Virginia Beach Events
Annual SOVA Polar Plunge Festival
February 2-3
The Polar Plunge® Festival, annually in February at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, is our largest - and coldest! - fundraiser, during which individuals and teams, alongside Special Olympics athletes, take the plunge into the icy Atlantic Ocean in the height of winter.
Virginia Beach Restaurant Week
February 19-25
The culinary event of the year is back with the city's finest establishments offering specially priced two and three course meals. The most important meal of the day just became the newest addition to Restaurant Week.
The Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend
March 16-18
Come celebrate with us as we bring the Luck of the Irish to all runners in Virginia Beach, Virginia on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. ShamRock On!
East Coast She Crab Soup Classic
April 7
An open competition among articipating restaurants, the She Crab Soup Classic focuses on one of the region’s most-loved seafood delicacies.
SonRise Music Festival
April 20-22
The SonRise Music Festival brings national and local Artists and well-known local and national speakers to a family-friendly outdoor event on the Virginia Beach oceanfront for three days of worship, faith and family fun!
Town Center Craft Beer Festival
April TBD
Over 50 craft beers from 25 breweries will be available for sampling at the Town Center Craft Beer Festival. Tickets include sampling and live entertainment.
March of Dimes Walk for Babies
April 29
Atlantic Coast Kite Festival
May 5
Kite fliers and spectators of all ages will experience a visual feast at this popular event featuring a variety of activities appropriate for all ages and all levels of kite aficionados.
Virginia International PAN Fest
May 11-12
The festival’s casual atmosphere appeals to the island community and people of all ages who are intrigued by the unique sounds and style of steel drum music!
Monsters on the Beach
May 11-13
This wildly-popular event brings thrills and chills to the Virginia Beach oceanfront as monster trucks battle for ultimate sand domination!
Neptune's Annual Int'l Spring Wine Festival
May TBD
31st Street Park is transformed into a hub of tasting stations from around the world with wines from 9 countries, each featuring blends and styles that are sure to ignite the traveler in you.
Beach Music Cruise-In
May 18-20
Settle into the sand as the top Beach Music bands from up and down the East Coast descend on the Virginia Beach oceanfront in a nostalgic salute to the “good old days” of cool cars and hot tunes.
Pirate Party on the Beach
May 19-20
Costume contests, games, a treasure hunt, pirate re-enactors, and movie on the beach all combine to celebrate those scallywags we all wish we could be: pirates.
Warbirds Over the Beach
May TBD
Salute to Summer
May 25-27
An unabashed “Star-Spangled” salute to great music, fun in the sun, and the military men and women who have sacrificed their lives throughout our history.
Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival
May 26-27
All the strawberries you can eat offered in over 50 different ways. Activities include a pie eating contest, strawberry bake-off, entertainment, a parade, one of the largest carnivals on the east coast, pig races, and arts and craft booths.
The Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic & Surf Art Expo
May 26-28
The Steel Pier Classic and Surf Art Expo is the place to be Memorial Day Weekend in Va. Beach! The masters of longboard surfing, as well as offerings from a wealth of talented artists embracing the art of surfing. Come join us for some wave riding bliss!
Memorial Day Citizens' Vigil
May 28
Virginia Beach Patriotic Festival
June 1-3
Celebrate the Military at the Virginia Beach oceanfront for three days of concerts, along with Military displays & demos and a three day oceanfront air show.
Big Spring Jam
June TBD
Listen to remarkable big band and jazz music performances as students from area schools perform at Fountain Plaza at Virginia Beach Town Center!
North American Sand Soccer Championships
June 8-10
If you enjoy sun, sand and surf with your soccer - this IS the place. The globe’s premier single-weekend sand soccer festival as 10,000 players will rock the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
Flying Proms
TBD
The Flying Proms showcases the beauty of vintage aircraft flying maneuvers accompanied by live music performed by a symphony orchestra.
Boardwalk Art Show and Festival
June 14-17
The Boardwalk Art Show is one of the oldest and most respected outdoor fine art shows on the Eastern seaboard, featuring 300 artists’ booths, live performing arts entertainment, gourmet food and beverage concessions, and art activities for the entire family
Latin Fest
June 22-23
Virginia Beach celebrates the sights and sounds of the Latin experience with the key ingredients of good food, family participation, and first-rate Latin music.
Sandstock - A Tribute to Rock & Roll
June 29-July 1
A beach-inspired variation on “Woodstock.” National and regional tribute artists who cover performers from Pink Floyd to the Allman Brothers to Journey will crank out hit after hit on two beach stages at the Virginia Beach oceanfront!
Stars & Stripes Explosion
July 4
Each year this one-night-only event attracts tens of thousands of onlookers to live performances on the Oceanfront stages and a fireworks show that lights up the sky over the gorgeous Atlantic Coast.
Virginia Aquarium Chalk the Walk ARTsplosion
July 7
Hundreds of artists and “wanna-be artists” gather to turn the boardwalk into an impromptu canvas of color!
