A sandcastle at the Neptune Festival, one of our favorite Virginia Beach fall events.
Verizon Wireless Annual American Music Festival Sept. 2-4 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.Past free performers have included Starship, Los Lobos, Eddie Money and Warrant. For more details, go to www.beachstreetus.com.
Festa Italiana September 16-17 17th Street Park A two-day fall events celebration of all things Italian, including pasta, Italian wine and beer, entertainment, and family-friendly activities (e.g., grape stomping). Call (800) 822-3224 for details.
Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show September 23-25 Oceana Naval Air Station See jets--including the US Navy Blue Angels, FA-18c Hornets, Hawkeyes, and more--perform thrilling acrobatic air stunts, plus get a look around this amazing air station. And yes, it's free!
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival September 30-Oct. 2nd Virginia Beach Boardwalk
This is the grand-daddy 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...
Come fall, experience spine-tingling chills at the park's annual Howl-O-Scream event, featuring six haunted houses and five frightening shows, including Movies of the Macabre, Frankenfest, Monsters Stomp Revamped, Jack is Back, and The Count's Halloween Spooktacular. Click here for more on Howl-O-Scream...
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens is one of the state's top Halloween attractions.
Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion Mid-September - Oct. 31 Paramounts Kings Dominion, Doswell near Richmond
If you prefer Paramounts Kings Dominion, check out their "Halloween Haunt," which offers "scare zones" including Carn Eval, the Ruins, the Harvest, Central Stalkway, and Feary Tales. They also nine horrifying mazes, and six frightening shows, including Disturbia, Elvira's Superstition, and Fangs. Click here for more on Halloween Haunt...
Don't miss a holiday light show!.
Holiday Lights at the Beach mid-November - January 1
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 one of the cheaper fall events, at just $10 per car.