New Parks After Dark Program Launching in Virginia Beach for the Summer

​Parks After Dark, a new free event series from Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation is coming to Williams Farm Park this summer.

The summer of fun will begin on June 8 and run to Aug. 26, with events held from 6-11 p.m. on most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Visitors will enjoy live music from a variety of performers each week, watch movies under the stars, play games like lawn darts, dodgeball and cornhole, take part in video game tournaments, meet their neighbors and local community organizations and try food from a range of local food trucks.

Parks After Dark was created to help establish a safe space for fun and family-friendly activities during evening hours when there are often fewer activities available for teens. The park program will bring together a wide range of community groups and resources for attendees, including the Mayor's Youth Violence Prevention Task Force, local neighborhoods and civic leagues, Virginia Beach Public Library, Western Bayside Community United, Virginia Beach Police Department and Virginia Beach City Public Schools.

"Parks After Dark hits three things that every parent looks for in a summer activity—it's free, fun and out of the house!" said Michael Kirschman, director of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation. "This is a program created for the local community, by the local community, too. Around three quarters of the program team live in the area, and we have a fantastic team of young adults from our Summer Youth Employment Program who have been guiding every element of this event series."

Recreation center membership is not required to take part in Parks After Dark. Visitors will check-in at the Guest Services tent to receive a hand stamp and food truck ticket (while supplies last). For full details of activities and vendors taking part each week, visit virginiabeach.gov/ParksAfterDark

Additional details

Week 1: June 8-10 – Carnival theme (Live music from Mosaic Steel Drum Orchestra on June 8.)

Week 2: June 15-17 – Family Fun theme

Week 3: No events June 22-24

Week 4: No events June 29-30 & July 1

Week 5: July 6-8 – Superhero theme

Week 6: July 13-15 – Neighbors & Locals theme

Week 7: July 20-22 – Game Day theme

Week 8: July 27-29 – Around the World in Three Days

Week 9: Aug. 3-5 – Glow in the Dark

Week 10: Aug. 10-12 – Rock the Night Away

Week 11: Aug. 17-19 – Tech and Comics theme

Week 12: Aug. 24-26 – Back to the Future theme

Additional Information

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation manages nearly 300 parks across the city, and the majority are open dawn to dusk.