Charlottesville News and Events

December 12, Wednesday

ORNAMENT EXTRAVAGANZA
Virginia Discovery Museum.
Whether you give it away as a gift to friends and family or hang it high in your own tree, a handmade holiday ornament is sure to bring cheer to all who see it. We'll provide the ornaments and an extravaganza of fun and festive decorating supplies, you provide the imagination and creativity! Virginia Discovery Museum.  Directions: 524 East Main Street.  4pm.  $10 (includes 1 ornament, museum admission for 1 child/1 adult).  Email: vdmprograms@vadm.org. Reservations are required.  For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 977-1025. 

December 15, Thursday

FAMILY ART DROP-IN
JMRL - Northside Library.
Families are invited to make a non-edible gingerbread house. Great art can be messy, so come dressed to create at the library. We'll pull out all the glitter and glue for loads of fun. For kids up to age 12. Northside Library.  3:30-5:30pm. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 973-7893. 

December 17, Saturday

CHARLOTTESVILLE BALLET'S "THE NUTCRACKER"
Sweeten your holiday season with the professional production of the classic holiday ballet! The Nutcracker follows a young girl named Clara, who receives a magical wooden nutcracker as a holiday gift. With the help of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara journeys through Lands of Snowflakes and Sweets in a holiday celebration. This enchanting 90-minute performance is set to Tchaikovskys famous score and is sure to delight the entire family! V. Earl Dickinson Building .  11am & 3:30pm .  $20.00+.  All ages welcome.  Contact: Nina Staeben.  Email: info@charlottesvilleballet.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 973-2555.

November 26-December 17, Saturdays

HOLIDAY CITY MARKET
Charlottesville Parks and Recreation.
The City Market transforms for the holidays, featuring unique gifts & decorations to meet all of your holiday needs. All items are handmade, homegrown or home baked by local farmers, artists, or bakers. Second and Water Streets.  8am-1pm.  $Free.  All ages welcome.  Email: citymarket@charlottesville.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 970-3371. 

December 8-10 & 15-17, Thursday-Saturday

POPLAR FOREST HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHT TOUR
Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest.
Ring in the holidays with a magical candlelit tour of Mr. Jefferson's cherished villa retreat dressed for the holidays with 19th-century panache Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest.  Directions: 1542 Bateman Bridge Road, Forest.  5:30pm.  $20.  All ages welcome.  Email: educationcoordinator@poplarforest.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 434-525-1806. 

December 17, Saturday

ORATORIO SOCIETY OF VIRGINIA: CHRISTMAS AT THE PARAMOUNT
The Paramount Theater.
The Oratorio Society of Virginia's holiday concert has become a Paramount Theater annual tradition. The ensemble will perform selections to get everyone in the holiday spirit. The Paramount Theater.  2:30pm & 7:30pm.  $Varies.  All ages welcome.  Email: info@theparamount.net. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 979-1922. 

Thursdays

HOO-VILLE COMMUNITY FUN RUNS
Come enjoy these new, weekly fun runs across UVA grounds. Join staff, faculty, students and other community members while getting active. All levels and abilities welcome. Runs range from 2 to 5 miles. Walkers also welcome! Ragged Mountain Running shop, The Corner.  5:30-6pm.  $Free.  All ages welcome.  Email: askhr@virginia.edu. For more info call: 982-0123. 

First and Third Fridays

PUBLIC NIGHT AT THE OBSERVATORY
UVA Leander McCormick Observatory.
View celestial objects through the historic 26-inch McCormick Refractor and other smaller telescopes year-round, weather permitting. Tour the Observatory, hear a presentation by an astronomer and see the exhibits. McCormick Observatory.  9-11pm mid March-early November, 7-9pm early November to mid March.  $Free.  All ages welcome.  For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 243-1885.