The Best Fall Activities around RVA

Whether this is your first fall in RVA or you're a Richmond-native looking to add more fun, fall festivities to your family's calendar, I have a bunch of kid-approved activities for you to try! I've rounded up my go-to places, activities and events during FALL IN RICHMOND, so you know the best places to visit. Grab your calendar and mark down all the fun you want to try in 2024!

My Fall Preview has something for everyone - from free, fall fun & festivals to pumpkin patches & apple orchards. Plus, these are all places and activities I've tried with my kids in tow... so I have a bunch of tips, tricks and recommendations!

Follow @thewestendmom on Instagram for things to do with kids in Richmond!

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Here are my favorite things to do with kids around Richmond each autumn!

Free, Fall Fun in RVA for Families:

Looking for a fall-themed activity to try every day of the week? These local greenhouses, nurseries and grocery stores create the cutest, all-themed pop-ups. You can visit them anytime between mid-September and November 1 for free, fall fun.

As soon as specific dates are announced, I will updated my guide.

1.Cross Creek Nursery - During the fall, you’ll find an autumn wonderland at both Cross Creek locations (Midlo and Short Pump). There are pumpkins & mums decorating the property, a bounce house & cute photo ops. You can paint your own mask, or if you buy a pumpkin you can decorate it! My kiddos also love the water features, bridges, slide & playhouse too.

2. The Great Big Greenhouse - Located in Bon Air, The Great Big Greenhouse creates a large Halloween-themed play area with games, pumpkins, a spooky bus & bounce house. It’s a free fall festival every day!

3. Levi's Pumpkin Patch - Located in Chesterfield, Levi’s Pumpkins is a family-owned & operated pumpkin patch that caters to children & families. With no admission cost, families can visit daily from 9am-7pm the entire month of October!

4. Pole Green Produce - Located in Mechanicsville, this open air market sells locally grown fruits + vegetables & delicious baked goods! In September & October, the market goes all out for Halloween. You’ll find giant monsters around the property, Halloween photo ops & a haybale castle.

5. Wegman's - Located in Short Pump, the seasonal display is set up at the entrance of the grocery store.

6. Skinquarter Farmer's Market: Located in Moseley, this market has free admission, and that includes hayrides and access to the corn maze and pumpkin patch. This pumpkin patch also has corn hole, painted pumpkins and photo ops.

7. Hanover Vegetable Farm's market: Just minutes from Glen Allen, this family owned farm has a pumpkin patch, garden center & market. While Hanover Vegetable Farm has a big patch with lots of fun activities, I love how the market sets up a mini pumpkin patch. This area is free to visit every day! It has haybale horses, tractors, & Halloween decor. This open air market also has a roof, making it perfect for any weather!

*Heads up: If you want to visit the massive, outdoor pumpkin patch, this area does have an admission cost.

Free, Fall Events in RVA:

Looking for a fall-themed events around RVA? These are my favorite fall-themed events and activities around RVA. These events have specific dates, and as soon as specific dates are announced, I will updated my guide.

1. Oktoberfest: St. Benedict's annual Oktoberfest is Friday, September 20 from 4pm-11pm, Saturday, September 21 from 11am-11pm, and Sunday, September 22 from noon to 6pm. This event has FREE admission, and it's rain or shine.

2. The Richmond Folk Festival: One of Virginia's largest events, this annual festival is on Septemner 27 to September 29. Admission is FREE, and you'll find live music on six stages, food trucks and more.

3. Armenian Food Festival: St. James Armenian Church hosts the Armenian Food Festival every September. This event is free to attend, and you can watch traditional Armenian performances and dances. They will also have food and drink for sale. The 2024 festival is October 4 and 5.

4. Free, Outdoor Movies at Tom Leonard's. This locally-owned farmer's market hosts free family friendly movies every Friday night in October. They start at 7pm on Fridays in October. The movie titles for these movie nights have not been released yet - keep your eyes peeled for updates!

October's Fridays are on the 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th this year!

5.Art Factory Play Cafe's Fall Festival: The Art Factory hosts a FREE festival every fall, and this year's even is on November 2 from 10am-2pm. You will find over 100 local vendors participating, and they offer free face painting, you can purchase food and drink from Art Factory and more.

6. Trunk or Treat Events at your local high school: Every October, local high schools host a free Trunk or Treat event for their community. It doesn't matter where you live or if you are zoned to that high school - you can still attend this free, family friendly event.

Typically, Trunk or Treat events are hosted in the high school's parking lot or gym, depending on the weather. Each club, student organization and athletic team decorates the "trunk" of a car or creates a booth for kids to treat or trick at. Clubs will have candy, prizes, games - these are really creative!

Where to pick apples around RVA:

Apple season is mid-August through mid-December, so you don't have to rush to the orchard in September (unless you want to!).

1. Hanover Peaches - 34 minutes from The West End

2. Fruit Hill Orchard - 59 minutes from The West End

3. Market at Grelen - 1 hour & 12 minutes from The West End

4. Chiles Peach Orchard - 1 hour & 15 minutes from The West End

5. Carter Mountain Orchard - 1 hour & 4 minutes from The West End

6. Henley's Orchard - 1 hour 17 minutes from The West End

7. Critzer Family Farm - 1 hour 17 minutes from The West End

If you'd like all the details on each of these Virginia orchards, check out my guide The Best Apple Orchards around RVA.

