Free events in Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA teams up with 10th & Dairy Apartments for a public pet adoption event. Residents, neighbors, friends, and animal lovers are welcome to meet adorable adoptable pets and perhaps discover a new best friend. The Dairy Market will cover the adoption fee for the first adoption, up to $150. The event offers a friendly chance to connect, cuddle, and help a furry companion find a forever home.

Fridays After Five celebrates its 38th season at Ting Pavilion with a free concert presented by Bud Light featuring Alligator with Don't Look Up. Enjoy live music along with food trucks, vendors, drinks, and a welcoming setting for families. Alligator brings a Charlottesville lineup dedicated to the early years of the Grateful Dead, emphasizing high energy, tight instrumental interplay, and adventurous experimentation. The band features Aaron Evans on guitar, associated with Indecision and Aaron Evans and Friends; Charlie Pastorfield on guitar and vocals from Skip Castro Band, Gladstones, and Mama Tried; Craig Dougald on drums from Indecision, 77s, and Nightfall of Diamonds; Kent Raine on drums from Echoes Farm and Mama Tried; Shep Williams on keys from Cactus Liquors; Stephen Barling on guitar and vocals from The Cows, BC, and Nightfall of Diamonds; Stuart Holme on bass from The Cows, Nightfall of Diamonds, and Mama Tried; and Susan Munson on vocals from Mojo Pie, Neon Angels, and Mama Tried.

Crozet Park hosts a free community concert series filled with live music, local food trucks, and artisan vendors, all set to an easygoing summer vibe. Attendees can spread out on the grass with lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy a family-friendly evening with friends and neighbors. The 2026 lineup includes Dropping Julia, Boxed Lunch, Tara Mills, South River Strings, Brisk, The Judy Chops, and Wolftown. There is no charge for entry. Vendor space is available for up to 25 participants at each concert, and inquiries can be sent to festival@crozetfestival.com.

Baby Jo’s brings a New Orleans inspired boogie show to Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall, blending dance classics linked to Billie Holiday, Frogman Henry, Fats Domino, Louis Prima, and Louis Jordan with original material and fresh arrangements of jump blues, Latin tunes, and mambos. Admission is free. The lineup features Betty Jo Dominick on lead vocals and keyboard bass, Larry Bisgaier on guitar, Stuart Gunter on drums, Martha Cassidy on trombone, Summer Pupolo on backing vocals and washboard, James Toliver on trumpet, Tim Clark on tenor sax, and Bobby Greg on baritone and alto sax. Early arrival can help with seating, and food is available from PRN's Taproom Table. Support for live music is acknowledged from Rod Phillips Dogwood Realty Group, with credits also to PRN Music & Media, Brian Combs, and Gaslight BC Media.

A supportive open mic spotlighting emerging musicians and writers who share music, poetry, and short stories. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Those hoping to perform can sign up on site, and arriving a little early helps secure a spot. This series is dedicated to new voices, and writers are asked to read only unpublished work.

At Ix, a producer-only farmers market puts farms and local foods first, standing as the largest independent market of its kind in Charlottesville. SNAP is accepted, and Virginia Fresh Match offers additional buying power for fresh fruits and vegetables. The market is managed by the nonprofit Market Central.

Marking its 53rd season, City Market continues to bring the community together around fresh, locally sourced food. Find in-season produce, meats raised nearby, baked treats, artisan-made goods, and a wide range of ready-to-eat dishes from local vendors. Sunrise Tostada makes its Charlottesville debut with fresh flavors and a new take on familiar breakfast favorites, and the booth will offer complimentary Cheesecake Tostada samples while supplies last. Parking is available at the Water Street garage, with the first hour free.

Saturday Stories & More! at Crozet Library features an interactive, 30-minute storytime for children ages 2 to 5 attending with a caregiver. Attendee registration is requested, though walk-ins are welcome.

Take a free backstage tour that traces The Paramount’s story from its 1931 beginnings through decades of community engagement, from the Great Depression to its celebrated reopening. Explore the visionaries who built it, the grandeur of classic movie‑palace design, and insights from the two year restoration. Step behind the curtain to see a backstage wall filled with hundreds of artist autographs, known as the Wall of Fame. Admission is free, and the tour lasts about an hour. Due to limited capacity, advance reservations are strongly recommended. The schedule may change. For cancellations or changes to your party, contact the Box Office at 434-979-1333 or boxoffice@theparamount.net. Private group tours can be arranged by appointment for a small fee by calling 434-293-1001.

Slate River Band brings decades of classic country to Pro Re Nata Brewpub & Music Hall in a free show. Formed in 1989 by Michelle and Nick Nixon with Buddy Amos and revived in 2018 with their son, Trace, the group blends tight family harmonies with a sound that nods to the 1990s. Expect a mix of heartfelt ballads and toe-tapping, two-step ready tunes, drawing from both originals and covers with a touch of bluegrass. Early lineups featured Trace, Michelle, and Nick alongside the late Mike Sharp on dobro, Steve Easter on bass, and Morgan Easter on keys. The band now features long-time members Craig Lokey on drums, Eddie Shifflett on guitar and mandolin, and Randy Cook on steel guitar. Michelle Nixon’s career includes Virginia Folk Music Association female vocalist awards, SPBGMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and contributions to award-winning Daughters of Bluegrass recordings, while Nick Nixon has championed classic country throughout his career and earned recognition in national competitions. Arriving ahead of showtime helps with seating, and dinner is available from Hops Kitchen at PRN. This performance is supported by Rod Phillips of Dogwood Realty Group, with PRN Music & Media by Brian Combs of Gaslight BC Media.

Starr Hill Market is making a return. Set a reminder so you do not miss it.

Families from Albemarle and nearby counties are invited to a community celebration of education with Albemarle Foundation for Education and Albemarle County Public Schools. The event focuses on helping every student start the year prepared, offering free backpacks, school supplies, physicals, immunizations, and more. Attendees can connect with schools, community partners, and other resources to support student success. The afternoon also includes activities, music, food, games, and prizes for a fun way to unwind before the new school year.

Put your knowledge to the test at a trivia night hosted by FIREFLY. Teams of two to six players compete with no cost to participate, aiming for prizes such as gift cards and pint glasses, along with bragging rights. Depending on the weather, the competition may take place indoors or outside. Reservations are recommended by calling 434-202-1050.

This free rooftop community lift is followed by mocktails and a social hour provided by Mockingbird Restaurant. People of all experience levels are welcome. Founded by physicians, The Strength Initiative is a nonprofit focused on making strength training accessible for every woman through pay-what-you-can small group sessions, wellness workshops, and community events. The event supports a welcoming community where women lift weights.

Caregivers can find connection and practical guidance at a supportive gathering led by JABA’s coordinator for caregiver support. Sessions include brief presentations and information sharing, followed by a group conversation that encourages exchanging experiences and tips. Participants often leave feeling more connected and better prepared for the responsibilities of caregiving. There is no cost to attend and everyone is welcome. Questions can be directed to 434-817-5244.

Join Bent Theatre for a night of unscripted improv at Potter’s Craft Cider. The ensemble will build scenes from audience suggestions, with no scripts or safety nets, so every show is different. The event is free to attend, and donations are appreciated. Adult content is possible.