Calendar of Events

Live Entertainment

Virginia Beach | Town Center Fountain Plaza Every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Fountain Plaza will come alive with performances from local artists and specialty guest acts. See websites for specific acts. TIME: Fridays 6–9 p.m., all other days 5:30–8:30 p.m. COST: Free www.cbda.net/events/town-centerplaza-nightly-entertainment

Big Bands on the Bay

Norfolk | Ocean View Beach Park Every Sunday Big Bands on the Bay ends the weekend with a sunset celebration on the Chesapeake Bay. Guests are invited down to the Gazebo at Ocean View Beach Park for live Big Band music and dancing. TIME: 7–9 p.m. COST: Free oceanviewbeachpark.org/ events/2021/big-bands-bay

Alma W. Thomas: Everything Is Beautiful

Norfolk | Chrysler Museum of Art Every Weekday | “Alma W. Thomas: Everything is Beautiful” will provide a comprehensive overview of the artist’s long life (1891–1978) with approximately 100 works, including her rarely seen theatrical designs and beloved abstract paintings. The exhibition is organized around multiple themes and events like Thomas’s Washington Color School cohort, the creative communities connected to Howard University, and peers who protested museums that failed to represent artists of color. TIME: Noon–5 p.m. COST: Free chrysler.org

Washed Ashore, Art to Save the Sea Exhibit

Norfolk | Norfolk Botanical Garden Artist Angela Haseltine Pozzi, a global changer, creates art from thrown-out plastics and trash littering our beaches and oceans. Washed Ashore builds and exhibits aesthetically powerful art to educate a global audience about plastic pollution in the ocean and waterways, give our marine animals a voice and spark positive change in consumer habits. Learn more about the mission at WashedAshore.org. TIME: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. COST: Adults $15, Seniors, $13, Children (3–17) $13, Toddlers (2* under) Free norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/ washed-ashore-2021

Haunted Williamsburg

Williamsburg | Colonial Williamsburg From authentic 18th-century colonial ghost stories to creepy modern-day encounters, Haunted Williamsburg is the only tour with exclusive access to historic outdoor spaces, featuring costumed storytellers who share their unnerving tales. This one-hour candlelit walking ghost tour takes you strolling through town, into gardens, and beyond the barriers to our most haunted sites. The tour begins at the Play House Stage on Palace Green and is suitable for ages 8 and older. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Weather permitting: runs rain or shine, except in cases of severe inclement or cold weather. Pets are not permitted. Haunted Williamsburg is the official ghost tour experience of Colonial Williamsburg. TIME: Daily 7–8 p.m., 8:30–9:30 p.m. COST: Adult $19; Youth (6–12) $12; Child (Under 6) $12 www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/ events/haunted-williamsburg/

Symphony By the Sea Concert Series

Virginia Beach | Neptune’s Park, 3001 Atlantic Ave. Neptune Festival’s Symphony by the Sea Concert Series, presented by The Breeden Company. Arrive early, as the concerts are well-attended and will fill the park. While all concerts are free, a VIP Series Membership, which includes reserved seating and more, is available for purchase. TIME: 7:30–9 p.m. COST: Free www.neptunefestival.com/events/ symphony-by-the-sea-concert-series

Movies in the Plaza

Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Town Center Plaza Join us every Saturday evening, after sundown in August. Catch a free, family friendly outdoor film in the beautiful Town Center Fountain Plaza. Make dinner reservations, before the show, at one of our many eateries and treat the family to a true “dinner and a movie” experience. Or grab pizza and ice cream during the show. California Pizza Kitchen and Cold Stone Creamery will deliver to-go orders to the plaza every Saturday evening. TIME: 8:30 p.m. COST: Free vabeachtowncenter.com/ moviesintheplaza

ODU Big Blue 5k

Norfolk | Old Dominion University, Bluestone Ave. Returning to Old Dominion University for 2021, the 8th Annual MSP Design Group Big Blue 5K, presented by Bon Secours In Motion, takes participants on a 5K tour of the campus and finishes on the 50-yard line on Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Participants are invited to celebrate their race at the post-race tailgate party. Registration now open TIME: 8 a.m. COST: $40 www.bigblue5k.com

