Experience Spring Vibes in Virginia Beach this April 

Virginia Beach offers countless ways for residents and visitors to enjoy the spring season in April. As a vibrant coastal community with more than 450,000 residents and 14.3 million visitors each year, the city is full of energy, experiences and opportunities for everyone to explore. Here is a sample of what you can experience this month.

Events and Activities

Sharks After Dark 
April 2, 6-9 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 
Price: $19/members, $38/non-members  

Adults can enjoy music and delicious bites and drinks at the Virginia Aquarium’s monthly Sharks After Dark event. April's theme is Mermaids & Margs. Bring an appetite to crush a taco bar, sip a margarita, and mingle with a mermaid. This night-time event is for guests who are at least 21 years old. ID will be checked at the door for entry.

Friday Night Hoedowns
April through October, 7-10 p.m., Virginia Beach Farmers Market, 3640 Dam Neck Road
FREE and open to the public

On Friday nights from April through October, visit the Virginia Beach Farmers Market for free, live, local music! Hosted by the Virginia Beach Department of Agriculture, the hoedowns are held rain or shine. Some seating is available or bring your own lawn chair or blanket. The first hoedown for the season kicks off Friday, April 3. Find the complete schedule with list of performing bands online.

Easter Eggstravaganza 
April 4, noon to 2 p.m., Virginia Beach Law Enforcement Training Academy, 411 Integrity Way  
FREE and open to the public 

Join the Easter egg hunt with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office (VBSO)! Easter Eggstravganza offers fun for the whole family including games, photos with the Easter Bunny, snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn, as well as child identification services and a VBSO K-9 demonstration. BYOB – bring your own basket – to collect your eggs. 

Sandler Center Artist Reception for Joseph Simone
April 6, 6-8 p.m., Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Market St.
FREE and open to the public 

The Sandler Center and Sandler Center Foundation will host a free, public opening reception for Virginia Beach-based impressionist artist Joseph Simone's new art exhibit, "Recollections," on display at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts Art Gallery. This is the final public exhibition of Simone's career, which highlights his numerous strong and stoic scenes. RSVP online in advance of the reception by April 3.

“Recollections” is on view April 2-July 1, whenever the Sandler Center box office is open, as well as to event ticketholders during Sandler Center events.

Mermaid Paint Party
April 8, 1-3 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 
Price: $25/members, $30/non-members  

Guests of all ages are invited to use mermaid magic to create an art craft at the Virginia Aquarium. Attendees will receive a wooden mermaid keepsake to paint, courtesy of The Mermaid Factory, while enjoying the company of a real-life mermaid. Youth must be accompanied by a paying adult. Aquarium admission is not included in the paint experience.  

Mermaids at the Virginia Aquarium
April 9-11, 6-8:30 p.m., Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 
Price: $35/members, $43/non-members; $75/upgrade with a behind-the-scenes tour

Come face-to-face with mermaids and mermen swimming in the Red Sea Aquarium. During the family-friendly event, enjoy an evening of special mermaid encounters, face painting, photo opportunities and interactive activities throughout the aquarium.  

For an exclusive look at how mermaid magic comes to life, guests can book a behind-the-scenes experience to meet and interact with the diving mermaids privately after their swim.  

Spring into Sports
April 11, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bow Creek Recreation Center, 3427 Club House Road
FREE and open to the public

Enjoy a day filled with sports and fun competition at Bow Creek Rec Center. Attendees of all ages can participate in activities including volleyball, arts and crafts, pickleball and mini basketball games between kids and local police officers and staff. The event finishes off with a rubber ducky race in the pool.

Beginner Pickleball Clinics
April 11, 9-11 a.m., Seatack Recreation Center, 141 S Birdneck Road
April 15, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Bow Creek Recreation Center,3427 Club House Road 
April 18, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Williams Farm Recreation Center, 5252 Learning Circle 
Price: $15 (rec center membership or day pass required for all clinics) 

Looking to get active this season? Learn the techniques, skills and rules to build your pickleball-playing capability. Equipment is provided at the clinics,  offered at various locations. Develop and refine your skills in a fun and supportive environment. 

History Lunch and Learn: Lafayette Then and Now
April 17, noon, Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd.  
FREE and open to the public but donations encouraged

In a talk led by Robert Kelly, director of the Gloucester Museum of History, learn about Lafayette’s contributions during the American Revolution, his lifelong passion for human rights, and his legacy spread across the United States in 1824-1825. Bring your own lunch to enjoy during the discussions hosted by Virginia Beach History Museums.  

Celebrating Children 
April 18, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Mount Trashmore Park, 310 Edwin Drive  
FREE and open to the public 

Celebrate joy, energy and the potential of childhood at this lively, family-friendly event designed especially for young children and their caregivers. Hosted by VB GrowSmart in partnership with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, “Celebrating Children” brings the community together for a morning of active fun and discovery. The fun includes a family fun run (advance registration required), hands-on games, crafts, inflatables and interactive activities.    

Farmers Market Birthday Bash
April 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Virginia Beach Farmers Market, 3640 Dam Neck Road
FREE and open to the public

Each year, the Virginia Beach Farmers Market celebrates the anniversary of its opening with a birthday bash, and this year is a milestone. The market is kicking off its 50th year vendors, food trucks, live music, children's activities, and of course, free birthday cake (while supplies last).

Zine Mini Fest 
April 18, 3:30-4 p.m., Bayside Area Library, 936 Independence Blvd.  
FREE and open to the public

Celebrate creativity and self-expression at this vibrant mini fest dedicated to the do-it-yourself world of zines (pronounced “zeens” and short for magazine) — small, self-published booklets that can be about anything from art and poetry to personal stories and pop culture. Youth ages 9 and older can explore a variety of hands-on activities, live demonstrations and workshops, including opportunities to create their own zines.  

Companion Planting: Nature's Secret to a Thriving Garden
April 21, 6:45-7:45 p.m., Princess Anne Recreation Center, 1400 Nimmo Parkway
FREE with advance registration (rec center membership or day pass required)

Discover how pairing the right plants together can naturally boost growth, deter pests, enrich soil, and maximize harvests. Hosted by Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, this event is part of the Virginia Beach Master Gardeners' speaker series, "Talking Dirt: Tips for the Casual Gardener."

Dolphin Watching Boat Tours
April through October, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, 717 General Booth Blvd. 

Enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly ride on the Atlantic Explorer to see bottlenose dolphins and other coastal Virginia animals such as seabirds, sea turtles and more. Guests will join the Virginia Aquarium’s knowledgeable educators on board to learn about their unique sightings while on the water. Tours are approximately 90 minutes. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed, and tours are weather-dependent. Book a boat tour today!

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation has additional events and activities for all ages at various recreation centers. See the complete list of events, schedule and more. 

The Virginia Beach Public Library has thousands of programs and activities for every age group throughout the year, spring included. See the complete list of events, schedule and more.  

Be sure to check out Visit Virginia Beach’s event calendar for even more activities this season!