Pictured above: Neptune Festival’s Symphony By The Sea Concert Series
Photo Courtesy of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival
Virginia Beach’s name as a premier entertainment town is largely in part to its high quality music events. With a wide range of music genres and venues, from huge festivals with thousands of attendees at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to intimate performances in city streets and restaurants with crowds as small as a dozen, Virginia Beach has something entertaining and appealing for everybody. Come celebrate an eclectic mix of musical talent, ranging from award-winning musicians to local up-and-coming artists to symphony orchestra performances under the stars.
Outdoor musical events are a staple in the resort city, and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a epicenter for all kinds of events, including numerous live music performances. Particularly during the summer, locals and visitors in Virginia Beach have countless opportunities to listen to live music at the beach. And more good news, many concerts are free!
In July, don’t miss the July 4 Stars & Stripes Celebration, which will include live concerts at the oceanfront’s 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks, as well as a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Click here for more details.
Starting on the next day and running July 5-7 is the Totally Tribute Music Fest, with tribute performances of legendary songs, happening at 17th and 24th Street Parks from 7:00-11:00 p.m. Click here for more details.
On July 11 (and then on select dates through the first week in September), head to the 31st Street Park at the oceanfront for the Neptune Festival’s Symphony By The Sea Concert Series, featuring performances by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Symponicity Orchestra. All concerts are free and are from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Click here for more details.
The Oceanfront Concert Series, which runs from May through September, offers a variety of free musical performances along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk at 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Click here for more details.
The resort city’s biggest festival of the year is Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party, which will occur August 23-24 on the beach at 24th Street. For 15 years this festival has entertained Virginia Beach crowds with exhilarating performances, tasty food and much more. Click here for more details.
Virginia Beach has many other remarkable concert venues as well. Located inland, the Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, also known as the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, is an outdoor entertainment venue that hosts performances by some of the biggest names in the music industry. Click here for more details.
For an evening on the town, the Virginia Beach Town Center is a wonderful destination for soaking in Virginia Beach’s arts & culture scene. Fun fact: Did you know that the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center building, standing 508 feet and containing 38 floors, is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s tallest building?
For your visit to Virginia Beach Town Center, plan ahead and purchase tickets for an incredible show at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Click here for more details. Throughout the year, the Sandler Center also holds a number of various free events, including its popular Ynot Wednesdays. Marking its 16th season this year, Ynot Italian’s Ynot Wednesday, sponsored by Southern Auto Group, will run June 12-August 28, 2024 from 5:00- 9:00 p.m. This concert series, featuring local bands, will take place on the Sandler Center Outdoor Plaza. Click here for more details.
Summer Fest, also at Town Center, is another wonderful opportunity to listen to free live music. Meet up at the Fountain Plaza for family-friendly evening performances (almost every night), occurring on select dates through September 2. For the entertainment lineup, click here for more details.
Not to be overlooked, a number of Virginia Beach restaurants also serve as a live music venue. At the oceanfront, Lunasea Key West Café and Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant, both on 22nd Street, and Murphy’s Irish Pub on 30th Street are popular spots to listen to live musical performances. These are just a small sampling of excellent places to hear live music in the resort city.
Watch for more details about upcoming events in Virginia Beach as they are added to the events calendar at BeachEventsVB.com/Events.
All dates and times are subject to change. Please call ahead or check online before attending.