There’s always something exciting happening in Charlottesville, Virginia! From outdoor concerts and food festivals to art walks and kid-friendly celebrations, Central Virginia offers events for every interest and age. Our editors at CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine update this guide daily to help locals and visitors discover the region’s best happenings—whether you’re a parent looking for weekend fun with the kids or simply exploring what’s going on around town. Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest family events, festivals, and community gatherings throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
The Robins Nature Center at Maymont
2201 Shields Lake Drive, Richmond, VA
All Ages
Step into a glowing world of color at Garden Glow presented by Kroger — where light and a bit of magic take over Maymont after dark. Wander through mesmerizing light [...]
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont
950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Preschoolers
Little Nature Explorers is a weekly outdoor program created for young children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers. This free event takes place every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to [...]
Virginia Discovery Museum
524 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA
Arts & Crafts
Baby Buds is an open-exploration activity time for newborns, infants, and toddlers. It supports their parents and caregivers by encouraging physical growth, social-emotional development, and emerging language skills. Engage in [...]
Since 2015, the Museum of Culpeper History has partnered with the local Luck Stone Quarry to provide a public access day to view Culpeper’s famous dinosaur footprints! More than 215 [...]
A tournament to support Foothill's Children's Advocacy Center and its work to support children impacted by abuse and neglect through forensic interviews, medical exams, and coordinated care for families during [...]
Join Hannah Barnaby, local author and bookseller, every Friday for an engaging storytime featuring the reading of 2–3 delightful books. CharlottesvilleFamily connects you with what matters most! From education [...]
Sentient Sanctuary
445 Glendower Rd., Scottsville, Virginia
All Ages
Join the fab four (Ginsberg, Peppermint, Eva, and Toffy) for a walk through field and forest. We’ll share our story, visit the chickens, donkeys, and llamas, and serve refreshments. Our [...]
This FREE annual event takes place river-side at Constitution Park in Waynesboro, VA. Activities include Reptile World shows, Stream Safari, presentations by the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Fish and Fun [...]
Get Air Charlottesville
1005 Gardens Blvd, Charlottesville, VA
All Ages
The First Saturday of Each Month – 8 AM to 10 AMJoin for Special Needs Jump Time, where everyone can enjoy jumping fun! This time is designed to ensure everyone [...]
🎈Join Saturday, May 2nd at ReadyKids for an afternoon of family fun including bounce houses, raffle prizes, music, live performances, and community partners. CharlottesvilleFamily proudly sponsors this event! CharlottesvilleFamily [...]
Celebrate Mom at Mudhouse’s Mother’s Day Tea Party—fine china, lace, 'Bridgerton' chic, and a delightful afternoon of tea and treats. Come join the merriment as Mudhouse Specialty Coffee Roasters hosts [...]
Join the Frontier Culture Museum this January, February, and March for Toddler Time! Each Toddler Time at the Frontier Culture Museum will include a story time. Then, there will also [...]
Fairview Swim & Tennis Club
707 Belvedere Blvd, Charlottesville, Virginia
All Ages
The Montessori School of Charlottesville is bringing our popular Truck Touch event back to the Charlottesville community. Truck Touch will provide children with the unique sensory rich opportunity to explore [...]
New Dominion Bookshop
404 East Main St, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
All Ages
Join for Storytime! New Dominion’s weekly Storytime, held at 11 AM on Saturdays, features both recent storybooks and the classics kids know and love. Rain or shine. All ages welcome. [...]
Hello Comics Uptown
398 Hillsdale Dr., Charlottesville, VA
Elementary School Age
5 free comics per person +5 BONUS free comics if you bring a donation for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Canned food is good. Cash and checks made out [...]
Brooks Family YMCA
151 McIntire Park Drive, Charlottesville, VA
Festivals & Fairs
This FREE event for girls and families features youth sports clinics, a financial literacy workshop, a Senior Commitment Celebration, free food + swag! WHO: Girls of all ages, families; sports [...]
The Dickinson Fine & Performing Arts Center at PVCC
Elementary School Age
Join us for Veronica Piller's original ballet The Ugly Duckling, a playful rendition of the timeless tale about being true to yourself. Follow the tenderhearted duckling on her adventure of self-discovery where [...]
Foster Art
1770 Timberwood Blvd, Suite 106, Charlottesville, VA
All Ages
Back by popular demand! Get ready to jazz up your own journals and pens before whisking them away home, and concoct your very own fizzy bath bombs! Snacks and tunes [...]
How to Use the Charlottesville Family Events Calendar
Our handy calendar is a great way to find fun things for Cville kids to do in Charlottesville and Albemarle County all month long. It’s also a great way to plan for seasonal family activities like hikes near Charlottesville, apple picking, Halloween events, berry picking, pumpkin patches, Charlottesville Christmas events, seasonal festivals, fairs, storytimes, art-making events, and more.
Please note that although all posted Charlottesville events are reviewed by our staff for correct content, event details may change after they are posted. Be sure to check any event’s website or social media to confirm locations, times, and costs before traveling.
Submit Your Local Charlottesville Events or Cville Kids Activity
Hosting a local event or kids’ activity in Charlottesville, VA? We invite you to submit your listing to our CharlottesvilleFamily events calendar — the go-to resource for parents seeking local events, seasonal activities, and free things to do in Charlottesville with kids. From community festivals and holiday celebrations to educational workshops and outdoor adventures, we highlight what makes Central Virginia such a vibrant place for families. Please submit your eventusing this form.
Top 15 Year-Round Things To Do with Kids & Families in Charlottesville, VA
From festive Charlottesville events to everyday fun, these guides help you find engaging things to do in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Keep your busy Cville kids entertained and create fun family memories and traditions year-round!
Whether you’re planning a weekend outing or searching for seasonal events in Charlottesville, VA, this curated list highlights the best local activities, destinations, and experiences for kids and parents alike. These year-round attractions are perfect for families who want to make the most of life in Central Virginia.
To keep up with all the fun events for Cville kids and families, sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag. You’ll receive weekly or monthly (you choose!) family news and events right in your inbox.
And don’t forget to check out the amazing local businesses and partners who help families thrive in our community.