The sun is shining, the flowers are out, and it’s time for the many Charlottesville spring festivals! These annual, family-friendly events are perfect for making memories. Whether you’re looking for live music, hands-on activities for kids, or a celebration of local arts and culture, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s a roundup of our favorite Charlottesville spring festivals that you won’t want to miss in 2026.
At a Glance
- Charlottesville and Albemarle County have many family-friendly festivals in April and May.
- Annual spring events in Charlottesville include the Tom Tom Festival, Kid*Vention, MSC Truck Touch, and Rivanna Riverfest.
- IX Art Park is a popular spot for spring events, including the Filipino Spring Festival and Charlottesville Arts Festival.
- Popular spring festivals in Albemarle County include the Foxfield Spring Races, Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival, and HopeGrows Fundraiser.
- Check festival website for rain dates, tickets, and pet restrictions.
Family Favorite Spring Festivals in Charlottesville 2026
Charlottesville’s spring festivals offer a perfect mix of outdoor adventure, arts, culture, and hands-on fun for families. Whether you’re enjoy live music and dance, exploring historic gardens, or paddling down the Rivanna, these festivals make the season unforgettable. Mark your calendars and get ready for a spring full of fun!
Eco Fair Spring Festival
This Earth Day festival is a vibrant community celebration of nature, sustainability, and springtime. In partnership with Charlottesville’s Office of Sustainability, the expanded Eco Fair offering practical, hands-on ways to make a positive environmental impact. Enjoy lightning talks, interactive demonstrations, family-friendly activities, live music, and local food vendors.
When: April 18, 2026 • 9 am – 1 pm
Where: Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, Charlottesville
Tom Tom Festival
The Tom Tom Festival blends music, art, food, and innovation, creating an inspiring atmosphere for the whole family. You’ll find street performances, food trucks, art installations, and community talks. It’s a fantastic way to experience the creative energy of Charlottesville. Families with kids can enjoy special interactive art workshops, live storytelling sessions, and kid-friendly concerts.
When: April 21 – 26, 2026
Where: Downtown Charlottesville
Historic Garden Week in Charlottesville
Visit some of the most stunning private gardens, historic homes, and landscapes in the region. This annual Charlottesville spring event is perfect for those who love beautiful homes, decor and gardens. Mature kids who can handle visiting private spaces can attend with their parents. Otherwise, it’s a great opportunity for garden-loving adults to go out for the day with friends. Hosted by the Garden Club of Virginia.
When: April 18 – 25, 2026
Where: Gardens and historic sites around Charlottesville and Albemarle
Kid*Vention
Kid*Vention is Charlottesville’s ultimate science and nature festival for young explorers! Hosted by the Virginia Discovery Museum, it features STEM exhibits, live animal encounters, and hands-on experiments designed to spark curiosity and learning in kids of all ages. Special areas include a sensory-friendly play zone and a tinker lab for building projects. CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is also a proud sponsor of this popular spring festival for families and will have publications available at the event.
When: April 25, 2026 • 9 am – 1 pm
Where: Virginia Discovery Museum
Foxfield Spring Races
Put on your sundresses, seersucker, bowties, and floppy hats. It’s time for the Foxfield spring steeplechase. This annual Charlottesville tradition happens twice a year, in spring and fall. Families, students, and university alums all attend a day at the races, setting up tailgates and cheering on the horses. Be sure to bring snacks and drinks, and wear shoes that can get muddy!
When: April 25, 2026 • 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Foxfield Race Course, Charlottesville
Festival of Spring at Burnside Farms
During the Festival of Spring at Burnside Farms, you’ll find fields so full of blooming tulips and daffodils that the event has been nicknamed “Holland in Virginia.” The festival happens during the three weeks of peak bloom, so the exact dates vary each year. You’ll want to check the farm’s website or social media pages to keep up with the growing season. Once the festival is announced, pile the kids in the car and head to Nokesville for a day of flower picking, picnicking at the 100-year-old dairy barn, hayrides, and more!
When: April 2026 • 8 am – dusk
Where: Nokesville, VA
MSC Truck Touch
Hosted by the Montessori School of Charlottesville, the annual Truck Touch gives children the chance to get hands-on and explore more than a dozen types of vehicles, including emergency, utility, construction, and transportation trucks. There will also be food vendors and kid-friendly activities such as face painting, tumbling mats, and more.
