The Richmond Folk Festival returns for its 20th anniversary Sept. 27 through 29, with a weekend packed with performances, cultural displays and community engagement. The festival, one of Virginia’s largest events, is expected to draw more than 200,000 attendees to Downtown Richmond’s riverfront.

The free, three-day festival features over 30 music and dance groups from around the world performing across six stages. Organizers announced the full schedule of performances this week, promising a blend of returning favorites and new acts to mark two decades of cultural celebration.

Among the highlights are performances in the Virginia Folklife Area, which will explore the African origins of textiles and musical expressions in a presentation curated by the Elegba Folklore Society in partnership with the Virginia Folklife Program. There will be demonstrations of indigo fabric treatments, traditional African music and African American quilts, alongside performances on the 21-string kora and djembe drums.

The Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage will also feature a variety of performances, including the return of jazz musician Danny Knicely and tap dancer Baakari Wilder, as well as bluegrass legends Johnny and Jeanette Williams.

Richmond’s own Legendary Ingramettes will grace the stage again, delivering their sanctified harmonies to the delight of festival-goers. New to the festival performers, such as Sephardic harmony group Minnush and banjo player Bill Evans, are set to make their debut.

In addition to music, the festival offers a Family Area, produced by the Children’s Museum of Richmond, featuring activities such as craft stations, soccer games and a sensory zone hosted by the Autism Society of Central Virginia.

The festival’s community outreach includes school programs, bringing live performances to local students, and a special collaboration between gospel singer Cora Harvey Armstrong and inmates at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women.

A highlight of the weekend will be an anniversary parade on Saturday, led by the Tremé Brass Band, stepping off at 5:30 p.m. from the American Civil War Museum.

The annual event is produced by Venture Richmond, in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts, Virginia Humanities and other sponsors. For more information and the full schedule of performances, visit richmondfolkfestival.org.