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CHARLOTTESVILLE (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — Looking for ways to celebrate the Holiday season locally? Here’s a list of events happening all season long around Charlottesville, Albemarle and the surrounding counties.

All events marked with (F) are free. Those marked with ($) are not.

Single-day events (in chronological order)

Crews set up the Christmas tree on the downtown mall

Charlottesville Grand Illumination (F)

The City of Charlottesville will be hosting its annual Grand Illumination event at the Ting Pavilion this year. The event will feature music, food, games, prizes and special guests, culminating in the lighting of the Downtown Mall’s Christmas Tree.

  • When: Dec. 5, 5-8 p.m.
  • Where: Ting Pavilion
  • Cost: Free. Complimentary parking is also available at the Market and Water Street Garages from 5-10 p.m.
  • Website

UVA Lighting of the Lawn (F)

Celebrating its 25th year, the University of Virginia’s annual Christmas light show this year is titled “Remix,” and promises to be a celebration of the university’s past, present and future, blending the three together in a bold new show.

  • When: Dec. 5, 7-9:30 p.m. Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the event.
  • Where: UVA Lawn
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

McGuffey Art Center First Friday (F)

The McGuffey Art Center will be ushering in the Holidays during it s First Friday event. The studio’s building and red shed studios will be decorated with lights, while attendees can prusue the Winter Market, which opened last month and will stay open through Dec. 28, for artwork, handmade good and other items made by studio members. There will also be a performance of new and in-progress dance works from Artistic Director Olivia Rivard Hill and the Company Dancers.

  • When: Dec. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dance performance will be at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
  • Where: McGuffey Art Center
  • Cost: Market is free to enter. Tickets for the dance performances are $10.97 after fees for general admission.

Charlottesville Waldorf School Holiday Bazaar (F)

The Charlottesville Waldorf School will be hosting two separate events on back-to-back days. First, it’ll host a night market for adults only that will feature 25 artisan vendors, live music and twinkling lights. Then the next morning, bring the kids for the Family Bazaar, which will feature crafts, puppet shows, live performances and seasonal treats, as well as another bustling marketplace.

  • When:
    • Night Market — Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m.
    • Family Bazaar — Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Where: Charlottesville Waldorf School
  • Cost: Free admission. Donations are accepted.
  • Website

Festival of Trees (F)

Visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and even an elf at the Lake Monticello Ashlawn Clubhouse on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event will feature two dozen decorated Christmas trees, some of which will include prizes donated by local businesses and organizations. The trees and their prizes will be raffled off during the event.

  • When: Dec. 6, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Where: Lake Monticello Ashlawn Clubhouse
  • Cost: Free
  • Instagram account

Santa Fun Run & Walk ($)

The Arc of the Piedmont will be hosting its 12th Annual Santa Fun Run to benefit its work with community members with developmental disabilities. Participants can register online until Dec. 5 at noon or in-person day-of. There is also a virtual option.

  • When: Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. – 11 a.m
  • Where: Ting Pavilion
  • Cost: $25
  • Website

The Charlottesville Band Holiday Concert (F)

Wrapping up its 103rd season, the Charlottesville Band will be hosting its annual Holiday Celebration Concert. Guest vocalists Doug Schneider and Leslie Claire Wood will be on hand for the family-friendly concert that will feature Holiday favorites, a sing-a-long, a visit from Santa and perhaps even the first snowfall of the season.

  • When: Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m.
  • Where: The Paramount Theater
  • Cost: Free. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early as the concert typically fills to capacity.
  • Website

Cirque Dreams Holidaze ($)

Fusing a Broadway-style musical with circus flare, Cirque Dreams will bring its annual holiday show to John Paul Jones Arena this month.

  • When: Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: John Paul Jones Arena
  • Cost: Tickets available on Ticketmaster
  • Website

Let There Be Light (F)

Piedmont Virginia Community College will be lighting up the V. Earl Dickinson Building and surrounding ground for its family-friendly “Let There Be Light” event, which will feature illuminated artworks from local artists and students. The event will feature glowing sculptures, video projections and a parade that will run at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a flashlight, and there will be free hot chocolate and cider available.

  • When: Dec. 12, 6-9 p.m. Rain date is Dec. 13, same time.
  • Where: PVCC V. Earl Dickinson Building
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Brew & Buddy Run ($)

The Paramount Theater will be holding its 9th Annual Brew & Buddy Run. The run will include stops at Three Notch’d Brewing Company and Kardinal Hall. Each participant will receive a souvenir cup and one free pour at each brewery. The run will culminate with a screening of “Elf” at the Paramount, and participants are encouraged to dress in festive clothing, as there will be a costume contest before the movie.

