FIREWORKS & OTHER JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS
July 3: Celebrate Freedom
Celebrate America’s birthday with band concerts providing patriotic sounds, plus a fireworks show after sunset. Chesapeake City Park. cityofchesapeake.net
July 4: July 4 Stars & Stripes Celebration
Enjoy a star-spangled salute to America, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. Virginia Beach Oceanfront. beacheventsvb.com
July 4: 40th Annual 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks
Relax on the lawn and enjoy an evening of All-American fare including burgers, dogs, and cotton candy, live music and fireworks over the Elizabeth River. Town Point Park, Norfolk. festevents.org
July 4: Mount Trashmore July 4th Celebration
The July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore Park includes a performance from Symphonicity, food and drinks, and fireworks. Admission is free; parking is $20. parks.virginiabeach.gov/events-information
July 4: Lights of Freedom
Colonial Williamsburg’s Fourth of July programming concludes with a fireworks display, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a patriotic sing-along. Colonial Williamsburg. colonialwilliamsburg.org
July 4: Annual South Norfolk July 4 Parade & Picnic in the Park
Enjoy a patriotic parade, including marching bands, dance groups and floats, and picnic in the park. Lakeside Park, Chesapeake. southnorfolkcivicleague.org
July 4: Independence Day Celebration
This family-friendly celebration includes a full day of events before a nighttime fireworks show. Historic Main Street, Yorktown. visityorktown.org
July 4: Liberty Celebration
Take in a liberty celebration and salute the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. jyfmuseums.org
July 4: Stars in the Sky
This patriotic event includes a spectacular fireworks show, live musical entertainment, children’s activities, face painting, food vendors and giveaways. Victory Landing Park, Newport News.
SPECIAL EVENTS
MAY-JUNE
May 4: Yorktown’s Blues, Brews & BBQ
Sample dozens of local craft beers and dig into amazing barbecue as some of the best regional blues musicians take the stage. Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown. villageevents.org
May 4: Children’s Festival of Friends
Children can meet their favorite characters, explore the Fun Bus and interact with animals from Jack’s Jungle and Barnyard on Wheels. Newport News Park. nnparksandrec.org
May 4-5: Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival
Grab your glass for the spring edition of Norfolk’s bi-annual wine festival. Town Point Park, Norfolk. festevents.org
May 4-5: Atlantic Coast Kite Festival
Dazzling kites fill the sky during this free festival. 16th-18th Streets, Virginia Beach. beacheventsvb.com
May 5: BikeFest
Bring your bike to pedal more than eight miles of paved trails and enjoy family-friendly activities. Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, Chesapeake. cityofchesapeake.net
May 10-11: Beach Music Weekend
Beach Music Weekend features bands from up and down the East Coast on a stage right on the beach.
30th Street, Virginia Beach. beacheventsvb.com
May 10-11: Virginia International PANFest
This spectacular celebration of Caribbean music brings the soothing sounds of steel pan drums to the Oceanfront. Virginia Beach Oceanfront. vapanfest.org
May 10-11: Virginia Credit Union Cap2Cap
Riders will navigate the scenic Virginia Capital Trail during one of the region’s biggest cycling events.
Virginia Capital Trail, Williamsburg. virginiacapitaltrail.org
May 11: Wall Street Mural Festival
Watch a live mural painting and enjoy music, breakdancing, the 757 street art battle and more. Innovation District, Portsmouth. sppava.org
May 16-19: Chesapeake Jubilee
This family-friendly tradition includes the Kiwanis Club of Chesapeake Shrimp Feast, a fireworks extravaganza, music, food, amusements and more. Chesapeake City Park. chesapeakejubilee.org
May 17-19: Monsters on the Beach
Pungo Offroad’s Monsters on the Beach celebrates 25 years of high-octane excitement and monster truck competitions. Virginia Beach Oceanfront. beacheventsvb.com
May 17-19: Bayou Bon Vivant
The taste and sounds of Louisiana come to Norfolk, complete with crawfish, po’boys and Cajun-style performers. festevents.org
May 18: Spring Wine Festival
Sample over 70 wines from eight countries against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. 31st Street Park, Virginia Beach. neptunefestival.com
May 18: Smithfield Arts Festival
Celebrate visual, performing, literary and culinary arts with a juried art show, fine craft vendors, food, live performances and more. Main Street, Smithfield. genuinesmithfieldva.com
May 18-19: Tidewater Comicon
Tidewater Comicon returns with special celebrity guests, comic book creators, voice actors and more. Virginia Beach Convention Center. tidewatercomicon.com
May 18-19: Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival
This free festival features art from all mediums imaginable. The money raised contributes directly to housing, transportation and medical care for those with developmental disabilities. Stockley Gardens, Norfolk. facebook.com/stockleygardensartsfestival
May 24: The Bodacious Bazaar
Browse more than 250 vendors, artists, crafters and some of Virginia’s finest wineries. Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton. bodaciousbazaar.com
May 24-26: Umoja Festival
Virginia’s oldest African American heritage celebration features music, food and a marketplace of makers. Festival Park, Portsmouth. umojafestportsmouth.com
May 25: The First Memorial Holiday
Learn how Memorial Day first became a national holiday. Newport News Park Discovery Center. newport-news.org
May 25-27: VB Surf Art Expo
In conjunction with the Coastal Edge Steel Pier Classic, a surfing competition, browse surf art from dozens of artists along the boardwalk. Virginia Beach Boardwalk. vbsurfartexpo.com
May 26-28: Memorial Day Weekend Salute to Summer
Enjoy the cool sounds of summer with free concerts from local bands, representing different genres and musical stylings. 17th and 24th Street Parks, Virginia Beach. beacheventsvb.com
May 27: Memorial Day Ceremony
Honor veterans who have served our country. Chesapeake City Hall. cityofchesapeake.net
May 30-June 2: Newport News Greek Festival – Spring Edition
Indulge in authentic Greek food while listening to live music and dancing. Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Newport News. newportnewsgreekfestival.org
May 31-June 1: Veterans Band Aid Music Festival
This outdoor fundraiser features live music from local and national bands, along with food trucks, a live auction, raffles and more. Holiday Trav-L Park, Virginia Beach. cacarefoundation.org
May 31-June 2: Jackalope Fest
This three-day festival brings together top action-sport athletes to compete in thrilling competitions and demonstrations. Virginia Beach Oceanfront. jackalope.tribu.co
June 1: Portsmouth Pride Festival
Portsmouth celebrates Pride with music, dancing, food and vendors. Festival Park, Portsmouth. portsvacation.com
June 1-2: Point Break Festival
Sublime, Rebelution, Stephen Marley and Wiz Khalifa headline the inaugural Point Break Music Festival. 5th Street, Virginia Beach. pointbreakfestival.com
June 1-2: Blackbeard Pirate Festival
Once a year, Hampton is overrun by dozens of pirate reenactors. The festival features children’s activities, live music, fireworks, vendors and more. Mill Point Park, Hampton. hampton.gov
Starting June 5: Oceanfront Concert Series
Listen to free live music on the beach on Wednesday nights. 17th and 24th Streets, Virginia Beach. beacheventsvb.com
Starting June 6: Sounds of Summer Concert Series
Get your dancing shoes ready for free outdoor concerts by the York River, Thursday evenings. Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown. visityorktown.org
June 7, July 5: City Center Summer Block Party
The first Friday of the month this summer, enjoy live music, food and drink specials, kids’ activities and more. Market Stage, Newport News. citycenteratoysterpoint.com
June 7-8: Seawall Music Festival
Enjoy two days of food and entertainment, as well as children’s activities and fireworks on Saturday, by the water. High Street Landing, Portsmouth. portsmouthparks.com
June 7-9: Norfolk Harborfest
Experience three days of tall ships, the Parade of Sail, live performances, one of the largest fireworks displays on the coast and so much more. Town Point Park, Norfolk. festevents.org
June 7-9: Coastal Virginia Bluegrass & Brew Festival
Sip local beer as you listen to national musical acts. Hampton. hamptonarts.org
June 8: CoVa Battle of the Burgers
Enjoy slider from local restaurants then vote on your favorite. Wash burgers down with local beer as you listen to live music and shop vendors. Chesapeake City Park. covaburgerbattle.com
June 8: Phabulous Phoebus Street Festival
Celebrate Pride on historic Mellen Street with live music, beer, food, vendors and community connections. Phoebus. visithampton.com
June 8-9: Yorktown Military Appreciation Weekend
Enjoy a weekend-long patriotic salute to the Armed Forces with live music, games, stories, special exhibits and more. Historic Main Street, Yorktown. visityorktown.org
June 9: Virginia Beach Bridal & Wedding Expo
Brides-to-be can browse a selection of wedding professionals to find the perfect gown, reception venue, invitations, photographer, honeymoon destination and more. Virginia Beach Convention Center. bridalshowsva-vb.com
Starting June 13: Sunset Thursdays
Hear a variety of live musical acts, from local and regional performers, every Thursday at sunset. Festival Park, Portsmouth. portsmouthparks.com
Starting June 14: Summer Nights Concert Series
Enjoy electrifying entertainment after dark. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg. buschgardens.com
June 15: Juneteenth Festival in the Park
Celebrate Juneteenth with cultural outreach and family activities, games, raffles and more. Town Point Park, Norfolk. festevents.org
June 15: Chalk the Walk
At Chalk the Walk, participating artists draw four-foot chalk drawings along the boardwalk for a prize. Virginia Beach Boardwalk. beacheventsvb.com
June 15: Flying Proms Symphony Air Show
This outdoor concert and airshow features fireworks, food and family-friendly fun. Military Aviation Museum. militaryaviationmuseum.org
Starting June 20: Beach Blanket Movie Series
On Thursday nights, find your place in the sand for a movie night on the beach. 29th Street, Virginia Beach. beacheventsvb.com
June 20: Summer Solstice Celebration at Paradise Creek
Celebrate the start of summer at sunrise with music, food and more festivities. Paradise Creek Nature Park, Portsmouth. elizabethriver.org
June 21: Williamsburg Live
Williamsburg Live features performances from The Beach Boys, Tower of Power and LAUFEY. The Lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. vafest.org
June 22: Hampton Roads PrideFest
Hampton Roads Pride celebrates the diversity of our community, through inclusion and equality, with the largest pride festival in Virginia. Town Point Park, Norfolk. hamptonroadspride.org
June 22: Rock the Park
Rock the Park features a performance by The Wailers, along with on-site food trucks. Chesapeake City Park. gochesapeake.net
June 22: Juneteenth Freedom Festival
This free community festival features music, food and craft vendors, children’s activities and exhibits. King-Lincoln Park, Newport News. nnva.gov
June 23: Pride at the Beach
Close out the Hampton Roads Pride celebrations with a beachside party with live entertainment. Neptune’s Park, Virginia Beach. hamptonroadspride.org
June 28-29: La Fiesta Virginia Beach
Immerse yourself in the Latin experience through authentic food, colorful costumes and high-energy music. 24th Street, Virginia Beach. beacheventsvb.com
June 28-30: Hampton Jazz & Music Festival
This soulful weekend of entertainment features performances by Kem, Ledisi, Boyz II Men, Coco Jones, Jon Batiste and more. Hampton Coliseum. hamptonjazzandmusicfestival.com
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