Everything You Need to Know to make the most out of the holidays with your families in Charlottesville, Virginia!
Christmas is around the corner, and with so many activities missing last year due to the pandemic, I feel like I’m playing catch up on making memories!
For my inaugural Charlottesville Mama blog post, I have compiled a list of family-friendly activities and events in Charlottesville for the 2021 holiday season.
Let me know what you think, and check back soon for more family-friendly events and happenings in Virginia.
Family-Friendly Holiday activities in Charlottesville:
#1: Crozet Trolley Polar Express
One of our favorite holiday events in Charlottesville is taking a ride on the Crozet Trolley Polar Express. This 1.5-2 hour excursion picks up in Downtown Crozet, near the Crozet Bicycle Shop, and takes passengers to Knight's Gambit Vineyard, ahem, I mean, The North Pole, for a visit with the big man himself. The crew at Crozet Trolley doesn't miss any important details, such as the yellow ticket and hot cocoa. The trolley is climate controlled, but dress in layers because it can get chilly later in the afternoon at the vineyard.
Cost: $25/person age 2 and up. Ticket includes ride, cookie, hot chocolate and Santa visit. Wine not included but available for purchase. For tickets, click here.
#2: Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
The Market at Grelen is a one-stop shop located about 30 minutes northeast of Downtown Charlottesville in Somerset, Virginia. It features walking trails, a cafe with homemade ice cream, and a Visit Virginia LOVEworks sign.
Admission is free to visit the grounds, but there is fee for the tree farm, wreath workshops, and food. Visit Santa every Saturday staring 11/27 from 11-2pm. The Grelen Christmas tree farm offers pre-cut options as well as cut-your-own. Grelen provides all the supplies needed to cut-your-tree and helps load trees onto cars. Christmas tree pricing ranges from $70-$300. Check out more details here.
12 Ridges Vineyard -2021 is the final year to cut your own Frasier Fir tree. Fridays-Sundays, from 10 AM- 4PM, starting November 19th- Sunday, December 12th or until they run out. Hand saws, twine and self-serve netting machine available.
JES Christmas Tree Farm - Montebello, VA - By appointment only on Saturday, November 27th, 2021. All trees $80.
Ralph's Christmas Tree Farm - 809 Bradley Lane, Vesuvius, VA - Starting Friday, November 26th - December 12, 2021. Friday hours: noon-4:30PM. Saturday/Sunday hours: 9AM -4:30 PM
Foxfire Christmas Tree Farm -Scottsville, VA - Opening day is Wednesday, November 24th.
Slim selection in years past.
#3: Christmas Tree Lightings in Charlottesville
Lovers of holiday lights will rejoice because in person Christmas tree lightings are officially back on this year after a pandemic induced hiatus!
Shops at Stonefield Tree Lighting Spectacular will take place on Saturday, November 27, from 5 PM- 7 PM, near the movie theater.
Town of Gordonsville Memorial Tree Lighting is scheduled for Sunday, November 28, 2021, at 5:45 pm. Outside of Gordonsville Town Hall. Santa will be around to visit with kids right after event.
Charlottesville Grand Illumination and holiday concert will take place on Friday, December 3rd, from 5-8PM at Ting Pavilion. Food via food trucks available for purchase.
Louisa Christmas Tree Lighting - December 3rd at 6 PM on the Courthouse Lawn.
Scottsville Holiday Happenings will include a tree lighting event on Saturday,
December 4th, the event runs from 11 AM- 8PM.
Lighting of the Lawn will take place at UVA's Rotunda on Monday, December 6th at 7PM, in person and live-streamed here.
#4: Local Holiday Parades
Staunton Christmas Parade - Monday, November 29th, 2021 at 7 PM. Parade starts at the intersection of N. Augusta Street and E. Frederick Street, will make a right onto N. Market Street and end by turning right onto E. Beverly Street.
Scottsville Christmas Parade - Saturday, December 4th, Time TBD. Holiday Happenings in Scottsville runs from 11 AM - 8 PM and will include a parade and holiday market. Events will be on Valley and Main Streets.
Crozet Christmas Parade - Sunday, December 5th, Time TBD, but in years past it has started around 2:45 PM. The parade route begins on Crozet Avenue, makes left onto Three Notch'd Road and ends at the Crozet Volunteer fire station with a visit with Santa.
