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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.
Cultivating Curiosity at Carter Mountain Orchard
Monday, June 22nd 2026 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Carter Mountain Orchard
1435 Carters Mountain Trail
Looking for a fun and educational way to spend a summer morning with the kids? Carter Mountain Orchard has just the thing.
Every Monday and Tuesday throughout the summer, Carter Mountain hosts Cultivating Curiosity, a hands-on children’s program designed to spark imagination, encourage exploration, and help young learners connect with the world around them.
Perfect for children ages 3 to 8, though all ages are welcome, each session combines learning and fun in one of Central Virginia’s most beautiful settings.
Kids can enjoy storytime, create a take-home craft, and even pick their own fruit when it’s in season. Along the way, they’ll learn about topics like apples, peaches, pumpkins, flowers, bees, and other fascinating parts of life on the farm.
And because no adventure is complete without a little treat, every session also includes a snack.
Cultivating Curiosity is a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together outdoors while encouraging a love of nature, agriculture, and creativity. Whether your child is fascinated by buzzing bees, blooming flowers, or fresh-picked fruit, there’s something new to discover each week.
Sessions take place at Carter Mountain Orchard, located at 1435 Carters Mountain Trail in Charlottesville. The cost is $12 per participating child, and registration takes place on-site. Families are encouraged to arrive at least 15 minutes before the program begins to sign up.
Please note that children must be accompanied by an adult at all times, as this is not a drop-off program.
Give your little explorers a chance to learn, create, and grow this summer with Cultivating Curiosity at Carter Mountain Orchard.
Little Nature Explorers with the he Botanical Garden of the Piedmont
Tuesday, June 30th 2026 - 10:00 am - 11:15 am at Botanical Garden of the Piedmont
950 Melbourne Road
If you’re looking for a fun, free way to get your little ones outside this summer, the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont has just the thing.
Every Tuesday morning from 10 until 11:15, Little Nature Explorers invites children ages 3 to 5, along with their caregivers, to discover the wonders of the natural world through hands-on learning, creativity, and outdoor adventure.
Each week features a different nature theme, giving kids something new to explore every time they visit. Upcoming topics include skinks, frogs, staying cool in summer, dragonflies, and even skunks, with every session featuring story time, a fun art activity, movement, and guided outdoor exploration through the beautiful gardens.
It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to build curiosity, strengthen their connection to nature, and enjoy meaningful time outdoors while learning about the plants and animals that call Central Virginia home.
Best of all, Little Nature Explorers is completely free. While walk-ins are welcome, organizers recommend registering (CLICK HERE) in advance so you’ll receive reminders and any weather updates. The program is only canceled for thunderstorms or high winds, so don’t let a little rain keep you away. Just grab the rain boots and a jacket, and let the adventure continue.
Little Nature Explorers takes place every Tuesday morning at the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, located at 950 Melbourne Road in Charlottesville.
Trinity Classical Academy-Summer Fish Fry
Saturday, July 18th 2026 - 12:00 pm at New Valley Church
2124 Davis Rd
If you’re looking for a delicious way to support local students this summer, mark your calendar for a hometown tradition that’s sure to draw a crowd.
Trinity Classical Academy in Waynesboro is hosting its Summer Fish Fry on Saturday, July 18th at their campus on Davis Road.
Serving begins at noon and continues until the food is gone, so organizers recommend arriving early because when they say “until we run out,” they mean it. This popular community event brings neighbors together for great food while helping support the students and educational programs at Trinity Classical Academy.
Proceeds from the Fish Fry will go directly toward enriching the lives of students at the school. Trinity Classical Academy is dedicated to cultivating a community of learners who know and love God through a Classical Christian education, and events like this help provide opportunities and resources that benefit students throughout the year.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of the school, looking for a family-friendly Saturday outing, or simply in the mood for a great fish fry, everyone is welcome to attend.
So come hungry, bring your friends and family, and enjoy a meal that helps make a difference for local students.
The Trinity Classical Academy Summer Fish Fry takes place Saturday, July 18th beginning at noon at 2124 Davis Road in Waynesboro. Just remember, food is served until it runs out.
The Central VA Wedding Thrift
Sunday, July 19th 2026 - 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm at The Wool Factory at The Historic Woolen Mills
1837 Broadway St
Looking for a creative way to save money and make your wedding a little more unique? The Central VA Wedding Thrift is coming back to Charlottesville this summer with an afternoon dedicated to sustainable celebrating.
Hosted by The Evergreen Collective at The Wool Factory on Sunday, July 19th, this community-driven event gives couples the chance to shop pre-loved wedding décor, decorations, accents, and more, all while helping reduce waste and keep perfectly beautiful items out of storage bins and landfills.
Whether you’re planning a wedding on a budget, searching for one-of-a-kind pieces, or trying to give your own wedding décor a second life, this event is designed to connect local couples, planners, and creatives in a fun and eco-friendly way.
Organizers say attendees can expect affordable finds, distinctive décor with personality, and the chance to support a more sustainable wedding community right here in Central Virginia. Sellers are also encouraged to sign up if they have décor from past weddings they’d like to pass along to another couple.
VIP ticket holders get early access from Noon until 1 PM, with standard admission beginning at 1 PM. The event wraps up at 3 PM.
Standard admission tickets are $10.
The Central VA Wedding Thrift happens Sunday, July 19th at The Wool Factory in Charlottesville.
Greene Farm & Livestock Show 2026
Friday, July 31st 2026 - 12:00 am at Greene Farm & Livestock Show
13368 US-33
If you’re looking for something that feels like summer in Central Virginia—the kind with funnel cake in one hand and live music in the air—Ruckersville has you covered.
The Greene Farm & Livestock Show is back, running July 31st through August 2nd along Route 33 in Ruckersville—and this is one of those classic, can’t-miss community events.
We’re talking a full weekend of everything that makes this area special—livestock shows and sales, antique tractors and car displays, local artisans, and hands-on farm demonstrations that give you a real taste of Greene County life.
There’s something for every age too. Kids can check out pony rides and animal exhibits, while adults can wander through vendors, grab incredible local food, and maybe stick around for the live music happening throughout the day.
And honestly, this is more than just an event—it’s a gathering. It’s neighbors catching up, families making a day of it, and that perfect mix of small-town charm and summer energy that you just can’t fake.
Admission is open to the public, so you can drop in for a couple hours or stay all day and soak it all in.
If you’re ready for a little fresh air, a lot of fun, and a reminder of why we love living here… this is it.
Horsemanship Camp
Monday, August 3rd 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary
2854 Byrd Mill Road
If there’s a young horse lover in your life who has never had the chance to attend a horse camp, Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary in Louisa is opening the barn doors just for them.
From August 3rd through August 6th, Serenity Farm will host a completely free Horsemanship Day Camp for kids ages 10 to 15 who love horses but have not previously had the opportunity to learn about them.
Camp runs each day from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at 2854 Byrd Mill Road in Louisa, and lunch, snacks, and drinks will all be provided.
Over the course of the four-day camp, participants will learn how to safely interact with horses and donkeys, understand herd behavior, and explore the psychology of predator and prey. They’ll also get hands-on instruction in basic horse handling, including haltering, leading, and learning how horses move and communicate.
Campers will be introduced to in-hand and liberty work and discover how those techniques relate to training, riding, and everyday handling. There will also be an introduction to basic mounting, although organizers emphasize that this is not a traditional riding-lesson program.
And because horses have inspired artists for centuries, campers will also have the chance to explore equine art and drawing. Think of it as part classroom, part barnyard laboratory, and part creative studio, all with considerably more hay.
Space is limited, and applications are required. To request an application, send Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary a private message through Facebook or email info@serenity.horse.
That’s August 3rd through the 6th, from 9 to 4 each day, at Serenity Farm Equine Sanctuary on Byrd Mill Road in Louisa. A free opportunity for young horse lovers to learn, create, and finally get a little closer to the animals they’ve always admired.
Lunch and Learn: Caring Without Burning Out
Tuesday, August 11th 2026 - 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm at Brooks Family YMCA
151 McIntire Park
Caregiving comes from a place of love… but anyone who’s done it knows it can also be emotionally exhausting.
