Birthday Parties
Forget the stress and mess … birthday parties at the Virginia Discovery Museum make planning a piece of cake from start to finish, so you can focus on more important things, like having fun with family and friends! The Museum's open galleries, bright colors, and interactive exhibits provide a safe and playful atmosphere for your child's big day, and our great location on Charlottesville's Downtown Mall offers proximity to several food and catering options, as well as local shops to help you find a birthday gift that’s just right. With party packages starting at $150 and both weekend and after-hours time slots available, come discover why VDM is your perfect party spot!
All Museum Parties Include …
- Easy, hassle-free booking
- Exclusive use of our party room
- Access to both Museum galleries
- Host to help set up & clean
- Flexible, customizable schedule
- Tablecloths/tableware for the kids
- Goody bags for each party guest
- 2 hrs free parking at Market St garage
Party Details | Weekdays & Saturdays | Sundays & Evenings | Theme Add-Ons
Parties must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance.
A $50 deposit is required to reserve a date and is refundable until 2 weeks before the party. Reservations made less than 2 weeks before a requested date are subject to a $35 late fee.
Weekday & Saturday Rentals
Enjoy all-day play in the Museum for you and your guests with our popular Saturday party packages or one of our weekday rentals Tuesdays through Fridays!* Due to space restrictions, please limit your guest list to 20 children and 30 total guests, including adult party chaperones.
Standard Party Rental: $150
Your Rental Includes:
○ 2-Hour Party Time Slot*
○ Museum Admission for 10 Children**
○ Free Admission for All Adult Party Chaperones**
Available Party Times:*
Weekdays (Tuesday-Friday)
○ 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Available September-May Only
Saturdays
○ 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
○ 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Available Year-Round
Member Discounts:
○ Family-Level: 10% Off Standard Party Rental
○ Discovery-Level: 15% Off Standard Party Rental
○ Explorer-Level: 20% Off Standard Party Rental
Additional Children:**
○ $5 per Child (Standard Party)
○ $8 per Child (Theme Party)
Check Availability:
○ By Phone: Call (434) 977-1025 x106
○ By Email: Contact parties@vadm.org
*Party family may arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the party to set up.
**Children who use paper products and receive a goody bag are counted toward this total. Non-participating children and non-chaperone adults who stay at the Museum must pay general admission. Discounts do not apply to the Additional Children fee.
Sunday & Evening Rentals
Enjoy the entire Museum to yourselves with our Sunday and evening party packages! We’re closed to the public, so you choose your party time.
Standard Museum Rental: $300
Your Rental Includes:
○ 2-Hour Party Time Slot
*
(Evening Rentals May Not Start before 5:30 p.m.)
○ Museum Admission for 10 Children**
○ Free Admission for All Adult Chaperones
Additional Time:
○ Standard Museum Rental Rate: $150 per Hour*
Member Discounts:
○ Family-Level: 10% Off Standard Museum Rental Rate
○ Discovery-Level: 15% Off Standard Museum Rental Rate
○ Explorer-Level: 20% Off Standard Museum Rental Rate
Additional Children:**
○ $5 per Child (Standard Party)
○ $8 per Child (Theme Party)
Check Availability:
○ By Phone: Call (434) 977-1025 x106
○ By Email: Contact parties@vadm.org
*Subject to staff availability. The rental period should include set-up and clean-up times. Additional time spent at the Museum, either before or after the rental period, will be subject to a $75 charge per 30-minute block of time. Member discounts apply.
**All children who stay at the Museum during the party period are counted toward this total. Member discounts do not apply to the Additional Children fee.
Make It a Theme Party!
Theme parties offer your child a more focused topic catered to his or her interests and include a craft and activity planned and led by your host. Themes are recommended for children 4 to 7 and can be added to any weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or evening rental.
Party Themed Add-On:
○ Additional $50*
Available Party Themes:
Journey back in time to the Jurassic Period! Become a junior paleontologist as you hunt for dinosaur bones and piece them back together with your expedition team, then transform into a dinosaur yourself as you make a dinosaur mask. Rawr!
Ahoy thar, matey! Become a true buccaneer as ye make a pirate hat ’n a trusty parrot companion to join ye on yer quest, then set sail wit’ yer crew as ye follow the clues in search o’ the Museum’s buried treasure! Arrgghh!
Cometh all princesses, knights, jesters, and queens! Dress in your finest attire as you make a craft fit for royalty, then join your court to complete the Royal Challenges and be knighted and crowned. Hip hip hooray!
Calling all superheroes! Calling all superheroes! Create your own mask, then charge your superpowers as you complete the Museum’s Training Academy. Zap! Pow! Wham! Now you’re ready to save the day!
Check Availability:
○ By Phone: Call (434) 977-1025 x106
○ By Email: Contact parties@vadm.org
*Member discounts do not apply to the Party Theme fee.