Atlantic Coast Kite Festival

Virginia Beach | Oceanfront (on the beach between 16th–18th Streets) Everyone may take part in the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival’s “Best Kite Contest.” Experienced kite enthusiasts will assist novice flyers. Families may participate in a free kite-building workshop that includes kite materials and instructions on how to build a kite, as well as the aerodynamics of kite flying and kite safety. American Kite Association members from throughout the

East Coast will present kite demonstrations, perform kite routines to music and fly giant kites (up to 80 feet long), including an octopus kite. Kite vendors on site will sell various kinds of kites. Awards will also be given each day for oldest and youngest kitefliers, funniest kite, most unusual kite and biggest kite. TIIME: Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. COST: Free www.beacheventsvb.com

The Sandler Center Miller Jazz Series

Virginia Beach | Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Purchase tickets now for the Sandler Center Miller Jazz Series at YnotTix.com August 19—Art of the Trumpet: Highlighting the great jazz trumpeters featuring Taylor Barnett on trumpet, John Toomey on piano and Jimmy Masters on bass. September 16—Piano Music: Tunes by great modern jass pianists with Alan Blackman on piano, J.C. Kuhl on saxophone, Emre Kartari on drums and Jimmy Masters on bass. October 21—The State of the Tenor: Showcasing music by great tenor saxophonists featuring Eddie Williams on saxophone, John Toomey on piano, Brian Caputo on drums and Jimmy Masterson bass. TIME: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $23 www.sandlercenter.org

Neptune’s Coastal Craft Brew Festival

Virginia Beach | Neptune’s Park, 3001 Atlantic Ave. Neptune’s Coastal Craft Beer Festival will feature local Virginia beers as well as national and regional craft beers. Enjoy over 65 beers from 36 breweries, live music, food trucks and more. Each ticket includes a commemorative beer-tasting glass and tastings throughout the day. Ages 21+ only. No pets. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. All bags and coolers will be inspected at the gate. TIME: 1 p.m.–6 p.m. COST: $40 www.neptunefestival.com/events/ neptunes-coastal-craft-beer-festival

The 47th annual Neptune Festival honoring the Roman god of the sea will return this year after a muchnoticed 2020 absence due to COVID-19 restrictions. With over 40 events, ranging from sporting activities such as golf, volleyball, tennis, 8K run and a surfing competition to social activities like the wine festival, End of Summer Bash, the art and craft show (attracting almost 300 exhibitors), the festival has something for everyone. Events began this year with a series of six free Symphony by the Sea concerts featuring Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Symphonicity. The traditional culmination of the weeks-long festivities, the Boardwalk Weekend, also includes the International Sandsculpting Championship, the Grand Parade and three stages of live entertainment.

The festival sports two new events this year: • A Family Fun Zone at 17th Street Park will have activities for the whole family—magicians, stilt walkers, painting sessions with the

Mermaid Factory, exhibitions by the Virginia Aquarium, Norfolk

Tides mascot appearances, field day activities, nighttime movies, silent disco and more. • A Beach Yoga + Fitness Experience at the 36th Street Fitness

Park will provide a healthy location on the boardwalk and benefit the LIFT Fitness Foundation. It will include health-conscious local food vendors, beach yoga on Saturday and Sunday mornings with

Studio Bamboo and a variety of other free fitness classes run by local instructors. Most of the Neptune Festival events take place in August and September. You can find the complete schedule at the link listed below. This year’s events culminate with the Neptune Festival weekend from September 24–26. The grand parade starts at the intersection of 16th Street and Atlantic Avenue at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 25 and finishes just past 31st Street. The parade includes a procession of the royal court.

About the court: A committee chooses King Neptune from nominations solicited from the general public. Criteria include many factors, including demonstrated involvement and contribution to the quality of life in Virginia Beach, active participation in the activities of community life and an understanding of the spirit of the Neptune Festival. The king acts as a goodwill ambassador for the city at many events throughout the year. The Tritons, men in community selected by nomination, must meet the same criteria applied to the selection of the king, and serve as support. Historically included in the royal court are princesses chosen from 35 student applicants in the fall of their junior year of high school. Once chosen, these princesses also serve as ambassadors and role models for the community through their senior year of high school. This year, two princes join the royal court along with nine princesses. Not only does the annual Neptune Festival with all its accompanying activities provide weeks of fun and entertainment for locals and visitors alike, it also has a significant economic impact on the area. One event, Boardwalk Weekend, typically sees over 400,000 participants, generating over $23,000,000 in revenue. A 2018 economic impact study conducted by Choice Communications Systems, Inc. revealed the following: • $23.5 million economic impact by the Neptune Festival

