This is the perfect time of year to enjoy nearly every aspect of Charlottesville. As the weather changes the leaves, the entire city is painted in dramatic colors. The trees on the Lawn turn into works of art, and the Historic Downtown Mall is refreshed by soft, cool breezes in the golden afternoon light. And there is so much to do! Wine tasting, hiking, music festivals, farm harvests, and more – these are a few of our favorite suggestions.
With the weather change comes delicious, ripe apples and fat, orange pumpkins. This is the best time to visit our local farms and appreciate the products of a long, hot summer. Kick-off the season with all the fruits of the harvest at Chiles Peach Orchard 8th Annual Fall into Fun Festival, September 21-22, 2019. Pick apples or search for the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, or partake in any of the many activities planned. There will be fresh apple butter on Saturday afternoon – you can buy it while it’s still warm!
Monticello is a year-round delight, and in autumn, it is stunningly beautiful thanks to Jefferson’s carefully tended garden. Witness the beauty of fall at Jefferson’s home and taste a little bit of history on October 12th at the Monticello’s Tufton Farm apple tasting. A popular annual event, this is a unique chance to taste heirloom apples and enjoy some of the thousands of varieties once enjoyed by 19th-century fruit lovers.
Charlottesville’s diversity provides an endless array of festivals that include all walks of life. A deep love of cuisine and concern for responsibly sourced food is an integral part of Charlottesville life, making this the perfect community to host the Vegan Roots Fest on September 28th. Taste delicious food, listen to speakers about veganism, drink some wine, and learn more about nutrition and “shopping vegan”. Whether you’re curious or a veteran, this is a supercharged, informative event you won’t want to miss.
You also can’t miss the annual Foxfield Family Day Race, a favorite tradition in the fall, on September 29. The event is a wonderful way to enjoy the mellow beauty of a fall day with the entire family. Events for the kids, pony races, and the extremely popular Jack Russell Terrier race will delight everyone before the afternoon race. Fall is a particularly pleasant time for families to visit Foxfield, as opposed to the busier, more bustling races in the spring. Bring the kids and enjoy the beauty of the Charlottesville countryside and the power of steeplechase racing.
Everyone likes to get two things done at once, especially when you can do it in beautiful nearby Crozet. Bask in the gorgeous fall scenery and shop among some of the finest artists in the area at The Crozet Arts Festival. This beloved biannual event takes place in the spring and fall and features more than 120 jury-selected fine artists and crafters. Enjoy live music, children’s activities, festival fare, Virginia-made wine, and draft beer while you search for the perfect, truly one-of-kind gift to give this holiday.
Fall brings with it one of Charlottesville’s most popular and well attended venues, The Virginia Film Festival. For over 25 years, the Festival has been celebrating the magic of movies, attracting internationally acclaimed directors, actors, and celebrities to join professors and leading cultural experts to discuss all that is film. The highly respected event gives Charlottesville citizens the chance not only to rub shoulders with stars but to learn from them about why movies are so important to us.
Charlottesville itself is a feast of delights in the fall – get out and take a stroll on one of the many walking paths that lead through the beautiful, garden-rich neighborhoods in our area and you can experience a breathtaking blend for the senses. Take a moment to enjoy everything that is waiting for you outside your Charlottesville apartment, because fall may be the best time to see the beauty our town has to offer.
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