Things to Do in March in Charlottesville & Albemarle County

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Mardi Gras in the Charlottesville area? You’ve got options! Celebrate with sweets by ordering a Muffuletta-inspired “paffle” (puff pastry waffle sandwich) from Iron Paffles & Coffee or a traditional King Cake from Great Harvest Bread Company. Make a night out of it by enjoying some Cajun cuisine at Roux St. Cafe, Fig, Mockingbird, or Southern Crescent Gallery and Bar. Southern Crescent will be celebrating Fat Tuesday on March 4th with menu specials and live music from The Adrian Duke Project. Make sure to keep an eye on our events page for any other celebrations that pop up!

If you’re even a little into the outdoors, you can’t miss out on this film festival. Hosted annually at The Paramount Theater, the Banff Mountain Film Festival is all about highlighting the best and most inspiring short films that capture thought-provoking moments in mountain sports and culture from around the world. This year marks the festival’s 10th anniversary and to celebrate, the usually two-day festival has been extended to three days, which means even more films. Plus, attendees will have the opportunity to enter raffles each day, featuring prizes such as cabin/resort stays, gift cards for local restaurants, outdoor gear, guided adventures, and more!

As if you needed even more of a reason, supporting the festival also means supporting conservation and education. This event has raised over $500,000 in the past 10 years for the Shenandoah National Park Trust, which goes towards funding projects and programs in Shenandoah National Park.

The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters are making their victorious return to John Paul Jones Arena to take on their determined rivals, the Washington Generals! This fun, family-friendly event is your chance to witness the world record-breaking, trick-shot stars of basketball LIVE as they bring their signature moves to the court. Tickets are available online and we recommend acting fast so that you can book a place to stay and make a weekend of it!

Calling all puzzle lovers! The 4th annual Cville Puzzle Hunt is back, and everyone is invited to this FREE event. Spend an afternoon exploring the Downtown Mall as you attempt to untangle five large-scale puzzles inserted into the urban landscape. This year, in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary, all the clues are based around real historical people and themes of the American Revolution! The puzzle hunt kicks off at 2:30PM at IX Art Park. You can play solo, but we recommend bringing a team of 3-6 friends!

This year, organizations across the state are celebrating the 250th anniversary in a variety of ways -- head over to va250.org to learn more!

For locals and visitors alike, this race is a Charlottesville staple! First established in 1976, this year marks the 50th running of the Charlottesville Ten Miler, offering a scenic and challenging route through the heart of the city. This is a fun race for all, whether you’re a seasoned runner or looking to tackle your first long-distance run. Not quite ready for a race yet? Check out these upcoming Spring races and start training.

There’s a TON of stuff going on the same weekend, so we recommend making a whole trip out of it! Head over to the Violet Crown to relax post-race at this year’s Indie Short Film Festival or attend the Festival of the Book if literature is more your style. If you’re into comedy, you can also check out the Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue parody show at The Paramount Theater on March 23rd.

The annual Festival of the Book is shaping up to be one of the top “can’t miss” events of 2025! With an exciting lineup of guest authors, including Earl Swift, Emma Donoghue and Elon Green, as well as a wild range of engaging panels and key events, there’s something for every book lover at this festival. Check out the full lineup here and register on their website. Most events are free, but some require paid tickets –- check out our top picks!

What better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than by celebrating the women of the Monticello Wine Trail? Their creativity, collaboration, and diversity in style amongst women winemakers exemplify the qualities that garnered Charlottesville the “Wine Region of the Year” Wine Star award from Wine Enthusiast in 2023. Celebrate the month by embarking on the official Virginia Women in Wine Trail from March 14th to March 31st.

Interested in learning more about these women winemakers and women-led wineries? Check out this excellent article by Kylie Britt, Co-owner of Ethos Wine and Tea!

Don’t wait to book your stay and take part in all of these wonderful spring events! Come for a whole week and enjoy affordable rates for mid-week stays before peak season kicks off next month.

Explore our map of hotels, B&B’s, resorts, and other accommodations on our Places to Stay page.