JABA in Central Virginia is inviting local caregivers to a special Lunch and Learn focused on managing the emotional weight that often comes with caring for a loved one.
The event happens Tuesday, August 11th from 12:30 until 1:30 at the Brooks Family YMCA on McIntire Park Drive in Charlottesville.
This presentation is designed to help caregivers recognize stress before it turns into burnout, frustration, or resentment. Organizers say attendees will learn healthy ways to manage emotional overload, how to ask for help without feeling guilty, and why building a dependable support system matters so much.
The session will also explore respite care options and available community resources that can help caregivers stay grounded and connected while handling the ongoing demands of caregiving.
Whether you’re caring for a parent, spouse, family member, or friend… this Lunch and Learn is meant to remind caregivers that support exists and that taking care of yourself is part of taking care of someone else.
The event is hosted by JABA in Central Virginia and takes place at the Brooks Family YMCA, located at 151 McIntire Park Drive in Charlottesville.
Learn More: 434-817-5222 or info@jabacares.org
75th Annual Brandy Station VFD Firemen’s Fair
Wednesday, August 12th 2026 - 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Brandy Station Vol. Fire Dept. Fairgrounds
20057 Fleetwood Heights Road
If you’re looking for one of Central Virginia’s classic summer traditions, mark your calendar for the 75th Annual Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department Firemen’s Fair, happening August 12th through the 16th at the Brandy Station Fairgrounds in Culpeper County.
For 75 years, this hometown event has brought together families, friends, and neighbors for five days packed with rides, games, food, live entertainment, and community fun. The fairgrounds will once again come alive with colorful midway rides, carnival games, delicious fair favorites, and live music every evening.
Unlimited ride specials will be available daily, with wristband nights beginning Wednesday, August 12th. Organizers are also offering discounted ride wristbands online before the fair begins, making it even easier for families to enjoy all the action.
There are plenty of special events scheduled throughout the week, including the annual parade on Thursday evening at 6:30, a tractor pull on Saturday morning at 10, and cash prize giveaways Saturday night. Whether you’re coming for the rides, the food, the music, or simply the tradition, there’s something for every age to enjoy.
The fair takes place at the Brandy Station Fairgrounds on Fleetwood Heights Road in Brandy Station, August 12th through the 16th. Proceeds help support the Brandy Station Volunteer Fire Department and the services they provide to the community throughout the year.
For schedules, ticket information, and additional details, visit bsvfd.com.
2026 Green Dogs Unleashed 5K & 10K
Saturday, August 15th 2026 - 7:45 am - 10:00 am at Bryan Park
4308 Hermitage Rd.
Get ready to lace up the sneakers and bring the dogs along too, because a fun-filled race day is coming to Richmond this summer for a great cause. The Green Dogs Unleashed 5K and 10K takes over scenic Bryan Park on Saturday, August 15th, with runners, walkers, and animal lovers all coming together to support rescue animals with special needs.
Hosted by Bishop’s Events and Green Dogs Unleashed, this event helps provide rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming for animals that need a little extra care and a second chance. Organizers say many of these animals come from rural shelters where options are limited, and proceeds from the race help cover transportation, medical treatment, and ongoing support.
The race features both a 5K and 10K option, with the 10K starting at 7:45 in the morning and the 5K beginning at 8. Walkers are absolutely welcome, so you do not have to be a hardcore runner to join the fun. The course winds through Bryan Park on paved scenic trails around the lake with water stations along the route.
Participants will receive a finisher medal, a technical event shirt, and professionally chip-timed results. There are awards for top finishers and multiple age categories, plus organizers will post race photos online after the event.
There’s even a virtual race option if you want to support the cause from home. Registration is open now, and organizers recommend signing up early to lock in lower pricing and guaranteed shirt sizes before August 5th.
Whether you’re chasing a personal best, strolling the course with friends, or just showing up for the dogs, the Green Dogs Unleashed race day promises a morning packed with fresh air, community spirit, wagging tails, and a whole lot of heart. More details and registration information can be found by CLICKING HERE.
