August 2024
There's still plenty of summer left, so make the most of it by heading outside in Virginia Beach this month. Whether you're catching the waves at a gnarly surfing competition, grooving at a lively music festival or enjoying various outdoor activities, like Oceanfront concerts and movies on the beach, there's something for everyone. Here’s what to add to your calendar for August:
Old Beach Farmers Market, ViBe Creative District
August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
The Old Beach Farmers Market has something new in store! Now located at 611 18th Street (still from 9am-12pm), explore the same great market at their new home, all on the same street! Located in the ViBe Creative District, the Old Beach Farmers Market showcases live music, local farmers, food vendors and food trucks. Another plus, is they now have a backdrop of local art that decorates the fence alongside the back of the market! Bring your reusable bags and explore what our unique local vendors have to offer.
Shore Drive Farm Market
August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
The Shore Drive Farm Market is open every Saturday in a large parking lot on Shore Drive at Red Tide Road. You’ll find plenty of locally-grown produce, handcrafted jewelry, from-scratch baked goods, house plants and organic products, like lotions, lip balms and body butters.
Pungo Roots Farmers Market, Pungo
August 3
The Pungo Roots Regenerative Farmers Market in Pungo welcomes locals and visitors alike on the first Saturday of each month. Come for farm-fresh and chemical-free vegetables. The farm store is currently open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
CreativeMornings Virginia Beach: How RITUALS can build Community by Barry Clark, the Garage VB
August 16
CreativeMornings Virginia Beach was established in 2023 by local Art advocates to bring the creative community together and connect with other creative individuals alike. Hosted at the Garage VB, join us this month in welcoming Barry Clark, founder of North End Run Club, on how rituals can build community.
Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience
July 5-September 5
Set inside the Virginia Beach Convention Center, the Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience is a wildly innovative exhibition that brings Claude Monet’s great masterpieces to life through stunning interactive displays and dramatic digital projections. Plan on an artistic celebration of vibrant colors and flowing brushstrokes that breathe new life into more than 400 of Monet’s most famous works of art.
Bachata Vida Summer Festival 2024
August 1-4
Get ready to dance the night away at the Bachata Vida Summer Festival 2024, the ultimate "pop-up" Latin dance extravaganza. This one-of-a-kind event spans four days across Virginia Beach, offering an abundance of bachata and salsa dancing. Enjoy breathtaking dance performances, lively dance parties, and interactive workshops with world-class instructors. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just love the rhythm, this multi-venue festival has something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the hottest dance event of the summer!
Treasures of the Earth: Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show
August 2-4
Rock hounds and gem lovers alike will find a feast for the eyes at this show featuring a bounty of earth’s natural treasures. The Virginia Beach Convention Center hosts Treasures of the Earth, a renowned gem, mineral and jewelry show that features an exquisite array of estate, handcrafted and classic jewelry made with precious stones. Special crystals, minerals and fossils will also be on display.
Water Lantern Festival
August 3
The family-friendly Water Lantern Festival, which will be held at Mount Trashmore Park, is a magical evening event that allows for healing, reflection and connection centered around the simple act of releasing lanterns onto Lake Trashmore. It’s also celebrated as an opportunity to cherish those who hold a special place in our hearts, including friends, neighbors and family.
SonRise Music Festival
August 17-18
Presented by SonRise Ministries, the SonRise Music Festival will feature two faith-filled days of live music, including uplifting performances by Christian musical artists like Danny Gokey, Lane Rice and Terrian. Savor the offerings of numerous food vendors, join in worship sessions, engage in family-friendly activities, and experience a strong sense of community—all by the ocean.
Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships
August 18-25
Attracting world-class surfers and wildly enthusiastic spectators, the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships is the place to be when you want to watch surfers catching seriously gnarly waves. It’s the oldest continuously run surfing competition in the world, and it’s right here in Virginia Beach. Beyond surfing, there will be a block party, a bikini pageant and pro beach volleyball clinics, as well as spikeball, cornhole and a vendor village. Friendly reminder: bring your sunblock!
Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party
August 23-24
Get ready to get funky at the Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party. Bring your dancing shoes or, at the very least, a folding chair when you need to break from grooving to the rhythm of all the electrifying music you’ll take in over two days. The music is a sensational mix of jazz, gospel, blues, and R&B. To keep up your energy, there will be food on hand for purchase.
