Banff Mountain Film Festival, returning to the Paramount Theater March 6-8

Top Events in Charlottesville & Central Virginia

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.

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  • Survival of the Slowest

    Science Museum of Virginia 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA
    Elementary School Age

    Does being slow, small or sleepy have advantages? Sometimes, yes! Survival of the Slowest takes its time and proves just that. Featuring a variety of live animals, this touring exhibition [...]

  • Charlottesville Jazz Festival

    The Paramount Theater 215 E Main St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
    Especially for Parents

    JazzFest 2026 is pleased to welcome international sensation, Veronica Swift, as the headliner of its main event the evening of June 6 at the Paramount Theater. Additional artists include: Royce Campbell, U.S. Navy Band Commodores Jazz Ensemble, Charles Owens, Randazzo Big Band, Stephanie Nakasian, Charlie Ballantine. Trio, Robert JospeTrio, featuring Daniel Clarke, Paul Langosch, and [...]

  • Garden Glow at Maymont

    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 [...]

  • Farm Friday

    Farm Friday
    The Garden @ The Blue Farmhouse 5455 Jones Mill Road, Crozet, Virginia
    All Ages

    Join every Friday in May for two hours of farm fun for the whole family: Enjoy laid back arts and crafts, backyard play, farm animal care, creek exploration. Fridays in [...]

  • Storytime With Hannah

    Storytime With Hannah
    Bluebird & Co. 5792 Three Notch'd Rd, Crozet, VA
    Learning Fun

    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 [...]

  • Fun Fridays: Triassic Terrariums

    Jefferson-Madison Regional Library - Central 201 E. Market Street, Charlottesville, Virginia
    Arts & Crafts

    Travel back to the Triassic and build a mini world for a tiny dinosaur! Teens will create their own prehistoric-inspired terrarium filled with imagination and creativity. Gather supplies, design a [...]

  • Embroider a Tote Bag!

    Jefferson-Madison Regional Library - Scottsville 330 Bird Street, Scottsville, Virginia
    Arts & Crafts

    Learn the basics of embroidery and personalize your own tote bag! In this hands-on class, participants ages 10 + will practice simple stitches while creating a unique design. This program [...]

  • Crozet Summer Concert Series

    Claudius Crozet Park 1075 Claudius Crozet Pk, Crozet, VA
    All Ages

    The FREE Summer Concert Series is returning to Crozet Park, featuring an incredible lineup of live music, local food, and community fun all season long! Starting June 5th, bring your blankets, lawn chairs, family, and friends and come enjoy some beautiful evenings in the park. June 5 – Dropping JuliaJune 12 – Boxed LunchJune 26 [...]

  • Special Needs Jump Time

    Special Needs Jump Time
    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 [...]

  • Toddler Time

    Toddler Time
    Frontier Culture Museum Staunton, Virginia
    Learning Fun

    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 [...]

  • Awareness Festival

    Moss-Nuckols Elementary School Louisa, Virginia
    All Ages

    Join for a Day of Fun, Connection, and Celebration! The Annual LCSO Project First Responder Special Needs and Autism Awareness Festival is a family-friendly event for people of all abilities. [...]

  • Grace Farm Tour

    Grace Episcopal Church Keswick
    All Ages

    History speaks to us through this beautiful place we call Albemarle County and invites us to listen and dream back to American life in the early 1700’s… For the 15th [...]

  • Virginia Black Bear Festival

    Downtown Stanardsville
    All Ages

    The Virginia Black Bear Festival is a Community Event Celebrating Nature and Mountain Outdoors in Greene County,  Shenandoah National Park and the Appalachian Trail. The event is held on the [...]

  • Tie Dye Party

    Jefferson-Madison Regional Library - Northside 705 Rio Road West, Charlottesville, Virginia
    All Ages

    All Ages are Welcome. Come to the Northside Library for a Summer Tie Dye Event! Learn how to design your own tie-dye masterpiece with techniques like the spiral, double spiral, [...]

  • Storytime

    Storytime
    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. [...]

  • Family Day: African & African American Art

    Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Richmond
    All Ages

    Bring the whole family for a celebration of African and African American cultures through art and music. Participate in art activities such as painting a rhythmic design, creating a musician [...]

  • Fidget Trade

    Crozet Inspiration Station
    Arts & Crafts

    It’s time for a FIDGET TRADE!!!! FREE event - register on our site -30 min trading session with up to 20 squishes! -6 slots available every 30 mins. -Fidgets must [...]

  • Festival of Cultures

    Brooks Family YMCA 151 McIntire Park Drive, Charlottesville, VA
    All Ages

    Free Family-friendly Event For Children Bounce house Face painting Sack Race Sports physicals for middle and high school students For Adults Health resource tables Physical and behavioral health Adolescent health [...]

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 event using this form.

We hope you will also enjoy our stories on raising healthy kidsschools & learninghome & garden and family fun.

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!

  1. Annual Family Events & Festivals in Central Virginia – A roundup of major Charlottesville events families look forward to each season.
  2. Explore Charlottesville’s Children’s Museums – Hands-on learning and play at regional children’s museums.
  3. Visit Pick-Your-Own Berry Farms – A sweet seasonal tradition that makes for a perfect family event.
  4. Top Charlottesville Attractions for Families – A guide to must-see family attractions and local favorites.
  5. Local Art Studios for Kids & Creative Play – Where little artists can express themselves all year.
  6. Charlottesville Pools & Spray Grounds – Cool off with kid-friendly water fun.
  7. Family-Friendly Hikes in Central Virginia – Discover scenic trails perfect for all ages.
  8. Best Flower Farms to Visit Near Charlottesville – A blooming adventure and great photo opportunity.
  9. Lakes & Water Activities for Families – Relax or explore with water-based fun close to home.
  10. Charlottesville’s Best Playgrounds & Parks – Our top picks for outdoor play spaces.
  11. Go Apple Picking in the Fall – Celebrate the season with a favorite fall event in Charlottesville.
  12. Sensory Friendly Play Spaces – A curated guide to accessible and sensory‑aware venues.
  13. Parent Support Groups & Meet-Ups – Connect with other local families throughout the year.
  14. Top Kids’ Party Places in Charlottesville – Venues and ideas for celebrating birthdays and milestones.
  15. Indoor & Active Fun for Rainy Days – Indoor Charlottesville activities for energetic kids when the weather isn’t ideal.

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.