'26 Block Party Highlights
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
The Tom Tom Festival Block Party
April 24 - 25, 2026
The Annual Tom Tom Festival Block Party was a celebration of community at its best. As the Downtown Mall came alive with music echoing through the streets, nearly 30,000 friends and neighbors gathered to celebrate two nights of community, connection, and creativity.
Across four main stages, over 50 musicians, artists, performers, and community organizations from Charlottesville and beyond transformed Downtown into a living showcase of the people and ideas that make our community thrive.
The result was more than a party, it was a powerful expression of belonging, where local talent took center stage and the energy of a connected community was impossible to miss. In a time when opportunities to connect can feel increasingly rare, the Block Party stands out as one of Charlottesville’s most welcoming and inclusive celebrations.
For one unforgettable weekend, the Block Party reminded us what is possible when we come together: a more vibrant, creative, and connected future. When we create space for everyone, our city shines brightest.
"The Tom Tom Festival Block Party just transformed the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia — This is what community looks like when a city decides to show up fully — every culture, every age, every story, all on the same street.” - Instagram user @chachaunlmtd
Check out some of our favorite highlights!
DND Dancers made their debut leading the annual parade with Elby Brass, and Charlottesville’s own Mighty Joshua returned home to light up the stage with soulful reggae and community spirit.
For the first time at Fridays after Five, our R&B stage hosted by DJ Reggie Wattz and DJ DoubleU featured local musicians, dancers, MCs, and more! These artists brought out over 6k people - making it one of the most popular Friday’s After Five yet!
Rain couldn’t stop the rhythm as Foreign Playerz returned to host the Latin Stage. At the same time, Rusty Iris lit up the night with fire and unstoppable energy, returning as another iconic pillar of the Block Party.
Friday West Stage, programmed by The Front Porch, brought people together all evening long celebrating touring musicians Arthur Terembula & Todd Albright, Charlottesville natives Richelle Claiborne & Friends, plus a special homecoming performance from DJ Williams Band.
Community partners brought creativity, interactive experiences, and activities across the Downtown Mall. We are so grateful for these partners - as well as our Speakers, Sponsors, and Artists! Thanks to Howard Hanna Real Estate, these collaborators enjoyed access to a special lounge, all weekend long.
Want to see more of the fun? Check out the official photo galleries here!
Keep The Party Going
The Tom Tom Festival Block Party is a free, accessible event made possible through community support - and it needs all of us to make it happen. While sponsorship helps, they only cover about half the cost of producing the event.
From security and staff, sound and lighting, artist payments, and other behind-the-scenes expenses, this free event adds up! Each year, 25,000+ people come downtown for this beautiful celebration. If every attendee were charged admission, we’d be set. But that’s not the accessible party we’re trying to put on! Your support helps keep the Block Party free and inclusive while ensuring this beloved community tradition can continue to grow for years to come.
As a note: Tom Tom receives no alcohol or concession revenue from the local restaurants - income is retained by the restaurants in order to boost the downtown economy, and we want to keep supporting these local businesses!
