15 Reasons to Love Charlottesville in Spring

1. Blossoms

The flowering trees and plants festoon the city in white and pink blossoms. Petals fall like so much confetti.

2. Foxfield

The Foxfield Races have become a rite of spring over the last 30 years. Where else can one wear a formal hat or a seersucker suit while enjoying the thrill of a horse race?

3. Festival of the Book

Dream about meeting famous authors? Make plans to attend the annual Virginia Festival of the Book, which brings writers from every genre to Charlottesville.

4. Baseball

Bask in the warm spring sun and cheer on the ’Hoos at Davenport Field.

5. Finals

Mortarboards and black gowns. Inspiring speeches. The parade down the Lawn. Final Exercises at the University are most memorable for the bittersweet mix of pride, excitement and nostalgia of the new graduates as they receive their degrees.

6. Sitting on Patios

There are few better ways to spend a warm spring evening than sitting on a patio in the company of friends. As the temperatures rise, the restaurant patios on the Downtown Mall will reopen. Fridays after Five, the free concert series at the Sprint Pavilion, resumes after a winter hiatus every April.

7. Reunions

Reminisce with long-time friends. Enjoy dinner on the Lawn as the stars come out. Dance the night away to the music of your favorite band from your college years.

8. Paddling

Water is high in the spring on the Rivanna and the James rivers, so grab a canoe or kayak and start paddling. If you don’t have a boat, there are many outdoors equipment rentals available. The University’s own Outdoor Recreation Center offers members of the University community access to boats, life jackets, paddles and other river gear.

9. Gardens

Tour formal gardens, walled gardens, annual and perennial gardens, herb gardens, water gardens and even secret gardens during Historic Garden Week in Virginia. Visitors interested in architecture and interior decorating will enjoy house tours. Monticello, the University’s Pavilion homes and gardens as well as Carr’s Hill are among the properties that open to visitors.

10. Dogwood Festival

In the 1970s, the Dogwood Festival featured notables like Elizabeth Taylor, who was the parade grand marshall in 1977. The Grand Parade continues, along with fireworks and rides in McIntire Park.

11. Lacrosse

Lacrosse fans throng to Klöckner Stadium to cheer on UVA’s perennially powerful squads. Fans are eager to see if the Cavaliers can add another NCAA title to the programs’ legacy.

12. No More Snow

The snow has finally melted.

13. SpringFest

Who doesn’t love a concert? SpringFest features live music, local foods and more!

A Gusburger-eating contest at Springfest.

14. Running

Put on your running shoes and jog through the heart of Charlottesville with 2,500 other athletes in the Charlottesville Ten Miler. If you’re not quite ready for the Ten Miler, there are plenty of shorter races in the area.

The Charlottesville Ten Miler Skip Degan of Tailwheelbasics, LLC

15. Tennis

The Snyder Tennis Center next to Memorial Gym bustles with tennis lovers of all abilities during the spring, and UVA fans turn out in force to cheer on the women’s and men’s tennis teams.