At Boardwalk Astronomy astronomers bring night skies closer to visitors and residents of Virginia Beach along the boardwalk this summer!

Participants are offered telescopic views of the heavens which include visible planets, craters on the moon, passing satellites and space stations, and many interesting stars. Telescopes of various designs are available to look through, including some that are specifically designed to safely observe features on the sun. Learn to identify constellations you knew were up there, but always wondered where. Learn about the very latest discoveries from a host of spacecraft and satellites as well as the Hubble Space telescope with the ViewSpace presentation that will be on display.

The viewing location is the 24th Street Park/Boardwalk.

Times are 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm.

This event is free to the public!

The Crab is King at this one-of-a-kind event that’s fun for the whole family! Along with the Crustacean 500 race, participants may enter the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant.  At the pageant, hermit crabs are presented in uniquely-decorated displays and judged on beauty and creativity.  Hermit crab owners are encouraged to build a unique display for their crab.  Past winners have included themed entries like “Spider Crab,” “Hermit the Hulk,” “Beauty and the Crab,” and “Pirates of the Crabibbean!”  Aside from 1st, 2nd, And 3rd Place winners, special trophies are also awarded for the Friendliest Crab, Biggest Crab, Shyest Crab, Most Unique Crab Display, