Experience Charlottesville Through Soul of Cville: A Week of Culture, Community, and Celebration

Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a weeklong stay, Soul of Cville combines meaningful cultural experiences with everything that makes Charlottesville and Albemarle County a favorite destination in Virginia. Between festival events, spend time exploring local restaurants and businesses on the historic Downtown Mall. There are also plenty of wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail to be explored.

From inspiring community gatherings and elegant evening celebrations to live performances, local shopping, family-friendly activities, and delicious food, each event offers a unique way to connect with Charlottesville's vibrant Black culture and creative community. Here's a look at the festival's signature events.

Celebrate Community with the Legacy Run

The week begins with the Legacy Run: Pass the Torch at the Jefferson School City Center from 5 to 8PM on Monday, August 10th. This free event will be held in partnership with Prolyfyck and commemorate the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center's 100th anniversary. Expect dancing, food, and performance built around passing the torch from one generation to the next.

Dress Up for an Elegant Evening

New in 2026, the Legacy Lounge: A Sophisticated Harlem Renaissance Garden Affair, will transform The Fralin Museum’s outdoor space on Wednesday, August 12th. Expect an evening of neo-soul funk fusion from Jen Tal, signature drinks, fashion, light bites from The Pie Guy, and decadent desserts from Krissy Cakes. Don't forget to dress for the "Harlem Renaissance Garden Chic" theme and take advantage of the evening's red-carpet photo ops.

Honor Charlottesville Changemakers

The Best in Black Cville Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, August 14th at Live Arts Theater and celebrate Black leaders, entrepreneurs, organizations, and community advocates who are making a lasting impact across the region. This is the night Charlottesville recognizes its own, chosen through thousands of community nominations and votes. The evening will feature a VIP reception, inspiring conversations with local business owners, a multigenerational fashion show, scholarship presentations, and opportunities to connect with the community. When the awards conclude, the celebration is just getting started. Head to the Best in Black Afterparty at Mejicali for an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and community.

Experience the Soul of Cville Festival

The festival’s largest celebration will take place on Saturday, August 15th from 5 to 10PM at IX Art Park, where visitors can browse Black-owned businesses, enjoy live entertainment, participate in immersive art making, sample food from local vendors, and attend another multigenerational fashion show. End the night at the Soul of Cville Afterparty, presented by 101 Jamz, with music, dancing, and celebration from 10PM to 2AM.

Wrap Up the Weekend with Sunday Brunch

End your Soul of Cville experience with a memorable brunch on Sunday, August 16th, celebrating the connection between food, history, and community. Presented as part of Monticello’s Feast of Reason program, this year’s brunch will honor the legacy of Chef Edith Hern Fossett, a French-trained chef who helped shape the culinary traditions of Monticello and American food history.

Soulful brunch offerings and drinks will be available at Black-owned Order Up! Mobile Food & Catering and Royalty Eats. Reservations are free but required, and space is limited, so be sure to plan ahead.

Soul Of Cville is more than a week of events, it’s a celebration that brings together thousands. What began as a community-driven initiative has grown into one of Central Virginia’s premier cultural celebrations, bringing together residents and visitors to honor Black excellence, support local businesses. And foster meaningful connections. This year's theme, "Future Heirlooms: We Are the Ancestors," serves as a reminder that the legacy we leave is shaped by the choices we make today.