UVA’s Family Weekend will be held this Friday through Sunday, offering a fun and rare opportunity to experience activities on Grounds together with loved ones. Just like how the trees are turning colorful with autumn leaves, Grounds will become vibrant with all the visitors this weekend. The University has planned many events, compiled into an official schedule, but there are also plenty of options that are not on the guide.
The fun starts this Friday, with some early-morning fitness classes at the Aquatic & Fitness Center. There is a Total Body Pump and Cycle HIIT class, starting at 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM, respectively. Later in the day, there are other opportunities to get in a workout at the AFC: Zumba at noon, Cycle HIIT at 4:00 P.M., Barre at 4:30 P.M., and another Zumba class at 5:15 P.M. All seven of these do not require any registration, although arriving early would be advisable.
While less exciting, the Office of Housing and Residence Life will be at Newcomb Hall at 11:30 A.M. to talk about on- and off-Grounds housing for next academic year. There are also planned tours of Shannon Library, but walking around and exploring Grounds is something that families can easily do at their own pace. Later in the afternoon, you can grab a sweet treat at Bryant Hall courtesy of the Career Center or head over to the newly renovated Contemplative Commons for some cocktails.
To finish the night off, there will be the highly-coveted Dome Room Dinners on Friday and Saturday night, although only 200 out of the 2,000 interested last year were able to get seats. Since it is such a lottery to get in, there are luckily many spots at the historic downtown mall to eat. From fancier upscale restaurants such as Fleurie or C&O to more casual vibes such as The Fitzroy or The Local, there is no shortage of eateries to try and love. There is an extensive list of restaurants on the Friends of Charlottesville Downtown website, where everyone can find something to their tastes.
After dinner, if you are still craving more, make sure to attend the Family Weekend Choral Showcase, an annual concert featuring four of UVA’s best choral groups. Repertoire includes pieces by famous American composers and a Czech folk song, and the concert finishes with a mighty sing-along of the Good Old Song.
With the football game against UNC starting at noon on Saturday, there are a few activities to check out before heading to Scott Stadium. From 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on the South Lawn, students and families can support the Pancakes for Parkinson’s organization by donating and sharing some freshly made pancakes. There is also a brunch hosted at the Observatory Hill Dining Hall from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in addition to the First-Year Tailgate, also at O-Hill.
After the game, there are endless opportunities to soak up the projected good weather. Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is a short drive away and UVA students get free admission! There are self-guided tours offered to see inside the house in addition to the option of walking around the beautiful garden areas.
In the spirit of fall, it would be wrong not to mention Carter Mountain Orchard as an ideal family adventure. The country store is filled with all products fall-themed, allowing you to stock up on apple cider or fulfill donut cravings. You can also go apple and pumpkin picking for the quintessential autumn activity. With a few food trucks on premises and an amazing view, Carter Mountain is definitely somewhere to bring the family.
Saturday evening, there will be a drag show from 6-8:00 P.M. at the Newcomb Hall Theater, with tickets available at the door. The event will donate its earnings to local charity Side by Side. Right after the drag show, families can see another performance at Old Cabell Hall, this time by The Virginia Gentlemen, an acappella group.
Some other places to go that are not on the UVA Family Weekend schedule are the Dairy Market on Grady Avenue, which boasts a lively atmosphere and food court. After dinner, families can enjoy cocktails at The Alley Light or Lost Saint, some local favorites.
On Sunday, the activities wind down as the weekend draws to a close. There are once again several fitness classes at the AFC, including cycling, HIIT, and dancing in the evening. The most notable event is the Class of 2026 Ceremony at the John Paul Jones Arena where third-years will receive their class rings and commemorate their journeys thus far.
Finally, Family Weekend is the best time to stock up on groceries or other necessities. Since many underclassmen do not have cars on Grounds, they can make full use of this time to go to Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter, or Target and shop with the convenience of being able to use a car to lug purchases back.
From high-tension sports games to a packed event schedule, everyone is sure to have an enjoyable weekend. The Charlottesville area has much to offer, especially for those new to Grounds. Family Weekend is the perfect way to connect those back home with the spirit of UVA and create some lasting memories.
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