Art After Hours: weekly live music and poetry readings are scheduled on Thursday evenings in January and February and wine and beer is served.

Kids Carniball: kids can sample international food and enjoy music from many countries, as part of this celebration of world cultures and traditions. Held at the Children's Museum of Richmond, the featured countries change each year.

Maymont Flower and Garden Show: this is a breath of spring to help you through the winter. You’ll find great garden ideas from the many landscape exhibits and interesting lectures and a marketplace of gardening goods as you wander through this flower and garden lover's paradise.

Church Hill Irish Festival: on the weekend after St Patrick’s Day, the Church Hill neighbourhood puts on a special tribute to the Irish. There are Irish dancers, musicians and bagpipers performing at this festive event.

Ashland Variety Show: singers and dancers of all ages come together when Randolph-Macon College hosts this bi-annual musical variety show. This is an event the whole family will enjoy.

Running of the Strawberry Hill Races: for horse lovers, the Strawberry Hill Races are an annual rite of spring. There’s steeplechase racing, tailgating competitions, music and a chance to watch the people as they arrive in their finest.

Historic Garden Week in Virginia: this is an opportunity to actually get inside some of the Richmond region’s magnificent homes. Tour some of the beautiful homes and gardens during this state-wide event.

Arts in the Park: this is a lovely setting for more than 450 artists from across the US to display their talents in painting, sculpture, pottery and crafts. Be sure to take in this delightful outdoor festival during your visit to the area.

Henrico Open: this four-day golfing event brings competitors from all over the country to vie for the $450,000 at stake. The Henrico Open is held at The Dominion Club, a private course in Henrico County.

Hanover County Heritage Day: the numerous significant historical sites take centre stage during this event in Hanover County. Music, food and fun are on offer.

Ashland Strawberry Faire: strawberries are the centre of attention at the Ashland Faire. You can pick your own berries and also enjoy some of many delicious recipes prepared by local vendors. The whole family will enjoy the food and the fun.

Juneteenth, an Emancipation Commemoration: held on 19 June, this is the oldest known event celebrating the end of slavery in the US. Here’s a chance to combine an educational event with family fun at this commemoration sponsored by the Elegba Folklore Society.

Richmond Braves Fourth of July Extravaganza at the Diamond: baseball and fireworks are about as American as you can get. This special event is very popular, so check for tickets early if you’re in Richmond for the 4 July. Website: www.rbraves.com

Hanover Tomato Festival: a festival dedicated to the celebration of the tomato. It happens to be the area's most well-known fruit which is celebrated with arts and crafts, contests, entertainment and lots of foods made with tomatoes.

Virginia Food Festival: a great opportunity to sample the tastes of Virginia, from the food of the Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is an all-you-can-eat feast, which also includes cooking demonstrations, watermelon eating contests, grape stomping and more.

Henricus Publick Day: celebrate the anniversary of the 1611 founding of the city of Henricus, with activities spanning the history of more than three centuries. There are military re-enactments, Virginia Native American activities, storytelling and other events for children, all bringing the past to life.

State Fair of Virginia: state fairs are held across the nation and are truly an American tradition. At the Virginia state fair, you can watch pigs race, eat fried oreos, see livestock judging and enjoy the midway rides and games all at this annual fall event.

National Folk Festival: enjoy folk music from around the world performed by local and national musicians, as well as food and crafts at the oldest multi-cultural traditional arts celebration in the US.

Harvest Festival: celebrate the fall season with the whole family at Meadow Farm and Crump Park. For your enjoyment, there’s music and dancing, living history exhibits, scarecrow making and a petting zoo for the kids.

Richmond Highland Games and Celtic Festival: one of the premier Celtic events on the east coast of the US is held in Richmond. Join in the fall fun and bring the family for the Celtic music and dancing and to sample some of the traditional food and drink.

Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Arts and Crafts Festival: everything homemade, from jam and jewellery to pottery and paintings, is featured at this event that has been recently named one of the top two arts and crafts festivals in the US, by Sunshine Artist magazine.

GardenFest of Lights: the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens are spectacular at any time of year, but when more than 450,000 lights are added to the natural beauty, the 40 acres of gardens are breathtaking.

Grand Illumination at the James Center: music, a visit from the Snow Queen, the illumination of the city’s largest buildings and 100 dancing reindeer all help kick off the holiday season. The activity takes place just outside the James Center.

Capital City Kwanzaa Festival: join in the celebration of this important African-American holiday and enjoy musical and dance performances, fun activities for the kids and an African market.