Virginia Beach Oceanfront: 9:30 p.m. Curfew Implemented for All Ages

In response to recent public safety concerns at the Oceanfront, the Virginia Beach City Council has voted to implement a temporary 9:30 p.m. curfew for all ages on Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, and Friday, April 24.

The decision was made during a Special Formal Session held 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, and the curfew goes into effect immediately. The curfew area extends from Pacific Avenue to the Atlantic Ocean and from Rudee Loop to 31st Street/Laskin Road.

This measure is designed to support law enforcement during high‑activity weekends and help maintain a safe, welcoming environment for residents, workers and visitors.

Exceptions 

All current exemptions continue to apply. Individuals may be in the curfew area after 9:30 p.m. if they are: 

• Traveling to/from home, a temporary residence or hotel, work, a place of worship or a ticketed event. 
• Medical personnel. 
• Members of the press. 
• Federal, state and local employees, and volunteers engaged in official business, including emergency response.
• Military personnel, including but not limited to National Guard troops. 
• Attending or traveling to/from public meetings of the local governing body. 
• Seeking emergency services, fleeing danger or assisting others in an emergency.
• Incapacitated or seeking medical care for themselves or others.

Nine Scenarios for the Curfew

If it’s after 9:30 p.m., can I walk to get ice cream with my children? 
No, walking to get ice cream with your children after 9:30 p.m. is not allowed, because it counts as a recreational activity, and the curfew applies to everyone unless they fall under one of the listed exemptions. 

If I’m staying at an Oceanfront hotel, can I walk back to my room after 9:30 p.m.? 
Yes, you can walk back to your hotel room after 9:30 p.m. 

If it’s after 9:30 p.m., can I stay at the Oceanfront Concert Series? 
Yes, you can stay at the Oceanfront Concert Series after 9:30 p.m. if it is a ticketed event or an officially scheduled/approved event. 

If it’s after 9:30 p.m., can I leave dinner at the Oceanfront and go to another establishment? 
No, you cannot go from one establishment to another after 9:30 p.m. unless the second location qualifies under an exemption. 

If I work at a restaurant on Atlantic Avenue and my shift ends at 10 p.m., can I walk to my car? 
Yes, if your restaurant shift on Atlantic Avenue ends at 10 p.m., you are exempt from the curfew while traveling to or from work 

If I’m a Virginia Beach resident who wants to take a nighttime walk on the Boardwalk after 9:30 p.m., is that allowed? 
No. Recreational activity alone is not an exemption.  

If I’m leaving a wedding reception at a hotel ballroom after 9:30 p.m., can I walk to another venue? 
No. You may travel to your hotel room or vehicle, but moving between establishments for leisure is not exempt. 

If I’m visiting a friend who lives in the curfew zone, can I walk to their residence after 9:30 p.m.? 
Yes. Traveling to or from a residence you own or a temporary one is an exemption 

If I’m attending a late-night church service at the Oceanfront, can I walk there after 9:30 p.m.? 
Yes. Places of worship are explicitly listed as exemptions. 

Curfew for Unaccompanied Minors

As a reminder, the 7 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors is still in effect at the Oceanfront. It will be enforced from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. every weekend, Friday to Sunday, until the end of April. The geographical area of this curfew is the same as the 9:30 p.m. curfew for all ages.

For all other areas outside of the Oceanfront's imminent threat zone, a 10 p.m. curfew is in effect for unaccompanied minors as of March 19. There are exceptions to both curfews.

For full details and additional information, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/CurfewChange.

• Curfew Changes