VBHA News

2026 Upcoming Events in Virginia Beach

Bulls & Barrels Beach Rodeo returns to the VB Oceanfront, April 25-26.

Photo Courtesy of Beach Events/IMGoing

Virginia Beach is often referred to as the event capital of the East Coast, and there’s a good reason for this. All year long Virginia Beach remains vibrant with a robust events calendar filled with an array of festive activities, from large annual festivals to free concert series. Visitors and locals are treated to events featuring live music, talented artwork, local history and heritage, and much more. This year is a particularly ideal time for a visit, as Virginia Beach will also host a number of 250th commemorative events marking our nation’s milestone anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

New for 2026, the Stars, Stripes and Spurs: Virginia Beach Military Appreciation Weekend, April 24-26, is the official VA250 kickoff in Virginia Beach. This family-friendly festival is open to the public and will offer activities stretching from 3rd Street to 31st Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The weekend-long event will celebrate the 250th anniversary as well as recognize military service and the Virginia Beach community. The festival will feature a free Oceanfront Concert Series, April 24-25, with country music performed at 24th Street Park, as well as a variety of free USO Experiences, from military equipment displays to vendors and more, throughout the weekend. Returning for 2026, Bulls and Barrels Beach Rodeo, April 25-26, is a ticketed event that will showcase top bull riders and barrel racers, plus also include many other fun activities with something thrilling for the whole family. (Tickets are on sale now at BeachEventsVB.com.)

Sail250® Virginia is another top 250th event happening in the region, and on June 16-19 Virginia Beach will serve as an affiliate harbor as a international fleet of 50+ tall ships and vessels congregate at the Lesner Bridge and then sail out together into the Chesapeake Bay. Other upcoming commemorative events to check out include the Women Lightkeeper Talks at Cape Henry Lighthouse on March 26 and the 14th Annual 757 Battle of the Beers at the State Military Reservation on Sept. 12.

The family-friendly Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and the three-mile boardwalk that spans from 2nd Street to 40th Street, is a central hub for all types of events and activities during every season. Either on the boardwalk, on one of its stages just steps away or in nearby restaurants, the Oceanfront is a go-to for entertainment. From live music to art shows to exciting competitions, you can count on something fun going on here. This month, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend, March 21-22, will blanket the Oceanfront area with all shades of green as this epic annual St. Patrick’s Day party returns with races and celebrations. On April 18, as a nod to Virginia Beach’s fantastic seafood, the East Coast She-Crab Soup Classic is back with this popular tasty soup competition amongst restaurants in the region.

Catching a live performance at Virginia Beach’s newest entertainment venue, The Dome, is a reason all in itself to visit Virginia Beach. With a state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor facility designed for hosting a large variety of shows, The Dome makes any itinerary even better. A sampling of The Dome’s terrific lineup for spring and summer includes: Dancing with the Stars: LIVE!–2026 Tour (March 17), Warren Zeiders World Tour 2026 (March 26), Alice Cooper–Alice’s Attic Tour (April 27), Sam Barber–The American Route Tour (May 14), Ari Lennox–The Vacancy Tour (June 2), An Evening with Goose (June 15-16) and Wale & Smino–Everything is A Lot (June 19). Click here for the full list of shows coming up soon.

Town Center of Virginia Beach is always a superb spot for enjoying a night out, whether catching a performance or going out to dinner—or both! Along with a wide mix of restaurants, Town Center is home to the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and Zeiders American Dream Theater, which are both delightful venues for experiencing a show. Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater is Virginia Beach’s largest music venue, so be sure to keep that on your radar as well.

2026 EVENTS LIST

March 8: Joshua Bell with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts