Virginia Beach is a dynamic coastal city with a year-round events calendar that reflects its dynamic community, military heritage, and seaside location. From massive oceanfront sporting events to intimate cultural festivals and beloved holiday traditions, there's always something happening. The city thrives on outdoor celebrations in the warmer months, while the off-season offers a rich array of arts, food, and cultural gatherings that showcase local talent and diverse traditions, ensuring visitors and residents alike can find unique experiences in every season.
January
🍽️Virginia Beach Restaurant Week
Kick off the new year by exploring the local culinary scene. Participating restaurants across the city offer special prix-fixe menus, showcasing their best dishes at discounted prices. A perfect opportunity to try new spots or revisit favorites.
🎭Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration & March
A community-wide event honoring Dr. King's legacy. Typically includes an interfaith prayer breakfast, a commemorative march or parade, and an afternoon program with guest speakers, musical performances, and youth presentations.
February
🎉Virginia Beach Polar Plunge
A thrilling and chilly charity event where thousands of brave participants run into the Atlantic Ocean to support Special Olympics Virginia. Features costumes, music, and a huge post-plunge party to warm up.
March
🎉St. Patrick's Day Parade & Shamrock Festival
Virginia Beach's largest parade, featuring marching bands, floats, Irish dancers, and community groups. The festival following includes live Celtic music, Irish food and drink, and family-friendly activities.
🎭International Women's Day Celebration
A lively celebration honoring the achievements of women globally and locally. Features guest speakers, cultural performances, art exhibits, and workshops focused on empowerment, health, and business.
April
🍽️Virginia Beach Spring Beer & Wine Festival
A premier tasting event showcasing hundreds of craft beers, wines, ciders, and meads from local and national producers. Enjoy live music, gourmet food trucks, and seminars from industry experts.
🎵Something in the Water Festival
A massive, multi-day cultural experience founded by Pharrell Williams. Features A-list musical performances across multiple stages, thought-provoking seminars, art installations, and community activations celebrating Virginia Beach's spirit.
May
🛒Virginia Beach Farmers Market (Year-Round)
A colorful, year-round market featuring local produce, plants, meats, seafood, baked goods, and artisan crafts. The outdoor season (April-Dec) expands with more vendors, food trucks, and special themed events like strawberry festivals.
🍽️Pungo Strawberry Festival
A beloved, old-fashioned country fair celebrating the strawberry harvest in the rural Pungo area. Features strawberry-themed foods, carnival rides, live music, agricultural exhibits, a parade, and contests like strawberry pie eating.
🎊Memorial Day Ceremony at Naval Air Station Oceana
A solemn and moving tribute to fallen service members, reflecting Virginia Beach's deep military ties. Features speeches, a wreath-laying ceremony, a rifle salute, and often a military aircraft flyover.
June
🎭Boardwalk Art Show
One of the nation's oldest and most prestigious outdoor art festivals. Features over 300 artists from across the country displaying and selling fine art, crafts, jewelry, and photography along the scenic boardwalk.
July
🎊Fourth of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks
Virginia Beach's massive Independence Day celebration. The day features live music, family activities, and food vendors along the oceanfront. The night culminates with one of the largest fireworks displays on the East Coast, launched from a barge over the ocean.
🎉Latin Fest VA
A colorful celebration of Latin American and Caribbean cultures. Enjoy non-stop salsa, bachata, merengue, and reggaeton music on multiple stages, authentic cuisine from various countries, dance lessons, and a lively marketplace.
August
⚽East Coast Surfing Championships
The longest-running surfing contest in the world. Attracts top professional and amateur surfers for competitions in various divisions. Also features live music, a vendor village, skateboarding demos, and fitness expos.
September
🎉Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
The city's signature annual event, a multi-day celebration of coastal culture. Highlights include the Grand Parade, North American Sand Soccer Championships, live concerts, an arts & crafts show, and the King Neptune Coronation Ball.
🎵American Music Festival
A major end-of-summer blowout featuring three days of live national touring acts across multiple genres (rock, country, pop, tribute bands) on stages right on the beach. Concludes with a spectacular fireworks display.
October
🎭Virginia Beach Greek Festival
An authentic celebration of Greek culture presented by the local Orthodox community. Enjoy delicious homemade Greek food, pastries, live music and dancing, church tours, and a marketplace selling imported goods.
🎉Harvest Fest at Hunt Club Farm
A classic fall family event featuring a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a petting farm, a spooky hay maze, pony rides, and live entertainment. Celebrates the autumn season in a charming farm setting.
November
🍽️Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival
An autumn celebration of the craft brewing scene, featuring unlimited tastings from dozens of local and regional breweries. Held in a scenic park setting with live music, food trucks, and games.
December
🎊Yuletide Holiday Parade
A magical nighttime parade that kicks off the holiday season. Floats adorned with thousands of lights, marching bands, giant balloons, and special guests travel down Atlantic Avenue, culminating with Santa's arrival.
🎊Holiday Lights at the Beach
A Virginia Beach tradition where you drive your car along the boardwalk to view magnificent holiday light displays set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Includes animated scenes and themed areas.
🎊Winter Wonderland at the Virginia Beach Aquarium
The Virginia Aquarium transforms into a holiday spectacle with thousands of twinkling lights, model trains, festive decorations, and visits with Santa. A magical, indoor experience perfect for families, regardless of the weather outside.
Tips for Attending Events
Plan for Parking & Traffic: Oceanfront events cause major congestion. Use park-and-ride lots, the Wave Trolley, bikes, or ride-share apps. Always have a backup plan.
Embrace the Weather: Coastal weather is changeable. For outdoor events, pack sunscreen, hats, rain ponchos, and layers. Check forecasts right before you go.
Book Accommodations Early: For major festivals (Something in the Water, Neptune Festival), hotels sell out months in advance. Secure lodging as soon as dates are announced.
Cash is Still Helpful: While many vendors accept cards, having cash speeds up transactions at food trucks, farmer's markets, and small craft booths.
Respect the Beach Environment: At oceanfront events, follow Leave No Trace principles. Use provided trash/recycling bins and be mindful of dunes and wildlife.
Check Official Sources: Event dates, times, and details can change. Always verify information on the official Virginia Beach Tourism or event organizer's website before attending.
Event Categories
Major community-wide celebrations, often multi-day, featuring parades, multiple activities, and a festive atmosphere.
Events focused on arts, theater, history, and diverse cultural traditions, including exhibitions, performances, and educational programs.
Organized athletic competitions, tournaments, and races that attract participants and spectators.
Observances and public celebrations of national, state, and local holidays, often with traditional activities.
Seasonal or regular gatherings for the sale of local goods, produce, crafts, and food, fostering community commerce.
Events and observances tied to specific faith traditions, often open to the public for cultural sharing.
Festivals and concerts centered primarily on musical performances across various genres.
Events highlighting culinary arts, including tastings, themed food offerings, beer/wine festivals, and restaurant promotions.