Boardwalk Weekend • $16.9 million in direct impact by Neptune Festival visitors • $1.19 million in tax impact by Neptune Festival visitors • 405,400 attendees over the Neptune Festival Boardwalk

Weekend alone • 52 percent of attendees are visitors from outside of Virginia Beach • 26,500 room nights generated by overnight hotel attendees • $170 per day spent by overnight hotel attendees • 1 in 4 residents visit Neptune Festival at least one day • 80 percent of attendees have visited Neptune Festival in the past • 8 average past visits attendees have made to Neptune Festival • 98 percent of attendees say they will return or may return next year • 4 in 5 visitors came to Virginia Beach specifically to attend the event Neptune Festival also partners with charitable organizations such as EQUI-KIDS, The Governor’s School for the Arts, Toby’s Dream Foundation, Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association, Virginia Beach Rotary, Town Center Kiwanis Club, Virginia Beach Police Foundation, Virginia Musical Theater, Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Symphonicity, among others. The community and visitors alike look forward to the return of the Neptune Festival. See the list of Neptune Festival events at www.neptunefestival.com.

32nd Annual Nansemond Indian PowWow

Suffolk | Mattanock Town, 1001 Pembroke Ln. All are welcome at this family friendly event featuring Native American song, dance, food and crafts. Grand entry will be at noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. TIME: Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. COST: Free Facebook: 32nd Annual Nansemond Indian Pow Wow

Symphony Under the Stars

Chesapeake | Chesapeake City Park Enjoy classic, pop and jazz music live from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on the Bagley stage. A variety of food trucks will provide options for an evening picnic. Bring your own chairs or blanket (Pop-up tents, oversized umbrellas and feather flags not permitted.) TIME: Parking and concessions open at 6 p.m. COST: Free admission and on-site parking; other purchases vary www.cityofchesapeake.net/Calendar

GrowlFest

Norfolk | Virginia Zoo GrowlFest comes ROARING back for its fifth year. Come get your growl on at the Virginia Zoo. Join us for a fun-filled evening of beer and wine, food trucks and games. This event benefits the zoo and Sunrise and Downtown Rotary Clubs of Norfolk and the Virginia Zoo. GrowlFest includes exclusive after-hours access to the zoo, with select animals on exhibit late. This is fun for the whole family or a group of your wildest friends. TIME: 6–9 p.m. COST: TBD virginiazoo.org/event/growlfest

2021 NAS Oceana Air Show

Virginia Beach | Naval Air Station Oceana The entire team will once again open the doors and welcome aboard visitors from near and far to this Master Jet Base for the return of the air show with a theme of “The Blues are Back!” The Blue Angels will make their first appearance at NAS Oceana since 201, celebrating their 75th anniversary and flying the demonstration in their brand new F/A-18 Super Hornets. The show will have the F/A-18 Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration, the USAF first-ever Oceana appearance of the Navy’s newest fighter, the F-35 Lightning II Tactical Demonstration. Also, viewers will see the signature Air Power Demonstration with Fleet Flyby, performances by local Navy squadrons and world-class civilian performers like Mike Goulian, Kent Pietsch and the AFTERSHOCK Jet Firetruck. Check the website for more information as it develops. TIME: Varies by event COST: $10–$25 www.oceanaairshow.com

25th Annual Fall Wine Festival

Virginia Beach | Neptune’s Park at 31st St. and Atlantic Avenue Join your friends by the oceanfront for an afternoon hosted by Virginia’s leading vineyards. Taste from over 70 wines while you meet and greet the fascinating people who forge Virginia’s reputation for quality wines. Enjoy delicious food, live entertainment and the opportunity to purchase the wines you like by the bottle and case. TIME: Noon–5 p.m. daily Cost: Advance Tickets: $40 Through September 5; Week of Event Tickets: $45 (Beginning Sept 6, until Sold Out); Saturday VIP Ticket: $60 (advance purchase only, includes exclusive access to the event one hour prior to standard ticket holder access. A limited number of tickets will be sold at this level); Sunday Tasting; TABLES: $400 for Saturday and $350 for Sunday. (Includes eight tickets to the event.) www.neptunefestival.com/events/ fall-wine-festival

Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend

Virginia Beach | Oceanfront 6th-36th Streets 2021 marks the 47th anniversary for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival with daily concerts at festival stages, scattered along 30 blocks of the boardwalk, featuring 27 performances from local, regional and national recording artists. On the boardwalk, you can find over 250 artisans displaying handmade work at Neptune’s Art & Craft Show that has been ranked No. 5 out of 200 Fine Art and Design Shows across the country. Keep walking to find 22 magnificent sand sculptures created by world-renowned international sculptors at Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship. Other weekend events include Neptune’s 8k Race, Grand Parade, Volleyball Tournament, Atlantic Regatta, Youth Art Show and more. See the website for information on all Boardwalk Weekend events. TIME: Fri., Sept. 24 noon–11 p.m., Sat., Sept. 25 10 a.m.–11 p.m., Sun., Sept., 26, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. COST: Free entry; purchases vary www.neptunefestival.com/events/ boardwalk-weekend

International Sand Sculpting Competition

Virginia Beach | Oceanfront 6th-8th Streets With a world-class venue, talent and prize purse, Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship has distinguished itself as a premier event unlike any other. This signature event of the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival since its inception has grown to the most prestigious event of its kind in the nation. With an international field of sculptors representing 11 countries from around the world, watch the professionals turn grains of sand into works of art in just three days. TIME: Friday, 9/24: 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, 9/25: 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday, 9/26: 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Wednesday: 9/27–9/29: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Thursday, 9/30: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (City Employee Appreciation Day) Friday–Sunday, 10/1–10/3: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. COST: Admission: $5 per person. 12 and under free while accompanied by adult. www.neptunefestival.com/events/ international-sand-sculptingchampionship#hours

Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta

Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach Oceanfront (Details TBD) Multiple classes tack and jibe their way from Cape Henry to Rudee Inlet during this great recreational race as Neptune gets a little more nautical with Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta. Need a break from the boardwalk action? Check out the boats’ arrival at Rudee Inlet in the afternoon or hang out at 24th Street Park to watch the finish. Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta is Broad Bay Sailing Association’s last race of the season, and is also a CBYRA-sanctioned event. Starting off at Little Creek Amphibious Base on the Chesapeake Bay, racers transit the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, sail

down the coast, and finish off 24th street on the oceanfront. After a night of fun at the festival, participants leave the event’s complimentary Rudee Inlet dockage and return home. This race is part of the Southern Bay Distance Racing Series (SBDRS). TIME: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. COST: Free www.neptunefestival.com/events/ neptunes-atlantic-regatta

The Count’s Spooktacular

Williamsburg | Busch Gardens Busch Gardens Williamsburg is known for hosting spectacular Halloween haunts. However, on Saturdays and Sundays, from October 4–27, let the kids come out for their own “not-too-spooky fun” during The Count’s Spooktacular. Head to the Sesame Street Forest of Fun, an area of Busch Gardens dedicated to children and their families, for a kid-friendly Halloween celebration. The Count’s Spooktacular will feature a hay maze, trick-or-treating, an interactive Halloween-themed show and all of your favorite Sesame Street characters. TIME: Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. COST: $49.99–$89.99 buschgardens.com/williamsburg/ events/halloween-spooktacular

An Evening with David Sedaris

Norfolk | Harrison Opera House With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. He is the master of satire and one of today’s most observant writers addressing the human condition. Calypso, his latest collection of essays, is a New York Times best-seller and a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. The audiobook of Calypso has been nominated for a 2019 Grammy in the Best Spoken Word Album category. TIME: 7:30 p.m. COST: $40–$55 www.sevenvenues.com/events/ detail/david-sedaris

33rd Annual Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival

Norfolk | Town Point Park Experience Hampton Roads’ most anticipated wine festival of the fall season along the Downtown Norfolk waterfront. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world. This year’s fall favorite will showcase more than 30 wineries with over 200 of the commonwealth’s finest wine varieties. Festival guests can enjoy the company of friends and family along the Elizabeth River for a weekend-long harvest of Virginia wineries in Town Point Park. Budding sommeliers and everyday enthusiasts can sample and purchase premier wine vintages and enjoy live musical performances, along with gourmet foods and specialty wares. TIME: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. COST: Saturday General Admission Advance: $30; Day of: $35 Sunday General Admission Tier 1: $25; Tier 2: $30 festevents.org/events/2021/ fallwinefest/ticket-options

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