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 explores overlooked species that have used perceived disadvantages that help them not only survive, but thrive in a world full of fast animals at the [...]
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 science meets real-life heroics. Rescueputs you at the center of daring land, sea and air missions. This hands-on exhibition lets guests of all ages step [...]
For over a century, the week-long Shenandoah County Fair, held at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds, has brought people together for summer fun. Expect agricultural exhibitions, thrilling amusement rides, live entertainment, tractor pulls, kids’ activities, and an assortment of mouthwatering fair food. The annual event provides a platform for showcasing local agricultural accomplishments and fosters a [...]
BGP 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 all ages, botanically themed workshops, and collaborations with regional artists, musicians, poets, and organizations, including a ticketed Botanical Art Festival Celebration supporting local artists and [...]
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 [...]
Little 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. [...]
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 [...]
Program 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 [...]
Join 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 Tasting pairing is $14/pp or $12/pp with Student ID. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. TO BOOK: Click "Make a Reservation," select your time, [...]
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 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 [...]
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 has a joyful experience. Music is played at a lower volume and the park’s atmosphere is calmer. Also, one parent or guardian can support jumpers [...]
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 be a hands-on historical activity and a craft to keep. January 10, 2026: Our first Toddler Time will be focused on historical music, instruments, and [...]
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. Bring a friend! Running late? No problem—they’ll be reading from a variety of books during each Storytime hour. Happy Learning! Explore helpful resources in our [...]
The Greenwood Community Center offers public roller-skating on Saturday Nights 6pm-8pm. Admission is $3 to rent skates and $2 if you have your own skates. Roller blades are allowed. No metal wheels! Skating Rink is available for private skating parties! CharlottesvilleFamily connects you with what matters most! From education resources and school guides to [...]
Boar's Head Resort is excited to bring you an activity-filled Labor Day weekend in VA during our Summer Celebration Series. Bring the entire family to our event on The Green on Sunday, September 6. Yard games, food trucks and live music will precede a drone show featuring 200 drones. Parking passes are required for entry. [...]
You’re invited to a fantastic Labor Day celebration at Keswick Vineyards! Join us on Monday for a day filled with live music, a mini petting zoo, and face painting and temporary tattoos with Lady Val and friends. StillWater Humm hits the stage with bluegrass jams from 12-4pm. Enjoy delicious bites from Popitos Pizza, CubaMex, Kona [...]
Little 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. [...]
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 [...]
Until 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. Be sure to pick up a JMRL Reading List booklet, featuring books about the American Revolution for all ages!
Program 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 [...]
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by printing your own Declaration at Monticello. The Declaration of Independence was first printed 250 years ago. Celebrate this historic anniversary at Monticello with a hands-on letterpress printing experience. Presented by Arion Press and Monticello, with support from Josef Beery, this interactive activity invites visitors to [...]
Join 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 Tasting pairing is $14/pp or $12/pp with Student ID. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. TO BOOK: Click "Make a Reservation," select your time, [...]
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 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 [...]
Parents, need a Friday night out? Let the Virginia Discovery Museum watch the kids at Date Night Drop-Off while you enjoy some much-deserved time to yourselves! Children will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on crafts, games, and activities and enjoy plenty of playtime in our exhibit galleries, all while interacting with other kids in a safe setting. Due [...]
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 be a hands-on historical activity and a craft to keep. January 10, 2026: Our first Toddler Time will be focused on historical music, instruments, and [...]
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. Bring a friend! Running late? No problem—they’ll be reading from a variety of books during each Storytime hour. Happy Learning! Explore helpful resources in our [...]
The Greenwood Community Center offers public roller-skating on Saturday Nights 6pm-8pm. Admission is $3 to rent skates and $2 if you have your own skates. Roller blades are allowed. No metal wheels! Skating Rink is available for private skating parties! CharlottesvilleFamily connects you with what matters most! From education resources and school guides to [...]
Gather round to marvel at the skies! Our annual Star Party is an opportunity to come star gaze, with guidance from the UVA Astronomy Department and their educational outreach program "Dark Skies, Bright Kids". Admission to this event is free, and community members of all ages are welcome to attend. There will be telescope observation using [...]
Join at IX Park for a free vegan community event featuring plant-based foods, live music, entertainment, speakers, children’s activities, yoga, & more!
You are cordially invited to join for a Royal Tea at The Jefferson Hotel. Several well-known princesses will be in attendance for photo opportunities and activities. When: Sunday, July 12, 2026 Sunday, July 26, 2026 Sunday, September 13, 2026 Where: The Grand Ballroom Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm Attire: Royal attire is encouraged but not required! [...]
Join Light House Studio’s 25th Youth Film Festival on Sept 13th! Celebrate student films, storytelling, & community. Presenting Sponsor: The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation Festival Schedule: ● Sponsor & VIP Party – 4:00PM ● General Admission Doors Open – 5:15PM ● Festival Screening – 5:30PM Light House Studio’s 25th Annual Youth Film Festival is a wonderful celebration of our [...]
Ivy Creek Natural Area Introduce your three- to five-year-old to nature! Trained guides explore topics such as food chains, hibernation, how trees grow and more with three- to five-year-olds and their accompanying adults. The program starts indoors for 20-30 minutes where the children engage with the guides through reading nature centered books and doing a hands-on activity related to the [...]
Little 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. [...]
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 [...]
Program 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 [...]
Dot Day is a celebration of creativity and art, inspired by the picture book The Dot, by Peter Reynolds. Visit Central Library for a fun-filled day! Hear the book read aloud at 10AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, and 4PM. Crafts and activities will be available all day in the children's room.
Join 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 Tasting pairing is $14/pp or $12/pp with Student ID. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. TO BOOK: Click "Make a Reservation," select your time, [...]
Get ready to jump, play, and have a blast at Recess Rumble! Campers will spend the day getting active with fun, hands-on activities that bring classic playground fun to life. It's a day packed with laughter, energy, and plenty of recess-inspired fun! School may be out, but that doesn’t mean the discovery has to stop! [...]
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 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 [...]
Join the fab four (Ginsberg, Peppermint, Eva, and Toffy) for a walk through field and forest. We’ll share our story, visit the chickens, donkeys, and llamas, and serve refreshments. Our goats love walks! They enjoy the diversity of nature’s all-you-can-eat salad bar. And after chilling out in their enclosure, our goats appreciate the change of [...]
All for fun and fun for fall! Join us for the 14th annual Fall Into Fun event to celebrate apple season and the opening of our pumpkin patch. We’ll have lots of festive, fall-themed entertainment to keep the good times rolling all weekend long. Join for an exciting apple-based adventure in a new children’s book [...]
Celebrating the Richness of Latin American Culture The family-friendly Cville Sabroso festival offers something fun for everyone: nine hours of live music and lively dance performances, diverse foods, artisan crafts, and interactive cultural activities from countries all over Latin America. Come experience the vibrant Latino spirit and immerse yourself in the warmth, hospitality, and joyous [...]
Open 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. Fall is full of fun family adventures! Check out our guides to fall festivals in Central Virginia, pumpkin patches and corn mazes, and the best [...]
ADMISSION IS ONLY $10 FOR AGES 10 AND UP AND GIVES YOU ACCESS TO ALL THE EVENTS (EXCEPT THE SATURDAY EVENING CONCERT). FREE FOR MILITARY/VETERANS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Includes Free Inflatables, Free Pony Rides, a Petting Zoo, Live Music, an Apple Pie Eating Contest, an Apple Pie Judging Contest, Artisans and Vendors, Samples, and a [...]
Register for and attend the monthly DIY-U Kids’ Workshops by Lowe’s. For each workshop you attend, you’ll receive a limited-edition workshop badge. After collecting six qualifying badges, your mini-builder will become a Junior Builder. Present your six qualifying badges to a Lowe’s Red Vest associate during your next registered workshop, and they’ll present your mini-builder [...]
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 be a hands-on historical activity and a craft to keep. January 10, 2026: Our first Toddler Time will be focused on historical music, instruments, and [...]
Join for this free community event. All are welcome! Drop by anytime during the open studio day and stay as long as you like—no appointment necessary. Mark your calendar with [...]
Enjoy the sights, flavors, and fun of fall at Monticello with hands-on activities for kids, family garden tours, performances by Thomas Jefferson, and more.
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. Bring a friend! Running late? No problem—they’ll be reading from a variety of books during each Storytime hour. Happy Learning! Explore helpful resources in our [...]
Join Child Health Partnership at our main office in Charlottesville for one of our Breakfast Open Houses. Enjoy a light breakfast while learning about our mission and work in the [...]
Little 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 [...]
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 [...]
Program 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 [...]
Kindness 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!
Kindness 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 [...]
Amazement 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 more than a race; it’s an adventure made just for kids. Expect big energy and enthusiastic fans for a race experience that leaves kids proud [...]
Join 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 Tasting pairing is $14/pp or $12/pp with Student ID. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. TO BOOK: Click "Make a Reservation," select your time, [...]
You 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 the rides more family-affordable. The Ferris Wheel continues to be a popular ride, whether you head to the top as a family, on a date, [...]
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 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 [...]
Solar 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, [...]
Watercolor 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 [...]
Queen 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 wonder and excitement of magical fandoms together. We love, accept and welcome kind humans from everywhere and every persuasion who come for fun, friends, a [...]
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 be a hands-on historical activity and a craft to keep. January 10, 2026: Our first Toddler Time will be focused on historical music, instruments, and [...]
