Event times and locations may change after posting. Please visit the website or call to confirm event details.
Have an event to add to our calendar? Email us at christa@richmondmom.com! Don’t forget to check your Richmondmom.com Savvy Saver card for great savings at many local events and activities for kids and adults. Don’t have a card? No worries – download a copy here!
Visit our Richmond Summer Camps and Summer Fun 2013 links for a huge listing of camp options and things to do all summer long.
Now Through August
Fit4Moms is beginning a Mini Body Back session the week of July 8, 2013 for 4 weeks and another one in August for 4 weeks. They will resume the traditional 8 week sessions in the fall. You can register online and get more information regarding times and locations at www.richmond.fit4mom.com.
SUMMER KIDS CLUB every Thursday at 10am in Whole Foods Short Pump café. Just $3 per child. Kids do a fun craft and have a tasty snack. Craft will be hosted by the Children’s Museum of Richmond. Ages 3-8. Must pre-register. Call 364-4050.
Permanent Exhibit at the Science Museum
Boost! is OPEN, Signaling Beginning of Multi-Year Transformation for the Museum – Now Open! Celebrate with us as the Museum shares its biggest new, permanent exhibition in a decade and heralds the start of new, exciting things to come. Boost! challenges your perception of health and wellness in a way that is personalized and playful! Included with exhibit admission- $11 with $1 discounts for ages 4-12 and 60+. Free for members. Read our review here.
July 11 Through July 24, 2013
Arthur Ashe Birthday Celebration at the Science Museum of Virginia. Arthur Ashe Learning Center Inspirational Tour Arthur Ashe Birthday Celebration. Thursday, July 11-Wednesday, July 24, normal Museum hours Celebrate the 70th birthday of the late Arthur Ashe and discover the life and legacy of this Richmond native. The exhibit during Museum hours is free.
Now Through August 4
Brandon McKinney. Photo by Jay PaulVirginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of The Music Man at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre on Friday, June 28 with a Preview on June 27. The show runs through August 4, 2013. Read about it here.
Now Through August 18
SYMMETREES at The Science Museum of Virginia. Photographer and sculptor John Moser shares his unique view of fallen trees in Central Virginia forests by capturing their photos, then enhancing them so that the images take on a life of their own. Included with exhibit admission. Free for members.
Now Through September 6
Flight of the Butterflies – The Science Museum of Virginia: Read our Real Richmond Review.Migrate with hundreds of millions of Monarch butterflies across North America! Discover the hideaway of these magnificent creatures – a secret that was unlocked after 40 years of research by Dr. Fred Urquhart. Immerse yourself in this compelling adventure as you find a super generation of butterflies who miraculously travel to a new and remote destination. Experience firsthand the beauty of the migration cycle of butterflies spanning not only thousands of miles but generations!
To The Arctic at The Science Museum of Virginia: Through September 6, 2013. Venture across floating ice with a mother polar bear and her two cubs as you take an extraordinary journey into the Arctic. Discover the constant struggle for survival as they face natural predators and a rapidly changing climate. Travel with a herd of caribou to their calving ground and plunge into the ethereal underwater world of waltzing walruses! Gaze across an exquisite spectacle of sapphire white as you see hundreds of miles of snow-bound peaks in this breath-taking film!
Hubble. Journey through distant galaxies and accompany astronauts as they attempt the most difficult and important tasks in NASA’s history. $9 general admission, $5 for members.
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk. Experience an exhilarating raft ride down the Colorado River with a team of explorers including renowned river advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and anthropologist Wade Davis. $9 general admission, $5 for members.
Now Through September 29
Robots + Us at The Science Museum. The Museum is open 9:30am-5pm on Memorial Day. What differentiates humans and robots? Explore what it means to be human by examining how lifelike machines emulate four major categories of human capabilities: moving, sensing, thinking and being. Take a closer look into robotics, computer science and biomedical engineering as you encounter interactive components, videos and much more! It’s here now through September 29, 2013!
Plan ahead: Opening July 12, 2013 Through August 1, 2013
Virginia Repertory Theatre celebrates the 60th anniversary of the founding of Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern with a production of Steel Magnolias featuring an all-star cast. Click here for more information.
ALL WEEK
Take advantage of CMoR’s extended summer hours with fun activities each weeknight! All Summer Nights activities are free with museum admission. A variety of food options are available at the Seymour Snack Shack including frozen yogurt, popcorn, snow cones and a variety of hot and cold beverages like coffee and juice.
And don’t miss the annual Summer Series program, sponsored by the Goddard School, at the Children’s Museum’s Central location on select Saturdays – and it will now be offered at the Chesterfield location on select Sundays in July and August! All Summer Series events are free with museum admission.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Flying Squirrels Baseball Game at 12:05pm at The Diamond. Camp Day with $1 Hot Dogs.
Elements in Painting, Beginning Drawing and Creative Cultures. 1pm-4pm. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Kids Programs.
