Join us for the Spring Festival in the Garden on Saturday, April 18th, a vibrant community celebration of nature, sustainability, and springtime. In partnership with Charlottesville’s Office of Sustainability, this year’s event features an expanded Eco Fair offering practical, hands-on ways to make a positive environmental impact. Enjoy lightning talks, interactive demonstrations, and connect with local organizations dedicated to environmental stewardship.
Register Now (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eco-fair-2026-in-the-botanical-garden-tickets-1983996089712?aff=ebdssbdestsearch)
The festival also includes family-friendly activities, live Music in the Garden, and a variety of local food vendors. The event runs from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a special National Water Dance session from 4:00–5:00 PM. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, April 19th from 12:00–6:00 PM. Walk-ins are warmly welcome at our Eco Fair—stop by, explore, and enjoy the festivities at your own pace!
SPRING FESTIVAL EVENT SCHEDULE
*Please note, the Spring Festival 2026 schedule may be subject to change and thunder and lightning cancels all events at the Garden. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, April 19th from 12:00–6:00 PM.
9-915a- Green Grannies Performance | Amphitheater
Enjoy a lively and lighthearted performance by the Green Grannies at the Mini Amphitheater! With humor, music, and a touch of playful wisdom, they inspire audiences of all ages to think about simple, meaningful ways to care for our planet and protect the species we share it with.
930-1030a- Stream Restoration Talk | Stream Benches
Join Dan Frisbee and Ty Smith for an engaging look at the Garden and the City of Charlottesville’s stream restoration project, including insights into its need, goals, and impact.
915-925a- Bird Calls | Bluebird Trail
Join the Garden’s resident birding expert, David White, for an engaging demonstration of a variety of bird calls and learn how to recognize the sounds of local birds.
915-925a- Caring For Trees | Table Near the Sassafrass Tree
The Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards will instruct and provide insights on caring for local tree species, sharing practical tips and expert knowledge for keeping our urban forest healthy
9-12p- Explore to Read | Begins at the Crooked Cherry
Explore the Garden trails while discovering enlarged storybook pages.
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930-1015a- Lightning Talk Round 1 | Amphitheater
-Bird Presentation – Piedmont Valley Bird Club & the Garden’s resident birder David White
-Bee City – Albemarle Garden Club, Charlottesville Garden Club, and Rivanna Garden Club
-Every Native Plant Counts – with Nancy Cohen
-iNaturalist Citizen Science – with BGP Landscape Manager, Bridget Curran
-Light Pollution – Dark Skies Piedmont
-Climate Advocacy – Citizen Climate Lobby
-Invasives- Charlottesville Parks and Rec
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10-12p- Garden Craft Table | Garden Sheds
Create a craft to bring home and enjoy.
10:15-10:25a- iNaturalist Demo | Labyrinth Benches
Discover the power of iNaturalist with BGP Landscape Manager Bridget, who will demonstrate how to identify and document plants and wildlife using this popular app. Learn how your observations can contribute to cataloging the Garden while deepening your connection to the natural world.
1030-1040a- Get Outside & Explore: Nature Tools for Curious Kids | Lower Meadow
Discover fun, hands-on tools for engaging kids in multisensory environmental learning. This interactive session will inspire you to turn any backyard or neighborhood walk into an exciting nature adventure.
1030-11a- Tree Planting with ReLeaf Cville | Stream Corridor
Celebrate spring at the Festival with ReLeaf Cville! Members of ReLeaf Cville’s Green Team will lead a live tree planting demonstration, sharing tips and insights on caring for our local trees.
1045-1055a- Discovery Museum | Labyrinth Benches
Discover how to make your toys last longer—and go further for the planet! Discovery Museum shares simple, creative ways to extend the life of your toys, saving money while reducing waste.
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11-1145a- Lightning Talk Round 2 | Amphitheater
-Energy Resource Hub – Local Energy Alliance Program
-Caterpillars – Rivanna Master Naturalists
-Butterflies – Xerxes Society
-Invasive Plants – Blue Ridge Prism
-Prevent Litter – Cville Litter Pickers
-Soil Quality – with Giardino Foresta
-Hands-on Education – BGP Education Coordinator, Bruce Gatling-Austin
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1145-12p- Live Staking Demo | Marsh
Live staking is a simple, cost-effective way we restore streambanks—by planting dormant cuttings from native trees directly into the soil, where they take root and help stabilize and strengthen the landscape.
12-1p- Music in the Garden Cville Flutes | Amphitheater
Enjoy a lively performance by Cville Flutes in the amphitheater, filling the Garden with bright, uplifting melodies.
4-5p- National Water Dance | Amphitheater
Choreographer Emily Wright and Cumulus Dance will present a site-specific performance at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont as part of National Water Dance, a nationwide movement event connecting communities through dance and environmental awareness.
Audience members are invited not only to watch but also to participate in simple guided movement activities that reflect on our relationship with water and the environment.
