadow, The Plains, VA.  Country fair atmosphere with huge fireworks display set to music, air shows, children's games and family fun. 

Fireworks at Kings Dominion.  10pm.  Kings Dominion, Doswell VA.  Kings Dominion celebrates Independence Day with brilliant fireworks displays. 804.876.5000.

Tuesday, July 6th

Club Mom.  9am-11am. Chesterfield Towne Center Food Court.  Great entertainment, fun giveaways for the adults, and free breakfast for children 12 years or younger. (Breakfast tickets are given out until 10:30 a.m. and are valid until 10:45 a.m. on Club Mom event days.)  This month’s entertainment – Richmond Jazz Society.  Free.

Families After 5.  5-8pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.   On Tuesday evenings families gather in the Children's Garden to experience the joys of summer! WaterPlay will be open until 8:30pm.  Free with garden admission.

Wednesday, July 7th

Drop-in and Dig!  9am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers.  Free with garden admission.

Thursday, July 8th

Magician Mike Klee.  1pm.  Henrico Theatre.  A high-energy show packed full of interactive magic with a strong motivational message! It's fun for the whole family!  Reservations required.  Free.

Summer Concert Series.  6pm-8pm.  Short Pump Town Center, Main Plaza.  Families are invited to enjoy free live music performed by local bands, great food, prizes and of course, fabulous shopping!  This week’s performance by Cedar Creek.  The Salvation Army  School of Performing Arts has a free kids zone from 6-8pm with kid friendly activities during the concerts.  Weather-permitting.  Free.

Friday, July 9th 

Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day.  Dress like a cow and get a free Chick-fil-A meal – event for both adults and kids at all Richmond locations!  Free.

Children's Museum of Richmond Farmers Market Event.  10am-4pm.  CMoR – Central.  Virginia Farm Bureau will be sponsoring the second annual Children's Museum of Richmond Farmers Market Event! There will be farmers market vendors on the front plaza, and The Southeast United Dairy Industry Association will be bringing a cow!

Lions in the Library.  1pm.  Maymont Mansion.  Designed to teach young visitors about the animals that inhabit Maymont.  Fee.

Saturday, July 10th

Hanover Tomato Festival.  9am-4pm.  Pole Green Park, Mechanicsville, VA.  There will be over 200 arts, crafts and unique vendors along with a variety of entertainment, food, and free activities for children of all ages.  Free admission.

Saxon Stroller Stories.  9-10am.  Saxon Shoes, Lower Level, Kids Department, Short Pump Town Center.  Enjoy story time, coloring and each child that attends receives a coupon for a FREE kid’s meal from Chick-fil-A.  Free.

Moonbounce Mania. 10am-4pm. The Children’s Museum of Richmond – Central.  Multiple moonbounce's will be set up throughout the museum!! Free with museum admission. 

Tour of Historic Eppington.  11am-Noon.  Eppington Plantation.  Tour this historic plantation that is rarely open to the public. $8/person, reservations required. Call 751.4946 to reserve a space, or for more information.  Fee.

Jammin'.  Noon. Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Enjoy a special “vibe” in the Children’s Garden every second Saturday of the month, April through October. The Garden rocks and rolls with the special energy that comes from listening, dancing, clapping and stomping feet to the music.   Free with Garden admission. 

Kidgits Safe Summer.  2pm-4pm.  Virginia Center Commons Mall, Sears Court.  Come splash into summer and join Virginia Center Commons Kidgits Club!  Fee.
 

Sunday, July 11th

Walkerton Summer Concert Series.  6pm.  Walkerton Tavern.  Enjoy a concert on the lawn.  In case of inclement weather, the concerts may be cancelled. For all ages.   Free.

Tuesday, July 13th

Samantha's World.  9:30am.  Maymont Mansion & Grounds.  Fun American Girl program.  Fee.

Short Pump Pals Clubhouse Meeting.  11am. Short Pump Mall, Food Court.  Come and play with our host from the Academy of Music, a Richmond-based music school specializing in early childhood music development and music lessons for all ages.  Free.

Families After 5.  5-8pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.   On Tuesday evenings families gather in the Children's Garden to experience the joys of summer! WaterPlay will be open until 8:30pm.  Free with garden admission.

Parenting the ADHD Child (Parents of Children 5 and older).  6:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Pre-registration required.  Fee.

Wednesday, July 14th

Drop-in and Dig!  9am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers.  Free with garden admission.

Mommy & Me and Daddies Too.  10am-11:30am.  The Shops at Willow Lawn.  Enjoy a morning out with crafts, games, storytelling, dancing, and educational programs designed to enhance parent's interaction with their children.  This month’s theme – Tropical Luau!  Free.