Where to pick pumpkins around RVA:

Pumpkin patches are usually open mid-September through October 31 with the smallest crowds in September.

1. Skinquarter Farm Market - Moseley

2. Chesterfield Berry Farm - Chesterfield

3. Lloyd Family Farms - Goochland

4. Hanover Vegetable Farm - Hanover, near Glen Allen

5. Richland Dairy Farm - Blackstone

6. Gallmeyer Farm - Varina

7. Liberty Mill Farm - Orange

8. Swift Creek Berry Farm - Chesterfield

9. Braehead Farm - Fredericksburg

10. Snead's Asparagus Farm - Fredericksburg

11. Ashland Berry Farm - Hanover

12. Belvedere Plantation - Fredericksburg

13. Sweethaven Lavender Farm - Williamsburg

14. Windy Knoll Farm - Hanover

15. Critzer Family Farm - Afton

If you'd like details on each of these pumpkin patches, check out my guide The Best Pumpkin Patches around Richmond. 2024 updates coming soon!

Ticketed, Fall Events in RVA:

These annual, fall events require a ticket for each person attending. Typically, children 2 or younger do not need a ticket.

1.The Virginia State Fair: The State Fair of Virginia is in RVA September 27 through October 6, 2024. The fairgrounds are stroller friendly - highly recommend bringing one because there's a lot of walking! With your ticket, you can watch the rodeo shows, pig races, visit with the animals, see prize winning produce and more! If you would like try the ride attractions, make sure you purchase a wrist band or ride tickets. These are an extra cost! If you can visit during the week, you will find a much smaller crowd! For tickets, visit The State Fair of Virginia's website.

2. Lewis Ginter's Concerts: You can visit for Flowers after Five and Groovin’ in the Garden to hear live music throughout the fall. While Flowers after Five is free for members or a regular garden admission, Groovin' in the Garden requires a separate ticket. Fall is also one of the prettiest times to visit Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden!

3. Rassawek Vineyard's Autumn Festival: Rassawek's annual Autumn Festival is on October 19 and October 20 this year. In addition to the Pro Rodeo, this event has so many activities and events for families. You can watch trade demonstrations like heavy equipment, welding, blacksmithing, explore the antique cars and equipment, and listen to live music. The Kids Corral has a corn pit, pumpkin decorating, and arts and crafts. Y

The Pro Rodeo has bareback riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, and more! All performances are sanctioned by the Southern Rodeo Association and International Professional Association.

Saturday's events are from 10am to 6pm with the rodeo show at 1pm. Sunday's events are from 11am to 5pm with the rodeo at 1pm.

4. Maymont's Garden Glow: The 7th annual Garden Glow is from October 19 through November 12! During Garden Glow, Maymont’s historic mansion & gardens will be glowing with colorful lights & illuminated displays. The carriage house lawn becomes a festival with food trucks, fire pits & a Glow Bar.

5. Music at Maymont: Maymont's outdoor concert series goes through October 3, and these concerts are family-friendly on the lawn by the historic mansion. You will find food trucks and beverage trucks, too. Make sure to bring chairs or picnic blankets!

September 4, 2024 - Band of Horses

September 13, 2024 - Dark Star Orchestra

September 16, 2024 - Black Pumas w/ The Dip

October 2, 2024 - Lake Street Dive

October 3, 2024 - My Morning Jacket

6. University of Richmond's football games: The Spiders have home football games from August through November, and the games are really family friendly. Every home game has a kids' zone with bounce houses, face painting and balloon animals.

The Richmond Spiders' usually host a FREE Trick or Treat event for all members of the Spiders' Kids Club in October.

7. Dominion Energy Charity Classic: This family-friendly golf tournament is back in RVA October 17-October 20. You can see your favorite golfers, grab their autographs & enjoy your day on the course. While on the course, you can enjoy BBQ, wine, oysters & more. The highlight for families is Kids Zone. You can play corn hole or mini putt putt, build at the Imagination Playground and try interactive golf experiences.

things to do with kids in RVA, RVA's fall festivals, pumpkin patches around Richmond

8.Busch Garden's Halloween Spooktacular: This 422-acre amusement park has rides, attractions & events for thrill seekers & families, including concerts & holiday events. We recently visited for The Count’s Spooktacular Halloween event. This not too spooky celebration is going on now through October 30. Kiddos 9 & younger can dress up in costume, trick-or-treat around the park, participate in costume parades… plus everyone can enjoy all the regular theme park attractions!

This Halloween event is on Saturdays and Sundays from September 24 to October 29, 2024.

*Check here for my full guide on Visiting Busch Gardens with Little Kids.

9. Kings Dominion's Tricks and Treats: Open since 1975, this theme park is located in Doswell, about 25 minutes from Richmond. Kings Dominion has 12 world-class coasters, a 20 acre water park, a 14 acre kids’ area, music festivals & seasonal events. You could easily spend a day here & you’d still need more time to explore the entire park!

Tricks and Treats is on Saturdays and Sundays from September 21 to November 3, 2024.

*Check here for my full guide on Visiting Kings Dominion with Little Kids.

Looking for more fall, family fun in Richmond? Check out my guide to free things to do around Richmond this fall.

*For more details on these fun, fall spots and more Virginia adventures, follow our family on @thewestendmom on Instagram!