Louisa Saturday Sunset Market

Saturday, May 2nd 2026 - 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at Louisa Courthouse Square
100 Main Street

If your perfect evening includes a little live music, some local shopping, and that golden-hour glow you only get this time of year… Louisa has something new you’re going to want on your calendar.

The Town of Louisa is launching the Louisa Saturday Sunset Market, and it’s shaping up to be one of those feel-good, can’t-miss community gatherings.

It’s all happening on the lawn of the historic courthouse right on Main Street—100 West Main Street—on the first Saturday of every month from May through October, from 4 to 7 PM.

Picture this… you’re strolling through rows of local vendors, maybe you’ve got something handmade in one hand, something delicious in the other… there’s live music playing in the background, and the sun is starting to dip just enough to give everything that perfect, warm glow.

This is the kind of event that’s built for everyone. Whether you’re out with friends, bringing the family, or just looking for a laid-back way to spend your Saturday evening, there’s something here for you.

And it’s more than just a market—it’s about community. It’s neighbors catching up, local businesses getting their moment to shine, and that unmistakable small-town energy that makes Louisa so special.

If you’re a vendor or musician and want to be part of it, they’re still looking for participants—you can sign up through their interest form and get involved.

CLICK HERE FOR THE INTEREST FORM!

So grab your people, mark your calendar, and get ready to soak in those Louisa sunsets.

The Louisa Saturday Sunset Market—your new favorite way to spend a Saturday evening.

50th Annual Somerset Steam & Gas Pasture Party

Friday, September 11th 2026 - 8:00 am - 7:00 pm at Somerset Steam & Gas Pasture
14349 Blue Ridge Turnpike

If you’ve ever wondered what Central Virginia looked, sounded, and even smelled like before modern machinery took over, mark your calendar for Friday, September 11th through Sunday, September 13th.

The 50th Annual Somerset Steam & Gas Pasture Party is celebrating half a century of preserving our agricultural and mechanical heritage with a full weekend of antique machines, live demonstrations, music, food, and family fun.

You’ll see antique cars, trucks, and tractors, along with full-size steam engines, hit-and-miss engines, steam-powered plowing, blacksmith demonstrations, a working sawmill, oil rig displays, a shingle mill, and plenty more happening throughout the weekend.

There’s a lot to enjoy beyond the machinery, too, including live bands, a flea market, crafts and vendors, a great food court, and the event’s famous steam-cooked beans served fresh every day.

The Central Virginia Timeline Association will also be there with an interactive Vietnam War-era living history display, giving visitors a closer look at the people, equipment, and stories connected to that chapter of American history.

The Somerset Steam & Gas Pasture Party takes place September 11th, 12th, and 13th at 14349 Blue Ridge Turnpike in Somerset. Gates are open Friday and Saturday from 8 until dusk, and Sunday from 8 until 3.

Admission is a $15 daily donation, kids 12 and under get in free, parking is free, and the event happens rain or shine.

Whether you’re a history buff, a gearhead, or just looking for a fun family outing, it’s a weekend where the past comes roaring back to life.

Art Unleashed – Dogs on Display

Saturday, October 24th 2026 - 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm at The CODE Building
240 W Main St

Charlottesville will be going to the dogs this summer… and it’s all for a great cause.

Beginning July first, colorful, artist-designed dog statues will start popping up all over the Charlottesville area as part of Art Unleashed: Dogs on Display, a community-wide public art project benefiting Service Dogs of Virginia.

Local artists and businesses are teaming up to transform the city into a giant outdoor gallery. You’ll find these one-of-a-kind dog sculptures at shops, restaurants, and public spaces across town, each one uniquely painted and designed.

The idea is simple: explore the displays, take photos, share them with friends, and learn more about the incredible work Service Dogs of Virginia does training service dogs for people with disabilities. These dogs help provide independence, mobility assistance, and life-changing companionship to the people who receive them.

But the project is more than just public art.

Everything leads up to the Art Unleashed Auction happening Saturday night, October twenty-fourth at The CODE Building in Charlottesville. That’s the big finale celebration, where many of the statues will be auctioned off to supporters and collectors.

The event runs from five to eleven that evening, and every bid helps support the mission of Service Dogs of Virginia. Proceeds from the auction will go directly toward building the organization’s new training facility, which will allow them to double the number of service dogs they place each year.

So this summer, keep an eye out around Charlottesville for those colorful dog statues popping up around town. They’re part of Art Unleashed, a creative community project with a powerful purpose.

And if you want to learn more about the exhibit, or how you can support the mission of Service Dogs of Virginia, just search Art Unleashed Charlottesville online. 🐾