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