Halloween itself lands in this edition’s window — on a Saturday, no less — and Richmond leans all the way into it: a Poe tour for cat people, a costumed cocktail night among the butterflies, a family Spooktacular from the Symphony, and a walking tour of the street that becomes the city’s biggest trick-or-treat destination. Come nightfall on Saturday, Hanover Avenue itself is the free, no-ticket event — thousands of costumed visitors, houses outdoing each other, and the Fan at its most itself. After the candy dust settles, the week rounds out with a gospel legend, glowing gardens, a neighborhood farmers market, and the usual free Wednesday jazz on the Boulevard. Here is what is on from Thursday, October 29 through Wednesday, November 4.
Special feature — the courtyard joins the candy run: On Halloween night, the English Village courtyard itself will be part of the trick-or-treating. Residents will be out by sunset with tables, decorations, and costumes, handing out candy to whoever wanders through the gates. If Hanover Avenue is the main event, think of the courtyard as the warm-up — or the wind-down. Stop by, say hello, and grab a treat from the neighbors behind those Tudor walls.
1. Poe and Cats Guided Focus Tour
Thursday, October 29, 1:00–2:00 PM
The Poe Museum, 1914 E Main St, Richmond
National Cat Day meets the museum’s spookiest resident: a guided specialty tour on Poe’s connection with cats, from the black cat of the famous tale to the felines that threaded through his life and work. It is a small, sharp, daytime way into Halloween week — an hour, a historic house museum, and a subject Poe himself would have approved of.
Cost: $12.
More info: Event page
2. Cocktails in the Conservatory
Friday, October 30, 6:00–9:00 PM
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave, Henrico
The Garden after hours, with a fall cocktail menu to match: Cranberry Aperol Spritz, Pie Spiced Mule, Apple Cider Hot Toddy, and Spiked Pumpkin Coffee, plus $10 small plates from fall charcuterie to sweet potato chili. Guitarist Buddy Lee plays live, the Butterfly Hall stays open after dark (arrive before its 7:30 PM close), and costumes are encouraged. A polished, grown-up start to Halloween weekend.
Cost: $25 members, $32 non-members; 21 and over. Drinks and bites additional.
More info: Event page
3. Richmond Symphony: When the Saints Go Marchin’ In
Friday, October 30, 7:00 PM
Carpenter Theatre, 612 E Grace St, Richmond
Trumpeter, vocalist, and conductor Byron Stripling leads the Symphony through New Orleans jazz, blues, and gospel — Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, W.C. Handy, Jelly Roll Morton — building to the rousing finale the title promises. If Halloween weekend wants a big, joyful night out that is not a costume party, this is it.
Cost: Ticketed; see the Symphony’s event page for current pricing.
More info: Event page
4. Jackson Ward Farmers Market — Season Finale
Saturday, October 31, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Abner Clay Park, Brook Rd, Richmond
The season’s last Jackson Ward market, hosted by the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia with the Happily Natural Festival: fresh produce and handmade goods from local Black farmers and makers. It is the community-centered way to start Halloween — shop the tables, then decide whether the afternoon belongs to the Symphony or the Fan. Note the museum’s own listing gives the finale hours as 10 AM–2 PM.
Cost: Free to attend.
More info: Event page
5. Spotlight Tour: Halloween on Hanover
Saturday, October 31, 10:00–11:30 AM
Meets at 3320 Hanover Ave, Richmond
Before the evening’s madness begins, The Valentine’s walking tour traces how Hanover Avenue became one of the country’s most celebrated trick-or-treating destinations — the history of Halloween in Richmond, and of the street itself. Go in the morning to learn the story, then come back after dark to live it.
Cost: $20 adults, $10 members, free for children.
More info: Event page
6. Richmond Symphony Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 31, 3:00 PM (Boo-Fest doors open 1:30 PM)
Carpenter Theatre, 612 E Grace St, Richmond
The family Halloween concert: Thriller, Danse Macabre, Night on Bald Mountain, and scores from Harry Potter, E.T., and The Nightmare Before Christmas, conducted by Jessica Altarriba. Boo-Fest opens at 1:30 PM with crafts, games, face painting, and an instrument petting zoo, all included with a concert ticket — and costumes are encouraged. The best-timed family event of Halloween day, with the evening still free for Hanover Avenue.
Cost: General admission $30; children 2 and under free on an adult’s lap.
More info: Event page
7. Cedar Street Baptist Church of God 159th Anniversary Concert featuring Pastor Shirley Caesar
Sunday, November 1, 5:00–7:00 PM
Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, 2301 Cedar St, Richmond
A Richmond institution marks 159 years with a gospel legend: Pastor Shirley Caesar headlines the anniversary concert, joined by John Foxx & New Fellowship and Voices of Cedar. Seating is first come, first served, and every attendee needs a ticket. This is the weekend’s big-room, big-voice counterpoint to Saturday’s costumes — and a rare chance to see a gospel great in an intimate, historic church setting.
Cost: $40 general admission; $50 at the door.
More info: Event page
8. Garden Glow at Maymont
Nightly through Sunday, November 8; last entry 9:00 PM
Maymont, Robins Nature Center entrance, 2201 Shields Lake Dr, Richmond
Maymont’s after-dark fundraiser is in its final week: a mile-long path of new-for-2026 displays — Petals in Pink, the Field of Fireflies, 20-foot Light Ladders, an expanded Laser Lane in the Japanese Garden — plus fire pits, food trucks, and Glow Bars in the Glow Village. Timed-entry tickets, about 90 minutes to walk the full experience. With the Halloween crowds gone, the last few nights are the quieter way to see it.
Cost: $21–$25; value nights $16–$20.
More info: Event page
9. Birdhouse Farmers Market
Tuesday, November 3, 3:00–6:00 PM
Birdhouse Farmers Market, 1507 Grayland Ave, Richmond
The midweek neighborhood market, still running into November (with an earlier 6:00 PM close as the days shorten): local produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and SNAP matching for fresh fruits and vegetables, steps from the Randolph Community Center. A low-key, useful Tuesday stop — and a good excuse to stock up after the holiday-candy weekend.
Cost: Free to attend.
More info: Event page
10. Dominion Energy Jazz Café: Carla Jackson & Friends
Wednesday, November 4, 6:00–8:00 PM
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Cochrane Atrium, 200 N Arthur Ashe Blvd, Richmond
The weekly Wednesday jazz series continues with Carla Jackson & Friends, presented with the Richmond Jazz Society. Free, no registration, in the Cochrane Atrium — but seats fill fast, so arrive early. The museum stays open until 9 PM on Wednesdays, so pair the music with the galleries, including the Virginia Watercolor Society exhibition in its final days.
Cost: Free; no registration required.
More info: Event page
Know of an event we should include in a future edition? Send us a tip through the contact page — the more neighborhood the better.
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