What the Albemarle County Fair Is
The Albemarle County Fair is a three-day agricultural celebration held on the grounds of James Monroe's Highland, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902. It combines livestock, a home arts and agriculture barn, live music, family entertainment and hands-on learning for all ages. The fair is run by the Albemarle County Fair Board, a private nonprofit that is separate from Albemarle County government. The most recent fair ran Thursday, July 30 through Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Hours and Tickets
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Thursday, July 30 | 4 to 9 p.m. |
| Friday, July 31 | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Saturday, August 1 | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
Admission is $5 per person, paid at the door by cash or card. Children under 6 are free. Pets are not allowed on the property, though leashed service animals as defined by the ADA are welcome.
Enter Your Own Work: Home Arts and Agriculture
Judged home arts and agricultural entries are displayed in the barn, and visitors can walk through to see the winners. Adults and youth are encouraged to enter their own creations, and entries are open to residents of Albemarle and surrounding counties. Submission details and the livestock and entertainment schedules are posted on the fair's website, which is also where to check entry deadlines before you bring anything.
What to See and Do
- Livestock from Albemarle and surrounding counties, including cows, rabbits and goats
- Live music and family entertainment
- Demonstrations of historic skills such as wool spinning and blacksmithing
- Photographic silhouettes by Studio Zero Photography for couples, individuals and children. No appointment is needed, and prices depend on print size
- The free VA250 Mobile Museum, "Out of Many, One," open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. all three days
Piedmont Master Gardeners
The Piedmont Master Gardeners staff a mobile helpdesk in the Home Arts and Ag Barn on all three days, with topics including gardening and climate change, water conservation and kids' activities. On Saturday they host an educational vegetable garden at Highland, with presentations on antique garden tools at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Exhibitors
Each day brings a different lineup of local and regional organizations, such as the Charlottesville Camera Club, Albemarle County Police and Fire Rescue, the Central Virginia Beekeepers Association, the Central Virginia Fiber Arts Guild and Camp Fuzzy Nuzzles Animal Shelter. Some have set hours: the JMRL Bookmobile runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, and the CACVB Mobile Visitor Center runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Non-profits and government agencies that want to exhibit can ask through Highland.
Where
James Monroe's Highland, 2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Highland was the home of James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president, and is part of William & Mary. Call (434) 293-8000 with questions.
Questions
Can I enter if I live outside Albemarle County?
Yes, if you live in a surrounding county. Entries are open to residents of Albemarle and surrounding counties.
What does it cost to get in?
$5 per person at the door, with children under 6 free. The VA250 Mobile Museum is free to fairgoers.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Only leashed ADA service animals are allowed.
Official Links
- Albemarle County Fair at Highland
- Albemarle County Fair details
- Albemarle/Charlottesville 4-H livestock program
Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Virginia county fairs run from late June into the fall. In 2026, fairs on one roundup ran from Orange County on June 24 to 27 to Shenandoah County on August 28 to September 5, per a fairs roundup. Dates may change.
State fair
The 2026 State Fair of Virginia ran September 25 to October 4 at The Meadow Event Park in Doswell, per the fair press page. The youth beef, sheep, swine and meat goat shows were October 1 to 4, per the nomination letter.
Nomination and tags
Market animals needed nomination and DNA by July 1, and entries closed August 17 in 2026. Sheep and goats needed a scrapie tag, and cattle and hogs an 840 EID tag.
County rules
Shenandoah County required 4-H or FFA enrollment by February 1 and set ownership dates in March and June, per its 2025 rules.
2027 dates
A fair listing shows the Loudoun County Fair July 20 to 24, 2027, and the Prince William County Fair August 13 to 21, 2027. The State Fair of Virginia lists September 24 to October 3, 2027.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for the show book and tagging dates.
Weights and entry rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Virginia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Hoof-N-Woof 4-H Club Gymkhana
Mounted games gymkhana run by the Hoof-N-Woof 4-H club in Free Union. Held each year; the most recent date was October 18, 2026.
Free Union, VA | Organizer: Hoof-N-Woof 4-H Club Official event details - Winter in the Woods 4-H Specialty Camp
Winter weekend outdoor specialty camp for 4-H youth at Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are December 5 to 6, 2026.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Fluvanna 4-H County Contest Day
Fluvanna 4-H members compete at County Contest Day, scheduled for January 16, 2027 at the Fluvanna Community Center. It is the only contest on the county 4-H calendar this season.
VA | Organizer: Fluvanna 4-H Official event details - Holiday Lake Cloverbud Camp
Summer weekend camp for young Cloverbud 4-H members at Holiday Lake in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 18 to 20, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Woods and Wildlife Camp
Five-day summer 4-H camp on forestry and wildlife held at the Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 21 to 25, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.