When: May 2, 2026 • 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Montessori School of Charlottesville
Important: Always check festival websites to find out about ticket or registration requirements, rain dates, and whether or not pets are welcome.
Filipino Spring Festival
Be part of Charlottesville’s first annual Filipino Spring Festival! Celebrate and learn about Filipino culture through music, food, and dance. The festival market will feature food vendors, retail businesses, artists, crafters, and nonprofit organizations. Hosted by the Charlottesville Filipino Cultural Association.
When: May 2, 2026 • 3 pm – 8 pm
Where: IX Art Park, Charlottesville
Rivanna Riverfest
Come celebrate the beauty of the Rivanna River! Enjoy a day of canoeing, kayaking, live music, and environmental education. Families can participate in river cleanups, nature walks, and water-based activities. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors and give back to the environment. This is a classic Charlottesville spring festival for everyone to enjoy! Kids will have fun with fish release programs, nature scavenger hunts and hands-on wildlife exhibits.
When: May 9, 2026 • 10 am – 3 pm
Where: Rivanna River, Charlottesville
Crozet Spring Arts & Crafts Festival
This Charlottesville spring festival is a juried arts and crafts extravaganza. It’s must-visit for families who love local handmade goods. Visitors will experience over 120 artists, live music, food trucks, and kid-friendly activities. It’s a wonderful way to support local artisans while enjoying a fun-filled day in Crozet. Kids will love the face painting, puppet shows, and art stations where they can create their own masterpieces. CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is proud to be a long-time sponsor of Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival.
When: May 9-10, 2026 • 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Claudius Crozet Park
HopeGrows Festival & Fundraiser
Spend Mother’s Day celebrating and building community at King Family Vineyards. You’ll find live music, food vendors, face painting, lawn games, art activities, and more. Proceeds support Camp Holiday Trails, a year-round nonprofit camp for kids and teens with medical needs and their siblings.
When: May 10, 2026 • 10 am – 3 pm
Where: King Family Vineyards, Crozet
Charlottesville Arts Festival
Celebrate six years of art and community at IX Art Park. This Charlottesville spring festival will feature more than 50 fine artists and artisans, as well as live music, hands-on activities, and artist demos. Tickets include admission to The Looking Glass immersive art experience.
When: May 23, 2026 • 3 pm – 8 pm & May 24, 2026 • 10 am – 5 pm
Where: IX Art Park, Charlottesville
Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Festivals in Charlottesville
Are Charlottesville festivals kid-friendly?
Most of these spring festivals are kid-friendly, though only you know whether they are appropriate for your family. For example, Historic Garden Week may be fun for teens who are interested in interiors and design but challenging with young children who want to explore. The MSC Truck Touch is fun for many small kids but may be overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities. Visit the links for each event to see which will be fun for your family.
Can I bring pets to these spring festivals?
Some spring festivals welcome pets, but others do not. Check the individual event details to know whether feativals are pet-friendly. Do not bring pets that get anxious or aggressive around crowds to festivals or public events.
Where are the best places to visit in Charlottesville in the spring?
Charlottesville and Albemarle County are beautiful in the spring! Locals and visitors alike enjoy driving and hiking along Skyline Drive to take in the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In Charlottesville, you can enjoy the Downtown in Bloom while walking around the Pedestrian mall, UVA grounds, and nearby neighborhoods. Local farmers markets stock fresh produce as well as flowers and herbs, and the many family-friendly wineries in the area have beautiful scenery for guests to take in while sampling Virginia wines.
Looking for more seasonal fun for families? Visit one of our many local flower farms and family-friendly hiking trails. And don’t forget to check out our guides to the best summer events and fall festivals in the Charlottesville area!
For fresh ideas all season long, sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag and let us inspire your next adventure. And be sure to learn more about our valued partners who serve local families.
ELLEN SEWELL is the Associate Editor at CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine, bringing a wealth of experience in communications and media to the publication. She holds a degree in Communications and PR/Journalism from the University of Lynchburg, which has equipped her with a keen understanding of effective storytelling and audience engagement. Ellen has a particular passion for interviewing local individuals who are making a positive impact in the community, and she excels at sharing events and resources with fellow parents. Her insightful articles and features have become a valued resource for families in Central Virginia. Beyond her editorial work, Ellen is a mother of three young children and enjoys exploring museums, playgrounds, and outdoor attractions with her children, reflecting her commitment to hands-on learning and active family life.