We have a Spring in Our Step in Virginia Beach This May

This Month, Take in the VB Marine Life, Watch Monster Trucks Battle it Out on the Sand, Sip on International Wine, Jam to Music by the Sea, Salute to Summer and Much More

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (April 24, 2017) – Spring is finally here and things are happening all over the beach this May, offering variety and fun for every visitor to experience. From beachside entertainment to wildlife spotting, patriotic celebrations and even strawberries served 50 different ways, visitors are sure to kick off the season in a colorful way in Virginia Beach this month.

BEATS AT THE BEACH

Beach Music Cruise-In (May 19-21), combining bands on the beach and cars on the boardwalk, blends the best of the “oldies” with dancing under the stars in a jam-packed blast to the past!  Settle into the sand as the top Beach Music bands from up and down the East Coast descend on the Virginia Beach oceanfront in a nostalgic salute to the “good old days” of cool cars and hot tunes.  Stroll the boardwalk to view classic cars, hot rods, antiques, and more.

Salute to Summer (May 26-28) is a “Star-Spangled” salute to great music, fun in the sun and the military men and women who have sacrificed their lives throughout our country’s history. Live entertainment will grace three outdoor stages and will feature music presented by local and regional bands. Original essays written by local high school students describing military conflicts throughout history will be reproduced on four-by-eight banners for visitors to read as they stroll the boardwalk.                                                              

FINS UP

Dolphin Discoveries Sea Adventures and Rudee Flipper (Mar. 18 - Sept. 8) offer unparalleled opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of our marine environment. Cruise the coastline in search of playful bottlenose dolphins and other wildlife, as you take in beautiful views and gorgeous sunsets. Aquatic wildlife specialists will explain the incredible dolphin behaviors and share what is being done to conserve and protect the species and its habitat. Brown pelicans, bald eagles and sea turtles are also frequently sighted along the way, so keep your eyes peeled for an unforgettable experience!

START YOUR ENGINES

Chevrolet Monsters on the Beach (May 12-14) brings thrills and chills to the Resort Beach, as monster trucks battle for ultimate sand domination. This family-friendly event is every little boy or girl’s monster-truck dream, loud and fast! The course is built in the sand at 6th Street, with bleachers for visitors to overlook from the boardwalk. This is a two-hour ticketed event.

The War Birds Over the Beach air-show (May 19-21) takes visitors on a trip back in time to the days of the WWII era at the Military Aviation Museum. Look up in the sky to see fighters and bombers of our Armed Forces patrol the countryside in Pungo. Experience all this and more, with hundreds of re-enactors, warplanes and entertainment reminiscent of the 1940s during this family-friendly ticketed event.

SPRINGTIME HAPPENINGS

Visitors can let their taste buds travel the world while staying beachside during the Neptune Festival’s International Spring Wine Festival (May 13).  The 31st Street Park will transform into a hub of tasting stations from around the world, including wines from nine countries, each featuring blends and styles that will ignite the traveler in every visitor. With the Atlantic Ocean backdrop and an afternoon enjoying live music and good company, visitors can let their palate do the traveling!

This year, the Virginia Arts Festival (March 18 - May 27), in its 21st year, is bringing world-class performing arts to our citizens and visitors The wonders that will be experienced at the festival will impact the lives of students through outstanding educational programs, commission new works of national and international significance, and make a tangible difference in Hampton Roads through regional partnerships and positive economic impact through the generation of cultural tourism.

Every year, Virginia Beach pays tribute to the Pungo Strawberry during the 34th Annual Pungo Strawberry Festival, held Memorial Day weekend (May 27-28). With more than 120,000 people expected to be in attendance over the two-day event, the festival is among one of the most popular on the East Coast! Not only does the festival have all the strawberries you can eat in more than 50 different ways, but visitors can enjoy various activities, including a pie-eating contest, strawberry bake-off, live entertainment, a parade, a multi-million-dollar military display, pig races and much more. All proceeds from the festival are donated to non-profit community and service organizations.

The family-friendly Sonrise Music Festival (May 28-30), located at the Resort Beach, will come alive with the sounds of Alternative music. Held at the 31st Street Neptune Park, the event will feature Christian artists offering a variety of musical genres, including cutting edge Top 40, Hip Hop and Indie music. Visitors will have the opportunity to win a meet-and-greet to hang with national and local celebrities, as well as browse and shop at numerous local vendor booths along the boardwalk. 

Come stay with us this spring or begin planning your adventure for later in the year! To learn more about Virginia Beach, plan a stay or request a complimentary vacation guide, contact the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling 1-800-VA-BEACH or going to www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com.