Richmond Main Street Initiative
The RMSI Impact
Destination Downtown
Richmond Main Street is showcasing Downtown businesses and attractions through a series that highlights different sectors in Downtown Richmond.
Historic Downtown Richmond is a vibrant, welcoming destination where local businesses flourish, entrepreneurship is celebrated, and residents and visitors gather to shop, dine, experience the arts, and connect with community.
Destination Downtown – Downtown Richmond a place worth discovering and supporting.
Upcoming Events
RMSI 2026 Calendar of Events
Monthly Downtown Walking Tours
The Downtown Walking Tours are every fourth Thursday of the month at 10:30 am – 12 pm. We will begin the tour at the RMSI office, located at 1600 Nevin Plaza, Richmond, C.A. 94801.
Music on the Main
Music on the Main is the Summer Concert Series held in Downtown Richmond at The LOT, 5 pm to 7 pm .
2026 Dates:
- Thursday, June 18th
- Thursday, July 9th
- Thursday, September 24th
Coffee with a Cop
Coffee with a Cop is a community event held at The LOT, Tuesday June 23rd from 10 am to 11:30 am. As part of a Richmond tradition, we invite the community and kids to come and meet the team and officers who protect our community.
Spirit and Soul Festival
The Spirit & Soul Festival in it’s 17th year, is a free, community-centered cultural event that has become a tradition in Downtown Richmond. On Saturday August 29th, 12 pm – 5 pm the festival activates 6 blocks on Macdonald Avenue, transforming the street into a vibrant space for arts, culture, wellness, and community connection. As part of the festivities we have Live Performances, a Classic Car Show, Health and Resource Hub, Youth Zone and Games, Food and Beverage Pavilion, Artisan and Craft Vendors.
Click on the links below to register for the Classic Car Show (all vehicles welcomed!) or to be a Retail Vendor for the Spirit and Soul Festival.
Halloween Stroll
The Halloween Stroll is a free, family-friendly event hosted in partnership with The LOT in Downtown Richmond, Thursday October 29th 5pm – 6:30 pm . Activities include a pumpkin-themed photo booth, children’s pumpkin painting and a trick-or-treat stroll.
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to support the local shops and entrepreneurs that make Richmond, CA unique. By shopping small in our downtown community, we help strengthen the local economyand keep Richmond’s vibrant culture thriving.
Downtown Holiday Festival
The Annual Downtown Holiday Festival is a free, family-friendly community celebration presented in partnership with the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts (EBCPA) and The LOT. Held on Tuesday December 8th , 4-7pm at the EBCPA. We provide gift bags for children, complimentary photos with Santa, live theatrical and musical performances by the students of the EBCPA.
2026 RMSI Events
Monthly Downtown Walking Tours
The Downtown Walking Tours are every fourth Thursday of the month at 10:30 am – 12 pm. We will begin the tour at the RMSI office, located at 1600 Nevin Plaza, Richmond, C.A. 94801.
Music on the Main
Music on the Main Summer Concert Series
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 Summer Concert Series returns to Downtown Richmond.
Bring your friends & family for an energetic evening of dancing, live music, local cuisine and beverages to enjoy the Music on the Main Summer Concert Series in the heart of Downtown Richmond. Mark your calendars with the 2026 Music on the Main dates for more evenings of live performances and entertainment.
2026 Dates:
- Thursday, June 18th ft. Andre Thierry
- Thursday, July 9th ft. Red Kicks Krewe
- Thursday, September 24th ft. Beaufunk
5pm-7:30pm
The LOT, 1401 Macdonald Ave, Richmond CA
See you September 24th for the next show featuring Beaufunk
2026 National Small Business Week
National Small Business Week: May 4th - 8th
Celebrating Small Businesses.
Building A Stronger Richmond.
Join the City of Richmond for a week of events, workshops, webinars, and connections designed to help businesses learn, grow, and thrive in the City of Richmond.
Monday, May 4th
11:30 am – 1 pm, CoBiz Workshop : Capital Un-readiness, the Power of Bookkeeping.
Tuesday, May 5th
12 pm – 2 pm, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center: Webinar on Sales with AI for Service Based Businesses – a Human Centered Approach
2pm – 3:30 pm , Richmond Chamber of Commerce: Digital Marketing Webinar
Wednesday, May 6th
10 am – 4pm, East Bay SBDC presents 2026 East Bay Capital Summit: Assisting Small Businesses Obtain Loan or Equity Financing
Thursday, May 7th
4pm – 7pm, Richmond Main Street and The LOT present: Richmond Did You Know – An event highlighting the food, retail and resources that the downtown area of Richmond has to offer. Entertainment and Demonstrations at The LOT.
