Arts & Culture
Despite having just 1/195th the population of New York City, Charlottesville has an arts & culture scene that amazingly rivals that of any metropolis in the country. Don't believe us? Just look at some of the performers who have swung by recently; Sheryl Crow, Lady Gaga, U2, Jay-Z, Kenny Chesney, Elton John, Jimmy Buffet, Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen (twice). With all those big names, it's easy to forget Dave Matthews created his band while bartending on our Downtown Mall and regularly plays sold out shows in Charlottesville.
The area continues to serve as an incubator for the next big artist to emerge from its thriving local scene, and concert venues of all sizes support the diversity of performers. From the 15,000+ seat John Paul Jones Arena, to the historic Paramount Theater (pictured above) and intimate, one-of-a-kind establishments like The Southern, Charlottesville provides a range of venues that attract both the world's biggest performers and small emerging artists.
On a quieter note, Charlottesville is home to a historic and established arts scene. After all, it was Georgia O'Keeffe who had quit painting at age 21 before she had moved to Charlottesville. A few University of Virginia art classes later, and she was on her way to becoming one of America's most revered artists. Currently, Charlottesville is home to dozens of art galleries and museums that highlight the works of internationally and locally renowned artists.
Year round, Charlottesville hosts an assortment of festivals and events that are enjoyable for all types and ages. Morgan Freeman, Sandra Bullock, Anthony Hopkins and thousands of movie buffs have all attended the annual Virginia Film Festival. The Virginia Festival of the Book brings together writers and readers every year in March to celebrate literature. Twice a year, people flock into Albemarle Country to witness a premier steeplechase event called the Foxfield Races. And whether you've got a green thumb or can just barely keep a cactus alive, Historic Garden Week celebrates spring blooms at their finest. Whether it's inside or outside, Charlottesville has numerous other events and festivals to keep everyone entertained.
Take a look at our thriving events calendar to see what happenings fit your entertainment needs. Game on, New York.
Featured Listings
Michie Tavern ca. 1784 - A Virginia Historic Landmark
- 683 Thomas Jefferson Parkway
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 977-1234 | Fax: (434) 296-7203
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
- Visit Website
MICHIE TAVERN, located ½ mile below Jefferson’s Monticello, accommodated travelers with food, drink and lodging more than 200 years ago. Today, visitors experience the Tavern’s past through an historical journey which recreates 18th-century tavern life. Servers in period attire offer bountiful COLONIAL MIDDAY FARE. The rustic tavern setting renders a dining experience rich in southern culture and hospitality featuring a buffetof southern fried chicken,hickory-smoked pork barbecue, stewed tomatoes, black-eyed peas, buttermilk biscuits and so much more. Savor the lively INTERACTIVE TOUR of the oldest section of the Tavern socialized. Guests enjoy relaxed shopping in FOUR UNIQUE SHOPS - The Tavern-Museum Shop, The Metal Smith Shop, The Clothier and The General Store each provide a one-of-a-kind experience. MORE >>
Monticello
- 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 984-9822 | Fax: (434) 977-7757
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
- Visit Website
No other home in the United States more accurately reflects the personality of its owner than Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's architectural masterpiece and beloved mountaintop home. Monticello is the only home in America recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. Guided tours of the house are offered daily throughout the year; outdoor gardens and plantation tours are offered daily April-October. MORE >>
African-American Cultural Arts Festival
- 910 Rockcreek Road
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
From its beginning in July 1989, this festival celebrates the rich heritage of people of African ancestry and their contributions to the community, the nation and the world. ... MORE >>
Albemarle Ballet Theater
- 5798 Three Notched Road
- Rear Entrance
- Crozet, VA 22932
- (434) 823-8888
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Our dance school continues to flourish in our 5th year in downtown Crozet. We continue to build on our mission to provide a fun, safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for our students. ABT ... MORE >>
Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society
- 200 Second Street, NE
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 296-1492 | Fax: (434) 296-4576
Founded in 1940, the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society seeks to study, preserve and promote the history of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia. The Society strives to ... MORE >>
Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society
- 200 Second Street, NE
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 296-1492 | Fax: (434) 296-4576
Jail #5 was the fifth jail built in Albemarle County, the other earlier jails no longer stand. The stone jail house was built in 1876 out of the stones from a previous jail that once stood on court ... MORE >>
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
- 160 McCormick Road
- Charlottesville, VA 22904
- (434) 243-1776 | Fax: (434) 924-4968
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Special Collections administers over 12 million manuscripts, 2.5 million items in the University archives, and 300,000 rare books, as well as approximately 4,000 maps, over 4,000 broadsides; more than ... MORE >>
Antiques, Etc.
