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Viva Elvis festivals. Sand-castle contests. Flotillas of historic tall ships. Caribbean music festivals. Whale-watching. Drive-thru holiday light shows (on the boardwalk, no less!). There always seems to be something going on at the Beach, whether it's winter, spring, summer, or fall. And many of the events are free and just steps away from the beachfront hotels and restaurants. Here are our favorite Virginia Beach events (plus events for nearby cities and attractions in Virginia) by season.
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Virginia Beach Historic Garden Week Tour
April 23, 2008
Various homes through Virginia Beach
Come celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Historic Garden Week by touring North End restored beach cottages and gardens from the ’20s through the ’50s. You can also see the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum (the former de Witt cottage, circa 1895), the oldest remaining structure on the oceanfront. Tickets are required. For information and tickets, go to www.vagardenweek.org.
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At the 2006 Neptune Festival. |
Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 10 am - 4 pm
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
See some of the hottest cars ever assembled while working on your tan or frolicking on the beach! Over 200 classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles will line the boardwalk as their owners compete for cash prizes and trophies. There is a fee for show participants, but spectators are free. The advance registration deadline for participants is April 22nd. For more information, or to download a registration form, go to www.beachstreetusa.com.
Ready, Set, GROW!
Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Free with admission to the park, this special weekend event makes the park a gardener's paradise! There will be workshops, demonstrations, tips and tricks from top area landscapers. For more details and park hours, go to our Busch Gardens Williamsburg Events & Festivals page.
3rd Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival
May 3, 2008
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
This family-friendly festival will feature kite demonstrations, kite ballets, kite-building workshops, an open-fly area, and kite vendors. All activities will be held on the beach and in the park at 17th Street. The workshops have a nominal fee; otherwise, the event is free. For more information, go to www.beachstreetusa.com.
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Ride "Griffon" at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. |
12th Annual "Pedal the Parkway"
May 3, 2008
Colonial Parkway between Williamsburg and Jamestown
Love bicycling? Don't miss the 12th Annual Pedal the Parkway. The Colonial Parkway between Williamsburg and Jamestown will be closed to cars so bicyclists can cruise the parkway during this free event. Parking will be available off Newport Avenue in Williamsburg and at the Jamestown Beach Campsites lot. Want to avoid hills? Start at the Jamestown end. The Active Williamsburg Alliance and the Williamsburg Area Bicyclists will give out free helmets for kids, while they last. For more information on Pedal on the Parkway, go to www.WABonline.org.
Glory at the Gardens
Saturdays and Sundays, May 4, 11, and 18
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
A dozen Christian groups, including Third Day, Mark Schultz and Natalie Grant, will perform at the Bush Gardens Williamsburg contemporary Christian concert series. For park hours on those dates, as well as a link to other events at the park, go to our Busch Gardens Williamsburg Events & Festivals page.
11th Annual Monster Trucks on the Beach
May 9-11, 2008
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
Watch the sand fly as Grave Digger, "Raphael" Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Monster Mutt, and Superman will join other world-famous monster trucks as they battle to dominate this exciting competition at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. Includes Monster truck rides on the beach, a Tough Truck Competition, and a Truck Show & Shine. Tickets are $10 in advance (plus service charges when purchased through Ticketmaster), or $12 at the gate. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are non-refundable, as events will be held rain or shine.
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Alex's first time at the beach! |
May 9-11, 2008
On the Beach at 24th Street
A weekend of fun, music and workshops for Caribbean music devotees. Workshops will be held on Friday. Steel drum competitions begin Friday night and continue through the weekend. Free to the public; fee for participating bands. For more information, go to www.beachstreetusa.com.
Neptune's Spring International Wine Tasting
May 17, 2008 – Noon–5 pm
24th Street Park
Sample 75 different wines from around the world during this international wine tasting extravaganza. Tickets (which include a wine-tasting glass and tastings) are limited. For more information, visit www.neptunefestival.com.
Family Fun Fest
May 17, 2008
11 am to 3 pm - FREE
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Join this free family day on the farm. Attractions include a petting zoo, Touch-a-Truck (featuring a variety of big, big trucks you can climb in), arts and crafts, clowns, and tips for being healthy from Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. You'll also be able to meet local firefighters, practice fire drills, and learn fire safety. For more information, call (757) 259-5415.
