As you plan our your next month of activities, don’t forget to include some of the many events happening in Charlottesville and Albemarle County this May. From an escape room for teens to story times for toddlers, art activities for the whole family, and even date nights for adults, we’ve rounded up our favorite things happening during the coming month.
Looking for more? The CharlottesvilleFamily calendar is updated throughout the month with more to see and do locally. Whether you’re planning for your own family or looking for fun things to do with guests, there’s plenty of keep you busy and having fun in Charlottesville this May!
May Storytimes in Charlottesville
Storytime with Hannah
Where: Bluebird & Co.
When: Fridays • 11:30 am – 12:00 pm
All Ages Storytime
Where: New Dominion Bookshop
When: Saturdays • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Creation Station Storytime
Where: Virginia Discovery Museum
When: Mondays • 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Mother’s Day 2026 is Sunday, May 10, and there’s plenty to do in Charlottesville to celebrate. Browse our top Mother’s Day events in the area. And don’t forget to make a reservation for Mother’s Day brunch!
Storytime at the Garden
Where: Botanical Garden of the Piedmont
When: May 13, 2026 • 10:00 am – 10:45 am
Accessible Charlottesville Events in May
Accessible Jump Time
Where: Get Air Charlottesville
When: May 2, 2026 • 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Sensory-Friendly Touch-a-Truck
Where: Brooks Family YMCA
When: May 16, 2026 • 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Outdoor May Events in Charlottesville
Goat Walk & Sanctuary Tour
Where: Sentient Sanctuary, Scottsville
When: May 5 & 30, 2026 • 11:00 am
Riverfest
Where: Constitution Park, Waynesboro
When: May 2, 2026 • 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Little Nature Explorers
Where: Botanical Garden of the Piedmont
When: Tuesdays • 10:00 am – 11:15 am
There’s lots of outdoor fun around Charlottesville! Take your family or friends for a date to cuddle with baby goats, pick a bouquet at a local flower farm, or stock up on fresh, local produce at one of the region’s many farmers markets and farm stands.
Bow-Wow-Walk
Where: Boar’s Head Resort
When: May 9, 2026 • 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Highland Rustic Trails Dog Day
Where: James Monroe’s Highland
When: May 24, 2026, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Free Entrance Day
Where: Shenandoah National Park
When: May 25, 2026, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Art & Science Events for Charlottesville Families
Dino Walk
Where: Museum of Culpeper History
When: May 1-2, 2026 • timed admission
Albemarle Ballet Theatre Presents “The Ugly Duckling”
Where: Piedmont Virginia Community College
When: May 2 & 3, 2026 • 2:00 pm
Toddler Time
Where: The Art Bar Cville
When: Sundays • 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival
Where: Claudius Crozet Park
When: May 9 & 10, 2026 • 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Baby Buds
Where: Virginia Discovery Museum
When: Thursdays • 10:30 am – 11:00 am
Explore the arts and sciences more with a visit to one of our local arts & craft studios. Or, take the whole family on a science-themed day trip.
DIY-U Kids’ Workshops
Where: Lowe’s Charlottesville
When: May 16, 2026 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Charlottesville Arts Festival
Where: IX Art Park
When: May 23, 2026 • 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm & May 24, 2026 • 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Charlottesville Events in May for Teens & Tweens
Free Comic Book Day
Where: Hello Comics Uptown
When: May 2, 2026 • 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Art Spa
Where: Foster Art
When: May 2, 2026 • 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Camp Movie Classics Double Feature: “Twister” & “Twisters”
Where: Foster Art
When: May 2, 2026 • 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Free Roller Skating
Where: Carver Recreation Center
When: Wednesdays, 5:00 pm • Fridays 4:00 pm • Sundays, 12:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Basic Sewing
Where: Northside Library, Charlottesville
When: May 4, 2026 • 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Teen Book Club
Where: Gordon Ave. Library, Charlottesville
When: May 4, 2026 • 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Roller Skating Night
Where: Greenwood Community Center, Crozet
When: Saturdays • 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
The Jefferson-Madison Regional Library calendar has many more May events and clubs for tweens and teens. Need some everyday activities for your big kids? We’ve rounded up our favorite things for teens and tweens to do in Charlottesville!
Plot Twist Book Club
Where: Crozet Library
When: May 5, 2026 • 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Club Air
Where: Get Air Trampoline Park
When: Fridays & Saturdays • 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Jurassic Park Escape Room
Where: Northside Library, Charlottesville
When: May 8, 2026 • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm & May 9, 2026 • all day
Dungeons & Dragons (& Snacks)
Where: Northside Library, Charlottesville
When: May 30, 2026 • 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
May Date Ideas in Charlottesville
Fridays After Five
Where: Ting Pavilion
When: Fridays • 5:30 pm
Batman 1989 In Concert
Where: Altria Theater, Richmond
When: May 2, 2026 • 7:00 pm
Eastwood After Dark
Where: Eastwood Winery
When: Saturdays • 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
World Ballet Company: Swan Lake
Where: The Paramount Theater
When: May 5 & 6, 2026 • 7:00 pm
Date Night Drop-Off
Where: Virginia Discovery Museum
When: May 15, 2026 • 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Looking for more fun for couples? Try one of our favorite inexpensive or free date night ideas in Charlottesville.
Community Events for Charlottesville Families
Kidchella
Where: ReadyKids Charlottesville
When: May 2, 2026 • 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
MSC Truck Touch
Where: Montessori School of Charlottesville
When: May 2, 2026 • 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
HER Sports Day
Where: Brooks Family YMCA
When: May 2, 2026 • 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Filipino Spring Festival
Where: IX Art Park
When: May 2, 2026 • 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Shenandoah Valley Baby Expo
Where: Rockingham County Fairgrounds
When: May 9, 2026 • 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Hope Grows Fundraiser
Where: King Family Vineyards
When: May 10, 2026 • 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Mom’s Lit Society Book Club
Where: Star Hill Brewery Dairy Market
When: May 12, 2026 • 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Touch-a-Truck
Where: Brooks Family YMCA
When: May 16, 2026 • 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Memorial Day Weekend
Where: Frontier Culture Museum
When: May 23, 24 & 25, 2026 • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Explore more Virginia history with the VA 250 Passport program! Visit the best family-friendly historic sites around the state, including the sites celebrating Back history in Virginia.
Summer Kickoff
Where: Central Library, Charlottesville
When: May 30, 2026 • 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
CharlottesvilleFamily is your go-to resource for busy parents! Try out easy recipes for weeknight dinners and school lunches, explore local daytrip ideas in and around Cville, and find fun after-school activities for kids.
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CharlottesvilleFamily Editors are locals who care deeply about family and community. We are almost all parents who serve alongside our readers. We’re in the PTO and band boosters, coach sports teams, help with the school fun fair, and more. Our insider perspective, combined with great research and expert input from our wonderful CharlottesvilleFamily Advisory Panel, helps us to provide you with trustworthy advice as you raise the next generation of brilliant and compassionate kids.