Best Family Giveaways in Richmond, VA: 2026 Local Guide

Richmond families can use free festival zones, kids club perks, library park passes and museum savings.
Richmond families have four verified ways to cut costs in 2026. They include free riverfront festival areas, a free baseball kids club, library backpacks with state-park parking, and reduced museum admission. Each option has firm limits on dates, ages, location, or eligibility.
Check those limits before you go so you get the free part without paying for extras.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on October 28, 2026.
What was free at the riverfront festival?
Richmond Folk Festival states the downtown riverfront event returned October 9-11, 2026. Admission to performances, the Virginia Folklife Area, and the Family Area was free, while food, drink, and merchandise cost extra, as described in the General Info page. That date window has now passed as of October 28, 2026.
The free part covered entry and viewing areas only. Families paid separately for anything they ate, drank, or bought.
Who qualifies for the free baseball kids club?
The Richmond Flying Squirrels state children 14 and younger can join the Squirrel Tails Kids Club. The Classic version is free and includes discounts and events, according to the Kids Club page. The All-Star upgrade is separate from the free Classic level.
Use the team page to confirm current signup steps and game-day redemption rules.
- Age: 14 and younger
- Cost for Classic level: free to join
- Extras at Classic level: discounts and events
- Upgrade option: All-Star adds Sunday tickets, shirt, and birthday announcement
How does the library park pass work?
Henrico County Public Library says families can check out a Nature Backpack at the circulation desk. Each backpack includes a free parking pass for any Virginia State Park, plus guides and discovery tools, as explained in the library news post. Ask for the backpack at the circulation desk, not the general shelves.
Use the parking pass for park entry, then use the guides and tools for hikes with kids.
When does museum admission cost less?
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture lists daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. hours at 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.
Members, student groups, and EBT/SNAP cardholders receive free admission, while other visitors pay daily admission, according to the Visit page. The free admission applies only to those named groups. Bring the qualifying card or group paperwork and confirm daily hours before you travel.