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From air to sea to land, discover ways first responders help those in distress. Do you have what it takes to be a hero? Dive into a high-intensity experience where [...]
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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18 events found.
Events
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Science Museum of Virginia 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA
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Youth Botanical Art Show
Jefferson School African American Heritage Center 233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA, United StatesArts & CraftsBGP is excited to announce our annual Botanical Art Festival will be taking place September 1st – 30th. This Festival will celebrate art in our community by offering free art [...]
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Botanical Arts Festival
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont 950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United StatesAll AgesBGP is excited to announce our annual Botanical Art Festival will be taking place September 2026. This Festival will celebrate art in our community by offering free art programing for [...]
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JMRL Book Hunt
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont 950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United StatesAll AgesAs part of the Botanical Art Festival, find rocks painted with popular book covers scattered throughout the garden.
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“Give Me Liberty” VA250 Display
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library - Nelson Memorial Library 8521 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, VirginiaAll AgesUntil September 28 All Ages Celebrate 250 years of American History with the VA250 Exhibit at Nelson Memorial Library, presented in partnership with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. [...]
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Blue Ridge Mountain Maze
Blue Toad Cider 462 Winery Ln, Roseland, VirginiaAll AgesOpen weekend September 19–November 8. Get lost in the fun at the best Virginia corn maze. New this year – Music in the Mountains every Saturday night from 6–9pm. [...]
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Little Nature Explorers
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont 950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United StatesPreschoolersLittle 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 11:15 a.m. in the beautiful setting of the Garden. It combines early childhood learning with the magic of nature, offering a fresh experience each week. Each session features a new topic that includes story time, hands-on art, and outdoor discovery. Through movement, creativity, and close observation, children explore the natural world in ways that are both educational and fun. The program encourages curiosity, builds sensory awareness, and fosters early connections to [...]
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Tiny Tiers
Cake Bloom 705 W Main Street, Charlottesville, VirginiaArts & CraftsJoin for an open studio-style cake decorating session with all the tools and materials to make your own mini wedding cake. The perfect midweek treat, our self-guided sessions include piping [...]
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Toddler Yoga & Movement
Virginia Discovery Museum 524 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VALearning FunProgram Type: Drop-In Ages: Ages 2-5, with Adult Access: Included with Admission Toddler Yoga & Movement explores and encourages physical wellness and emotional regulation in early childhood development through mindfulness, stretching, games, and play. This program is led by Programs & Administrative Coordinator Emily Pearcy, a certified 95-hour registered children’s yoga teacher. She has 4 years of experience teaching children ranging from infancy to age 13 and received her certification through Kidding Around Yoga, a Yoga Alliance recognized program.
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Toddler Time
Kindness Cafe + Play 480 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville, VirginiaPreschoolersKindness at Rugby has a sweet play space for little ones with games, puzzles, board books, & toys. Join us on Thursday mornings at 9am. Enjoy lattes with other adults while the kiddos play. (No planned programming - drop in or stay all morning.) No tickets required!
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Amazing Mile Children’s Run
Amazement Square 27 9th St, Lynchburg, VAAll AgesAmazement Square invites your family to participate in the most magical and memorable kids' race in the city! The 25th Annual "Amazing Mile Children's Run: Once Upon a Run" is [...]
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Ice Cream Social
Cake Bloom 705 W Main Street, Charlottesville, VirginiaAll AgesJoin every Friday for freshly-baked cake scraps and fillings paired with a flight of premium ice cream from our friends at Sugar Bear Ice Cream! Our Ice Cream and Cake [...]
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State Fair of Virginia
The Meadow Event Park 13191 Dawn Blvd, Doswell, VAAll AgesYou won’t meet a kid at a country fair who doesn’t want to indulge in roller coasters and the Tilt-a-Whirl. Check into the bracelets and ride discounts that help make [...]
