Virginia Beach events - First Night Holiday Hike

First Night Holiday Hike

Start your new year off on the right with the inaugural Holiday Lights First Night Holiday Hike! Whether you’re kicking off a New Year’s resolution, working off some holiday cookies, or just love a good stroll, Holiday Lights First Hike Night offers a unique way to get some exercise while enjoying Virginia Beach’s stunning Holiday Lights one final time. The entire family will enjoy this memorable hike down the boardwalk.

Virginia Beach events - Last Night on the Town

Last Night on the Town

Ring in the new year at Virginia Beach’s premier New Year’s Eve celebration! Created by the Central Business District Association (CBDA), Last Night on the Town is an annual event at Virginia Beach Town Center and is a FREE celebration suitable for the entire family. General admission is FREE or you can close out the year in style with a paid VIP experience provided by the CBDA.

Virginia Beach events - Holiday Lights Bike Night

Holiday Lights Bike Night

Grab your bicycles and bring the entire family to the Virginia Beach boardwalk for the FREE Holiday Lights Bike Night. Enjoy riding your bike through jumping fish, musical crabs, jolly elves, and the nation’s largest and longest curved LED Light Tunnel. Holiday Lights at the Beach Bike Night will only happen one time this season so don’t miss your chance to take a two-wheeled journey into the holiday magic.

Virginia Beach event- Beach Blanket Movie Festival: Jurassic Experience

Beach Blanket Movie Festival: Jurassic Experience

Bring the entire family to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for a Jurassic Experience. Find your spot on the sand and enjoy. All films are free and open to the public. All movies are free and begin at 8:30pm on the beach at 29th Street. This year’s film festival includes:

Tuesday, July 16: DINOSAUR (PG)
Wednesday, July 17: JURASSIC PARK (PG-13)
Thursday, July 18: THE LAND BEFORE TIME (G)
Friday, July 19: THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG)
Saturday, July 20: JURASSIC WORLD (PG-13)

Virginia Beach hotel - events - USO Experience Virginia Beach

USO Experience Virginia Beach

Celebrate the military and their families at the USO Experience Virginia Beach! For active service members and their families, USO Experience Virginia Beach is a weeklong summer event comprising a series of athletic, recreational, and social activities. For civilians, USO Experience is a way to learn about and celebrate the armed forces through the military village and free nightly concerts! USO Village opens daily on the beach and boardwalk at 17th Street.

Snowglobe Spectacular

Snowglobe Spectacular at Town Center

Step into a Christmas wonderland at Snowglobe Spectacular in Virginia Beach Town Center – a dazzling display of life-sized snow globes. The event will also feature live music, holiday characters and a special North Pole snow globe where little ones can meet Santa himself!

Come celebrate the holidays on the beach! We love the holiday season on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront! The Boardwalk is lighting up with The Holiday Lights at the Beach.

Holiday Fun in Virginia Beach

Come celebrate the holidays on the beach! We love the holiday season on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront! The Boardwalk is lighting up with the Holiday Lights at the Beach. The BayPort Credit Union Holiday Lights at the Beach has been named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 November Events” and one of the American Bus Association’s “Top 100 Events in North America”! More than 20,000 families a year make this unique light show a part of their holiday celebration. This “Fanta-Sea” of lights will dazzle and amaze holiday visitors and locals alike. 

In addition to the amazing lights, the beach is buzzing with holiday festivities; restaurants are dazzling with great food and favorites like fresh local oysters and rockfish specials, and the Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market and local shops make for fun holiday shopping!  

Events:

Holiday Lights at the Beach

November 17 – December 31

The tradition returns to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with all new displays, two additional blocks of lights, and a new 600 ft. LED tunnel. Jumping fish, musical crabs, and jolly elves dance in lights against the backdrop of the moonlit Atlantic Ocean.

Virginia Beach Christmas Market

November 24-26, Virginia Beach Convention Center

Art lovers will want to head to the Virginia Beach Convention Center and check out the 42nd Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market, which features 175 artisanal vendors from all over the country offering unique handmade holiday gifts including pottery, jewelry, paintings, toys and unique Christmas collectibles.

Snowglobe Spectacular

November 24 through December 26, Town Center

Step into a Christmas wonderland at Snowglobe Spectacular – a dazzling display of life-sized snow globes. The event will also feature live music, holiday characters and a special North Pole snow globe where little ones can meet Santa himself!

Holiday Pops! 

December 10, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

Delight in a classic holiday experience of traditional carols and holiday musical favorites with Holiday POPS!, featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus and special guests.

