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Visitor Guide E-News

Visitors to Charlottesville and Albemarle County will Discover New Hotels, Enjoy New Restaurants and Experience New Events in 2026

The region will mark America’s 250th with a full slate of events and programs and the launch of new lodging, dining and attractions.

January 30, 2026

Kalye 80's Bakeshop opened in fall of 2025

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – This year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, and Charlottesville and Albemarle County are marking this momentous anniversary with exciting new offerings for visitors. From special semi quincentennial events led by historic homes and museums to celebrating the landmark Downtown Pedestrian Mall and brand-new hotels and restaurants, 2026 brings many exciting new ways for visitors to find themselves in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

“This year is an incredible time to visit Charlottesville and Albemarle County—and our hospitality partners are ready to welcome visitors to experience not only our history, but also our future,” said Courtney Cacatian, Executive Director of the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’re thrilled that alongside commemorations of history for the 250th anniversary of the United States, we’re also bringing new hotels, restaurants and attractions to visitors this year.”

VA250 in Charlottesville and Albemarle County
Charlottesville and Albemarle County are launching into 2026 with major celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, including special events and offerings at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Highland and the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.

New 250th-themed offerings include:

Many more events are planned throughout 2026, and as a Commemorative Partner of VA250, The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau lists all VA250 events and programs, commemorative products and guides, and ways to get involved online.

Major Milestones in 2026
The semi quincentennial isn’t the only big anniversary in Charlottesville and Albemarle County in 2026! Another notable anniversary in 2026 is the 50th Anniversary of the Downtown Pedestrian Mall in Charlottesville. The iconic downtown mall, lined with boutiques, eateries and entertainment venues, will commemorate this anniversary with a downtown Charlottesville celebration on Friday, July 3rd, 2026.

In 2026, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center will be marking the 100th anniversary of the opening of Jefferson High School with events and programming, including a special celebration on February 20th, 2026, honoring the generations of students, teachers and families who have been a part of Jefferson High School.

New in Lodging
Guests to Charlottesville and Albemarle County will have new options for lodging in 2026, with major projects throughout the city and county opening their doors to new guests. These projects include:

  • The new Virginia Guesthouse, located on the University of Virginia’s new Emmet-Ivy Corridor, will open in April 2026. With 214 guest rooms, 25,000 square feet of meeting space and Poplar restaurant, The Perch rooftop bar, and The Counter Café, this new hotel and conference center offers modern amenities and incredible views just steps from UVA’s historic lawn and Rotunda.
  • The Birdwood Mansion at The Boars Head Resort is a meticulous and luxurious restoration of an 1800s era residence and will offer four guest rooms in the main house and three guest cottages on the grounds. Guests will have access to the amenities of the Boar’s Head Resort, including golf and sporting facilities, a spa and dining. The Birdwood Mansion is slated to open in March 2026.
  • School spirit guided the renovations at the Graduate by Hilton Charlottesville, with updated design completed in late 2025 that features rich blues, warm neutrals, classic furnishings, and subtle collegiate details that reference the University of Virginia’s architecture and campus life.
  • Also in the works is a new Hampton Inn by Hilton, slated to open in 2026 with 109 rooms in the Pantops neighborhood of Albemarle County.

New Events
For the first time in more than 40 years, the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championships will be hosted in Charlottesville at UVA’s Scott Stadium May 23-25, 2026. In addition to the lacrosse matches, special events and fan celebrations are in the works.

Charlottesville and Albemarle County will also welcome an exciting slate of performances in 2026, with artists like Neko Case, David Foster & Katherine McPhee, Keb Mo, Diana Krall, Step Afrika!, Sherri Shepherd and more taking the stage at the Paramount Theater, Lake Street Dive, Ole 60, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and Rainbow Kitten Surprise will entertain outdoors at the Ting Pavillion, Luke Combs will take over Scott Stadium, and Riverdance, Billy Strings, Journey, and Weird Al will be wowing the arena crowds at John Paul Jones Arena.

Family-friendly entertainment also abounds, with the Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live at John Paul Jones Arena.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Shenandoah National Park Trust will bring the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival on March 7 & 8, 2026 to the Paramount Theater.

Official student-led tours are back at the University of Virginia, with the launch of the Virginia Guide Service, which will hold tours daily from Thursday through Sunday at 11:00 am.

New Restaurants
Charlottesville and Albemarle County are tantalizing tastebuds in 2026, with new restaurants and food vendors throughout the region, including:

New Attractions and Shopping
While Charlottesville is well known for its hiking, biking and watersports, visitors in 2026 also have access to an influx of indoor recreational options, including:

Independent shops and local makers are continuing to grow in Charlottesville and Albemarle County with the Starr Hill Farmers Market at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center on Sundays and Old Flame Vintage opening downtown. Nonprofit resale boutique Twice is Nice will reopen in January 2026 at a new, larger location at 600 Preston Avenue in Downtown Charlottesville.

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About Visit Charlottesville: The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB) welcomes thousands of visitors to the region each year from all over the world who are seeking a variety of unique experiences in history, food, wine, spirits, and adventure. The CACVB serves as the global resource for marketing the tourism assets of the City of Charlottesville and County of Albemarle, and assists tour operators, meeting planners, and other groups in planning visits to the destination. The CACVB’s mission is to enhance the economic prosperity of the people of the City and County by promoting, selling, and marketing the area as a destination, in pursuit of the meetings and tourism markets.