Festivals & Events

November 11 & 12, 2023 : 10am-5pm One weekend every fall, artisans in Central Virginia open their doors for you to explore their working spaces. It's a fun, unique opportunity to learn more about the creative process! All studios offer unique experiences and unsurpassed quality craft. Self-guided, free, and open to the public. Each studio on the Tour provides locally-sourced refreshments. Map and directions are on the website. Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/artisans.studio.tour

The Parade of Homes is your opportunity to view a variety of new homes that incorporate the latest in design trends, cutting-edge energy efficiency, and talent of our local craftsmen. Entries include attached living at its finest, detached homes displaying beautiful custom features, and showcase options to fit your style. They are featured in a variety of locations with prices from the upper $200’s to over $1 million, highlighting the unique lifestyles of those fortunate enough to call this area of Central Virginia home. New in 2020, we will be offering virtual tours and please know that we are doing our part to KEEP YOU SAFE while visiting the Parade of Homes Models. We will be providing face coverings (required for entry), limiting the number of individuals at one time in each model to practice social distancing, and providing hand sanitizer in each home.

Over 120 of the finest Artists and Craftspeople from around the nation will gather together, rain or shine. Find one of a kind, handmade items including pottery, textiles, leather, glass, wood, metal, photography and fine art. Festive fare, Virginia wine and Virginia draft beer, live entertainment, children's activities, a free raffle, and more! Enjoy a day in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and marvel at the Virginia countryside. Proceeds benefit Claudius Crozet Park. Visit the website for directions and information. Adults $7, Seniors $6 at the gate, under 12 is free. No pets.

For over 30 years The Foxfield Racing Association has provided a beautiful setting for the equestrian sport of steeplechasing. The alluring but challenging Foxfield course was designed to attract Thoroughbred owners and trainers, and to provide the jockey and his mount with a beautiful ride. The Foxfield Racing Association sells reserved parking places in contained areas for the long held and honored tradition of tailgating.  Families, friends and guest enjoy a tailgate picnic or purchase food from our onsite vendors. 

The annual Heritage Harvest Festival, hosted by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in partnership with Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, celebrates Jefferson's legacy in a fun, affordable, family-oriented, educational event promoting gardening, sustainability, local food and the preservation of heritage plants. Participants enjoy the traditional tastings, workshops, hands-on demonstrations, family-friendly activities and a variety of garden tours and exhibits. Festival parking available at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The 2020 festival will be held virtually. See website for more information.

John Paul Jones Arena is a community staple in Charlottesville and at the University of Virginia. It is the largest indoor entertainment venue in the Commonwealth. The arena is home to the UVA Men’s & Women’s basketball teams and hosts a variety of events including concerts, family shows and private events. JPJ has hosted Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, KISS,  MercyMe and many more! Located at 295 Massie Road right next to Barracks Road, the venue is at a convenient destination for students and the C’ville community.  New events are consistently being announced so visit johnpauljonesarena.com to learn more and see what shows are coming to Charlottesville!

Located on the east end of the Historic Downtown Mall, the TING Pavilion is the city's premier outdoor venue for live performance. Open since July of 2005, it features premium seating, a spacious lawn, and professional stage and sound, all within easy walking distance of downtown Charlottesville's many restaurants and other attractions. The TING Pavilion presents acclaimed live musical acts and is host to the Friday's After Five free concert series from April through September.

Virginia Historic Garden Week is nearly here and we’ve created some beautiful new stories for garden lovers! Being an enthusiastic gardener myself I thought that you would also enjoy these new stories. It would be really helpful for the Garden Club if you could share links. I have pasted links to the stories below - please let me know if you need any technical assistance and I will try to help. Please share on your website, in emails and on social media. Virginia Historic Garden Week is the largest state tour in the country and the money raised supports many wonderful restoration projects and environmental projects in our community so please show your support by sharing the news. 

Thank you so much & Happy Spring Gardening!

Highlights of the Virginia Historic Garden Week Tours Around the State
https://wineandcountrylife.com/historic-garden-week/ 

This Year Marks the 90th Anniversary of Historic Garden Week
https://wineandcountrylife.com/90-years-of-historic-garden-week/

Exclusive Rooms and a Photo Tour of Upper Bundoran, a beautiful home on the Albemarle-Charlottesville tour of Virginia Historic Garden Week
https://wineandcountrylife.com/historic-upper-bundoran