Cost: Free
With musicians, and tons of vendors, an area for kids, and Watermelon, the Carytown Watermelon Festival has been a local favorite for more than 40 years. Come out and enjoy this most Richmond of events.
Each year upwards of 100,000 people come to Richmond, VA for what is almost certainly the largest Watermelon Festival in the U.S. This is a family friendly event, and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
LOCATION:
From the Publix side of Carytown at Thompson St. to the Byrd side of Carytown at Arthur Ashe Blvd.
Parking:
Parking is always a challenge in Carytown, and at no time more so than during the Watermelon Festival. We suggest considering carpooling. You can try to park on side streets. You can also look for parking decks located within the area. Look out for NO PARKING SIGNS and DO NOT PARK in Carytown Kroger or Publix lots, unless you are shopping there, because Towing will be enforced. The Byrd Park area is also a good potential parking location, if you’re willing to walk a bit.
Watermelon:
Where can I get watermelon slices? The Richmond area Shriners, as they do every year, vend Watermelon for $2. You can find them at their various booths!
Pets: This just isn’t the place to bring a dog, a cat, or any other animal unless they’re your kids. The pavement gets incredibly hot and their tiny feet just can’t take it. Also, there is so much going on it might not otherwise be safe for everyone.
Music:
Organizers release the music schedule & Images usually 2-3 days before the event. Last year 2024 (42 annual) the pictures were uploaded to their Facebook on AUGUST 9th. There are typically multiple stages.
Bathrooms:
There are ‘Porta-Potties’ on-site. You can also consider supporting a local restaurant, and eating or drinking there. Of course, most of those have facilities that customers can use.
Sunscreen + Hydration:
Water and other drinks are for sale. You should strongly consider using sunscreen, as this is typically one of the hottest days of the year.