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 [...]
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 dino habitat, and take home your miniature Jurassic-style masterpiece. Ages 11–18. Registration required.
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 is part of a three-session series held on June 5, 12, and 26. Registration is encouraged.
Celebrate the flavors of summer with us during a fun-filled weekend of live music, family-friendly activities, delicious seasonal treats, and peachy competition. Bring the family out for a weekend of berry inspired treats and activities like a pie & cobbler eating contest, bobbing for peach cider donuts, a pie walk, and face painting. The Bee [...]
Join this lantern making workshop and create a colorful lantern for the July 3 Downtown Mall 50th-anniversary parade! This all-ages, hands-on craft event is a fun way to celebrate community creativity. Supplies are available while they last, so come early and design a unique parade lantern to carry.
Ages 7+. Haley Gannon is currently a GIS Specialist for the Virginia State Geological Survey, but in her previous life she was a field assistant for Elevation Science Institute on fossil dig expeditions. She'll walk through how paleontologists find dinosaurs, the tools they use, and the skills needed to get the bones out of the ground and into [...]
Ages 8 to adult. No registration required. Bring any handwork project you’re working on and join this fun group for a time of handcrafting and sharing.
Ages 11–18 Explore the world of drone technology in this hands-on program! Learn how to build, program, and fly drones in a fun, interactive setting. This monthly youth STEM program introduces real-world engineering and coding skills. No registration required—just drop in and start flying on the last Tuesday of the month!
Ages 11-18. Registration required. Celebrate the magic of Studio Ghibli at this fun party! Middle and high schoolers can enjoy themed crafts, creative activities, and delicious treats like a DIY ramen bar and candy sushi. This Studio Ghibli fan event is the perfect way to relax, create, and connect with fellow Ghibli lovers.
VA250 Mobile Museum Experience is coming back to Charlottesville July 3 - 4 ! The VA250 Mobile Museum is coming back to downtown Charlottesville just in time for the Downtown Mall’s 50th anniversary and July 4th celebrations. Explore Virginia’s history in an engaging, hands on mobile exhibit — free and open to all July 3 [...]
Join us on the Fourth of July for Revolutionary Printing—a free, family-friendly UVA250 celebration of the materials, crafts, and stories of the founding era. Print your own copy of the [...]
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The Tony Award-winning musical, Disney’s Newsies tells the tale of young Jack Kelly, who rallies his fellow turn-of-the-century New York “newsies” to strike back against the leading [...]
Join for a fun summer evening at Teen Night Out. Teens can hang out with friends, enjoy pizza and treats, play games, and spend time at the Y in a safe, supervised environment. WHO: All teens in grades 6-12 WHEN: Select Saturdays from 7pm-9:30pm WHERE: Brooks Family YMCA FEE: $5 for members, $10 for non-members Ticket [...]
Paint your cake and eat it, too! Join local artist, Gabrielle Sabri, for a hands-on workshop featuring our new summer seasonals, Seaside Lime, Peach Dreams and S'mores & More. Each participant will create their own 8"x8" oil painting to take home, while enjoying complimentary tastes of our new summer flavors. All materials and supplies included and [...]
Ages 10-15 Calling all creative teens & tweens! Make awesome Dino-themed crafts and hang out with friends in the Cretaceous Craft Crew.
Join for a fun summer evening at Teen Night Out. Teens can hang out with friends, enjoy pizza and treats, play games, and spend time at the Y in a safe, supervised environment. WHO: All teens in grades 6-12 WHEN: Select Saturdays from 7pm-9:30pm WHERE: Brooks Family YMCA FEE: $5 for members, $10 for non-members Ticket [...]
BGP 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 programming for all ages, botanically themed workshops, and collaborations with regional artists, musicians, poets, and organizations, including a ticketed Botanical Art Festival Celebration supporting local [...]
Join 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 practice sheets to practice your technique, along with a variety of fresh flowers and edible petals to adorn your design. Indulge in a selection of [...]