“Dig into Reading!” with Magician Rob Wescott. Rob Wescott is an award-winning professional comedic magician. He features popular children’s books promoted through wonderful magic, puppetry, and audience participation. Goochland, Montpelier, Cochrane Rockville, and Mechanicsville Libraries. See website for times and details.
Puppet Show at Clover Hill Library. Meet shy dinosaurs, magic fish and musical mosquitos in a fast-paced show by The Fischer Sundae Puppets full of stories and songs. Register: 804-751-CCPL.
Tuesday, July 9
Short Pump Pals Clubhouse Meeting at 11:00 a.m. Short Pump Mall Food Court. Free – Play ball with NUTZY! Enjoy a Meet and Greet with Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot NUTZY and learn all about the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ family fun events! PLUS enter to win a family four pack of tickets to a Richmond Flying Squirrels game!
Is this Art? Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – Preschool Programs at 10:00 a.m.
Dig Into Crafts at West End Library. Make a slithery snake for free. 5420 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA.
The Flying Squirrels at 1:30pm – 2:00 pm at Ginter Park Library. Come meet Nutzy the Squirrel and Parker the Rally Pig. There will be a special reader for this story time for ages 4 -10. Free event. 1200 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, VA.
Your Youngster and You at All Fired Up. At any area location, get the perfect print from your infant or toddler and turn it into a summer-themed flip flop keepsake plate. Registration required: 804-355-3412.
Ready for School or Ready for Life at 7pm. Midlothian Library, 521 Coalfield Rd, Midlothian, VA 23114 United States Help your child foster skills that encourage them to be curious, engaged, independent, able to solve problems and work well with others. This workshop will break down what real world benchmarks are at the ages/ stages from toddler to high school. Lead by Sarah McDowell, Head of School at Montessori Center for the Child.
Wednesday, July 10
Wine Down at the Wine Loft to Benefits CJSTUF! Help us raise money for CJSTUF and have fun doing it.
Mommy & Me and Daddies Too. 10am-11:30am at Willow Lawn Plaza. A free morning out with live entertainment and activities designed to enhance parents´ interaction with their children. Stop by and say hello to Richmondmom.com too. This month enjoy fun with Rocknoceros.
Arthur Ashe Birthday Celebration at the Science Museum of Virginia. Arthur Ashe Learning Center Inspirational Tour Arthur Ashe Birthday Celebration – 6:30-9 pm. Tickets required for evening preview.
Busytown at the West End Library at 10am. Meet some favorites from Richard Scarry’s Busytown. This program is for children age three to six with an adult. Registration is required: 804-646-1877.
Bilingual Story Time at Meadowdale Library at 6:30pm-7:15pm. Parents and children can enjoy this read-aloud English/Spanish that grows language and literacy skills, paving the way for school preparedness. Repeats each week. ( – free. 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, Richmond, VA.
Diggity Dudes – Kid Rock. 11am on the Ha’Penny Stage, Dogwood Dell Park, City of Richmond. A special free children’s series performance on the Ha’Penny Stage at the 57th Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell.
“Dig into Reading!” with Magician Rob Wescott. Rob Wescott is an award-winning professional comedic magician. He features popular children’s books promoted through wonderful magic, puppetry, and audience participation. Hanover, Atlee, and Ashland Library. Visit website for times and details.
The Food Truck at Chesterfield Town Center. 6pm – 9pm.
Thursday, July 11
Slurpee Day at 7-11. Commemorate 7-Eleven’s 85th birthday with a free 7.11 ounce Slurpee between 11am and 7pm. Download the music and create your own Slurpee Dance to share with the world too!
SUMMER KIDS CLUB every Thursday at 10am in Whole Foods Short Pump café. Just $3 per child. Kids do a fun craft and have a tasty snack. Craft will be hosted by the Children’s Museum of Richmond. Ages 3-8. Must pre-register. Call 364-4050.
Annie the Musical at Central Library, 9501 Lori Road, Chesterfield, VA. 6:30pm-7:30pm. Can feisty little Annie escape her hard knock life in evil Miss Hannigan’s orphanage? Bring your camera for a meet and greet with the cast after the show. Register: 804-751-CCPL. (Free)
Just Duct Tape It! at Ashland Library, 201 S. Railroad Avenue, Ashland. 6-7pm. Ashland Library, 201 S. Railroad Ave., Ashland, VA 23005 6:00 p.m. Just Duct Tape It! Ages 11 & up. Make a cool craft out of duct tape. Snacks provided by the Friends of the Ashland Library. (804) 798-4072
Barnes & Noble Children’s Storytime. 10:30am. Barnes & Noble Store in Short Pump, 11640 W. Broad Street. For information call 804-360-0103.
Friday, July 12
Chick-Fil-A Cow Appreciation Day. Chick-fil-A will award a FREE Meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) to any customer who comes to one of their 1,700+ restaurants fully dressed as a cow. Wear a partial costume and get a free entrée.
YUMMYFUN Workshop and Ice Cream at CMoR at 2pm. The FREE event is scheduled for Friday, July 12th, 2013 from 2pm – 3:30 pm. Breyers will sponsor the “YummyFun Workshop” at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. Clare will demo some of her most unique recipes for families.
