November in Charlottesville: Top Things to Do - Fall Colors, Shopping, Holiday Spirit

November marks the tail end of peak fall foliage in the Charlottesville-area and Blue Ridge Mountains, when the last bursts of gold and crimson cling to the trees and the mountain views stretch wide and clear. It’s the perfect time for hiking and adventure — without the crowds of October! Here are some of the best hikes in the Charlottesville-area to get you started. If organized events are more your speed, be sure to check out:

• First Saturday Bird Walk - Nov. 7th
• Fall Festival at Botanical Garden of the Piedmont - Nov. 7th
• Harvest Hustle 5k and 10K - Nov. 8th
• Fee Free Day at Shenandoah National Park - Nov. 11th
• Rivanna Trail Monthly Walk - Nov. 21st
• Boar's Head Turkey Trot (5k) - Nov. 26th
• Charlottesville Turkey Trot (5k) - Nov. 26th
• Wintergreen Ski Patrol Annual Ski Swap - Nov. 27th
• Fourth Friday Solar Viewing - Nov. 28th
• Free Fishing at Montfair - Wednesdays

Pick-your-own apples are still in season through November at Carter Mountain Orchard, Chiles Peach Orchard, and Trump Cidery. Check their sites for availability and if there are any fun events happening at the same time, like food trucks or live music.

Our local sauna spaces are open! Check out Riversong Saunas, located right next to the Rivanna River at Rivanna River Company, for private, community, and pay-what-you-can sessions throughout the week. There's also Sisu Space, a mobile, traditional Finnish sauna and cold plunge experience that just opened for their first season! They operate at Chisholm Vineyards throughout the week and are also rentable for full private access at the location of your choice! Both sauna experiences require booking ahead of time online.

Charlottesville's creative side shines year-round, but November is especially rich with experiences. Here are a few events to get you started -- be sure to check our Arts & Culture Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information.

El Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration | early Nov.

This annual celebration, hosted by Lua Project in collaboration with McGuffey Art Center, will feature music, dance, art & more. There will be beautiful memorial altars to see and a community altar to contribute to. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Artisans Studio Tour | Nov. 14th - 15th

See artists in action during the annual Artisans Studio Tour! Studios will be open from 10AM to 5PM on both days, featuring 47 artists and artisans showcasing their talents in a variety of mediums. Samples of their work and studio locations can be found online, along with information on accessibility and written directions for each studio. Be sure to make a two-day adventure out of it and participate in their Passport Program, which offers visitors a chance to collect stamps and win shopping credit!

Art Classes at Scrappy Elephant | Varying Dates/Times

From weekly toddler art and story time to adult-only classes, there’s something for everyone at Scrappy Elephant. Learn watercolor techniques, try your hand at mosaics, improve your crochet skills, and so much more. It's always a great time to learn a new skill! Take a look at their calendar for more information.

Glassblowing Classes | Varying Dates/Times

If you've ever wanted to try glassblowing, November is the perfect time to give it a go! Take a look at the studios -- they offer classes, and private sessions - no prior experience needed!

Virginia Cider Week | mid-Nov.

Did you know that cider apples have been grown in Virginia since the mid 1700s? In fact, Thomas Jefferson dabbled in cidermaking and pursued the cultivation of several cider apples at his own orchards at Monticello. Each year, Virginia Cider Week honors the rich cider-making heritage in the state with events including tastings, festivals, paired dinners, and more. Plan a visit in November to enjoy tasting the modern versions of this centuries old Virginia tradition in Albemarle County. Be sure to head to the official Virginia Cider website for more information as we get closer.

Take a Trip Along the Monticello Wine Trail

November is a wonderful time to support your favorite wineries and even discover some new ones! Catch peak foliage season in early November, enjoy events, and get cozy indoors (or in front of the fire) as the colder season sets in. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Two Up Wine Down, named one of the best wine festivals in America by Wine Enthusiast, is back in 2026 on Saturday, Nov. 7th!
• Head to Hazy Mountain Vineyards for their Secret Supper Series featuring a five-course themed experience!
• Keswick Vineyards offers live music each and every Saturday from 1-4PM. Their Barrel and Board food truck will be open from 11AM-4:30PM too serving charcuterie boards, butter boards, sandwiches and more!
• Step into the tropics at Glasshouse Winery & Brewery -- their conservatory is home to over 300 tropical plants!

Explore the Charlottesville Ale Trail

Charlottesville and Albemarle County are lucky enough to be home to the Charlottesville Ale Trail, which includes a number of talented craft beverage makers -- many within walking distance from the Downtown Mall! Grab a passport, collect your stamps, and win rewards. Elevate your outing by attending one of the many events these spots host, taking on a puzzle crawl, or pairing your pint with seasonal bites found at neighboring restaurants!

