Your Guide to July First Fridays in the Richmond Arts District

THIS WEEK: Friday, July 5th, First Fridays in the Arts District is back to celebrate the Richmond Arts District with happy hour specials, store and sidewalk sales, vendor markets, opening exhibits, live performances, community celebrations & more throughout the Arts District’s galleries, restaurants, and shops.

Here are just a few of the events you’ll find at First Fridays in the Richmond Arts District:

UnBound! 13 Opening
6-9PM at Candela Books + Gallery

Join Candela for the 13th year of their annual juried + invitational exhibition, UnBound!

UNBOUND! is Candela’s only open call of the year and is dedicated to featuring a wide range of photographic artworks and artist books. Candela is proud of the show’s mission to generate opportunities and exposure beyond the traditional group or juried show by providing a free submission as well as a collection opportunity for select participating artists.

Maggie Walker 160th Birthday Kick-Off & Block Party
5-10PM at 200 W. Marshall Street (Gallery5)

July 2024 marks the 160th birthday of Maggie Lena Walker, Richmond’s pioneering Black banker, community leader, and a woman of faith, hope, and courage. You are invited to experience two weeks of art, community events, volunteer service, and special tours, exhibits, & presentations commemorating her life and legacy.

First Fridays at The Basement
5PM-12AM (FREE Admission) at 300 E. Broad Street

It’s a new month at The Basement, come by their speakeasy bar meets performing arts venue for a night full of creativity and curiosity:

Open Gallery curated by The Art Seen featuring Julius Davis & Dallas Roquemore: 5PM-12AM
Ghost Stories with River City Haunted: 6-7PM
DJ Sets by Al Lupo: 9PM-12AM
Pop Up Burlesque Performances by Nu Rodeo Caldonia: 10PM & 11PM

CNTR Summer Stage Series: A First Fridays Block Party
at 318 W. Broad Street

Celebrate summer in the Richmond Arts District with live musical performances, 30+ local vendors, a taco bar, and more!

Art

Featured Artist: Jarmarr Washington at Urban Hang Suite / 6-8PM
New Artist Showcase at The Brickhouse RVA / 5-8PM
Original Paintings & Prints by Jake Dyer at Charged Up! / 6-10PM
The Abstraktors at Hanbury / 5-8PM

Music & More!

RVA Moon Market at Gallery5 / 5-10PM
First Friday Super Sampler! at Coalition Theater / 7:30PM / Pay What You Can
2 Year Anniversary and Pop-up Shop at Sarah’s Den / 5-8PM
Sequoia at ada gallery / 8:30PM
First Friday Sales at Capitol Vintage / Open until 8PM
Fatties + Cider Tasting at Odd Bird / Open until 9PM

Explore all of the Richmond Arts District First Fridays events via the Google Map here!

The GRTC Pulse and public transit are FREE.

Plan your route, find bus schedules and pick your stop here.

Parking Lots and Decks for First Fridays:

$5 PARKING
Sponsored by RPAA and CityParking
623 E. Broad Street (behind Dominion Energy Center)

Use code: FFJUL24 at the parking kiosks located on the corners of 6th and 7th Streets.

Parking.com Locations:
107 N. 2nd Street: $3.50 for 2 hours
5th & Marshall Street Parking Deck: $5/hour
429 E. Broad Street: $5/hour

CityParking Inc. Locations:
2nd & Marshall Lot (Lot 200) at 401 N. 2nd Street: $2.75
Adams & Grace (Lot 3) at 18 W. Grace Street: $4 for 2 hours
Grace & Madison (Lot 217) at 217 W. Grace Street: $4.25 (1 hour) to $7.75 (4 hours)

On-Street Parking for First Fridays:
Free 2-hour parking can be found along Broad, Grace, Franklin, Marshall and Clay Streets from Belvidere to 5th Streets (don’t forget to check the side streets).