RVA's Special Event: Family Day at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Ready for a weekend adventure that’s free, fun and full of creativity?

Head to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for Family Day . This special celebration is on Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 11am to 3pm!

On Saturday, Family Day will put the spotlight on the country of Mali -- the art, music, and culture. And it's an event your whole crew will love!

During Celebrate the Art of Africa: Mali, you can enjoy live dance and music performances, get creative with hands-on art activities, and even help build a giant community weaving project! Children (and grown-ups) will love dancing in the Sculpture Garden to the sounds of DJ Mikemetic, while curious minds can explore the fascinating connections between art, culture and science inside the museum. Click here for the full schedule!

Family Day: Celebrate the Art of Africa: Mali on Saturday, June 7 from 11am to 3pm. This event is free -- no tickets or reservations required!

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What is Family Day?

The VMFA hosts Family Day events three times a year, and each one is a vibrant, memory-making experience.

You have a full day of creativity, discovery and fun. You can travel the globe without leaving the museum as you explore art and traditions from around the world. You can try your hand at making your own masterpiece, learn the science behind how art is made, and hear the fascinating stories behind the artists and their work. Whether you're painting, dancing or just soaking it all in, there's something fun for everyone.

This free event is packed with hands on art activities, lively performances, and cool surprises for kids and grown-ups alike. And it's all inspired by The Virginia Museum of Fine Art's collections and special exhibitions!

Upcoming Dates: Saturday, June 7 and Saturday, September 13

Cost: Free; no tickets required.

Best for: Children ages 3-12 yers old, but all ages are welcome!

*Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Everything YOU need to know about visiting The VMFA with kids:

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the US that is open 365 days a year with free general admission! And it's one of my go-to free places to visit with kids in Richmond. You can find a variety of free things to do like a gallery hunt or visiting for the Jazz Cafe, and you can also participate in early childhood, elementary, and teen art programs and camps.

Here are some of the things I do when I visit the VMFA with kids: The Sculpture Garden, Special Exhibit: The Samurai Armor, Free Jazz Concerts, and Early Childhood Art Classes.

The museum has over 50,000 works of art from around the world and from all time periods. You will find fine art, sculptures, photographs, and more. With permanent, rotating and special exhibits, the VMFA makes art accessible to everyone who lives in The Commonwealth!

Inside the museum you will find 100 galleries, including an art education center for children and families. Outside, you can enjoy the sculpture garden. It has plenty of space to run around and explore, and it's lovely for picnics.

The VMFA's educators created a bunch of resources and activities for families to use when visiting the museum. I usually print off a gallery hunt or activity before we visit too!

Where is the VMFA?

The VMFA is located in The Museum District of the City of Richmond.

Its address is: 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond, VA 23220.

Where is the best place to park?

The VMFA has its own parking deck. Parking costs $6 per vehicle.

You can also find street parking around the museum. This parking is free, and I usually grab a spot as soon as I see it!

When is the museum open?

The VMFA is open 365 days a year from 10am-5pm on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and from 10am-9pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

How much does it cost to visit?

The museum is free to visit every day! All Community Days and Family Days are also free to attend -- you don't need to pre-register.

Only rotating exhibits need a ticket, and children 6 & younger get free admission to all special exhibitions. Right now, Frida: Beyond the Myth is on display. This special exhibit costs $20 per adult, $16 for seniors (65+), and $10 for youth (ages 7-17). Children 6 and under can visit the exhibit for free.

Museums for All participants can purchase tickets for $2 each. Show your EBT card at the main desk to get your tickets.

As a participant of Blue Star Museums, the VMFA also offers free tickets to active duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel and their immediate families.

Additional programs for families, teens or young children:

Sunday, June 8, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, July 6, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, August 3, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Sunday, September 7, 2025: Open Studio Sundays is a free, open art studio for families! Visit between noon and 3pm, and a VMFA educator will lead you in an art project. Open studios happen on the first Sunday of each month, and no registration is required.

Saturday, September 13, 2025: This Family Day celebrates the Art of Latin America: Mexico. Visit the museum between 11am and 3 pm for a free, cultural event with performances, art activities, and entertainment. This event is open to all ages, but activities are geared towards children ages 3-12 years old. This is a free event; no tickets required.

Which areas of the museum are best for kids?

I absolutely love visiting the art education center and the sculpture garden with kids!

The art education center hosts early childhood, elementary and teen art classes and camps. This area of the museum also has hands-on exhibits for children to learn about art. You can play with magnetic shapes on the wall, jump on water-color stepping stones, and touch a variety of textures that are used in the exhibits around the museum. This area is little-kid friendly.

The sculpture garden is stroller-friendly and it has a lot of green space. My children love running up the stairs, rolling down the hills, and visiting all the sculptures.

I also like to print off a gallery hunt or guide before we visit! My kids really enjoy exploring the museum and learning about the different sculptures and art pieces through out the property. You can also make your own art work that connects with various exhibits at home, too.

Can I bring food and water into the museum?

Yes! You can bring in snacks and water to the museum, and there are designated eating areas in the museums. The museum also has three restaurants on property: The Best Cafe, Amuse, and Floris.

The Best Cafe is a causal eatery with a coffee shop, and you can order items like pizza, sandwiches and hot dogs.

Floris at The VMFA serves afternoon tea from Saturday to Wednesday. Their signature tea service has a rotating, seasonal menu inspired by The VMFA’s collections. Check here for my review of Southern Afternoon Tea.

Is the museum stroller friendly?

Yes! The entire museum is ADA accessible. You will find both stairs and elevators around the property.

You can find more things to do with kids on @thewestendmom 's Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok !