We hope you’ve had a wonderful time kicking off America 250! The rest of this month has something for everyone — theatre and live music, sunflower fields and county fairs, plus a hands-on piece of history at Monticello. By now, the initial excitement of summer break has probably worn off, and what’s left is the long stretch of hot days, sticky popsicle hands, and kids who’ve cycled through every “I’m bored” complaint at least twice. July is often the heart of summer, the season we’ll actually remember years from now — not for the camps we signed up for or the trips we planned, but for the sprinkler afternoons, the porch evenings, the bike rides, and the slower mornings curled up with a good book. We’re also sharing a few things close to our hearts: tips to keep your kids tick-free this summer, honest guidance for talking with kids after a tough local story, and some fun freebies to make July a little easier (and a lot more colorful). While we’re living through heat waves and the worst drought since 1941, you can also find tips on hydration, swimming, and ideas for lake fun to cool off. Here’s what’s on our radar this month – drop me a line and let me know your favorites!
Top July Events in the Charlottesville Area
Looking for family-friendly things to do in Charlottesville this July? Here are the events we’re most excited about — from free festivals to county fairs and concerts. If you only make it to one thing this month, make it the Declaration of Independence Print Shop at Monticello on July 11. The 250th anniversary makes this a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your kids.
VIRGINIA THEATRE FESTIVAL — June 20–July 26 at UVA Drama Theatres
VTF’s 52nd season will also feature three shows, including the Tony Award-winning family-friendly musical Disney’s Newsies – CharlottesvilleFamily is proud to sponsor this event!
VIRGINIA SUNFLOWER FEST – July 9–August 2 at Chiswell Farm
Wander through vibrant fields, capture unforgettable moments with friends & family, and cool off with our refreshing drinks. From sunflower picking to stunning views, it’s the ultimate summer escape.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE PRINT SHOP – July 11 at Monticello
Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by printing your own at Monticello as part of this hands-on letterpress printing experience.
CHIHAMBA AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL ARTS FESTIVAL – July 25 at Washington Park
This long-standing community gathering brings together music, movement, and tradition through a full lineup of activities including a drum call, live performances, local vendors, and hands-on experiences for youth.
COUNTY FAIRS
Rides, entertainment, animals and more – our extensive round-up of central Virginia county fairs to visit this summer.
Don’t miss a thing — check our full Family Events Calendar → updated daily.
News Fresh From CharlottesvilleFamily.com
Tips for tick prevention, guidance on talking to kids after a school sexual offender case, plus lighter fare: building a butterfly garden, a free summer camp packing list, and free printable activities from Bumble’s Little Library.
DISNEY’S NEWSIES COMES TO CHARLOTTESVILLE – Virginia Theatre Festival’s biggest production yet includes 13 young artists from DMR Adventures.
TIPS TO PREVENT TICK BITES – Outdoor medicine expert and emergency physician from Virginia Tech shares advice and practical steps for tick prevention.
BUTTERFLY GARDEN: A FAMILY PROJECT – How to create a kid-friendly butterfly garden in your backyard.
FREE SUMMER CAMP PACKING LIST & PRINTABLES – Don’t forget anything when packing your kids up for camp with this packing list. Plus, a parent’s survival guide and other resources.
BUMBLE’S FREE LITTLE LIBRARY – Exclusive resources for CharlottesvilleFamily readers, including printable scavenger hunts and activity pages.
JULY EVENTS IN CHARLOTTESVILLE — Top family-friendly events in the area including festivals, cake decorating, story times, and date night ideas for mom and dad.
BERRY ICE CREAM CAKE RECIPE — Cool off with this delicious dessert – fresh, festive, and extra cool. Want to pick your own fruit? Check our always popular Charlottesville Berry Picking Guide.
Charlottesville/Albemarle School News
A Note for Parents: We know the recent arrests in our school district have been upsetting and confusing for families. We put together resources for talking to kids about hard news at age-appropriate levels. [READ HERE →] You’re not alone in navigating this.
NEW ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT – The Albemarle County School Board appointed Dr. Chandra Hayes, ACPS Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, as the Acting Superintendent.
BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT – The Albemarle Foundation for Education will host the annual Back to School Bash on August 9 at the former JCPenney space at Fashion Square Mall. The event is about more than distributing supplies, it helps students begin the year with confidence, supports families, and helps every kid start the year feeling ready.
NEW PRINCIPAL – Ms. Courtney Kraus Saunders, the current assistant principal at Tall Oaks Elementary School, has been selected to be the school’s new principal.
