Whether you're broke or have money to spend, here's a list of things happening suitable for the concert-goer, arts enthusiast and the food lover in Charlottesville this summer. Mark your calendars or save this article so you don't miss out on any of these fun events!
1. Wiz Khalifa concert
If you have some money saved up, don't miss out on this concert! Wiz Khalifa is making a pitstop from his summer tour with Fall Out Boy to come to the nTelos Wireless Pavilion in Charlottesville on Thursday, July 16! Tickets are $45 for general admission and are on sale here. And, if you're not in Charlottesville, don't fret — Wiz Khalifa and Fall Out Boy are also touring all over to cities such as Toronto, Virginia Beach, Nashville, Atlanta, Raleigh, Dallas, and Los Angeles throughout the summer. Check out all the tour dates here.
2. Farmers Market
We all know that during the school year, waking up before noon on a Saturday is a definite no-no. However, in the summertime when you can finally relax, head downtown to the weekly Farmers Market, from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. every Saturday. It's the perfect time to find fresh and in-season strawberries, cherries, peaches, and tomatoes, all from local vendors. While you're there, check out the food stands, or even get a crepe from The Flat right across the street.
3. National Doughnut Day at Krispy Kreme
Mark your calendar for National Doughnut Day: Friday, June 5. You can get a FREE doughnut of choice at any Krispy Kreme location, no strings attached! How can anyone pass up an offer for a free doughnut? Check out the Facebook event here.
4. FleaVILLE: Fleamarket at the IX Art Park
On Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., head downtown to the IX Art Park to check out fleaVILLE, an outdoor market that features a dynamic and vibrant local art scene. The flea market has various vendors selling vintage jewelry, vintage apparel, art, handcrafted home goods, and even furniture. If you can't make the June market, fleaVILLE actually occurs once a month, again on July 11 and August 8. For more about fleaVILLE, click here.
5. Paul McCartney concert
Not a fan of Wiz Khalifa? Don't fret, you can watch this former Beatles member perform at John Paul Jones Arena on Tuesday, June 23! Tickets, however, range from $57.50 for upper level seats to $250.00 for front row seats. Don't miss out on this opportunity, because afterwards, McCartney leaves to tour in England, France, and The Netherlands. You can find tickets here.
6. Sunset Series at Carter Mountain Orchard
Every Thursday this summer until September 24, Carter Mountain is open until 9 p.m., and features a dinner menu at their Mountain Grill, as well as live musical entertainment each week! What better way to spend your Thursday evenings than to pick some apples, grab some donuts and cider, and eat a picnic dinner while watching the sunset AND listening to live music? What makes the deal even sweeter is that admission and parking are completely free! For a schedule of weekly entertainment and the dinner menu, click here.
7. Go see a movie
Tons of great movies are coming out this summer, and if you haven't already seen Pitch Perfect 2 or Mad Max: Fury Road, which came out last weekend, they're worth a trip to the movie theater. Some of the most anticipated movies releasing this summer include: Ted 2, Magic Mike XXL, Terminator: Genisys, Minions, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, and Fantastic Four. Evidently, this summer is huge for action movies and sequels, and I know that I'll definitely be trying to watch some of these.
8. 3rd Annual Richmond Bacon Festival
If you're willing to make a short road trip, Richmond is only an hour away, and on Saturday, June 14 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., the city is hosting the 3rd Annual Richmond Bacon Festival! This festival is located on 17th Street and is packed with food vendors, beverage stations, live music, and shopping. This is perfect for all you bacon lovers, so be prepared to stuff your face with bacon sliders, bacon ice cream, maple bacon patties, and bacon mac and cheese. Check out the Facebook event here.
9. Chiles Peach Orchard
So maybe you're not into apple picking. Fear not, Chiles Peach Orchard in Crozet allows you to pick fresh peaches, strawberries, and cherries, and also features an ice cream and frozen yogurt parlor. Those strawberry cider donuts sure sound mouthwatering! On certain days of each month, the orchard features all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts, such as on June 13-14, July 11-12, and August 8-9. Here's the complete schedule.
10. Fridays After Five at nTelos Wireless Pavilion
All throughout the summer, the Charlottesville nTelos Wireless Pavilion downtown is featuring a FREE concert series every Friday at 5:30 p.m. with live music! Some of the bands playing include Superunknown, Abbey Road, and Lord Nelson. Go here for the entire Fridays After Five Lineup.
