Things to Do in Hampton Roads This Weekend and Beyond

Naval Station Norfolk (enter via Gate 2), Norfolk

U.S. Navy warship tours, static aircraft displays, live entertainment, military demonstrations, STEM exhibits, a children’s play area, local vendors, and food on the world’s largest naval station. A great way to get an up-close look at the Navy family in Hampton Roads.

Virginia Beach Oceanfront boardwalk (1st-35th Streets)

The 52nd annual Neptune Festival brings live music, arts and crafters, a kids’ Poseidon’s Playground at 17th Street Park, and the International Sandsculpting Championship (Sept 25-Oct 4) with the Land of Sand tent between 6th and 8th Streets, entry at 7th. The biggest weekend of the year at the oceanfront, and it is free to walk the whole thing.

Hunt Club Farm, 2388 London Bridge Rd, Virginia Beach

Pumpkin patch, farm tours, pony rides, and carnival rides at a longtime Virginia Beach farm staple. A classic fall outing for the kids (and the kid in you).

Rudee Loop, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

A free, family-friendly celebration of Filipino and Filipino-American culture with live music, cultural performances, dance, food, and vendors at Rudee Loop.

14th Street Stage, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

A free beachfront concert series on the 14th Street stage. Bring a chair, grab something to eat nearby, and enjoy live local music with the sound of the Atlantic behind the band. This date is the season finale.

Virginia Beach Oceanfront boardwalk

The 70th annual edition of one of the nation’s oldest and largest juried fine art shows, with artists selling paintings, sculpture, photography, and handcrafted jewelry right on the boardwalk. Free to walk, and a wonderful reason to park the car and spend the day at the oceanfront.

Town Center, Virginia Beach

The Central Business District Association hosts Town and Treat at Town Center, a free family-friendly Halloween celebration with participating shops, restaurants, and businesses along the walkable plaza. A safe, easy way to get the kids in the Halloween spirit.

Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St, Virginia Beach

Hampton Roads’ biggest Halloween race and party. Friday is the Monster Mile costume run at the Convention Center, and Saturday morning the 10K and 5K start on 19th Street and finish at the boardwalk, with a costume contest, spooky course entertainment, and a beachfront post-race party. Come in costume: it is half the fun.

Virginia Beach Oceanfront

A fall weekend celebrating everything Jeep at the oceanfront, listed on the city’s official Beach Events calendar. Expect rows of rigs, vendors, and a lively crowd along Atlantic Avenue.

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach

The longtime oceanfront holiday light show moves to a new walkable trail this year, stretching between the Virginia Aquarium’s North and South buildings. Seven themed areas of lights, sound, and movement make it a great after-dark outing for the family.

Atlantic Avenue, 15th-25th Streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

The oceanfront kicks off December with giant balloons, marching bands, lighted floats, horses, fire trucks, and Santa himself rolling up Atlantic Avenue from 15th to 25th Street. Free to watch, and a tradition worth bundling up for.

Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk

A long-running festival built for kids, with 100+ interactive activities, entertainment, and hands-on fun along the downtown waterfront. One of the most family-friendly days on the Norfolk calendar.

Lakewood Park, Norfolk

A free community art show at Lakewood Park, with paintings, photography, and handmade crafts from local artists in a leafy park setting. A low-key, family-friendly way to browse original work and meet the people who make it.

Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk

The 38th annual Fall Wine Festival features 25+ Virginia wineries and 200+ wines along the waterfront. An adult-friendly day of local pours, food, and live music.

Stockley Gardens Park, Ghent, Norfolk

A Ghent tradition held beneath the oaks at Stockley Gardens, with juried artists, live music, and activities for the kids. Free to browse, and one of Norfolk’s favorite fall gatherings.

Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk

Norfolk Festevents wraps its waterfront season with a traditional Yule Log bonfire and holiday market at Town Point Park. A cozy way to start December with the Elizabeth River as the backdrop.

Chesapeake City Park, 900 City Park Dr, Chesapeake

More than 20 Virginia wineries pour samples under the trees at Chesapeake City Park, with live music and food vendors. A relaxed, adults-only fall afternoon, so line up a sitter and enjoy the day.

Portsmouth City Park

Games, crafts, face painting, bounce houses, hayrides, a petting zoo, a hay maze, food trucks, and live entertainment at Portsmouth City Park. Built for families, and free.

Festival Park, Downtown Portsmouth waterfront

Wine vendors and live entertainment along the downtown Portsmouth waterfront. A relaxed fall afternoon with a harbor view.

Suffolk Executive Airport, 1410 Airport Rd, Suffolk

The Peanut Fest is one of Hampton Roads’ most anticipated fall traditions, with carnival rides, live music, food, and entertainment at the Suffolk Executive Airport. Thursday, Oct 8, is Carload Night. A hometown favorite for nearly half a century.

Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Ave, Newport News

Live entertainment, food, and more than 100 craft vendors set up inside Newport News Park. Free parking and a big family crowd make this one of the easiest fall festivals on the Peninsula.

Mellen Street, Historic Phoebus, Hampton

A free street fair down Mellen Street in one of Hampton’s most historic little districts, with vendors, music, and local food. Bring the family, then wander the waterfront a block away.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg

Christmas Town turns Busch Gardens into the region’s biggest holiday lights destination, with millions of lights, ice shows, a holiday market, and seasonal eats on select nights through early January. Tickets get scarce in December, so plan ahead.