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.
Be Our Guest at BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Disney’s first North American production of the beloved musical in over 25 years. This enchanting and timeless tale, filled with the romance and grandeur audiences know and [...]
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 [...]
For teens ages 11-18. Need something to do when school's closed? Drop in all day to the Teen Space to play games, do crafts, and eat snacks!
The Shenandoah National Park Trust is thrilled to bring the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival back to The Paramount Theater! Get ready for an exhilarating cinematic journey featuring breathtaking stories [...]
Trainers of all ages, prepare for an epic adventure! Craft Pokéballs, make buttons, and design custom Pokémon cards. Build your Pokemon TCG skills. Embark on a scavenger hunt or battle other trainers in Pokemon trivia to catch 'em all and win special prizes! Pokemon TCG battling is for ages 8-18.
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 on the trampoline for free. Siblings of jumpers are welcome to jump for the same price, but should be more careful during this time. We aim to create inclusive playgrounds. Kids of all ages and abilities can come together in an environment that facilitates shared [...]
Join Second Street Gallery and exhibiting artist Ryan Trott to create a unique painting using real and papier-mâché fruit as reference! Participants will arrange and render their own still life compositions of boldly colorful shapes, inspired by Trott's exhibition Mixed Bag. PLEASE NOTE: This workshop is recommended for participants ages 12 and older, and attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult. Reservations are available at $25 SSG members /$30 non-members. This fee covers workshop instruction and access to all workshop materials for the activity. Space is limited to 20 participants; secure your spot now [...]
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 rhythms. Our small friends will have the opportunity to see, touch, and hear historical instruments. They will also have the chance to make and play their own! *Please be advised that this program will be loud and may affect friends who are sensitive to noise. [...]
Join us for a day of inspiration, education, and opportunity! Explore Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The HBCU 434 College Fair is a community-centered initiative dedicated to educating students, graduates, and families about the value and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Our purpose is to increase awareness of HBCU education, celebrate the rich culture and traditions that define HBCUs, and empower families to make informed college decisions.
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 blogs for Cville families—like how to identify your child’s learning style, ways parents can support homework success, local school news, and practical tips for helping your preschooler dress themselves. Be sure to sign up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily e-Mag so you’ll receive weekly or monthly [...]
🐎✨ Celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse at Carver Recreation Center! Enjoy traditional performances, authentic local food vendors, and hands-on crafts like paper fan decorating, drum-making, and face painting. 🌸 Special Guest: Mulan will be there for photos and a meet & greet! Join for a joyful, family-friendly celebration honoring Lunar New Year traditions and the rich heritage of Asian communities in Charlottesville. **Free Admission. Due to limited capacity, pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
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 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 [...]
Toddler Time offers the perfect opportunity for your little ones to embark on a journey of exploration, learning, and growth. Specifically designed for children aged 2 to 4 years old, our program provides a safe and enjoyable environment where creativity flourishes, confidence builds, and friendships blossom. Engaging stories, interactive hands-on activities, and social interaction form the foundation of our Toddler Time experience, fostering the development of young minds. Favorite fun for littles all around Charlottesville includes music programs, arts & crafts, mommy & me classes, sensory friendly activities, birthday parties, and indoor active fun for rainy days. Don’t miss [...]
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. 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 [...]
Ages 5-9. Registration Required Come for a fun Book Tasting featuring Virginia Readers’ Choice titles! Sample a variety of exciting books, explore new favorites, and then create your own mini pizzas. This event is part of JMRL's 2026 Virginia Readers’ Choice programming. Learn more about VRC on the JMRL blog.
A Quarterly Gathering for Moms to Relax, Connect, and Discuss Powerful Books by Women Authors CharlottesvilleFamily Magazine is thrilled to launch Moms Lit Society: Books After Bedtime—a quarterly book club designed to help you relax, recharge, and connect with other thoughtful women in our community. Whether you’re a bookworm, audiobook lover, or just in it for the laughs and camaraderie, this is your space to slow down and savor the simple pleasure of a great story. And the best part? Every title we read is written by a Virginia woman author, shining a spotlight on incredible local talent. March 10, [...]
Create With Nature on Wednesday, March 11th from 10:30-11:15 am! Visit the Garden for a nature themed art activity with Bruce Gatling-Austin. Stay for a stroll through the Garden. Keep an eye out for story pages as you enjoy your walk. Walk-ins are welcome at this free program, but we invite you to register by emailing programs@piedmontgarden.org to receive weather notices. This Create with Nature is geared for ages 2-4, but all are welcome. This event is proceeded by the Gordon Avenue Library JMRL storytime at 10am.
Join Hannah Barnaby, local author and bookseller, every Wednesday 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
