Friday Cheers to take a year off in 2026 for Brown's Island construction

Venture Richmond announced Wednesday that the Friday Cheers concert series will go dark next year as construction closes Brown's Island in downtown Richmond.

The series will resume in May 2027. With the opening of the Allianz Amphitheater, outdoor downtown concerts will continue during that time.

Dominion Energy Riverrock will take place in 2026 but will not use Brown’s Island. The T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge will generally remain open throughout construction, according to Venture Richmond, and will be accessible from Tredegar Street via the western end of Brown’s Island.

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According to Venture Richmond, Friday Cheers began at Festival Park next to the Richmond Coliseum in 1984 and moved to Brown’s Island permanently in 2006.

“Once the Brown’s Island Project is complete, we plan to make the 2027 series one of the best yet," said Stephen Lecky, Venture Richmond’s director of events. "We can’t wait to welcome everyone back, and the improvements to the island will make the experience on Downtown’s riverfront better than ever.”