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!

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.

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.