EVENTS and ACTIVITIES

The Charlottesville Newcomers Club offers an exciting variety of activities and events. Find out more about all of the Newcomers Club activities and events below and check out the Newcomers Club Activities Calendars: December and January 2025.

Newcomers Club members are also encouraged to join our Charlottesville Newcomers Club Meetup group, where we schedule and announce activities and also arrange impromptu social events. Click here to learn about our Meetup group.

CLUB-WIDE HOSPITALITY EVENTS: Two or three times a year, the Club provides a large-scale social event for all members (announced in the newsletter.)

Newcomers Club weather and COVID policies

Book Groups

  • Mysteries, suspense and thrillers—are those the kind of books you love to read? This book group meets on the 3rd Monday afternoon of the month (unless otherwise announced) to discuss authors, books and series of this genre.

  • This book group is open to all, meeting the 4th Tuesday of the month in the afternoon. The group meets year-round, except for December.

  • The Men’s Nonfiction Book Group focuses on science, history, culture and politics. Scholarship and in-depth research are particularly valued.  The group meets September through June on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Our members nominate books of interest and then the group votes to select our upcoming list. The discussions are participatory, friendly and draw on our life experiences and viewpoints. More than anything, we learn.

  • The group considers works that include science, biography, public affairs, history, and perhaps historical fiction. The members nominate books to be considered and then vote on the selection. The group meets year-round on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, generally at 3 PM. The discussions are active, friendly and draw out of the life experience and viewpoints of our members.

  • The Women’s Monday Book Group meets in the afternoon on the 2nd Monday of the month. Members volunteer to host the meeting each month and light refreshments are served. Each month a volunteer facilitator leads our discussion. We look forward to seeing you!

  • This is one of six daytime Book Groups, and it meets in the homes of members in the afternoon on the 2nd Thursday of the month from September through May. The Group is open to all. Members choose books for the upcoming year and volunteers sign up to host meetings and lead book discussions for the coming year. Discussions are very lively and centered on the book chosen for that month. The host serves light refreshments.


Hobbies and Interests

  • Bunco is an exciting and fun-filled game played with rotating teams. A social dice game—no skills needed, only Lady Luck! If interested in fellowship, laughter, and a fun game, please join us on the 2nd Tuesday morning of the month.

    Everyone is welcome, but an RSVP is required.

  • Classic Canasta meets on the 2nd Friday of the month and provides an opportunity to play canasta with different rules and strategies than our popular Hand and Foot Canasta. Several years ago, the Newcomers canasta players adopted a set of rules which the Classic Canasta group uses. This group is open to all skill levels and learners.

  • A fun form of rummy that has been around for many years. Perhaps you played when you were child or with a grandparent. An enjoyable social afternoon with people who like a light-hearted card game. Our members will teach you how to play or refresh your memory.  We meet every Thursday afternoon so join us when your schedule permits.

  • On the 3rd Wednesday of the month Exploring Charlottesville ventures out to an exciting local destination to learn more about the area by touring a well-known or off-the-beaten-path location. Following the tour the group enjoys lunch at one of the many interesting local restaurants. Members are welcome to attend the tour, lunch, or both. Participants provide their own transportation and are responsible for the cost of the tour (if there is one) and their lunch. Check each month’s newsletter for information about the group’s latest adventure.

  • Make Friday night game night! Singles and couples are invited for fun with friends old and new the 1st Friday of the month. Participants can bring a game or two from home and teach others how to play. We will form groups to play various games. During the evening we will take a break, socialize (of course!), and then try a different game.

  • No green thumb necessary - just a love of plants, gardens and gardening!

    Together we'll enjoy visiting beautiful public gardens, learning about our native Virginia plants, design tips for different kinds of gardens from pots to acres, seasonal displays, easy maintenance ideas, living with wildlife and the always popular annual spring plant swap. Activities are announced via Meetup.

  • Mah Jongg is played twice monthly on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday afternoons. Come and join the fun! Are you interested in those little Mah Jongg tiles and would like to learn more? Don’t know what those tiles are? Lessons can be provided upon request as new players are always welcomed.

  • A uniquely American card game that will meet the 1st Monday of the month. Even if you haven’t played since your younger days, come join the group and brush up on your card-playing skills. This is a co-ed group open to all skill levels.

  • Members meet in the afternoon on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, September through June. Members share ideas, work on projects, get help or instruction, admire others’ creations, and enjoy chatting. Members bring sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, drawing, painting, scrapbooking, greeting cards, beading or any other creative project they are working on or would like to start working on.

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Coffees/Teas/Dining/Socials

  • Afternoon Tea is a favorite of many newcomers. We gather in member's homes once a month for a traditional afternoon tea of savory tea sandwiches, scones and sweets. Every third person is asked to bring one of those food items and the hostess provides hot tea. Seating is limited so it is best to RSVP right away. Details for each tea event are published in the newsletter.

  • Coffee Break is an informal monthly get-together of Newcomers and guests. It takes place in the morning on the 1st Wednesday of each month at a local coffee shop in the area and is a great way to get to know new and longtime members. The location of each month's venue is announced on Meetup.  Come join us! 

  • Bring old friends, new friends, and prospective members for a fun, relaxed evening of cocktails, dinner, and conversation! Once a month, a group will gather at a local restaurant on Friday evening to raise our glasses to the weekend. Experience a variety of Charlottesville area eateries as we dine our way around the area.

  • The Men’s Breakfast meets on the 2nd Thursday of every month in the morning. A designated area is set up for us in a restaurant. Members pay separately for their own meals. At the breakfast, members are encouraged to lead discussions on topics of general interest or to talk about memorable life experiences. Occasionally, the group takes day trips to points of interest within a two-hour drive of Charlottesville.

  • The Charlottesville Newcomers Club Singles Meetup Group, at meetup.com/cville-newcomers-club-singles, enables single members of the Newcomers Club to participate in activities such as attending a movie or play; dining out; visiting a winery; hiking; walking; attending art shows, crafts fairs, sporting events, and garden tours; shopping trips; dancing; playing games and sports; participating in holiday dinners, etc.

  • A great opportunity to get together to renew old friendships and make new ones! We meet the 1st Sunday of every month in the late afternoon, gathering in a newcomer’s home for a few hours of wonderful conversation. Come and join us. Each couple or single who attends brings a finger-food or appetizer to share and a personal libation if desired.