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


Virginia Beach oceanfront events - Virginia Beach Jeep Fest

Virginia Beach Jeep Fest

Jeep enthusiasts unite for Virginia Beach’s first annual Virginia Beach Jeep Fest! Enjoy sunrise beach cruises or push the limit on the sand obstacle course. Show off your ride, check out the latest Jeep accessories, and immerse yourself in all things Jeep! Vendors, Show & Shine, Beach Cruise, and Beach Sand Course will be available.

Virginia Beach halloween events - Pumpkins & Pirates Family Fest

Virginia Beach Pumpkins & Pirates Family Fest

Embrace the festive spirit of fall at Pumpkins & Pirates, a unique celebration that combines two beloved themes – pumpkins and pirates – for an unforgettable, family-friendly experience.

Young scallywags are in for a treat with this creative blend, featuring face painters, carnival games, stilt walkers, family relay races, roving jugglers, bandana-making, story-tellers, and our very own pirate DJs!

Don’t miss the chance to dress your family in pirate attire, capture memorable photo ops, and join in a spirited costume contest.

This spooktacular event is part of the “Wicked Weekend” at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, coinciding with the popular Old Point National Bank Wicked 10K race and various other hauntingly fun activities!

Virginia Beach hotel - events - Neptune Festival

Fun September Events in Virginia Beach

September is a fantastic time for a getaway to the beach! The coastal temps are refreshing and the beach is welcoming you to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beautiful scenery, festivals, and fun experiences in Virginia Beach.  Join us on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront!

Upcoming Events:

Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show

The men and women of Naval Air Station Oceana are proud to announce the return of the NAS Oceana Air Show!

Fall Wine Festival in Virginia Beach

31st Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Fall Wine Festival on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront! Taste from more than 60 wines while you meet and greet the fascinating people who are forging Virginia’s reputation for quality wines. Enjoy delicious food, live entertainment and the opportunity to purchase the wines you like by the bottle and case.

Sonrise Music Festival

Hampton Roads biggest Christian Music Festival! The oceanfront will come alive during this two-day music festival of “positive/alternative” music followed by a collaborative worship service. Each year the Sonrise Music Festival supports a local shelter which serves the displaced in our local community.

Red Staple Duo – Live Music at The Square Whale

The Square Whale at Holiday Inn & Suites – North Beach 3900 Atlantic Ave, Virginia Beach, VA, United States

Come join us for Live Music by Red Staple Duo on the poolside patio of The Square Whale! The best oceanfront food, cocktails & views are here for you at The Square Whale!

Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend

49th Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend! Every year, hundreds of thousands of people celebrate at the festival’s many offerings. Free daily concerts are scattered along 30 blocks of the boardwalk and feature 20+ performances from local, regional, and national recording artists.


Oceana air show

Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show

The men and women of Naval Air Station Oceana are proud to announce the return of the NAS Oceana Air Show!

Virginia Beach Oceanfront Hotel Special - Neptune’s Fall Wine Festival

Fall Wine Festival in Virginia Beach

Fall Wine Festival on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront! Taste from more than 60 wines while you meet and greet the fascinating people who are forging Virginia’s reputation for quality wines. Enjoy delicious food, live entertainment and the opportunity to purchase the wines you like by the bottle and case.