Things to do in Charlottesville this month: November 2026

November in Charlottesville: Winter Wander opens Nov. 13, UVA hosts Cal and North Carolina, turkey trots on Thanksgiving morning and the Holiday Market Nov. 28.

Last checked Oct. 31, 2026. Rebuilt at the start of each month. Every listing links to the organizer; times and prices are as published. For this weekend’s full list see things to do this weekend, and for theater, concerts and galleries see arts and exhibitions this month.

November in Charlottesville runs from the last fall weekends to the first holiday lights. Winter Wander opens at Boar’s Head Resort on Friday, Nov. 13, UVA plays its last two home games on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21, Thanksgiving morning brings two turkey trots, and Saturday, Nov. 28, opens the City Market’s Holiday Market on the same morning as the Barracks Road Holiday Parade.

Before you go

City events: Charlottesville Parks and Recreation, 434-970-3260

City Market: 434-970-3371, citymarket@charlottesville.gov

Downtown parking: Water Street and Market Street garages, first hour free; see our getting around guide

Tonight: Saturday, Oct. 31

UVA’s free Great Rotumpkin projection show lights the Rotunda from 7 to 11 p.m. (UVA Arts listing). More in our Halloween events page. Clocks fall back an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1.

Every Saturday: City Market, then the Holiday Market

The Charlottesville City Market sets up at 100 E. Water St. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through November: Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21. The Holiday Market takes over from Nov. 28 to Dec. 19, same hours, according to the city’s market page. See our farmers markets guide.

Last fall weekends at the orchards

Carter Mountain Orchard needs entry passes for visitors 12 and older on its last two ticketed weekends, Nov. 7-8 and Nov. 14-15, and closes at 5 p.m. in November. Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Nov. 29. Details in our fall festivals and pumpkin patches guide.

Arts and shows

Live Arts’ Come From Away runs through Sunday, Nov. 15, at 123 E. Water St. (show page).
Charlottesville Symphony, Bach Violin Concerto: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, Old Cabell Hall, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, the MLK Performing Arts Center (concert page).
Shanghai Ballet, Giselle: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Paramount Theater (listing).
Maria Bamford: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Paramount (listing).
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R): 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, the Paramount (listing).
Rock with DCO, UVA student dancers: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, the Paramount (listing).
Dog Man: The Musical: 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, the Paramount (listing).

The full list, with exhibitions, is on our arts and exhibitions page.

Friday, Nov. 13: Winter Wander opens

The trail of lights at Boar’s Head Resort, 200 Ednam Drive, opens Nov. 13 and runs on set nights to Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027, according to Winter Wander’s site. Dogs are welcome on SPCA Nights, Nov. 13-15. Tickets are sold online. Nights, hours and Santa dates are in our holiday lights and Christmas events guide.

UVA football: Nov. 14 and Nov. 21

Virginia hosts Cal on Saturday, Nov. 14, and North Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Scott Stadium, its last two home games. Kickoff times were still to be announced on the Virginia Athletics schedule as of Oct. 31. Charlottesville High School closes its season at Goochland on Friday, Nov. 6; see Friday night football.

Thursday, Nov. 26: Thanksgiving

Two turkey trots start at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving morning, and city trash pickup and office hours change for the holiday. The races, closings and trash schedule are in our Thanksgiving guide. The city’s downtown garages are free on Thanksgiving Day, according to its parking garages page.

Saturday, Nov. 28: parade, Holiday Market and Small Business Saturday

Barracks Road Holiday Parade, 9:30 a.m., at Barracks Road Shopping Center (event page).
Holiday Market opens at the City Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Shopping hours and parking are in our Black Friday and holiday shopping guide.

Civic dates

Monday, Nov. 2: City Council meets at 4 p.m. at City Hall, 605 E. Main St. (city calendar).
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. See voting in Charlottesville.
Tuesday, Nov. 10: joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting and public hearing, 5:30 p.m. (city calendar).
Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day. City offices are closed (city calendar).
Curbside leaf collection continues by zone. See the trash and recycling guide.

Coming in early December

Saturday, Dec. 5: the city’s all-day Grand Illumination on the Downtown Mall, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., ending with the tree lighting next to City Hall. See our Christmas parade and tree lighting guide.
Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6: Charlottesville Symphony Family Holiday Concerts at Old Cabell Hall.
Tuesday, Dec. 8: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at the Paramount, 7 p.m. See Nutcracker and holiday shows.
Dec. 10-20: Live Arts’ A Christmas Carol.

Have an event to add? Submit it at least a week ahead.

Frequently asked questions

What is happening in Charlottesville in November 2026?

Winter Wander’s lights open at Boar’s Head Resort on Friday, Nov. 13, UVA plays its last home games against Cal on Nov. 14 and North Carolina on Nov. 21, two turkey trots run Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, and the City Market’s Holiday Market and the Barracks Road Holiday Parade are Saturday, Nov. 28.

Is the Charlottesville City Market open in November?

Yes. The City Market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 100 E. Water St. through November. The Holiday Market follows from Nov. 28 to Dec. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

When does Winter Wander open in 2026?

Friday, Nov. 13, at Boar’s Head Resort, 200 Ednam Drive. It runs to Jan. 2, 2027, with tickets sold online. See our holiday lights page for nights and hours.

When is the Charlottesville tree lighting?

At the end of the city’s all-day Grand Illumination on the Downtown Mall on Saturday, Dec. 5. The event runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the city had not published the lighting time as of Oct. 31.