The Atlantic Coast Kite Festival, May 2-3, 2026, is fun for all ages and is free!
When making vacation plans, visitors can feel at ease with choosing Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach is a family-friendly (and pet-friendly!) coastal destination where all ages and interests come together to have a fun time, no matter the season. Certainly, the warm summer months in Virginia Beach are pretty spectacular, but each season brings its own special experiences. The Resort City is a scenic and safe, and budget-friendly, place offering endless things to do both on and off the beach.
If clean, wide, beautiful beaches appeal to you, Virginia Beach is the town for you. Virginia Beach has a variety of beaches, from its vibrant Oceanfront with recreational activities both in the water and on the sand, as well as its iconic three-mile boardwalk lined with hotels, restaurants and shops. Swimming, surfing, biking, dining and shopping are just a handful of the fun things you’ll discover happening throughout the Oceanfront. Virginia Beach’s other—and quieter beaches—include Chesapeake Bay Beach, Chic’s Beach, Croatan, North End and Sandbridge. Whether you’re looking for excitement or relaxation, the ocean or the bay, you’re sure to find it in Virginia Beach. Rest assured, wherever you decide to spend time during your visit, you’ll discover a welcoming community in Virginia Beach.
While the beaches provide endless opportunities for having fun, there are also outstanding attractions off of the beach. The recently renovated Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center offers a wide array of interesting and interactive exhibits and experiences the whole family will enjoy. The aquarium also has boat tours available during select times of the year. The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium, with 33 ziplines and more than 250 challenges, and Owl Creek Landing are also perfect activities for families. Standing eight stories high Owl Creek Landing’s Nautilus Tower is a fully ADA-accessible spiral tower, including a slide, offers amazing panoramic views, plus it features a Treetop Trail Canopy Walk and Children’s Treehouse Village. Other itinerary ideas: For some friendly family competition, try your hand at mini golf at one of the area’s mini golf courses, or take some laps at the largest go-kart complex on the East Coast.
Not to be overlooked, Virginia Beach has a wide selection of parks throughout its different districts. A short drive from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, First Landing State Park is the most-visited state park in Virginia and a delightful place for families to explore. With 20 miles of nature trails, there’s so much to explore, plus the park offers all types of other outdoor recreation including camping, boating, fishing, swimming and wildlife watching.
Further inland, Mount Trashmore Park is hard to miss due to its tall “mountains” built on top of a landfill. With playgrounds, paved trails, a skatepark and many more amenities, spending a morning or afternoon at this unique park provides family fun for free. Families can pack a picnic and enjoy some quality time together. Grommet Island Park, a wheel chair accessible beach playground located on 2nd Street at the Oceanfront, is a great play area for younger children.
The artsy ViBe Creative District is another part of town that families love to visit. The ViBe District is full of art-related events and classes, including regular free art walks through the community. This neighborhood is also home to one of Virginia Beach’s favorite farmers market, Old Beach Farmers Market, on Saturday mornings (open a large part of the year).
Along with so many fabulous attractions and activities, attending Virginia Beach events is a must while in town. The following are a sampling of fun, family-friendly events that are great for any itineraries. Each year, Beach Events hosts a free concert series, Oceanfront Concert Series, featuring a diverse mix of talented performers. The 2026 Oceanfront Concert Series will run from April through the summer. Stay tuned to the events calendar as more concert dates get scheduled.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend, March 21-22, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront either as a race participant or a spectator. The festive weekend includes races for all ages and skill levels, including the Final Mile and the Leprechaun Dash for kids. The Virginia Beach Cherry Blossom Festival, March 27-April 3, is a free event featuring stunning cherry blossoms lining the main roadway through Red Wing Park. The event also includes a variety of vendors and performances.
The Atlantic Coast Kite Festival, May 2, decorates the sky along the Oceanfront’s 17th Street Park and Chalk the Walk, June 13, is another colorful event that attendees enjoy experiencing each year.
In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, don’t miss Sail250® Virginia, June 16-19. Large ships and vessels will meet near the Lesner Bridge and then sail out into the Chesapeake Bay together. Keep the patriotic celebration going and celebrate the Fourth of July in the Resort City at the July 4 Stars & Stripes Celebration, occurring at the 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks at the Oceanfront.
Gather the family for a free film festival, July 14-18, at the Beach Blanket Film Festival: Pirates in Pictures. This will take place on the beach at 29th Street and will be a fun experience for all ages.
Come experience for yourself what makes Virginia Beach so special, and don’t forget to snap a family photo in front of the iconic King Neptune statue at 31st Street on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.