Virginia Beach Events are "All Kinds of Fun!"

From Elvis to Neptune, the Virginia Beach Events never stop.

Taking a break from chowing down on goodies at the Neptune Festival.

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.

Spring Virginia Beach Events

Virginia Beach Historic Garden Week Tour
April 18-25, 2009
Various homes through Virginia Beach

Come celebrate the 76th 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.

Virginia Garden Week Tour in Williamsburg
April 18-25, 2009
Various private houses/gardens in Williamsburg

Tour private gardens in Williamsburg, including the Lightfoot House, the Edinburgh Castle Tavern, The Williamsburg Inn, and the Williamsburg Spa. On-site tickets are $25. For information and tickets (including advance discount tickets), go to www.vagardenweek.org/schedule-williamsburg.php.

At the Neptune Festival.

Join the Garfunkel half of everyone's favorite "Simon & Garfunkel" as he plays the memorable "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and other timeless classics of the group. Call 1-888-3-COXTIX or go to www.COXtix.com for tickets.

11th Annual Cruisin' Virginia Beach Auto & Motorcycle Super Show
April 19, 2009
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. For more information, or to download a registration form, go to www.beachstreetusa.com.

Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival
May 1-3rd
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.

Bud and BBQ!
May 9 and 10 - .38 Special
May 16 & 17 - Oak Ridge Boys
Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Just the ticket for those who love cold beer, barbecue, and great music. Food and beverage are available for an additional charge. For more details and park hours, go to our Busch Gardens Williamsburg Events & Festivals page.

Ride "Griffon" at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Annual "Pedal the Parkway"
May 2nd
Colonial Parkway between Williamsburg and Jamestown

Love bicycling? Don't miss the 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.

11th Annual Monster Trucks on the Beach
May 8-10
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.

Alex's first time at the beach!

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 16
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.

25th Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival
May 23
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. For details, go to http://www.pungostrawberryfestival.info/

Summer Virginia Beach Events

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.

15th North American Sand Soccer Championships
June 5, 2009
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.

Photo © Caryn Thurman 2009

Glory at the Gardens
Sundays in June - 2009
Busch Gardens Williamsburg

A dozen Christian groups, including Third Day, Newsboys, Toby Mac, Sanctus Real, Need to Breathe, KJ-52, Brandon Heath, and Mercy Me, will perform at the Busch 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.

10th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival
June 5-7
Downtown Hampton
(757) 727-0900

Avast, ye mateys! The 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, June 5, from Noon to 5:30 pm, Saturday, June 6, from 10 am - 9:30 pm, and Sunday, June 7, from Noon to 6 pm. There will be a fireworks extravaganza Saturday at 9 pm. For more information, go to www.blackbeardfestival.com.

41st Annual Hampton Jazz Festival
June 26-June 28
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.

Stars and Stripes Explosion
July 4, 2009
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.

Norfolk Harborfest
July 3-5, 2009
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...

Summer Nights Concert Series
July 25 & 26, Aug. 8 & 9
Busch Gardens Williamsburg

It's back! This popular summer concert series returns with performances in the park's Festhaus Park, located in Germany. Schedule: July 25-26 - Little River Band; August 8-9 - Loverboy. 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.

83rd Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim & Auction
July 29-31, 2009
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.

16th Annual American Music Festival
2009 Date TBA
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.

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

A sandcastle at the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.

Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
September 26-28, 2009
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, 2010

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

Visiting holiday decorations in Old Towne Portsmouth.

13th Annual Holiday Parade at the Beach
December 1, 2008

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. Tops among local's favorite Virginia Beach events. 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 18-25, 2009

Let your appetite run wild at one of our favorite 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.)

Enjoy 2-course lunches for $10 and 3-course dinners for $20 and $25.

Visit http://www.vbrestaurantweek.com/ or call (757) 422-4420 for participating restaurants, menus and more information.

Whale-Watching
End of December to mid-March 2009

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.

Les Ballets Trocadero
January 29, 2009
Town Center, 201 Market, Virginia Beach (757) 385-2528

It's a ballet...no, it's a comedy. It's Les Ballets Trocadero, the famous (or infamous) blend of classical ballet and true campy comedy. The Trocks, as they are fondly known by followers, have to be seen to be believed. Call 1-888-3-COXTIX or go to www.COXtix.com for tickets.

17th Annual Polar Plunge
February 7, 2009
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.

100 Years of Broadway
February 11, 2009 - 7:30 pm
Town Center, 201 Market, Virginia Beach (757) 385-2555

Now's your chance to view the best moments from the top shows on Broadway, includeing "The Phantom of the Opera," "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Les Miserables, "CATS," and "Jekyll & Hyde." The show features on-Broadway stars to dazzle and amaze with their timeless lyrics.

Home & Flower Show
February 12-15, 2009
10am - 9pm Friday & Saturday; 10am - 6pm Sun
VB Convention Center, 1000 19th Street (757) 385-2000

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.

Southeast Gun and Knife Show
February 28 - March 1, 2009
10am - 9pm Friday & Saturday; 10am - 6pm Sun
VB Convention Center, 1000 19th Street (757) 385-2000

One of the area's largest Virginia Beach events, this gun and knife shows features a myriad of vendors and displays. Admission for Adults: $7; $4 for children 13-17 years (must be accompanied by an adult). Kids 12 & under are free when accompanied by an adult) For more information, go to http://www.guns-knives.com.

Virginia Symphony Presents
Verdi Requiem
Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Roman Festivals
Friday, April 3, 2009 at 8:00 PM

Beethoven Violin Concerto
Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 2:30 PM

Join the nationally-known Virginia Symphony for a truly musical experience. All shows take place at the Town Center, 201 Market Street, Virginia Beach. For more information, call (757) 385-2555.


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