Louisa Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival - Saturday, December 4th 10 AM- 3 PM, Parade at noon. Parade route starts at Meadow Avenue and travels down Main Street to Rosewood Avenue, then to the County Office Building on Woolfolk Avenue.
#5: Holiday Light Displays in Charlottesville
Celebration of Lights at Gypsy Hill Park- Staunton, VA The park will have light displays from the Monday, November 22 -December 31, 2021 each evening from 5:00 pm– 11:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public.
Winter Wonders at Boar's Head Resort inaugural light display begins Friday, November 27 and runs through January, 30th, 2022. This trail is one-half mile and circles Heritage Lake on the Boar's Head property. Check back for my review. Tickets start at $15 for value nights.
Let there be Light - PVCC, Friday, December 10 from 6-9PM. This event is free and open to the public.
Old World Holiday Tours -Frontier Culture Museum - Tours are one hour long, require a 3/4 mile walk and consist of 4 holiday -themed skits. Dress warm and wear comfortable shoes as this is an outdoor event. Tickets are $15 for ages 6 and up, $5 for ages 2-6.
#6: See a Christmas Play in Charlottesville
The Live Nativity - Saturday, November 27th 5 PM- 8 PM The Ole Country Store, Culpeper, VA, is located about 45 minutes north of Charlottesville on 29N. This is a drive-thru event with live animals and the story of Christmas. This event is free and open to the public.
Polar Express Screening - Alamo Drafthouse - December 4th at 4:30PM and December 5th at 6:30 PM. Tickets $8/kids, $10/adults.
Class with Clara - Charlottesville Ballet - Saturday and Sunday, December 11th and 12th, The Center at Belvedere.
Nutcraker Online - Charlottesville Ballet - Streaming on demand
Charlottesville Symphony Family Holiday Concert - December 4th, 2021 at 8 PM in Old Cabell Hall at the south end of UVA's Lawn. While the Charlottesville Symphony’s woodwind and brass musicians remain sidelined due to COVID restrictions at the University of Virginia, conductor Michael Slon has created a one-hour program with no intermission for this year’s Family Holiday Concerts. This beloved community tradition, co-produced with the UVA University Singers, features the orchestra’s string, harp, piano and percussion players in some of your favorite holiday tunes.
Christmas at The Paramount - Saturday, December 18th at 2:30 PM and 7:30PM Vocalists and orchestra with The Oratorio Society of Virginia will perform a variety of holiday favorites at Charlottesville's Historic Paramount Theater. Early Bird ticket prices start at $10/students, and $23/standard.
Holidays at Monticello - This tour offers an intimate look at how all people who lived on the Monticello mountaintop – enslaved and free – celebrated the holidays in Jefferson's time. $75/person regardless of age. Recommended for children 7 years old and up.
# 7: Visit with Santa
Breakfast with Santa - Boar's Head Saturday and Sundays from 9 AM- 11 AM, starting November 28th - Sunday, December 19th. Pricing: Adults $40 | Children (Ages 6-12) $20.00 | Children (Ages 0-5) Free of Charge
Santa at Dairy Market - Sleigh on over to the Dairy Market on December 4th and 11th from 9:00am-12:00pm and 6:30-8:30pm. Santa will be waiting for you in Brigid & Bess where families can meet Santa, take photos, and make their Christmas wishes. Tickets are FREE and registration blocks are in 15-minute intervals.
One ticket per family.
Cookies with Santa - King Family Vineyards - Sunday, December 5th from 10:45 AM- 2:45 PM
Christmas Wonderland at Creative Works Farm - Waynesboro, VA - December 3 -December 4th and December 10th - 11th. Advance tickets required, $10/person, Ages 0-2 free.
Louisa County Breakfast with Santa - Saturday, December 11th with timed slots starting at 9 AM-9:45 AM, 9:45 AM-10:30 AM, and 10:30 AM-11:15 AM. Advanced registration required. $8/one adult & one child, $3/for each additional person.
Decorate a Gingerbread House - Dairy Market - Sunday, December 12th at 1 PM. Tickets are $99/family of 6 and include one large, prebuilt houses, items to decorate, hot cider/cookies.
**Disclaimer: This blog serves to give as much information that is currently available to help plan your holiday outings, but as with every event that involves large crowds, each family must evaluate their individual risk before attending.
This is good stuff!
Who knew that there is so many wonderful-fun things to do here! Thanks for sharing this precious info!
Cheers & Congrats!