2026 Oceanfront Event Season: Planning Ahead Heightens Oceanfront Experience

Funk Fest Beach Party, Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend and Wicked 10K are just a few of the high-energy experiences that light up the Oceanfront every year. This spring introduced Stars, Stripes & Spurs in April, and the excitement continues with Super Girl Surf Festival scheduled to debut over Labor Day Weekend. These signature events make up the Oceanfront Event Season, a City-supported lineup that brings more than 10,000 people per day to the Resort Area.

With crowds that size, the City is focused on ensuring every resident and visitor enjoys a smooth, safe and stress-free experience. To support that commitment, staff from the City’s Resort Management Office, Police Department and Communications Office led a community meeting on July 30, putting traffic, parking, safety, crowd flow and communications front and center. 

During the meeting, department officials shared valuable insights and logistical guidance designed to help everyone navigate the Oceanfront more easily during major events, when heavy traffic, dense crowds and competition for parking are the norm. 

Hosted before a subcommittee of the Resort Advisory Commission and promoted widely to welcome the public, the meeting covered the second half of the 2026 event season, beginning with the East Coast Surfing Championships and following up on a similar session held in April for the early season. 

For anyone who could not make it, the full recording is available at VirginiaBeach.gov/EventInfo.

Meeting attendees were urged to prepare before heading to their event destination by checking out VirginiaBeach.gov/EventInfo to learn more about uses of the Waze app for up-to-date traffic planning and the VB Go app to explore the latest parking options.   

• Watch Presentation

Stay Informed 

VirginiaBeach.gov/EventInfo is the central communications hub for event logistics and impacts throughout the year. Prior to each event, “know before you go” information is added. The information also is shared on City social media, along with email channels before each event. 

• Visit VirginiaBeach.gov/EventInfo to view potential impacts to residents and visitors, such as road closures and parking restrictions, prior to each event. This page also has a “Resources" section with a downloadable event flyer.
• Enroll in VBAlert text notifications to receive updates and emergency alerts during all major events at the Oceanfront. Text VBEVENTS to 67283 to sign up. You can opt out at any time by replying LEAVE VBEVENTS. 
• Register to receive the City email newsletter: VirginiaBeach.gov/BeInTheKnow 
• Follow the event season or specific events on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | Nextdoor
• Submit questions about event logistics: OceanfrontEvents@vbgov.com

Stay Safe 

Several City of Virginia Beach departments work closely each year to plan and implement safety measures and access to traffic and parking at the Resort Area, so everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience. The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) has a zero-tolerance policy for crimes that threaten the safety of residents and visitors. 

Planning for events and activities is a large part of the process. Several departments and offices work together, along with key stakeholders — residents, business owners and civic leagues. 

VBPD has a Special Event Task Force dedicated to public safety planning throughout the year, and it plans collaboratively with Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Communications & Citizen Services (ECCS), Emergency Management, Fire, Public Works, Sheriff’s Office and partner agencies.  

Police, Fire and EMS all have response plans and staff for the entire Oceanfront area. Citywide situational awareness and monitoring occurs during all of the events. For unexpected emergencies, contingencies are also in place.  

All public safety agencies are at a single command during events to ensure real-time, integrated communications. During event weekends, the agencies are staffed for the entire city, in addition to the event area. The departments review post-event reports for all events during the planning process to address issues and create future best practices. 

Any impacts for major Oceanfront events can be found at VirginiaBeach.gov/EventInfo. 

Event Schedule & Logistics 

Major events planned for the 2026 Oceanfront Event Season with an anticipated attendance of 10,000 or more people per day. These events have special traffic, parking and public safety planning needs. For a full list of events, visit VisitVirginiaBeach.com. (Note: Event details are subject to change.)

Below is a list of remaining events for the second half of the season.

Funk Fest Beach Party, Aug. 28-29

• Time: 6:30-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday
• Location: 32nd Street on the beach
• Traffic: No planned road closures. Heavy traffic expected between 25th-29th streets on Atlantic Avenue.
• Parking: 31st Street parking garage may be at capacity.

East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC), Aug. 28-30

• Time: 7:30a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday; 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday
• Location: 1st-10th streets on the beach and boardwalk
• Traffic: No planned road closures. Beach access for 2nd Street will be closed for event use. Heavy traffic expected between Rudee Loop and 5th Street on Atlantic Avenue.
• Parking: Options for parking include municipal parking lots, garages and on-street parking.

Super Girl Surf Festival, Sept. 5-7 (Labor Day Weekend) 

• Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday-Monday
• Location: 2nd-12th streets on the beach and boardwalk
• Traffic: No planned road closures (subject to change as planning continues). Heavy traffic expected between 5th-12th streets.
• Parking: Expect 9th Street parking garage to be at capacity.

Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend, Sept. 25-27 

• Time: noon to 11 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday
• Location: 1st-33rd streets on the boardwalk and beach
• Traffic: Road closures on Atlantic Avenue from 2nd-32nd streets on Sept. 26.
• Parking: Options for parking include municipal parking lots, garages and on-street parking. Expected to be at capacity.

Boardwalk Art Show, Oct. 9-11 

• Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday
• Location: 24th-37th streets on the boardwalk, 24th Street and 31st Street parks
• Traffic: No planned road closures.
• Parking: Options for parking include municipal parking lots, garages and on-street parking.

Wicked 10K, Oct. 31

• Time: 8-10:30 a.m.
• Location: Race will begin at 19th Street by the Virginia Beach Convention Center and end at 20th Street on the boardwalk.     
• Traffic: Road closures are expected. More details to follow.
• Parking: Expect 9th Street, 25th Street and 31st Street parking garages to be at capacity.

• Event Info