Yard Sale to Benefit CARITAS. 10am-3pm. CARITAS Furniture Bank, 1125 E. Commerce Road Richmond, VA. Home furnishings, china cabinets, office furniture, collectibles, arts, frames, and more. All proceeds benefit CARITAS.
Build a Terrarium at Midlothian Library, 529 Coalfield Road, Midlothian, VA. 11am-noon. Free – Gardening experts from The Great Big Greenhouse will guide you and your family in this hands-on DIY project. Registration required: 804-751-CCPL.
Free Friday Morning Movie at Goochland Library. 10am-11:30am. 3075 River Road, Goochland, VA. Can feisty little Annie escape her hard knock life in evil Miss Hannigan’s orphanage? Bring your camera for a meet and greet with the cast after the show. Register: 804-751-CCPL.
Free Friday Family Fun at Cochrane Rockville Library, 16600 Pouncey Tract Road, Rockville, VA. 1pm. Friday Film Festival – See a great family movie on the big screen. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Rockville Library. (804) 749-3146.
“Dig into Reading!” with Magician Rob Wescott. Rob Wescott is an award-winning professional comedic magician. He features popular children’s books promoted through wonderful magic, puppetry, and audience participation. King & Queen, Upper King William, and West Point Libraries. Check website for times.
Jazz Concert 8pm 9pm. Byrd Park – Dogwood Dell, 6000 South Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220. Smooth jazz by David Esleck on the main stage.
Saturday, July 13
Annual Hanover Tomato Festival – 9am-4pm. Pole Green Park, Mechanicsville, Virginia. Take home original Hanover Tomatoes, purchase crafts from area artisans, obtain information on products and services from local businesses, enjoy entertainment and free children’s activities and games.
Yard Sale to Benefit CARITAS. 9am-1pm. CARITAS Furniture Bank, 1125 E. Commerce Road Richmond, VA. Home furnishings, china cabinets, office furniture, collectibles, arts, frames, and more. All proceeds benefit CARITAS.
Clean Air &Community Wellness Fair in RVA. 11am-3pm. Food, health information, screenings, and more.
Glam Party at Deep Run Park and Recreation Center (9900 Ridgefield Pkway, Richmond). Ages 4 – 6 and their moms will have a glitz and glam manicure with posh polish. Register: 804-501-7275.
Curious George Film Fest at Chester Library. 10:30am-4pm. George’s curiosity gets him into a series of predicaments in this endearing big-screen adaptation of the beloved books by Margaret and H.A. Rey. Additional screenings at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 11800 Centre Street, Chester, VA.
Down on the Farm Day at CMoR Central – Come on down to the farm! Make fun farm-themed projects, meet Miss Virginia, visit with a real live cow and baby calf and more. Free with museum admission.
Paws to R.E.A.D. at LaPrade Library at 10am-11:30am. 9000 Hull Street Road, Richmond. VA. Research shows that children who have difficulty reading in front of teachers, parents or peers feel comfortable reading to a dog. Register at the library or call 804-768-7941.
Twilight Paddle at Pocahontas State Park. 7pm-9pm. Canoe trip for families with children ages 6 and up. All equipment is provided. Register: 804-796-4255.
Sunset Paddle at Dutch Gap Conservation Area – 251 Henricus Park Road, Chesterfield, VA. 5:30pm. Paddle and float during the evening hours, observe wildlife and see the sunset and the moonrise. Ages 10 and up, all equipment is provided. 804-318-8735.
Jammin’ on the James at the Wilton House Museum. 6pm-8pm. Bring a picnic dinner for family-friendly jazz music on the scenic grass terrace. Enjoy walk-through tours of Wilton as well as face painting, games, and crafts for the kid
James River Splash and Dash at Belle Isle. 5pm-7pm. The James River Splash and Dash is a competitive race and flat water tube event. Participants run a trail course, grab a tube, paddle (with their hands) across a stretch of the James, and run their tube to the finish line. After the race, JRA hosts an after party! The Richmond event is located near Belle Isle with the after party located at Historic Tredegar.
Toy Story Pizza Planet Truck. Local Lowes Stores at 10:00 a.m. – The Pizza Planet Truck from Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story has arrived! Bring your child to Lowe’s to build the iconic truck from the Toy Story films. Registration required. 10am.
Sunday, July 14
Down on the Farm Day at CMoR Chesterfield – Come on down to the farm! Make fun farm-themed projects, meet Miss Virginia, visit with a real live cow and baby calf and more. Free with museum admission.
Reenactment of the Second Virginia Convention.
Toy Story Pizza Planet Truck. Local Lowes Stores at 10:00 a.m. – The Pizza Planet Truck from Disney∙Pixar’s Toy Story has arrived! Bring your child to Lowe’s to build the iconic truck from the Toy Story films. Registration required. 2pm.
Clowning Around with Shakespeare. 4pm – A special children’s series performance on the Ha’Penny Stage at the 57th Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell.