- 200 Ednam Drive, Suite A
- Charlottesville, VA 22903
- (434) 244-9932 | Fax: (434) 244-9935
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Reflecting the appearance of a real "Charlottesville country house," Antiques, etc. is filled with 18th and 19th Century American and English antique furniture, original art, decorative lighting, ... MORE >>
Ash Lawn Opera
- 215 East Main Street
- Enter your address line 2 here
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) -293-4500 | Fax: (434) -293-0736
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Ash Lawn Opera Festival produces opera and other musical performances at The Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville. The Festival also provides a wide range of educational programs for youth ... MORE >>
Bent Theatre
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 466-6235
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
The Bent Theatre delivers Charlottesville’s only weekly comedy, with both adult and “by the teens for teens” comedy improve shows. The groups have been known to pop up all over town, but can be ... MORE >>
bozArt Gallery
- 211 W. Main Street, N.W.
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 296-3919
- Region: Downtown Mall Area
BozART Gallery is a co-operative art gallery of local artists since 1995. Our member artists create images & objects that are abstract, realistic, surreal and whimsical. You will find acrylics, ... MORE >>
Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative
- 209 Monticello Road
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 984-5669
- Region: Belmont
AT A GLANCE; The Bridge is a small-scale non-profit arts organization housed in a 1200 sq. ft, brick building on the corner of Graves and Monticello in the neighborhood of Belmont, just south of ... MORE >>
C'ville Arts
- 118 East Main Street
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 972-9500
- Region: Downtown Mall Area
C'ville Arts: A Cooperative Gallery is a vibrant storefront space featuring handmade works by Virginia artists and craftspeople, located one-half block west of the Central Place on the lively ... MORE >>
Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra
- 801 West Main St., Suite 201
- Charlottesville, VA 22903
- (434) 924-3139 | Fax: (434) 293-6644
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
The Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, supported through the partnership of the Charlottesville Symphony Society and the University of Virginia, provides Central Virginia with the ... MORE >>
Charlottesville Ballet
- 983 Second Street S.E.
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 227-7592
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival
- P.O. Box 1491
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
The directors of the Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival are proud to bring their 12th season of beautiful, extraordinary, and exploratory music to central Virginia. Having toured the world -- ... MORE >>
Charlottesville Chocolate Festival
- 2nd St NE and Market St
- Charlottesville, VA 22901
- (434) 531-0125
- Region: Downtown Mall Area
Annual event that our doors to the local community through a Chocolate Festival. You’ll enjoy a day of chocolate indulgence starting with the Chocolate Chase 5k Run/Walk and Pancake Breakfast. ... MORE >>
Charlottesville Comedy Roundtable
- Charlottesville, VA 22903
- (434) 227-6468
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Catch Charlottesville's hottest young comics as they light up stages and entertain audiences around Central Virginia.
The Roundtable has monthly shows at Bel Rio (2nd ... MORE >>
Charlottesville Municipal Band
- 1119 5th Street, SW
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 295-9850
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
The Municipal Band of Charlottesville was organized on August 29, 1922. The first public concert was presented in Lee Park, near the downtown mall, on May 29, 1923. It is one of the oldest amateur ... MORE >>
Charlottesville Vegetarian Festival
- Lee Park
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 979-1200 | Fax: (540) 832-7485
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Join us in September for the largest vegetarian/animal rights/ecology festival on the east coast. Voted one of the top two outdoor events in Charlottesville with 6,000-8,000 visitors annually. Fun ... MORE >>
Chroma Projects
- 418 East Main
- Charlottesville, VA 22902
- (434) 202-0269
- Region: Downtown Mall Area
Chroma Projects Art Laboratory features a changing exhibition space along with a collective of artist studios and showrooms in the labyrinth of spaces that originally serviced the University ... MORE >>
Colonial 200 Relay
- Charlottesville
- Charlottesville, VA 22903
The Colonial200 Relay is a unique annual, overnight relay adventure in which you and 11 friends run 200 scenic miles through the heart of Virginia typically run in the fall. The 2012 Colonial200 ... MORE >>
Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival
- Claudius Crozet Park
- Crozet, VA 22932
- (434) -823-2211
- Region: Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Annual (spring & fall) juried fine arts and crafts show featuring 125 of the nation's finest artists and craftsmen. Door prizes, music and dancing. The festival provides a fine outing for the entire ... MORE >>
Crozet Music Festival
- Claudius Crozet Park
- Crozet, VA 22932
Annual music festival featuring dozens of bands, multiple stages, breweries and food vendors all against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 2010 version of the festival featured 50 bands.
The Culbreth Theatre
- 109 Culbreth Road
- Charlottesville, VA 22903
- (434)924-3376
A traditional proscenium seating 595, was built with funds from Dr. David M. R. Culbreth (Med 1877) and named for his mother. The building also houses the Lois Garren Collection of Historic Dress, ... MORE >>
