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.
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Baby Buds is an open-exploration activity time for newborns, infants, and toddlers. It supports their parents and caregivers by encouraging physical growth, social-emotional development, and emerging language skills. Engage in structured activities and sensory stations. These focus on tactile stimulation, sound, light, and art. Life with little ones keeps changing, and we love supporting Cville [...]
Join Second Street Gallery and exhibiting artist Sarah Hand on Thursday, March 12, 5:30-7:30PM, for an exciting portrait-painting workshop. Hand’s practice includes using bright acrylic paint and cut stencils to [...]
Join Massanutten Resort for an epic sendoff of ski season on Saturday, March 14 featuring a pond skim, live DJ, multiple bands, and more! Event Schedule: 9 AM | Ski Area [...]
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 [...]
Don't miss the Annual Chess Classic Tournament at Renaissance School! The undisputed worldwide regent of board games for fourteen centuries, chess is a favorite of athletes for the strategy, mathematicians [...]
Everyone mark your calendars for March 14, 10AM - 2PM, when exhibiting artist Sarah Hand joins us in the gallery for our FREE Family Studio Day! Inspired by the round [...]
A Fairy Tale Gathering is an original narrated ballet by Co-Founder Emily Hartka that’s specially designed for children and their families! The 45-minute interactive production features Charlottesville Ballet’s professional company [...]
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 [...]
Cure your wintertime blues with a savory dose of "Blues, Brews and Barbecue" on the rolling landscape of Boar's Head Resort. This public tasting festival brings together over 20 local craft brewers and [...]
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 [...]
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, [...]
Sure, you take your kids on playdates… but have they been on a playdate at a community radio station? On Sunday, March 15, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., WTJU 91.1 FM will host a peek into our broadcast studios. Capacity is limited so please sign up for this FREE event using the registration form HERE [...]
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.
