The 50th Annual Neptune Festival

A big anniversary for one of the region’s most anticipated events means a big splash at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to celebrate summer’s end

For the last five decades, Virginia Beach has been closing out the summer season and celebrating beach life with a bang—or maybe we should say a big wave. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, which now includes an action-packed season of more than 40 special events that culminates with the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend in late September, the annual Sandsculpting Championship, Grand Parade, plenty of live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

In honor of the Festival’s 50th, be sure to taste test special collabs with these local hot spots: Historic Cavalier Hotel (King Neptune’s Discretion, A Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey distilled and bottled on the Atlantic), Back Bay Brewing and New Realm Brewing (Sandsculpted Summer Golden Ale, brewed with peach and lemon for that perfect summer vibe), and Lolly’s Creamery (Neptune’s Nutella Crunch, a brand new flavor that blends Nutella Ice Cream, Oreo Crunch, and Marshmallow Swirl).

And be on the lookout for a Neptune Festival commemorative coffee table book, scheduled to be released in September. Meanwhile, we’ve got you covered with some of the Festival’s biggest upcoming events.

Learn more at neptunefestival.com.

NEPTUNE FESTIVAL LIVE MUSIC

Boardwalk Weekend fills two musical stages with great local and national bands. All shows are free.

NEPTUNE BY THE NUMBERS

“This year marks a noteworthy milestone for the Neptune Festival as we celebrate our 50th anniversary,” says Christopher “Kit” Chope, president and CEO of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.  “Over our half-century of ‘Celebrating the Beach Life,’ we have created positive economic opportunities for Virginia Beach businesses, lifted up fellow nonprofit organizations and highlighted the distinctive charm of Virginia Beach. For so many residents and visitors, the Neptune Festival has become a tradition passed down through the generations. It’s been 50 years, and we’re just getting started!”

50 Years 50,000 Attendees
Neptune Festival’s inaugural year in 1974

400,000 Attendees
Current Boardwalk Weekend attendance

40+ Events 
Culminating with Neptune Festival Weekend

33 Blocks
Spanning the Virginia Beach Oceanfront

NEPTUNE FESTIVAL FEATURED EVENTS

From the jaw-dropping artistry on display at the sandsculpting competition to the pomp and circumstance of the parade led by King Neptune himself, the Neptune Festival is a super-sized celebration of life in Virginia Beach.

27^th Annual Fall Wine Festival
Sept. 13-14
31^st Street Park

End of Summer Bay Bash
Sept. 20
Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club

50^th Annual Boardwalk Weekend
Sept. 27-29
Virginia Beach Oceanfront

International Sandsculpting Championship
Sept. 27-Oct. 6
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (6^th to 8^th St.)

Dock Dogs
Sept. 27-29
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (14^th St.)

Neptune’s 8K Race
Sept. 28
Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta
Sept. 28
Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Neptune’s Volleyball Tournament
Sept. 28-29
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (2^nd to 4^th St.)

Neptune’s Healthy Haven
Sept. 28-29
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (5^th to 6^th St.)

Touch-A-Truck
Sept. 28-29
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (14^nd to 16^th St.)

Neptune Festival Grand Parade
Sept. 28
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (Atlantic Ave.)

Hometown Heroes: Neptune’s Final Toast
Sept. 29
Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Youth Art Show
Sept. 29
Virginia Beach Oceanfront (27^th to 28^th St.)