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Storytime With Hannah
Bluebird & Co. 5792 Three Notch'd Rd, Crozet, VALearning FunJoin 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 resources and school guides to family health advice and seasonal activities in and around Cville, we cover it all. Don’t miss a thing—sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag and get the latest straight to your inbox. And don’t miss the chance to meet our talented local partners who bring these resources to life.
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Fourth Friday Solar Viewing
Ivy Creek Natural Area CharlottesvilleAll AgesSolar Observing sessions are scheduled for every fourth Friday of every month in 2026. The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will present and bring their special Solar telescope(s), which will allow us to safely see sunspots, solar flares and prominences, and other features on the living cauldron that is our sun. We'll start at noon in the education building for a short presentation, then go outside to the field next to the parking lot at 12:20. Cloudy weather cancels. Although this event is free and open to the public, we ask that you contact the Charlottesville Astronomical Society at ivycreek@cvilleastro.com if you plan to attend. Only if at least one visitor [...]
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Watercolor Botanicals for Beginners
McGuffey Art Center 201 2nd Street, NW, Charlottesville, VirginiaArts & CraftsWatercolor Botanicals for Beginners with Courtney Hopkins 5:00pm-6:30pm | Teens & Adults 20 Participants | Free | McGuffey Arts Center, 201 2nd St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22902 In this workshop, Courtney will welcome you into the vibrant and inspiring world of watercolor botanical painting. She will share her best tips for creating watercolor florals and you’ll experiment with brushstrokes, color mixing, and watercolor paint techniques in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. You will leave with a complete painting and a new way to engage with nature that fuels your creativity!
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Queen City Mischief & Magic
Downtown Staunton Staunton, VirginiaFestivals & FairsQueen City Mischief & Magic, or QCMM, is a homegrown festival celebrating magic in all forms and from all fandoms. Queen City Mischief & Magic welcomes everyone to celebrate the [...]
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Shenandoah Storyteller
Botanical Garden of the Piedmont 950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United StatesAll AgesFor more than forty years, storyteller Susan Clark has captivated audiences with tales rich in humor, heart, and tradition. Drawing from the folklore of the Appalachian Mountains, Native American traditions, Ireland, and beyond, she weaves memorable stories that delight adult listeners with wit, warmth, and humor. Using her stage acting experience and many hours telling stories to children as a children’s librarian she immerses listeners in stories that are lively, engaging, and deeply human. From sassy rabbits to spooky graveyards to magical journeys and vivid portraits of traditional mountain life, Susan brings each character to life through expressive voice, movement, and [...]
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 kids, schools & learning, home & 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!
- Annual Family Events & Festivals in Central Virginia – A roundup of major Charlottesville events families look forward to each season.
- Explore Charlottesville’s Children’s Museums – Hands-on learning and play at regional children’s museums.
- Visit Pick-Your-Own Berry Farms – A sweet seasonal tradition that makes for a perfect family event.
- Top Charlottesville Attractions for Families – A guide to must-see family attractions and local favorites.
- Local Art Studios for Kids & Creative Play – Where little artists can express themselves all year.
- Charlottesville Pools & Spray Grounds – Cool off with kid-friendly water fun.
- Family-Friendly Hikes in Central Virginia – Discover scenic trails perfect for all ages.
- Best Flower Farms to Visit Near Charlottesville – A blooming adventure and great photo opportunity.
- Lakes & Water Activities for Families – Relax or explore with water-based fun close to home.
- Charlottesville’s Best Playgrounds & Parks – Our top picks for outdoor play spaces.
- Go Apple Picking in the Fall – Celebrate the season with a favorite fall event in Charlottesville.
- Sensory Friendly Play Spaces – A curated guide to accessible and sensory‑aware venues.
- Parent Support Groups & Meet-Ups – Connect with other local families throughout the year.
- Top Kids’ Party Places in Charlottesville – Venues and ideas for celebrating birthdays and milestones.
- 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.