Where is PrezFest?

A production of the University of Virginia's Miller Center, PrezFest will be held in Charlottesville on UVA Central Grounds from May 21–23, 2019. Morning and afternoon keynote sessions will be held in Old Cabell Hall on the south end of the Lawn. Lunchtime sessions will be held in Newcomb Hall. See the map below for a clear picture of where each venue is located.

How do I participate?

All sessions of PrezFest are now full, and we anticipate large crowds for the event. We urge all guests to allocate considerable time for parking, transportation, and security at the venue. Please plan to be in your seat 15 minutes before the start of each keynote session. You can watch keynote sessions online or at overflow viewing areas on Grounds. Donors, sponsors, and other partners receive preferred seating and can participate in private events.

How do I get my tickets?

Each public event at PrezFest 2019 requires a paper ticket. You have two options to pick up your tickets and those of any registered guests, which will be in the same envelope:

1. Prior to PrezFest—At the front desk of the Miller Center one week before the festival begins: From Monday, May 13, to Friday, May 17, and again on Monday, May 20, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
2. During PrezFest—May 21–23: At the will call station in Garrett Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Garrett Hall is close to Old Cabell Hall; see map below)

Seats in Old Cabell Hall are general admission, and we ask that you be in your seat 15 minutes prior to the start of the session. We will offer nearby overflow viewing areas should you not secure a seat.

Where do I stay?

If you don't live in or near Charlottesville, PrezFest is a great time to visit one of the most livable towns in America. The city has a lively downtown with fantastic hotel and dining options. The countryside around Charlottesville also features assorted bed and breakfasts and inns. Be aware that UVA finals weekend comes immediately prior to PrezFest, which could affect lodging availability. For a comprehensive list of local accommodations, restaurants, and attractions, see VisitCharlottesville.org.

Where do I park?

Although the Central Grounds Parking Garage is the closest facility to PrezFest, it will fill up quickly. We strongly suggest you park at a different location, in particular the Emmett-Ivy Garage at 123 Emmett Street. From there, you can take the free North Line or Central Grounds Shuttle bus to the Monroe/Garrett Hall stop on Central Grounds. Find full information on parking and University Transit Service buses here.

UVA parking facilities require you pay at a kiosk by entering your license plate number along with payment. Be sure to note your license plate number before proceeding to the kiosk! Better still, download the free ParkMobile app and pay using your phone to avoid any lines at the garage.

From downtown, the city offers a free trolley to Grounds.

Can you accommodate special needs?

Should you require disability-related accommodations, please send your request to greco@virginia.edu as early as possible, but no later than May 3, 2019, so that we have ample time to arrange for the necessary accommodations.  Examples of accommodations may include real-time captioning, ASL-English interpreting services, accessible seating, and accessible parking.  Please include the following information in your request:

1. Full name
2. Contact information
3. Event date and location
4. Accommodation requested

The Miller Center will work with the University’s ADA officer to accommodate requests.

What about security?

PrezFest will feature a large number of high-profile guests. Therefore, all guests will pass through a metal detector and UVA's clear-bag policy will be in effect for all sessions in Old Cabell Hall; only the front doors of Old Cabell Hall will be open to the public to enter the venue. The clear-bag policy does not change the items you may bring in, but it restricts the type of bag you can use to carry items. 

• Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot exceed 12" x 6" x 12". Clear one-gallon plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar) are also permitted.
• Small clutch bags/wallets no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" (with or without a handle or strap) can be taken in and will be subject to search.
• An exception will be made for items necessary for medical reasons after proper inspection.