Officer Tyree Kirby and Officer Arron Arreguin have been selected as the new school resource officers (SRO) for the Charlottesville City Schools community.
Wondering what summer camps are still open near Charlottesville? Some day camps still have availability — here’s how to find the right fit. Check our Summer Camp Guide → to see what’s offered, helpful tips and more.
Find our custom CharlottesvilleFamily Camp Printables free to download:
Camp Mom’s Survival Guide
Packing List Ages 5–8
Packing List Ages 9–12
Packing List Teens
Camp Prep/Survival Guide
Local Love: Dr. Sue Pediatrics
We love highlighting the incredible local providers who make Charlottesville such a special place to raise a family — and Dr. Sue Murray is exactly that kind of gem.
A board-certified general pediatrician, lactation consultant, and integrative medicine specialist, Dr. Sue is also a mom of four who truly gets what families need. She offers personalized in-home pediatric care tailored to each individual child, so your little one gets the attention they deserve — and you get the peace of mind that comes from having direct, timely access to a pediatrician you genuinely trust.
Giveaways & Good Stuff
THROUGH JULY ONLY! Enjoy $10 off Cake Bloom’s Tiny Tier and Sprinkle Embroidery “Studio Sessions,” which are offered *most* Wednesday afternoons. These “DIY workshops” have been a hit for kids ages 8ish and up. Use code MINICAKE10 for any workshop booked through July!
Birthday Club — Is your child’s birthday coming up? Join Bumble’s Birthday Club for free personalized surprises they’ll love. Join Bumble’s Birthday Club → for free party planning ideas and exclusive offers from favorite local businesses.
More From the CharlottesvilleFamily Fam
VirginiaSummerCamp.com — It’s camp and summer family fun season! Get ready with these helpful resources.
PREPARING YOUR CHILD – AND YOURSELF – FOR SUMMER CAMP – First summer camp? Or just need a refresher? This guide walks you through everything, from managing separation anxiety to what to pack.
VIRGINIA RAILS-TO-TRAILS: THE BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY BIKE & WALKING PATHS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH – One of our all-time favorite summer activity lists — featuring the most scenic, family-friendly rail trails across Virginia. Perfect for a weekend adventure.
SOON…. RoanokeFamily will launch its digital magazine. Meanwhile, follow along on Instagram.
Ready to Read
Our Special Summer Edition of Bloom Magazine is out now. This special Choose-Your-Own Adventure Guide is just what you need to plan a memorable summer with your family and friends. Here’s why:
150+ DAY TRIPS & FESTIVALS
The most extensive guide to day trip adventures and local summer festivals.
SUMMER FUN ROUND-UPS
Local round-ups including swimming fun, ice cream places, farmers markets & more.
HIDDEN GEMS & LOCAL FAVORITES
Places you may not even know about, plus popular favorites that always bring the fun.
INDOOR FUN & SENSORY-FRIENDLY OPTIONS
Beat the heat with numerous indoor places to play and learn + sensory-friendly fun for all.
AT HOME ADVENTURE IDEAS
No need to leave the house with these tried and true at home activities.
THE BEST SUMMER EVENTS
Now through August, all curated, all local. Your calendar just got a whole lot more fun.
This is the guide Charlottesville families will use all summer. Grab it now and start planning!
On Our Minds
From the editors:
Here’s something we’ve been thinking about as we settle into July: by now, the initial excitement of summer break has probably worn off, and what’s left is the long stretch of hot days, sticky popsicle hands, and kids who’ve cycled through every “I’m bored” complaint at least twice. July is often the heart of summer, the season we’ll actually remember years from now — not for the camps we signed up for or the trips we planned, but for the sprinkler afternoons, the porch evenings, the bike rides, and the slower mornings curled up with a good book. So this month, we’re leaning into the lazy stretch of summer instead of fighting it. Fewer plans, more presence. Sometimes the best thing we can do for our families is simply let the season unfold. Reads that have resonated with our team lately:
- Summer Reading Picks From Author-Illustrator Eliza Kinkz
- Bring on the Awe and Wonder: A Reflection on Parenting, Childhood & Nature
- The Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Cville Kids
What does your family’s version of ‘leaning into the lazy stretch’ look like? We’d genuinely love to know. Drop us a line!
Coming Up for Parents
Be on the lookout for our back-to-school fall/winter issue. Homework tips, after school activities guide, local stories, fall festival info, holiday season happenings and so much more.
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The Cville Buzz is published monthly by CharlottesvilleFamily, Central Virginia’s trusted family resource since 1998.
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