All Ages No registration required. Are you a sucker for succulents? A devotee of dirt? Stop by Gordon Avenue Library between 10 AM and 2 PM for Plant Swap! Bring [...]
Enjoy the sights, flavors, and fun of fall at Monticello with hands-on activities for kids, family garden tours, performances by Thomas Jefferson, and more.
For 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 [...]
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. Bring a friend! Running late? No problem—they’ll be reading from a variety of books during each Storytime hour. Happy Learning! Explore helpful resources in our [...]
Experience your local trails Loop de Ville is the go-to event for newcomers and experienced trail users alike to celebrate the connectedness of our community through the trails and the natural landscape that surrounds Charlottesville. Enjoy a full day of guided group hikes, walks, runs and bike rides on the Rivanna Trail. This is your [...]
Clean your closets and support the community! Throughout the month of September, we’re collecting gently used, clean maternity, nursing, baby, and toddler (2T-5T) clothing that you no longer need. Then on Sunday, September 27th, we’ll open our doors for a community swap day—come browse and take what you can use, no need to have donated [...]
Each fall, thousands of Monarch butterflies pass through Central Virginia on their remarkable journey to Mexico. The Butterfly Festival is a free community event that celebrates this natural wonder with a vibrant daytime event that blends Mexican cultural heritage, environmental education, and family-friendly fun. Set for Sunday, September 27 from 3-7PM, the festival will feature [...]
Little 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. [...]
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 [...]
Time to boogie! Bennett’s Village has partnered with the Charlottesville Ballet and the City of Charlottesville to host an hour of dancing and fun for our adult neighbors. No dance experience required! Explore elements of dance to improve quality of life through overall physical well-being, social interaction, and creative expression, as well as targeted improvements [...]
Join every Wednesday on the Sunpins Patio for free movie screenings, great food, and drinks. Movie title coming soon. This event is free and open to the public. Bring your friends, grab a seat, and enjoy a classic movie night at Dairy Market.
Kindness 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!
Join 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 Tasting pairing is $14/pp or $12/pp with Student ID. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are encouraged. TO BOOK: Click "Make a Reservation," select your time, [...]
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 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 [...]
The Fall Fiber Festival and Montpelier Sheep Dog Trials is a celebration of traditional fiber techniques and an opportunity to view working dogs at their best! Join our family-friendly event to learn all about fiber animals, shearing, spinning, weaving, and fiber arts. You can join one of our many classes, view a demonstrations, enjoy our [...]
Celebrating 57 Years of Apples and Community Animals, food, cider/beer/wine, live bluegrass music & more First Three Weekends in October 2026 October 3 & 4 | 10 & 11 | 17 & 18 Festival Hours: 10:00 am - 4:30 pm Each Day
Sat, Oct 3 through Sun, Oct 11 10am - 7pm each day. 1/2 price days at the sale: Sat, Oct 10 and Sun, Oct 11 MEMBERS PREVIEW SALE: Fri, Oct 2. 5-7pm Individual members may purchase up to $75 at preview sale Family (2 members) may purchase up to $150 at preview sale Join/renew online, [...]
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 has a joyful experience. Music is played at a lower volume and the park’s atmosphere is calmer. Also, one parent or guardian can support jumpers [...]
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 be a hands-on historical activity and a craft to keep. January 10, 2026: Our first Toddler Time will be focused on historical music, instruments, and [...]
This October, we're thrilled to present another FREE day of exhibits, education, raffles, door prizes, and more as we celebrate community, pregnancy, birth, and babies. Explore your path towards birth and parenthood at the Charlottesville Healthy Birth Healthy Baby Birth Expo 2026 - and of course, children are welcome! Life with little ones keeps [...]
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. Bring a friend! Running late? No problem—they’ll be reading from a variety of books during each Storytime hour. Happy Learning! Explore helpful resources in our [...]
Merrie Mill Farm & Vineyard's 5th Biannual Art Festival & Book Fair pt. 2! We have invited a lot of new and amazing artists, and we have partnered with @wildlifecenter_va to bring you an immersive and educational experience with live animals! Join us on Saturday, October 3, 2026 from 11:00-5:30 PM. We are pet and [...]
The Foxfield Fall Races are a family-friendly steeplechase tradition. Drawing a smaller, community-focused crowd than the massive spring event, the autumn race day features professional horse racing, kid-focused activities, and philanthropic local outreach. Kids can enjoy craft stations, stick pony races, face painting, games, pony rides and so much more. Fall is full of [...]
Family-Friendly Activities: Face painting, balloon animals, dog costume competitions, pie-eating contest, and more. Thanks to Piedmont Tire, all CASPCA adoptions at Fall Fest are sponsored! This means you can take home a new dog or cat for free. Get to know other teams working to advance animal welfare in our community.