Friday, May 8th
2pm – 5pm, City of Richmond presents the Small Business Resource Expo- Featuring local organizations, financial institutions and business support service. Workshops include: How to Start a Business & How to Become a Vendor for the City of Richmond.
National Small Business Week: Downtown Edition
Date: Thursday, May 7th
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The LOT , 1401 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
2026 Taste of Richmond
6th Annual Taste of Richmond
The 6th Annual Taste of Richmond is March 28th at the Richmond Auditorium.
The Taste of Richmond is presented by the City of Richmond Economic Development Commission, hosted by The Richmond Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Richmond Farmers Market and Richmond Main Street,
This signature event brings together food establishments celebrating the culinary talent of Richmond, beverage providers, artisans & craft vendors and live music.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, March 28th
🕐 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Richmond Auditorium
403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804
In The News: Downtown Richmond Walking Tour
In The News: State Officials Tour Downtown Richmond
Downtown Richmond Walking Tour | October 2, 2025
Community and state leaders joined the City of Richmond and Richmond Main Street for a walking tour of Downtown Richmond’s Macdonald Avenue corridor. The event showcased the city’s vision for revitalization and highlighted the efforts to attract housing developers, new businesses, support small entrepreneurs, arts and entertainment revival and create a welcoming, walkable downtown. Projects such as “The Lot” food court and the Richmond Rising Transformative Climate Community Hub fostering investment, economic growth and community engagement.
Throughout the tour, City Officials discussed opportunities for housing, infrastructure, and cultural investment that build on the work to vision and develop the heart of Richmond. With strong partnerships and strategic planning, Downtown Richmond is poised for a new era of growth and vitality—driven by collaboration, innovation, and the shared belief that the city’s core has “great bones, great heart”.
Senator Jesse Arreguin in Downtown Richmond
2025 EVENTS
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY FESTIVAL 2025
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2025
Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI), in partnership with the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, invites you to join us for the Downtown Holiday Festival—a free community celebration filled with holiday cheer for the whole family.
Enjoy live performances of the Nutcracker, free photos with Santa, kids’ gift bags, and helpful resources from local community partners. It’s a festive evening that celebrates our community and the spirit of the holiday season.
Friday, December 12, 2025
East Bay Center for the Performing Arts
339 11th Street, Richmond
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Nutcracker performance times:
- 5:00 PM
- 6:15 PM
Seating for the performances and gift bags for kids are first-come, first-served.
We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you and your family!
16TH ANNUAL SPIRIT AND SOUL FESTIVAL 2025
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025
The 16th Annual Spirit & Soul Festival transformed Downtown Richmond into a vibrant hub of music, culture, and community pride. Hosted by Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) on September 20, 2025, the event drew visitors from across the Bay Area to Macdonald Avenue for a full day of live entertainment, local shopping, and family-friendly activities.
This year’s festival featured a main stage with headliner bands, local artists and musicians, a youth zone with a soccer field, games and entertainment, a lively classic car and motorcycle show, dozens of local artisans and food vendors, and the debut of the Health and Resources Hub—a dedicated space that brought together more than 50 nonprofit organizations offering free resources, information, and giveaways to community members. The event not only celebrated Richmond’s cultural diversity but also highlighted the city’s growing momentum in downtown revitalization and public investment.
The Spirit & Soul Festival embodies RMSI’s economic development mission by stimulating local commerce, attracting visitors and entrepreneurs, and providing a dynamic platform for small businesses to thrive. Each year, this signature event serves as both a celebration and a catalyst—strengthening community connections, fostering business growth, and advancing the shared vision of a downtown Richmond that is walkable, welcoming, and full of opportunity.
MUSIC ON THE MAIN 2025
Summer Concert Series
Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) continued its mission to revitalize Downtown Richmond through arts, culture, and community engagement with the “Music on the Main” summer concert series. Held on the third Thursday of July and August, these events brought live music and vibrant energy to Macdonald Avenue, attracting residents and visitors to experience the heart of downtown. By combining music, local culture, and community connection, RMSI underscores its ongoing commitment to economic development and fostering a lively, pedestrian-friendly urban environment.
This year, RMSI partnered with The LOT Outdoor Food Court, welcoming a variety of food vendors to serve attendees in the concert space, enhancing the overall experience. Music lovers enjoyed performances by accordion soul artist Andre Thierry in July and Latin-Jazz band Sacred Fire in August, creating lively evenings of entertainment and cultural celebration. “Music on the Main” exemplifies RMSI’s vision of using arts and community events to strengthen downtown’s identity, support local businesses, and bring the community together in a shared celebration of Richmond’s dynamic spirit.
CONTACT US
Richmond Main Street Initiative, Inc.
Address: 1600 Nevin Plaza, Richmond, Ca 94801
Phone: (510) 236-4049
director@richmondmainstreet.com