Thursday, July 15th

Nature Works! Family Workshop: Garden Pollinators.  10am.  Families learn simple gardening tips to keep a garden productive while reducing water consumption.  Fee.

Summer Concert Series.  6pm-8pm.  Short Pump Town Center, Main Plaza.  Families are invited to enjoy free live music performed by local bands, great food, prizes and of course, fabulous shopping!  This week’s performance by Ron Moody & The Centaurs.  The Salvation Army  School of Performing Arts has a free kids zone from 6-8pm with kid friendly activities during the concerts.  Weather-permitting.  Free.

Friday, July 16th

Green Hour.  11am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children of all ages are invited to spend a Green Hour in the Children’s Garden reading, listening to story books, and making connections with the natural world.  Featured books will be selected using the Children’s Garden monthly seasonal theme.  Free with garden admission.

Lions in the Library.  1pm.  Maymont Mansion.  Designed to teach young visitors about the animals that inhabit Maymont.  Fee.

Target $1 Family Night.  5-7:30pm. The Children’s Museum of Richmond - Central.  Bring the whole family to enjoy what The Children's Museum has to for just $1 per person. 

LiveSky.  6pm.  Science Museum of Virginia.   An interactive planetarium show. Ask an astronomer about what you see in the current night sky.   Come early, no late seating. Fee.

Sky Watch  9pm.  Join members of the Richmond Astronomical Society on the front lawn as they share their telescopes for a look at the night sky. Fee.

Saturday, July 17th

Origins of a Free America: The 1619 Assembly.  10am-5pm.  Henricus Historical Park.  Living-history interpreters will discuss the Great Charter of 1618 and what it would have meant to the residents of Henricus.  Fee.

Nature Works! Family Workshop: Garden Pollinators.  10am.  Families learn simple gardening tips to keep a garden productive while reducing water consumption.  Fee.

Behind the Scenes.  1pm.  Maymont Nature Center.  Fee.

Outdoor Community Movie Nights – “The Blind Side”.  6pm – Activities & Vendors, 8:45 Movie Starts.  Westhampton School playing fields, 5800 Patterson Avenue, Richmond.  Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Presented by Bon Secours/ St. Mary’s for Kids.  Rain date July 18th. Free.   

“Where the Wild Things Are” (PG).   8:30pm.  Deep Run Park.  Bring blankets for seating. The movie is part of Under the Stars Summer Family Film Series sponsored by Henrico County’s Division of Parks and Recreation.  Free.

Sunday, July 18th
Behind the Scenes. 1pm.  Maymont Nature Center.  Fee.
 

Tuesday, July 20th
Samantha's World.  9:30am.  Maymont Mansion & Grounds.  Fun American Girl program.  Fee.

Drop-in and Dig!  1pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers.  Free with garden admission

Summer Boredom Busters (Parents of Children 2 1/2 -6 Years Old).  6:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Pre-registration required.  Fee.

Wednesday, July 21st

Drop-in and Dig!  9am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers.  Free with garden admission.

Rock the Block.  6-8pm.  Robinson Park.  Enjoy live music by Lena Thomas, contests and games, face painting, and more! Concessions will be available for purchase. For all ages. Free.

Thursday, July 22nd

Summer Concert Series.  6pm-8pm.  Short Pump Town Center, Main Plaza.  Families are invited to enjoy free live music performed by local bands, great food, prizes and of course, fabulous shopping!  This week’s performance by The English Channel.  The Salvation Army  School of Performing Arts has a free kids zone from 6-8pm with kid friendly activities during the concerts.  Weather-permitting.  Free.

Cool Ways to Respond to the Hot Buttons Elementary Aged Kids   Push.  6:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Pre-registration required.  Fee.

Friday, July 23rd
Lions in the Library.  1pm.  Maymont Mansion.  Designed to teach young visitors about the animals that inhabit Maymont.  Fee.

Evening Bat Search.  7:30pm.  Maymont. Learn about one of nature's most fascinating creatures on this summer night.  Ages 5 and up; an adult must accompany children.  Pre-register.  Fee.
 

Saturday, July 24th

Meet the Critters.  9:30am-11:30am. Meadow Farm Museum. An up close and personal look at the farm animals to find out if a turkey has ears, which animal is a rare breed, where wool comes from, and much more. For all ages. Free.

Good Green Fun.  10am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Environmental education and “green” advocacy groups from the greater Richmond community are invited to the Children’s Garden to engage visitors in activities that relate directly to nature, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and Virginia’s environment.   Free with garden admission.