  • When: Dec. 21. Registration and doors open at 4 p.m. The run starts at 4:30 p.m. Costume contest and “Elf” screening start at 6 p.m.
  • Where: Paramount Theater
  • Cost: $32 to register for the run. $11.75 to just see the movie.
  • Website

Season-long events

Winter Wander ($)

Boar’s Head Resort is bringing back its Winter Wander Trail of Lights for the fifth consecutive year. The lakeside light trail features a brand new display this year — Glistering Grove, which features a full walkway around Firefly Pond with more than 700 illuminated light posts.

  • When: Select dates between Nov. 14 – Jan. 3
  • Where: Boar’s Head Resort
  • Cost: At least $15 with price fluctuating depending on availability and ticket package. Children under 3 get in free.
  • Website

Downtown Holiday Express (F)

Take a ride on the Downtown Holiday Express every Saturday during the holiday season.

Letters to Santa (F)

If your child has written a letter to Santa, you can drop off at the North Pole Post mailbox outside of the Bradbury. If parents fill out this Google Form, Santa will even write a letter back.

Elves in Cville (F)

The Friends of Cville Downtown are hosting a scavenger hunt, with Elves hidden all around the Downtown Mall this Holiday season. Kids can pick up their North Pole Pass at J Felton Too, Magpie Kits, the JMRL Central Branch or online at the Friends of Cville’s website. For every elf they find, they’ll receive a stamp on their pass, and once completed they can turn in their booklet to J Fenton Too or Magpie Kits for a prize.

Charlottesville Holiday Market (F)

The Charlottesville Holiday Market will run every Saturday until the week of Christmas on the Downtown Mall. Stop by to shop from local vendors selling festive homemade goods and treats, as well listen to some seasonal music.

  • When: Every Saturday from Nov. 29-Dec. 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Where: 100 E. Market Street
  • Cost: Free to enter
  • Website

Carter Mountain Thursday Evening Holiday Series (F)

Inside Carter Mountain’s rustic apple barn, enjoy local shopping and live music every Thursday evening leading up to Christmas. All attendees will also receive a complimentary cup of hot apple cider, and on Dec. 4 and 18, visits with Santa will be available.

  • When: Dec. 4, 11, and 18, 5-8 p.m.
  • Where: Carter Mountain Orchard
  • Cost: Admission is free
  • Website

Lights at the Lake at Bear Creek State Park

Lights at the Lake ($)

The annual drive-through light show will return to Bear Creek Lake State Park for its 11th year. The event will also feature a snack bar, picnic shelter where visitors can roast s’mores, whole barbecue pork butts and pulled pork at the Bear Creek Hall and a raffle for a hand-made quilt and admission to the Powhatan Wine Festival. 

  • When: December 5-7, 12-15 from 5-8 p.m.
  • Where: Bear Creek Lake State Park
  • Cost: A cash donation or new unwrapped toy to benefit the Cumberland Christmas Mother.
  • Website

Charlottesville Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” ($)

“The Nutcracker” will return to the Paramount for 12 performances between Dec. 6 and 23, including three sensory friendly performances and four shows with the Charlottesville Symphony. Select performances will also be followed by 

  • When: Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 22-23, various times.
  • Where: Paramount Theater
  • Cost: Depends on ticket level and performance
  • Website

STVFD Santa Run (F)

Santa will be riding on a fire truck with the Seminole Trail Volunteer Fire Department as they visit local neighborhoods as part of their 23rd annual Santa Run. While handing out candy and saying hi to kids, the department will also be collecting canned and non-perishable food donation for local food banks. Donations can also be dropped off at the department, which is located on Berkmar Drive.

  • When: Dec. 11-13, starting at 6:15 p.m. each evening.
  • Where: Various local neighborhoods around Charlottesville and Albemarle.
  • Cost: Free
  • Website

Monticello Holiday Evening Tours

Monticello will be offering special after-dark tours throughout the Holiday season, highlighting how all residents of the famous house celebrated the holiday. The property itself will also be decorated with holiday greenery, matching the style of Thomas Jefferson’s time.

  • When: Dec. 12-23, 26-30. Tour slots are every 15 minutes between 5:15-6 p.m. before the 18th, 5:15-6:15 p.m. after.
  • Where: Monticello
  • Cost: $99 per ticket
  • Website

If you’d like any other local events to be included in this guide, please contact Jackson Hephner at jhephner@charlottesvilleradiogroup.com.