Top Events in Charlottesville & Central Virginia

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.

Fun by Age:

Search by Category:

  • Rescue

    Science Museum of Virginia 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA
    All Ages

    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 [...]

  • Youth Botanical Art Show

    Jefferson School African American Heritage Center 233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA, United States
    Arts & Crafts

    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 [...]

  • Botanical Arts Festival

    Botanical Garden of the Piedmont 950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United States
    All Ages

    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 [...]

  • JMRL Book Hunt

    Botanical Garden of the Piedmont 950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United States
    All Ages

    As part of the Botanical Art Festival, find rocks painted with popular book covers scattered throughout the garden.

  • “Give Me Liberty” VA250 Display

    Jefferson-Madison Regional Library - Nelson Memorial Library 8521 Thomas Nelson Highway, Lovingston, Virginia
    All Ages

    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. [...]

  • Blue Ridge Mountain Maze

    Blue Toad Cider 462 Winery Ln, Roseland, Virginia
    All Ages

    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.   [...]

  • Tiny Tiers

    Tiny Tiers
    Cake Bloom 705 W Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia
    Arts & Crafts

    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 [...]

  • Edgar Allan Poe at UVA: An Exhibition

    UVA Special Collections Library
    Learning Fun

    Celebrating Reading at the University of Virginia through Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe at UVA: 1826 | 2026 Exhibition When: 9/23/2026 – 4/9/2027, during library hours Where: Albert and [...]

  • Toddler Time

    Toddler Time
    Kindness Cafe + Play 480 Rugby Rd, Charlottesville, Virginia
    Preschoolers

    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 [...]

  • Amazing Mile Children’s Run

    Amazement Square 27 9th St, Lynchburg, VA
    All Ages

    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 [...]

  • Ice Cream Social

    Ice Cream Social
    Cake Bloom 705 W Main Street, Charlottesville, Virginia
    All Ages

    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 [...]

  • State Fair of Virginia

    The Meadow Event Park 13191 Dawn Blvd, Doswell, VA
    All Ages

    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 [...]

  • Storytime With Hannah

    Storytime With Hannah
    Bluebird & Co. 5792 Three Notch'd Rd, Crozet, VA
    Learning Fun

    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 [...]

  • Fourth Friday Solar Viewing

    Fourth Friday Solar Viewing
    Ivy Creek Natural Area Charlottesville
    All Ages

    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 [...]

  • Watercolor Botanicals for Beginners

    McGuffey Art Center 201 2nd Street, NW, Charlottesville, Virginia
    Arts & Crafts

    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, [...]

  • Queen City Mischief & Magic

    Downtown Staunton Staunton, Virginia
    Festivals & Fairs

    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 [...]

  • Shenandoah Storyteller

    Botanical Garden of the Piedmont 950 Melbourne Rd, Charlottesville, VA, United States
    All Ages

    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, [...]

  • Toddler Time

    Toddler Time
    Frontier Culture Museum Staunton, Virginia
    Learning Fun

    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 [...]

How to Use the Charlottesville Family Events Calendar

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.

Submit Your Local Charlottesville Events or Cville Kids Activity

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 kidsschools & learninghome & garden and family fun.

Top 15 Year-Round Things To Do with Kids & Families in Charlottesville, VA

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!

  1. Annual Family Events & Festivals in Central Virginia – A roundup of major Charlottesville events families look forward to each season.
  2. Explore Charlottesville’s Children’s Museums – Hands-on learning and play at regional children’s museums.
  3. Visit Pick-Your-Own Berry Farms – A sweet seasonal tradition that makes for a perfect family event.
  4. Top Charlottesville Attractions for Families – A guide to must-see family attractions and local favorites.
  5. Local Art Studios for Kids & Creative Play – Where little artists can express themselves all year.
  6. Charlottesville Pools & Spray Grounds – Cool off with kid-friendly water fun.
  7. Family-Friendly Hikes in Central Virginia – Discover scenic trails perfect for all ages.
  8. Best Flower Farms to Visit Near Charlottesville – A blooming adventure and great photo opportunity.
  9. Lakes & Water Activities for Families – Relax or explore with water-based fun close to home.
  10. Charlottesville’s Best Playgrounds & Parks – Our top picks for outdoor play spaces.
  11. Go Apple Picking in the Fall – Celebrate the season with a favorite fall event in Charlottesville.
  12. Sensory Friendly Play Spaces – A curated guide to accessible and sensory‑aware venues.
  13. Parent Support Groups & Meet-Ups – Connect with other local families throughout the year.
  14. Top Kids’ Party Places in Charlottesville – Venues and ideas for celebrating birthdays and milestones.
  15. Indoor & Active Fun for Rainy Days – Indoor Charlottesville activities for energetic kids when the weather isn’t ideal.

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.