Glow sticks in the woods. Delicious, multi-course dinners for a good cause. Tricks, treats and, of course, candy. October is shaping up to be a real good time. Take a look at our latest Phil-In roundup with exciting events, performances and heart-warming nonprofit news from around Virginia.
Glowing Up at MaymontGarden Glow returns to Maymont, Oct. 15 through Nov. 9, with light displays, illuminated art, and family-friendly activities. Guests will enjoy lighted hillsides, glowing peonies, origami birds, and a lit Japanese Garden along the Woodland Trail. There also are fire pits, s’mores, cocoa, food trucks, Glow Bar, Glow Swings, Shadow Wall, and Big Bright Mega Light. The event runs for four weeks — tickets available at maymont.org/gg-tickets.
Nonprofit Performances You Don’t Want to Miss
The Richmond Ballet’s “Moving Art Two: Director’s Choice” will be showing Oct. 16-26 at the VMFA. Tickets start at $29. Want something a little more seasonal? Richmond Shakespeare’s “Witch” will be running at the Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Theatre Gym Oct. 23 through Nov. 9. The performance is a modern retelling of a Jacobean classic featuring a devil bargaining for souls — until one woman refuses to play along.
Week Moments: Richmond Restaurant Week is Back
Richmond is celebrating 24 years of Richmond Restaurant Week! From Oct. 20-26, enjoy a fabulous meal at one of our city’s best, locally owned restaurants. Proceeds help Feed More nourish our neighbors in need. Each restaurant offers a three-course prix-fixe meal for $35.25 with $5.25 donated per meal to Feed More. Eating local for a good cause never tasted so good. Learn more and check out participating restaurants at RRWeek.com.
Free Fall Family Fun X Two
Looking for some family-friendly Halloween fun? We’ve got two for you. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is hosting its annual Trick or Treat on Friday, Oct. 24 from 4-7 p.m., featuring trick-or-treating with over 20 local nonprofits, crafts, games, a Halloween band, bounce house, trackless train, chocolate-making demos and free museum admission. The event is free, but registration is encouraged at virginiahistory.org.
The following day, Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Commonwealth Autism and Good Foods Grocery is hosting its Second Annual Harvest for All Festival, which celebrates the harvest season while supporting programs that create inclusive opportunities for individuals with autism. Find more info here.
Smart Cookies: Girl Scouts of Virginia opens new HQ in Henrico
The Girl Scouts of Virginia has opened a new 18,000- square-foot headquarters on Skipwith Road in Henrico. Formerly a BB&T branch building, the renovated space features a teaching kitchen, makerspace, podcast studio and lending library. Designed with input from Scouts themselves, the $1 million renovation aims to inspire creativity and leadership and, unlike its last space, allows for larger Scout gatherings. Learn more on Richmond BizSense.
Lynchburg nonprofit to open homeless shelter
Miriam’s House in Lynchburg will open a 31-bed emergency shelter for families by early 2026, addressing a severe shortage of shelter space after the region lost half its shelter beds over a three-year period. The new facility will provide private units and support services to help families find stable housing and represents the first time that Miriam’s House will provide emergency services since its founding more than 30 years ago. Read more in Cardinal News.