Coastal Craft Beer Festival
August 24
Craft beer lovers, head over to Neptune Park for national and regional beers, ciders and refreshing seltzers. In all, there will be more than 60 brews from 30 breweries, including local breweries like Commonwealth Brewing Co., Back Bay Farmhouse Brewing Co. and New Realm Brewing Company. Tasting tickets at the Coastal Craft Beer Festival include a keepsake glass and unlimited tastings. Bring a picnic blanket and folding chairs to make it an afternoon since there will be two local food trucks at the festival and live music to keep the good vibes flowing.
Superstar Anime
August 24-25
Anime fans, prepare for two days of anime awesomeness at the Virginia Beach Convention Center as part of Superstar Anime. This event celebrates all things anime with panels, Q&A sessions, karaoke, cosplay and live performances, as well as a screening of a live action film that debuted in 2023 called Skye Hoshi: Anime Girl.
Chartway Virginia Beach 10 Miler & 5K
August 31-September 1
Lace up your sneakers and get ready for the Chartway Virginia Beach 10 Miler & 5k on the world-famous Virginia Beach Boardwalk that rewards runners with scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The 5K and one-mile races take place on August 31 and the 10-mile run sets off on September 1. There’s even a one-mile fun run for kids ages 12 and under. Stick around after the run for the J&A Racing beach party, which offers plenty of cold beer and live music to keep the action going.
Events on the Boardwalk
The iconic Virginia Beach Boardwalk sets the stage all summer long for free outdoor entertainment, including family-friendly movies, Oceanfront concerts, roving circus performers and harmonious melodies. Here’s what to expect in August:
Live! on Atlantic Nightly Entertainment
August 1-31
Every night of the week, free musical performances are held from 7 to 11 p.m. on stages at 19th and 23rd Streets and in green spaces at 17th and 24th Streets. Enjoy the thrill of jugglers, tightrope walkers and magicians creating awe-inspiring moments right before your eyes.
Beach Blanket Cinema
August 1, 8, 15 & 22
At 29th Street, free family-friendly movies start up at 8:30 pm, including Migration, Barbie, Holes and Frozen II. Bring your blanket or a beach chair to screen our favorite movies under the stars.
Oceanfront Concert Series
August 7 & 14
This month, two free outdoor concerts captivate live music lovers, including American Idol winner Iam Tongi at 17th Street Park and Five for Fighting with Red Stapler at 24th Street Park.
Symphony by the Sea Concert Series
August 8, 15 & 22
At 31st Street Park, listen in as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (August 15) and Symphonicity (August 8 & 22), a community orchestra in Virginia Beach, captivate with symphonic melodies.
Labor Day Weekend Concerts
August 30-September 1
Over three days, musical artists will perform live concerts on three stages—17th Street, 24th Street, and 31st Street—starting at 7:30 p.m. Bring your beach chairs but leave your glass containers at home.
Live Performances in August
Beyond free outdoor performances this month on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, there’s a whole lot going on across town for anyone who enjoys theatrical performances, musicals, comedy shows and live music.
Kinky Boots
July 19 to August 11
Kinky Boots runs through August 11 at the Little Theatre in Virginia Beach. Based on a book by Harvey Fierstein, this musical comedy bursts with energy from the moment the curtains open, thanks in part to music and lyrics written by Cyndi Lauper. This fun and upbeat show ultimately shares a message about accepting people for who they are.
Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy
August 8th - 10th
The Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy is a chilling experience dedicated to the stories of Edgar Allan Poe. The event takes place inside a dark speakeasy. Four of his most famous stories will be retold and reimagined by our Poe historians. Our macabre lead mixologist will transform each of those stories into a 4-part cocktail experience.
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
Throughout August
There are so many summer concerts on the schedule at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach. In August, the outdoor concert venue hosts top acts that range from Kidz Bop Live (August 2) to Hank Williams Jr. (August 10) to Imagine Dragons (August 26).
Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant
Throughout August
For a good laugh, set your GPS for Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, which has booked more than a dozen shows in August. Be entertained by such acts as Sheryl Underwood (August 9-10,) Arnez J (August 23-25) and Saturday Night Live’s Punkie Johnson (August 30-31.)
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
Throughout August
The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts has something for everyone in August, including tribute bands, jazz performances and live concerts. A couple of live events of note include Rumours of Fleetwood Mac (August 16) and Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience (August 17.) The Sandler Center will also host a free weekly outdoor concert series on the outdoor plaza through August 28 as part of YNot Wednesdays, which features a kid’s craft corner and food and beverages for purchase.