FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2025
Charlottesville Implements New Safety Policies for Grand Illumination
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Charlottesville’s 28th Grand Illumination is just around the corner! Join us on Friday, December 5, from 5–8 PM at Ting Pavilion for a festive evening featuring live music, delicious 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 PM.
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. 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!
Media Contact
Afton Schneider
Director of Communications & Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-996-0331
schneidera@charlottesville.gov