25th Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival
May 24, 2008
Indian River Road and Princess Anne Road
(757) 721-6001
Grab the kids and head over to one of our favorite Virginia Beach events. Something for everyone, from strawberries prepared 50 different ways, to pig races! Other events include a pie-eating contest, a military display, a livestock sale and show, racing car exhibits, ongoing entertainment, a huge carnival, continuous entertainment, a parade, and arts and crafts for sale.
9th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival
May 30, May 31, and June 1, 2008
Downtown Hampton
(757) 727-0900
Avast, ye mateys! The 9th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival is a free event where you can visit a pirate camp, tour tall ships, purchase pirate memorabilia, dig for buried treasure, sample tavern food, and listen to pirate music. Hours are Friday, May 30, from Noon to 5:30 pm, Saturday, May 31, from 10 am - 9:30 pm, and Sunday, June 1, from Noon to 6 pm. There will be a fireworks extravaganza Saturday at 9 pm. For more information, go to www.blackbeardfestival.com.
Summer Virginia Beach Events
Ongoing
VB Oceanfront
One of our favorite Virginia Beach events...and it's free! Go to the oceanfront for fireworks shows every Wednesday and Sunday nights at 10:15 pm through August.
Norfolk Harborfest
June 6-8
Norfolk Town Point Park
Tall ships, fireworks, and fun...for free! The 32nd Annual Norfolk Harborfest event, Virginia's largest summertime festival, kicks off with a fantastic Parade of Sail. Click here for details...
15th North American Sand Soccer Championships
June 6-8, 2008
Boardwalk, 16th-35th Streets
Soccer in the sand? This Virginia Beach event has to be seen to be appreciated. Over 9000 players and 900 teams from around the world will shoot it out at this annual Virginia Beach events.
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Photo © Caryn Thurman 2008 |
Viva Elvis and Legends of Rock 'N' Roll
June 19-22, 2008
Boardwalk between 16th and 35th Streets
(757)368-4600
41st Annual Hampton Jazz Festival
June 27-29, 2008
Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton
(800) 847-4882
Now in its 41st year, this celebration features acts in R&B, jazz, pop, soul, and gospel. Tickets are $52.50 per seat and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com or by phone (757) 671-8100. Schedule:
June 27, 7:30 pm -Gladys Knight, Boney James & Jonathan Butler, Raheem Devaugn, and Chrisette Michele
June 28, 7 pm - Jill Scott, Kenny G, The Temptations Revue
June 29, 2 pm - Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Joss Stone, and Dave Koz and Friends
83rd Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim & Auction
Wednesday, July 23 and Thursday, July 24, 2008
Chincoteague Island
(757) 336-6161
Sponsored by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department, this memorable and historic event is one of the most amazing sights you'll ever see. To keep the population of wild ponies manageable, up to 150 each year are driven across a narrow part of the Assateague Channel at low tide on Wednesday during the famous "pony swim." They are then auctioned off on Thursday.
Stars and Stripes Explosion
July 4, 2008
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
(800) 822-3224
The Virginia Beach oceanfront is hosting a free Stars & Stripes Explosion, featuring fireworks, concerts, rock performances, and tribute bands at stages on the beach at 20th Street, as well as at the 17th, 24th and 31st Street parks.Music will include headline acts (TBA), as well as concerts bythe Virginia Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Virginia Beach Chorale.
Fireworks will take place at 9:30 pm and can be viewed anywhere along the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
15th Annual American Music Festival
Aug. 29-31, 2008
Virginia Beach Oceanfront
(804) 262-8100
This annual Virginia Beach event is a great combination of free and paid musical acts, including local musicians and pop acts from yesteryear. Performances are free, except for the headliner acts on the 5th Street Main Stage. You'll need tickets for these, and they run from $15-$20 in advance, and $20-$25 on the day of the show.
Headline acts include: - Aug. 29, 6:30 pm: Morris Day & The Time, Bell Biv Devoe and En Vogue.
- Aug. 30, 8 pm: Billy Idol
- Aug. 31, 6:30 pm: The B-52s and The Motels
Buy a Passport Pin for $30 and get admission to all three shows.Free performers include Starship, Los Lobos, Eddie Money and Warrant. For more details, go to www.beachstreetus.com.
Fall Virginia Beach Events
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A sandcastle at the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival. |
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
September 26-28
Virginia Beach Boardwalk
This is the grandaddy of Virginia Beach events at the boardwalk, with bands, crafts, food, entertainment and more...but the highlight is the famous sand castle building competition. In fact, Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach, SC continue to fiercely duke it out in nabbing this top world record...