Virginia Beach Dreams & Beams Video & Laser Show
July 10
Using video and laser graphics on a projection sphere, flame towers, laser beams, and bubble machines, Dreams & Beams delivers a “thank you” message to the United States Navy, and is part epic sea fantasy and celebration of everything Virginia Beach.
Family Great Adventure Series
July 12
Family fun and film watching on the beach under the stars. All movies and family activities are free and open to the public.
Family Great Adventure Series
July 19
Family fun and film watching on the beach under the stars. All movies and family activities are free and open to the public.
Virginia Beach Dreams & Beams Video & Laser Show
July 24
Using video and laser graphics on a projection sphere, flame towers, laser beams, and bubble machines, Dreams & Beams delivers a “thank you” message to the United States Navy, and is part epic sea fantasy and celebration of everything Virginia Beach.
Family Great Adventure Series
July 26
Family fun and film watching on the beach under the stars. All movies and family activities are free and open to the public.
Family Great Adventure Series
August 2
Family fun and film watching on the beach under the stars. All movies and family activities are free and open to the public.
Virginia Beach Dreams & Beams Video & Laser Show
August 7
Using video and laser graphics on a projection sphere, flame towers, laser beams, and bubble machines, Dreams & Beams delivers a “thank you” message to the United States Navy, and is part epic sea fantasy and celebration of everything Virginia Beach.
Family Great Adventure Series
August 9
Family fun and film watching on the beach under the stars. All movies and family activities are free and open to the public.
East Coast Surfing Championships
August 19-26
Each year, several hundred surfers compete for East Coast surfing titles, prizes, history and the sheer love of surfing. Other beach oriented sports and recreation include skimboarding, volleyball, a boardwalk 5K run, street skate and ramp contests, swimsuit contests, food and drink concessions, and live music on the beach.
Neptune’s Coastal Craft Beer Festival
TBD
Neptune’s Park will be transformed into a craft beer lover’s haven, featuring local Virginia beers and cask ales, as well national and regional craft beers. Enjoy over 65 beers from 30 breweries, live music, food trucks, and more!
Virginia Beach FunkFest Beach Party
August 24-25
Featuring music generated over the years by influential legends such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, and The Ohio Players.
American Music Festival
August 31-September 2
One of the largest outdoor music events on the East Coast, the American Music Festival brings together national, regional, and local acts to play on a gigantic stage erected on the beach at 5th Street, as well as stages in all the parks along the boardwalk.
Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 Marathon
September 1-2
The Rock 'N’ Roll Half Marathon brings people, competition, and music together for one awesome race day.
Neptune's Fall Wine Festival
September 9-10
Sip and savor chardonnays, merlots, rieslings and more while you meet and greet the fascinating people who are forging Virginia's reputation for quality wines.
Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show
September 22-23
The best Air Show in the country showcasing the Navy's Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. Free entry, free parking, family fun.
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
September 28-30
Daily concerts at festival stages are scattered along 32 blocks of the boardwalk and feature a variety of live music and performers. Ignite your taste buds and satisfy your shopping savvy at this year's outdoor shopping and dining experience.
International Sandsculpting Championship
September 28-October 7
A huge tent, almost as large as a football field, will house 22 sand sculptures in the signature event of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.
Virginia Beach National Chess Day Festival
October TBD
Players of all ages are welcome to participate in this Annual Town Center event featuring an open tournament, scholastic tournament, awards ceremony, and simultaneous exhibition.
Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival
October 20-21
Craft beers from popular breweries will be available for sampling at the Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival under a BIG tent at 30th Street on the beach.
Wicked 10k
October 26-27
An annual favorite with locals and visitors, participants are encouraged to have fun and dress up for Halloween as the 10k course takes them along the beautiful Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Halloween Town & Treat
October TBD
This free event, fun for the entire family, offers trick or treating throughout Town Center, arts and crafts activities, face-painting and balloon animals, a “Thriller” dance performances, and more.
Veterans Day Parade
November 11
Holiday Lights Maola Milk Merry Mile
November 22-December 30
Take a journey into nautical, holiday, and adventure lands – all along the beautiful Virginia Beach boardwalk where festive fish, jumping dolphins and frolicking porpoises shine in bright, colored lights against the clear night-time sky.
Searching for Santa: A Holiday Musical Show in the Plaza
December TBD
A delightful outdoor stage production featuring music, festive costumes, and a story that will warm your heart! Delight to the magical appearance of Santa Claus and the countdown at Fountain Plaza for the magnificent lighting of the giant holiday tree!
Holiday Parade at the Beach
December 1
Officially ushering in the holiday season at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, the Holiday Parade at the Beach features giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles, and more to present a dazzling and entertaining night of fun for all ages!
Surf-N-Santa 5 miler
December 15
Take a break from the bustle of the holiday season at the Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler, a twilight race under the holiday lights along the beautiful Virginia Beach boardwalk.
Last Night on the Town 2018
December 31-January 1, 2019
The Last Night on the Town begins with a family-friendly celebration at Pembroke Mall, then continues right through the night with entertainment at Town Center, culminating with a live performance by a national recording artist.
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