Special Events
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​​​July 4th CelebrationJuly 4th Celebration

Thursday, July 4 | 4 - 10 pm | Mount Trashmore Park

Celebrate America’s independence with live music, delicious foods, and of course, booming fireworks! *$10 parking fee; When parking lots at Mount Trashmore Park are full, Edwin Drive between Independence Boulevard and South Boulevard may close. Learn More


July 4th CelebrationJuly is Parks and Rec Month

July 5 - 26​ |  Virginia Beach Recreation Centers, Parks, and Facilities

​This July, discover the power of play and adventure. For children and adults, play is a vital part of our mental wellbeing, physical health, and personal interactions. Join us in one of our parks, recreation centers, athletic facilities, trails or waterways and celebrate Parks & Recreation Month. ​Learn More ​ 


Movie Night Movie Night

 Friday, July 12 (Rain Date: July 13) | 6 - 10 pm | Red Wing Park

 Join us at Red Wing Park for a movie under the stars! Bring blankets and beach chairs to get comfortable as you watch these family-favorites on our giant screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. Screening: Homeward Bound


Back to School FestivalWater Lantern Festival

Saturday, August 3rd | 5:00 pm-9:30 pm | Mount Trashmore Park

While they're called many things such as lantern festivals, lights festivals, floating lanterns, or Chinese lanterns - only Water Lantern Festival allows you to Light The Water in a way you'll never forget. Now you can experience the magic of thousands of lanterns as the soft lights reflect upon the water. Learn More
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​ Back to School FestivalPassport Picnic | Pan-Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble

Saturday, August 10 (Rain Date: August 11) | Program begins at 12:30 pm | Mount Trashmore Amphitheater
(Arrive as early as 12:00 pm to set up your picnic or to enjoy food from the food trucks)​

 Experience a Passport Picnic at Mount Trashmore Park! Bring a picnic lunch or purchase from on-site food trucks and enjoy the sounds of the Pan-A​​sian Chamber Jazz Ensemble! Award-winning Meg Okura and the Pan-Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble (PACJE) blends Japanese, Jewish, and African-American heritages, multi-cultural band members and the unforgettable sound of American jazz. Pan-Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble received accolades for Okura’s compositions on their latest recording Ima-Ima meaning “mom” in Hebrew and “now” in Japanese. Featuring composer and bandleader Meg Okura on violin and erhu with Hampton native, Sam Newsome on soprano sax, the ensemble fuses its virtuosic jazz performance with educational expertise to craft a casual and engaging performance with something for everyone! This program will feature the debut of new jazz works from the PACJE’s upcoming “Jewburish Folk Tunes” collection.  FREE to all.​ Learn More​
 

Back to School FestivalAloha Back to School Event & Movie Night

Friday, August 16 | 5 - 9:30 pm | Williams Farm Park (Rain Location: Williams Farm Rec Center)

Let's say ALOHA to summer as we prepare for the start of a new school year! We will be celebrating with a variety of fun-filled, family-friendly activities including inflatables, lawn games, a DJ, plus ​giveaways,  door prizes and a GRAND PRIZE drawing for two bikes presented by CHKD. ​Learn More​

Party at the PierParty at the Pier | ​Sponsored By Siebert Realty

Friday, August 23 (Rain Date: August 24) | 7 - 10 pm | Little Island Park

Kick off your shoes and join us for a beach concert in the sand with live music by BJ ​​Griffin and The Galaxy Groove​​​​! Enjoy food trucks and plenty of dancing.  Onsite parking is available and free after 5 pm. Parking is limited, so please carpool or rideshare if possible. Learn More.


Passport Picnic Virginia Beach EventsPassport Picnic | Ologundê​

Saturday, September 7 (Rain Date: September 8) | Children's Workshop ​12:00 pm · Show begins at 12:30 pm | Williams Farm Park
 
(Arrive as early as 11:30am to set up your picnic or to enjoy food from the food trucks)

Hop, skip or jump over to Williams Farm Park for a passport picnic featuring the Afro-Brazilian traditions of Bahia, Brazil. Hailed for their interactive and educational performances all over the world, including New York, Philadelphia, Greece, Brazil and beyond, the members of Ologundê have a made a name for themselves through prime-time performance, high-quality artistry and authenticity, and even providing tours to Bahia! Featuring the unmatched energy and enthusiasm of band leader Dendê, this performance embraces found-object instruments, traditional drums and vocals while putting capeoira, samba de roda, and the dance and brilliant costume of Bahia front and center. The program will be preceded by a brief music workshop for children. FREE to all. Learn More​

Movie NightMovie Night

Friday, September 20 (Rain Date: September 21) | 6 - 10 pm | Mount Trashmore Park 

Join us at Mount Trashmore Park for a movie under the stars! Bring blankets and beach chairs to get comfortable as you watch these family-favorites on our giant screen. Concessions will be available for purchase. Screening: Wonder


 

Bow Creek Block PartyBow Creek Block Party

Saturday, September 28 | 11 am - 2 pm | Bow Creek Park

Come out to Bow Creek for this fun, free, family-friendly block party! A DJ will keep the party going while you play games, check out vendors and exhibitors, enjoy face-painting, and snack on yummy treats from local food trucks (food available for purchase).


 

Ghoula PaloozaGhoula Palooza

Saturday, October 26 | 11 am - 2 pm | Great Neck Rec Center

Dress up your kids and pets to have a ghoulishly good time Trick-or-Treating through Great Neck Park. Frighteningly fun family fitness activities, crafts, inflatables, and more will ensure the entire family enjoys a beautiful - but spooky - day at the park!


 

Santa's StockingSanta's Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar

November 2 & 3 | Princess Anne Rec Center
November 16 & 17 | Kempsville Rec Center
9 am - 5 pm on Saturdays; 10 am - 4 pm on Sundays

Now in its 41st year, this event features over 100 craft vendors each weekend. Crafters will be selling unique handmade items, everything from stocking stuffers to fine works of art, all at budget-friendly prices. This event is free for shoppers! Exhibitor applications will be available on July 1. For more information, contact Michaela McKenzie mmckenzie@vbgov.com​ or Leah Lambson LLambson@vbgov.com.

For more events, check out what's happening in our recreation centers !

Contact Information

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