Holiday Lights at the Beach
mid-November - January 1, 2009
Ever wanted to cruise the Virginia Beach oceanfront boardwalk in your car? Now's your chance! Plus, you'll be dazzled by jumping fish, surfing Santas, and playful mermaids...all in lights! It's a do-not-miss tradition among Virginia Beach events. Click here for details.
Norfolk Botanical Garden "Garden of Lights"
End of November - December 31
Nightly - 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Our family had a great time visiting this winter wonderland of lights last year! Located next to Norfolk International Airport, it's a much quieter and less crowded alternative to the Holiday Parade of Lights on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk. And it's $10 per car. (Tip: have dinner at nearby Baker's Crust **YUM!** then top off your evening cruising the holiday lights!)
Winter Virginia Beach Events
Note: These are the Winter 2007-2008 Virginia Beach events. Many of these Virginia Beach events are offered every year, so I've left up the information so you can plan things for the end of this year. I'll change the dates to the reflect the 2008-2009 season as soon as they're available.
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Visiting holiday decorations in Old Towne Portsmouth. |
13th Annual Holiday Parade at the Beach
December 1, 2007
Remember what it felt like going to see Santa arrive in his sleigh? Feel like a kid again at the Annual Holiday Parade at the Beach! Join tens of thousands lining the street to ring in the holiday season. Marching bands...fire engines...cool floats...and huge balloons from New York's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. For hours, cost and details, click here.
New Years Eve Explosion
New Year's Eve
Usher in the new year at the Virginia Beach oceanfront! Count down the seconds at the Virginia Beach Convention Center grand ballroom. Tickets include entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, drinks, breakfast buffet, free transporation to and from resort hotels, and of course, live entertainment! Hotel packages available.
Virginia Beach Restaurant Week
January 13-20, 2008
Let your appetite run wild at this culinary Virginia beach events that allows you to sample the best Virginia Beach Restaurants for a reduced, fixed price. This is one of our favorite Virginia Beach events!
Some of our favorite restaurants are on the list: Baker's Crust in Norfolk, Rockafeller's, Il Giardino Ristorante, and Tautog's in Virginia Beach...plus 33 other delicious spots. (Click here for insider reviews of both Baker's Crust-- love those dessert crepes-- and Rockafeller's.)
Visit www.vbrestaurantweek.com or call (757) 422-4420 for participating restaurants, menus and more information.
Whale-Watching
End of December to mid-March 2008
Wintertime means whale-watching time at Virginia Beach. Now's your chance to see rare fin and humpback whales-- some up to 85 feet long and weighing 70 tons. One of the most fantastic Virginia Beach events! Click here for more details.
Video Art Wall
December 2007- January 2008
Call for hours
Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th Street(757) 385-2000
The first video art wall of its size in the US, it has four walls totaling 360 feet in length. Video art by Tricia McLaughlin and Robert Drummond. McLaughlin's "Aquatecture" shows 3-dimensional animated characters, Hefty Man and Slender Woman, going about their daily lives in a virtual aquarium. Weekend hours vary; call for exact times.
16th Annual Polar Plunge
February 2, 2008
10 am - 2:30 pm
Ocean between 6th and 9th Streets, Virginia Beach(757) 687-8183
One of the top Virginia Beach events in winter. Virginia's Adventure Club East and the Special Olympics Virginia have once again hooked up for this special fundraising event. Last year's Polar Plunge raised more than $800,000 for Special Olympics Virginia, with over 3,500 brave individuals taking the plunge. Your participation this year can help them reach their $1 million goal! Visit www.polarplunge.com to register.
Miss Saigon
February 14-17, 2008
Sandler Center, Virginia Beach(757) 340-5446
A timeless and award-winning musical about love found and lost in the final days leading up to the American evacuation of Saigon in 1975.
Home & Flower Show
February 15-17, 2008
10am - 9pm Friday & Saturday; 10am - 6pm Sun
VB Convention Center, 1000 19th Street(757) 420-2434
This Mid-Atlantic extravaganza is presented by the Tidewater Builders Association and The Virginia Horticultural Foundation. See landscape and floral display gardens based on the theme “Sensuous Gardens,” visit home and garden vendors, local artists, and floral competitions. One of the top Virginia Beach events for garden lovers.
Titanic
March 27-30, 2008
Sandler Center, Virginia Beach(757) 340-5446
This winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, presents the human drama aboard the fatal voyage of the world's most famous ocean liner. Critics have called it "the finest and most important new musical in over a decade.
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