Planning to attend? Let us know on the official GI25 Facebook event page!
The City of Charlottesville presents the 28th Annual Grand Illumination at Ting Pavilion on the Downtown Mall! Due to inclement weather, the event has been rescheduled to Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 5–8 p.m.
This spectacular community tree lighting event features music, food, games, prizes, special guests, and plenty of holiday fun for all ages. Admission is free and parking is complimentary at the Market Street and Water Street garages from 5-10 p.m.
EVENT FEATURES
Holiday Concert AT TING PAVILION SPONSORED BY CCMC
From 5:00-7:30 p.m., the Grand Illumination Holiday Concert brings musical acts to the Ting Pavilion stage in celebration of the holiday season! Past performers have included Terri Allard, Art Wheeler, DMR Adventures, Virginia Consort Carolers, Butterfly Vendetta, The Jeffersonland Chorus, Lora Kelley, Music Resource Center, Charlottesville Band, The Virginia Sil'hooettes, Choirs of CHS, American Military Spouses Choir, Voices of Service, and more. Special thanks to our Holiday Concert Sponsor, the Charlottesville Community Media Center!
Holiday Market & Charlottesville Ale Trail
Browse over two dozen Holiday Market vendors for tasty treats, holiday crafts and hot food and beverages, while our friends at Charlottesville Ale Trail serve up a great selection of local craft beers and wine!
Games, Giveaways & Guests
It’s a kid-centric wonderland with bounce houses, games, and photo-ops! Plus, local businesses will give away goodies, raffles, and great info!
Illumination Sponsored by Dominion Energy
Join us at 7:30 p.m. as we count down to Charlottesville's Grand Illumination of the holiday tree and watch as 20,000 LED lights transform City Hall Plaza into a spectacular glowing wonderland, the perfect family photo-op. Special thanks to our Illumination Sponsor, Dominion Energy!
GI25 Event Map
EVENT Parking, STREET CLOSURES & SAFETY POLICIEs
Complimentary parking is available at Water Street and Market Street garages from 5-10 p.m. Vehicular crossings on the Downtown Mall at 2nd and 4th streets will be closed at 4 p.m. on December 10th. City Hall and City Hall Annex parking lots at 7th Street and Key Recreation Center will be closed at 11 a.m.
To help ensure the health and safety of all attendees, the City of Charlottesville is implementing new safety policies starting this year. The size and type of bags allowed into the event will be limited: • All bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, and must not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" (30.5 cm x 15.25 cm x 30.5 cm) • Each attendee may bring one clear bag such as a clear backpack, clear fanny pack, clear cinch bag, or a clear plastic zipper bag like a Ziploc • Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection and tagging by security All attendees will be subject to security screening before entering the event. Security personnel may inspect the contents of bags, jackets, pockets, and other personal items. Re-entry is allowed, but guests must return through the main gates. Certain items are not permitted inside the event, including: • Luggage • Firearms • Knives or other weapons • Fireworks or confetti • Alcoholic beverages, beverage coolers, or containers of any kind (including plastic or glass bottles, cans, coolers, or flasks). Baby bottles and food or drink containers for toddlers are permitted • Aerosol containers, laser pointers, bicycles, and skateboards Only service animals are allowed inside the Grand Illumination event. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is a dog trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability. These tasks may include assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair, assisting during seizures or changes in blood sugar, alerting to allergens, retrieving items such as medication or a telephone, or providing physical support and stability for individuals with mobility-related disabilities. Thank you in advance for your cooperation in keeping everyone safe as we celebrate the holiday season together!
Participate WITH US
If you would like to inquire about EVENT SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, email cvillegrand@charlottesville.gov (subject: GI25 Sponsorship) or call 434-970-3095.
If you are a LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION interested in hosting a table, email cvillegrand@charlottesville.gov (subject: GI25 Nonprofit)
If you would like to inquire about VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES during the event, email cvillegrand@charlottesville.gov (subject: GI25 Volunteer)
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
HOLIDAY CONCERT SPONSOR
ILLUMINATION SPONSOR
BROADCAST SPONSOR
COMMUNITY SPONSOR
AV SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS
Charlottesville Parks & Recreation • Ting Pavilion
CONNECT WITH US
Follow @cvillegrand on Facebook and Instagram and use #cvillegrand!
Have questions? Email cvillegrand@charlottesville.gov or call 434-970-3095
Photography by Kyle Ervin and David Dillehunt.