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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

A Christmas Brunch to Remember ($)

In addition to special dinner services on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, Birch & Bloom will be hosting a special brunch on Christmas Day, complete with a buffet of holiday and breakfast favorites.

  • When: Dec. 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Where: Birch & Bloom
  • Cost: $65 for adults. $25 for kids 5-12, 4 and under eat for free.
  • Website

Holiday Brunch Bingo (F)

The Mount Ida Tasting Room and Taphouse will be hosting a festive game of bingo, while also serving up some mimosas and brunch to go along with it. Each round winner will win special prizes like gift cards and Mount Ida swag.

  • When: Dec.28, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • Where: Mount Ida Tasting Room and Taphouse
  • Cost: Free to play.
  • Website

McGuffey Art Center First Friday Reception (F)

The McGuffey Art Center will celebrate the new year and open its January exhibits with its monthly First Friday Reception, which are always free and open to the public.

  • When: Jan. 2, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: McGuffey Art Center
  • Cost: Free
  • 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.

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.

Lights at the Lake at Bear Creek State Park

Charlottesville Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” ($)

“The Nutcracker” will be at the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center this season 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: Martin Luther King Jr. Performing Arts Center
  • Cost: Depends on ticket level and performance
  • Website

McGuffey Art Center Winter Market (F)

The McGuffey Art Center will be hosting its annual Winter Market seven days a week through Dec. 28. The market covers all of the center’s galleries and features a wide variety of art pieces, including painting, ornaments, jewelry, ceramics and other items, that can purchase. All forms of payment are accepted, and proceeds go directly to supporting the center’s members.

  • When: Nov. 21 – Dec. 28. Weekly hours are Sunday 1-5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Where: McGuffey Art Center
  • Cost: Free entry
  • 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.