Surf – N – Santa 5 Miler

December 15 & 16, Virginia Beach Boardwalk

The 2023 BayPort Credit Union Surf N Santa 5 Miler presented by Bon Secours is back with a brand new theme plus the same favorite traditions.  This evening run allows you to experience the magic of the Holidays.  Run through the holiday lights on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk before you celebrate your run at our post-race party.

Virginia Beach hotel - events - Holiday Lights on the Beach

Holiday Lights at the Beach

Experience the enchantment of jumping fish, musical crabs, lively elves, and joyous penguins dancing in illuminated splendor against the moonlit backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Holiday Lights at the Beach promises lifelong memories with a Surfing Santa, color-changing archways, luminous fixtures honoring the Armed Forces community, a spectacular 40-foot dancing-light Christmas tree, the largest and longest curved LED Light Tunnel in the U.S., and so much more.

Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler

Surf-n-Santa 5 Miler

The 2023 BayPort Credit Union Surf N Santa 5 Miler presented by Bon Secours is back with a brand new theme plus the same favorite traditions.  This evening run allows you to experience the magic of the Holidays.  Run through the holiday lights on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk before you celebrate your run at our post-race party.

Fall Fun in Virginia Beach

Fall Fun in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is one of the most scenic places in the United States that offers all the excitement, relaxation, outdoor activities, and fun for families. The beach is particularly magical in the fall season, with its warm and sunny days, brisk evenings, and a variety of outdoor adventures that families can experience and enjoy together. Here are some ideas for a fall itinerary that will make your fall family vacation to Virginia Beach unforgettable.

1. Experience the Beach Life:

Virginia Beach is a beach town, and the beach is the centerpiece of the city. Take an early morning stroll or morning yoga on the beach and enjoy the tranquil sound of the ocean waves. Playful family activities such as beach volleyball courts, mini-golf courses, and playgrounds keep visitors entertained all day long along the Boardwalk. You can also relax under an umbrella with a book, or rent some boating equipment. Whatever your heart desires, you and your family can unwind and soak in the peaceful environment at your convenience.

2. Take a Nature Hike:

The scenic nature trails of First Landing State Park will give you and your family a chance to connect with nature and explore different habitats within these 2,888 acres of wooded ecosystems. The park has several scenic trails including the Bald Cypress Trail, which is a shorter trail, and the Cape Henry Trail, which takes you to scenic beach vistas. Enjoy a picnic and immerse yourself in the calming sounds of the forest, while taking in the stunning hues of colorful leaves as the trees transition to fall colors.

3. Visit Virginia Aquarium:

Visit the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center to learn about the aquatic life and their habitats. The center features many interactive exhibits showcasing the habitats of various marine life. You will have a chance to see its diverse collection of marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks in various exhibits. Kids can enjoy a high-tech virtual mussel bed exhibit, designed to foster responsible harvesting, or visit the touch pools which also promote sensory learning. The Virginia Aquarium also offers private indoor and outdoor decks overlooking Owls Creek, an area for picnicking, and a hiking trail on the extensive Aquarium and Treetop Adventure Course.

4. Take a Sunset Dinner Cruise:

The sunset dinner cruise is a live-music entertainment show on the water that offers a scenic way to experience the seaport while enjoying a delicious meal with your family. The cruise lasts for about two and a half hours which allows plenty of time to relax and explore the onboard amenities, including a bar and a dance floor. You and your family can take in the beautiful sunset over the Chesapeake Bay and enjoy a live music show accompanied by deliciously prepared dishes.

5. Take an Oyster Tour

In a city with as much oceanic cuisine as Virginia Beach, it would be criminal to not order the local seafood and especially the Lynnhaven oysters! Pleasure House Oysters will delight your senses as you set out on the Lynnhaven River for an on-the-water experience unlike any other. See how Lynnhaven Oysters are harvested, all while enjoying their legendary flavor while you are in the Lynnhaven.

 

Virginia Beach offers an abundance of fun and activities throughout the year. The fall season offers visitors a chance to enjoy the warm sun on the beautiful beaches, observe the fascinating colors of nature, visit the Virginia Aquarium, take nature hikes, and enjoy delicious local seafood cuisine. Any family coming from far and wide would undoubtedly enjoy the many activities and provide unforgettable memories that they can treasure for a long time. So, start planning your itinerary and make sure to include these exciting activities mentioned in the guide to make the most out of your next visit to Virginia Beach.

See Best Attractions & Things to Do in Virginia Beach