Charlottesville offers fun, family-friendly events year-round! Whether you’re looking for holiday traditions, outdoor festivals, educational experiences, or summer concerts, there’s something for every family to enjoy.
This guide highlights Charlottesville’s best annual events in 2026, from the Festival of the Book to Trick-or-Treating on the UVA Lawn. Plan ahead with this seasonal event calendar and start making memories with your family!
Winter Family Events
Banff Mountain Film Festival
March 6–8, 2026 | Paramount Theater | Banff Mountain Film Festival
Get ready for an exhilarating cinematic journey featuring breathtaking stories of adventure, culture, and the power of the outdoors.
Virginia Festival of the Book
March 19-23, 2026 | Various Locations | Virginia Festival of the Book
This celebration of storytelling and literature features children’s book readings, author meet-and-greets, and hands-on activities.
Spring Festivals & Events
Celebrate the season with family-friendly spring fun. Browse our list below and find even more Central Virginia Spring Festivals here.
Kid*Vention Science Festival
April 25, 2026 | Kid*Vention Details
Charlottesville’s biggest children’s science festival includes STEM activities, live demonstrations, and hands-on exhibits for young explorers.
Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival (Spring & Fall)
May & October 2026 | Crozet Park | Festival Details
This biannual festival is perfect for families, featuring local artists, live music, food vendors, and craft activities for kids.
Summer Family Fairs & Festivals
Albemarle County Fair
July 2026 | James Monroe’s Highland | Albemarle County Fair Guide
A classic county fair featuring farm animals, carnival rides, craft vendors, and live entertainment.
Charlottesville Pride Festival
August 2026 | Ix Art Park | Charlottesville Pride
This family-friendly celebration of love and inclusion features live performances, arts and crafts, food vendors, and storytime for kids.
Fourth of July at Monticello
July 4, 2026 | Celebrate July 4th at Monticello
Celebrate Independence Day at Monticello, where you can witness the annual Naturalization Ceremony, enjoy historical reenactments, and take in patriotic music.
Roseland Polo at King Family Vineyards
Sundays, June–October 2026 | Roseland Polo at King Family
Spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon watching live polo matches in Crozet’s scenic countryside. Pack a picnic and enjoy an afternoon outdoors.
Soul of Cville Festival
August 2026 | Ix Art Park | Soul of Cville Festival
This celebration of Black culture, music, and arts showcases local artists, spoken-word performances, and food vendors.
Fall & Winter Family Events & Festivals
Foxfield Family Day Races
October 4, 2026 | What to Expect at Foxfield Family Day
Foxfield’s family-friendly race day includes pony rides, a petting zoo, and kids activities, offering a fun and safe way to experience horse racing.
Boo Bash Halloween Festival
October 2026 | Virginia Discovery Museum | Boo Bash Information
A family-friendly carnival that’s too cute to spook! Dress up in your most creative costumes for one of two evenings of frighteningly fun carnival games, activities, and crafts.
Touch-A-Truck
October 2026 | Touch-A-Truck Event Details
Kids can climb inside fire trucks, police cars, and construction vehicles in this hands-on, interactive experience.
Virginia Film Festival
October 21–25, 2026 | Various Locations | Virginia Film Festival Schedule
Enjoy family-friendly movie screenings, animated films, and behind-the-scenes filmmaker discussions.
JackFest
October 26, 2026 | Foxfield | JackFest
This family-friendly festival is inspired by the bravest kids in the community and benefits Ronald McDonald House of Charlottesville and various childhood cancer programs.
Trick-or-Treating on the UVA Lawn
October 31, 2026 | University of Virginia | UVA Lawn Trick-or-Treating
A Charlottesville Halloween tradition, where kids can collect candy from UVA students living on the historical Lawn.
Charlottesville Grand Illumination
December 2026 | Downtown Charlottesville | More on the Grand Illumination
Gather in downtown Charlottesville for the official holiday tree lighting, live music, hot cocoa, and festive fun.
Winter Wander at Boar’s Head Resort
November–December 2026 | Boar’s Head Resort | Winter Wander Information
Take a magical walk through twinkling light displays and enjoy holiday treats at this seasonal favorite experience.
Charlottesville offers incredible family events year-round, from seasonal festivals to holiday parades and concerts. Whether you’re looking for a summer fair, a holiday parade, or an outdoor concert, there’s always something exciting happening.
For even more local events, explore CharlottesvilleFamily’s Full Event Calendar to find fun activities all year long!
ELLEN SEWELL is our Associate Editor. With a degree in Communications and PR/Journalism and a gift for the written word, she especially enjoys interviewing local people making a positive difference and sharing events with other parents. Passionate about hands-on-learning and being active, she loves to explore museums, playgrounds and outdoor attractions of all kinds with her three amazing children.