Superhero and Princess Day.  10am-4pm. The Children’s Museum of Richmond – Central.  Come to CMoR dressed as your favorite Superhero or Princess for many themed activities that will be available.  Free with museum admission. 

9th Annual Shockoe Tomato Festival.  11am-4pm.  17th Street Farmers Market. A fun-filled family event for our Favorite Fruit! In glorious plentitude, you'll find tomatoes in every conceivable form, an array of Market vendors, live music, tomato-themed children's activities, crowd entertainment, and back by popular demand, the Tastiest Tomato Contest! For more information call 646.0477.  Free admission. 

Midlothian Mines Park Tour.  11am-Noon.  Midlothian Mines. $8/ person, reservations required.  Fee.

Open House Celebration.  3pm-5pm.  Hidden Creek Recreation Center. 
Entertainment, refreshments, a special children's craft commemorating the Challenger crew at the Memorial Garden, and more! For all ages. Registration required and available online. Free. 

Saturday, July 24th & Sunday, July 25th

Allen & Allen Hoopla 3 on 3 Tournament.  Innsbrook Office Park.  Teams of all ages & skill levels take their shot at being the best on their court. Bring the family for food, fun, slam duck contest & giveaways.

Monday, July 26th

Henrico Concert Band.  7pm.  Dorey Park by the lake. Bring a lawn chair or sit in the bleacher seating and listen to a variety of festive music. In case of inclement weather, the concerts may be cancelled. For all ages. Free.

Tuesday, July 27th

Families After 5.  5-8pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.   On Tuesday evenings families gather in the Children's Garden to experience the joys of summer! WaterPlay will be open until 8:30pm.  Free with garden admission.
 

Green Hour.  6pm.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children of all ages are invited to spend a Green Hour in the Children’s Garden reading, listening to story books, and making connections with the natural world.  Featured books will be selected using the Children’s Garden monthly seasonal theme.  Free with garden admission.

Wednesday, July 28th

Drop-in and Dig!  9am.  Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.  Families with children are invited to drop-in and participate in simple, easy to learn gardening tasks under the guidance of Children’s Garden staff and volunteers.  Free with garden admission.

Willy Wonka Jr.  11am.  CMoR – Central.   SPARC performs Willy Wonka Jr! The performance is free with museum admission.

JUST ADDED!  Healthy Home Party.  6pm-7:30pm.  It's Hip to Be Round and MonkeyGrass, 3463 W. Cary Street, Richmond.  A fun event to learn how to create a healthy home environment for your family!  Healthy (and delicious!) snacks, door prizes, great information, and great swag bags for the first 25 ppl to rsvp (and show up!).  Free.

Wednesday, July 28th – Saturday, July 31st

Henrico Teen Theatre - "The Bremen Town Musicians".  10am & 2pm.  Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen.  A one-act fairy tale where four woebegone animals find friendship, foil a gang of robbers, and live happily ever after! Sponsored by The County of Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling 804.501.5859.  Free.
 

Thursday, July 29th

SPARC Presents Willy Wonka, Jr.  11am & 2pm.  This one-act musical version, based on the book Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, explores the timeless story of the world famous candy man and his quest to find an heir. For all ages.   Reservations required.  Free.

Summer Concert Series.  6pm-8pm.  Short Pump Town Center, Main Plaza.  Families are invited to enjoy free live music performed by local bands, great food, prizes and of course, fabulous shopping!  This week’s performance by Julius Pittman Revival.  The Salvation Army  School of Performing Arts has a free kids zone from 6-8pm with kid friendly activities during the concerts.  Weather-permitting.  Free.

Brain Development in Children and Teens, an Overview (For All Parents).  6:30pm.  Delivered by Commonwealth Parenting.  Pre-registration required.  Fee.

Henrico Community Band.  7pm.  Deep Run Park Nature Pavilion. Bring a lawn chair or sit in the bleacher seating and listen to a variety of festive music. In case of inclement weather, the concerts may be cancelled. For all ages. Free.

Saturday, July 31st

Richmond Dragon Boat Festival.  8am-4:30pm.  Rocketts Landing, Richmond, VA.  The first annual Richmond International Dragon Boat Festival.  Free for spectators. 

21st Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Duck Race.  11am-4pm (duck drop at 3pm).   Brown's Island.  A family event with as many as 20,000 ducks racing down the canal competing for $30,000 in prizes! It's a full day of all kinds of free children's activities, entertainment, an array of food vendors and of course, ducks! Free admission.