Arts & Entertainment
Day or night, rain or shine—Virginia Beach provides visitors with enough entertainment to overflow any well-planned travel itinerary. When the sun goes down and the energy rises, nothing says "vacation" like getting all dolled up and going out for a night on the town. From plays, ballets and gallery openings to music-pumping night clubs, bars, and comedy clubs, Virginia Beach caters to every visitor.
Stage Performances - For the best live performances, take a stroll along the oceanfront for fantastic venues offering a wide variety of entertainment. There's always something happening at Neptune Park on 31st Street. Start your evening off right by seeing performances by local bands such as Cheap Thrills, The Dudes and Hotcakes. At the 24th Street Stage, visitors will be delighted to partake in thrilling events such as Sandstock––A Tribute to Rock & Roll and the Stars & Stripes Explosion on July 4th occurring at three stages along the oceanfront. 17th Street will host Blackbeard and Calico Jack Pirate Show and Circus in the Park this season. Just 10 streets down at 7th Street, visitors will be enjoying the sounds of Borderline Crazy, Michael Clark Band and Smackbar Jones. With thrilling performances nearly every night of the week, there's enough outdoor entertainment to keep you busy all summer long.
Local and National Music - Whether it's a neighborhood beach bar featuring a live local band or a large outdoor venue delivering the latest up-and-coming rock stars, Virginia Beach certainly does not lack in the music department. Dive into the local music scene with a live band at the Oceanfront. Local hot spots such as Murphy's Irish Pub, the Jewish Mother, and Abbey Road are just three examples of beach hangouts offering delicious pub grub and an entertaining blend of folk, alternative, hard rock and acoustic acts. For an evening of music under the stars, head to the Farm Bureau Live Amphitheatre, a grand outdoor venue that provides cheap lawn seating to worth-every-penny front row seats and showcases the summer's hottest musicians.
Museums and Art - If dismal weather rains on your vacation parade, check out the Virginia Beach museum and art scene. This summer, the Contemporary Art Center will include several new exhibitions such as Portraits and Fifteen Square Inches of Fame by Andy Warhol.
The Oceanfront also offers up smaller art galleries as well as the Old Coast Guard Station Museum and Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, which provide an exciting yet educational activity for those of all ages. A kid-friendly alternative to a rainy day is the re-vamped Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center featuring marsh, bay and ocean exhibits, a harbor seal tank, nature trails, an IMAX Theatre and one stellar gift shop.
The entertainment value of Virginia Beach is tops, so take a deep breath and peel your sunburned bottom out of that beach chair to explore what this great beach town has to offer. The weather is warm, the spirits are high, and the snow cones are in abundance. Make this summer vacation one you and your family will never forget!
