Events

Step into the stillness of history under the glow of the full sturgeon moon with Literary Professor and Cemetery Historian Sharon Pajka. Join us for Hollywood Cemetery at Night: Full Moon Tour on Friday, August 28, at 7:30-9:30pm for a two-hour walking tour through the timeless grounds of Hollywood Cemetery, where the atmosphere takes center stage. These nighttime experiences offer a rare chance to explore the cemetery after dark with the moon, and the quiet beauty of this sacred landscape.Experience the magic of moonlight in one of Richmond’s most iconic landmarks.

This tour costs $25 per person, with all proceeds benefitting Friends of Hollywood Cemetery. No refunds or transfers. Spaces are limited to 35 participants. To RSVP, click here.

Enjoy the sunrise, discover wildlife, and capture the best landscapes at Hollywood Cemetery with Richmond’s celebrated outdoor photographer, Bill Draper. Join us for Rise & Click, a 2-hour photography workshop hosted by Bill Draper on Sunday, September 13, at 6:45-8:45am.

This tour costs $25 per person, with all proceeds benefiting Friends of Hollywood Cemetery. No refunds or transfers. Spaces are limited to 12 participants. To RSVP, click here.

Join the Floral Sprays Floral Workshop on Saturday, September 26, at 10:30am-12:30pm, a two-hour workshop from the Worship the Ground Series: A Brief History of a Sympathy Floral Practice with a Hands-on Workshop hosted by Rachael Watman from Swann’s End Flowers.

This workshop will begin with a 30-minute presentation that traces the history of funeral flowers from the Civil War to the modern day, noting the influence of Victorian floriography and the symbolism of flowers used in the American South. Participants will learn why cemeteries, like Hollywood Cemetery, prohibit artificial flowers and encourage nature-based tributes.

After the presentation, the 60-minute hands-on workshop will teach participants how to make a small tied funeral spray with locally sourced greenery and flowers, as well as foraged items from Swann’s End Flowers farm. Participants will be encouraged to think about specific ways to tailor their sprays to represent the life of one who has died.

This workshop costs $40 per person, which includes a $25 donation to Friends of Hollywood Cemetery. No refunds or transfers. Spaces are limited to 12 participants. To RSVP, click here.

Rachael Watman, MSW, is a gerontological social worker, death doula, and long-standing advocate for quality end-of-life care. Rachael is also a master gardener, growing, designing, and selling flowers via her farm, Swann's End Flowers in Powhatan, Virginia.

Step into the stillness of history under the glow of the full harvest moon with Literary Professor and Cemetery Historian Sharon Pajka. Join us for Hollywood Cemetery at Night: Full Moon Tour on Saturday, September 26, at 7:30-9:30pm for a two-hour walking tour through the timeless grounds of Hollywood Cemetery, where the atmosphere takes center stage. These nighttime experiences offer a rare chance to explore the cemetery after dark with the moon, and the quiet beauty of this sacred landscape.Experience the magic of moonlight in one of Richmond’s most iconic landmarks.

This tour costs $25 per person, with all proceeds benefitting Friends of Hollywood Cemetery. No refunds or transfers. Spaces are limited to 35 participants. To RSVP, click here.

Join the Van Yahres Tree Company for the annual Fall Tree Tour on Wednesday, October 28, at 11:00am-12:30pm. This 90-minute guided walk will showcase our accredited arboretum and provide education about the preservation and care of the historic trees of Hollywood Cemetery.