Fall is one of the most delicious times to visit Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Local restaurants, wineries, breweries, cideries, and cafés embrace the season with limited-time menus featuring your favorite fall ingredients.

Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center features a permanent historical exhibit, a rotating contemporary art gallery, and a robust calendar of events. They are open Tuesday through Friday from 1-6PM and Saturday from 10AM-1PM. If you'd like to book a guided tour, head to their website.

Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society

The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society offers a diverse variety of historic walking tours to locals and tourists alike. Schedule a private guided tour by emailing or calling the Historical Society. Through November 29th, they are also offering three different walking tours of the Downtown Mall (tickets required): Court Square: Where Charlottesville Began, Historic Downtown Mall, and Black Barbers of Charlottesville (by appointment only).

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

From guided tours and guest lectures to living history programs and family-friendly events, there's always an activity worth adding on to your itinerary at Monticello. Take a look at their events calendar to see a full list of what's happening on the mountaintop. If you're visiting Tuesday through Saturday, save some time to meet Thomas Jefferson himself, portrayed by veteran historical actor-interpreter Bill Barker.

Unlocked History Escape Rooms

Unlocked History's escape rooms are the perfect add-on adventure for history lovers, family fun, or those seeking an indoor refuge from colder weather! Their creative puzzles are just the right amount of challenging and center around historic happenings such as WW2, Da Vinci and the Renaissance, Martha and Thomas Jefferson at Monticello during the American Revolution, and even Edgar Allan Poe during his (brief) time at the University of Virginia.

There are a TON of exciting performances happening in Charlottesville and Albemarle County this November! Take a look at our local venues and see what they've got scheduled -- perfect for pairing with a Cville Bites food tour beforehand!

Enjoy Local Farmers Markets

Our markets are still open! Several farmers markets are shifting hours to continue to provide the best of the season’s harvest and local handcrafted goods.

• The Farmers Market at IX Art Park | Saturdays 9AM-1PM
• Charlottesville City Market at Water Street | Saturdays 8AM-1PM
• Charlottesville Holiday Market at Water Street | Nov. 26th - mid Dec.
• Starr Hill Farmers Market at Jefferson School City Center | Sundays 9:30AM-1:30PM
• Scottsville Farmers Market | Saturdays 9AM-1PM

Tis the Season for Shopping Local

The holiday season is fast approaching and finding the perfect gift (sooner rather than later) is on everyone’s mind. Thankfully there are plenty of stores in the area to check out -whether you're looking for local, handcrafted, boho, modern, or simply a great deal! While the main shopping locations include the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall, The Shops at Stonefield, Barracks Road Shopping Center, and 5th Street Station, there are a wide variety of shops throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Looking for something specific? Start with the Shopping page to see a complete list of our local shopping partners.

Wahoowa! UVA athletics are on fire in November, and nothing beats the energy of cheering on the Hoos at home! We're still waiting on basketball and soccer to release their schedules -- here are the best weekends to visit (so far)!

Friday, November 6th - Sunday, November 8th

• UVA Volleyball vs. Louisville | Friday, Nov. 6th
• UVA Volleyball vs. Notre Dame | Sunday, Nov. 8th

Friday, November 20th - Sunday, November 22nd

• UVA Volleyball vs. Pitt | Friday, Nov. 20th
• UVA Football vs. North Carolina | Saturday, Nov. 21st
• UVA Volleyball vs. SMU | Sunday, Nov. 22nd

updated August 2026

It's never too early to celebrate the season -- take part in these early winter activities OR plan ahead! Be sure to keep an eye on our events calendar for the most up-to-date events.

Winter Wander Trail of Lights | Nov. 13th - Jan. 2nd, 2027

Virginia's premier holiday light show is back for its sixth season at Boar's Head Resort with even more light displays than last year! This illuminated half-mile lakeside stroll offers visitors an extraordinary palette of colorful illuminations for a magical show of lights like no other. Select nights will also feature drone shows and live performers!

Veritas Illuminated at Veritas Vineyard & Winery | Nov. 27th -Jan 2nd, 2027

Veritas Illuminated Light Show's dazzling walking light trail winds through the grove and vines of Veritas Vineyard and Winery. Warm up near the fire with a cup of mulled wine or head into the tasting room for seasonal dishes. Veritas Illuminated is excellent for families with small children, those wanting to bring their dogs, and couples looking for a magical date night! 👉 Learn More About Veritas Illuminated.

Magic on the Downtown Mall

Every year, the historic pedestrian Downtown Mall transforms into a wintery wonderland with businesses participating in a number of fun, festive activities. The transformation usually happens in late November (more information TBD). Expect holiday lights, family-friendly events, and self-guided adventures galore!

Find Your Inner DIY Talents with These Workshops

Check back in late October for more information on DIY events and information!

Make Holiday Shopping Easy with These Markets

• Charlottesville Holiday Market at Water Street | Sunday, November 22nd - December 20th