Richmond’s longest-running summer concert series, Friday Cheers, will take a hiatus in 2026 as construction begins on the Brown’s Island Improvement Project, Venture Richmond announced. The island will be closed to events from mid-November until early October 2026. Friday Cheers is scheduled to return in May 2027. 

The concert series, which started at Festival Park next to the Richmond Coliseum in 1984 and moved permanently to Brown’s Island in 2006, has featured a diverse lineup over the years. Notable past performers include Grammy-nominated rapper Pusha T, jazz-infused hip-hop group Digable Planets and R&B group Tank and the Bangas. 

Concept illustrations of Brown’s Island showingproposed features such as play areas and shade trees as part of the $30 million improvement project.

Brown’s Island, a public park and cultural hub along the James River, attracts more than a million visitors annually for concerts, festivals, recreation and daily visits. The $30 million improvement project will add basic infrastructure, including potable water, restrooms, ADA-accessible pathways, river terraces, shade trees, seating and a splash pad. The upgrades aim to enhance recreation, entertainment and environmental sustainability. 

The project, which began in 2018 and is part of Richmond’s 2012 Riverfront Plan, has received unanimous support from the city’s Urban Design Committee and Planning Commission. The city is providing $15 million in funding, with Venture Richmond raising an additional $15 million through private and philanthropic sources. Groundbreaking is expected later this year. 

Upcoming events will continue as planned. The 2025 Richmond Folk Festival (Oct. 10-12) and Allianz Richmond Marathon (Nov. 15) will proceed, as will the 2026 editions. Dominion Energy Riverrock will occur along the riverfront in 2026 but will not use Brown’s Island. 

During construction, the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge will generally remain open, accessible via Tredegar Street. The Canal Walk will detour around the island using the Haxall Point Bridge near 10th Street. 

Stephen Lecky, Venture Richmond’s director of events, said the hiatus will allow for a better experience when the series returns. “Once the Brown’s Island Project is complete, we plan to make the 2027 series one of the best yet,” he said.