The 2nd Street Festival fills Jackson Ward with music, art, food, and a vibrant celebration of Richmond’s past and present.
2nd Street Festival
in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood of Downtown Richmond, Virginia
Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4, 2026
The 2nd Street Festival returns this fall, Saturday-Sunday, October 3-4, marking its 38th year in Downtown Richmond! The annual festival celebrates the rich culture of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. This FREE event is produced by Venture Richmond Events.
Each year thousands visit historic Jackson Ward to reminisce about the days when 2nd Street was the heart and soul of Richmond's African American community and was known as “the Harlem of the South.” Today, Jackson Ward continues to be a thriving neighborhood and community. The 2nd Street Festival is an annual celebration over two days that features three stages of live musical entertainment along with a Kidz Zone, popular food vendors, a marketplace and Artists Row to shop, and the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club.
Special Musical Guests
Saturday’s Headliner, DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff has been an esteemed DJ, music producer and actor from the 1980’s through today. In the early 1990’s on the television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played a character who was Will Smith's best friend. And as a musical duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince had several gold and platinum-selling albums and singles in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, becoming the first hip-hop act to receive a Grammy Award in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand," and a second for "Summertime."
DJ Jazzy Jeff is credited, along with DJ Spinbad and DJ Cash Money, with popularizing the transformer scratch method. He also played a pivotal role in the rise of “neo-soul.” As recently as 2025, DJ Jazzy Jeff was announced as one of the remixers for this year’s FIFA World Cup theme, representing Philadelphia.
Sunday’s Closing Performance, Plunky & Oneness
For over 55 years, native Richmond saxophonist, songwriter and producer J. Plunky Branch has been at the vanguard of Afro-centric jazz, funk, R&B, house music, and go-go, weaving these interrelated musical forms into a forward-looking message of empowerment, positivity, and cultural awareness.
Along with his band, Plunky & Oneness, he has appeared along with some of the biggest names in Black music, including Patti Labelle, Ray Charles, Earth Wind & Fire, Frankie Beverly & Maze, LL Cool J, Chuck Brown, and more. His song “Every Way But Loose” was a top ten soul music chart hit in London in the 1980’s and his hit single, “Drop,” was released in 2007.
2nd Street Festival Location
In the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, within an eight-block area along N. 2nd Street between E. Broad and E. Jackson Streets in Downtown Richmond.
Vendor applications for the 2026 2nd Street Festival are closed.
Special photographers and videographers have been hired by festival organizers to document the event. Some images may be used in later promotional materials. Your presence at the event is seen as your permission for such promotional use by the nonprofit organizers.
Portable restrooms are located throughout the festival. Free hand sanitizer will be available at these locations.
Emergency service centers are available at the festival.
The 2nd Street Festival will go on, rain or shine.
There is no dedicated event parking, but around the festival site there are surface parking lots and available on-street parking, specifically on the south side of E. Broad Street between Foushee Street and N. 5th Street.
We advise festival attendees to use the GRTC Pulse bus service which has a stop at 2nd and E. Broad Streets.
Rideshare services are also advised. Best drop off address for rideshare is: 124 E. Broad St., Richmond, 23219
Be sure to check out our Downtown Richmond Transportation Guide to determine the best way to get to the event and around the city of Richmond during the 2nd Street Festival!
Items that are permitted include, but are not limited to:
FOLDING CHAIRS ARE RECOMMENDED – we ask that you bring your own portable chair to comfortably enjoy the live music.
Ponchos and small, personal umbrellas are permitted in the case of rain.
Items that are not permitted include, but are not limited to:
No pets (official service animals are permitted)
No coolers, or large backpacks
No alcohol
No bottles/glass containers
No illegal substances, illicit goods, fireworks, weapons, guns, knives or laser pointers will be permitted at the event and violators will be held accountable and prosecuted by state and federal law.
No flying objects (drones, kites, Frisbees, footballs, etc.)
No riding bikes or scooters through the festival site
DO NOT BRING PETS (other than service animals) to the festival. We expect large crowds and your pets will be more comfortable at home.
The 2nd Street Festival is a FREE event. Food, drink and merchandise are available for sale.
2026 Festival Sponsors
Please email us for information on all 2026 sponsorship opportunities.
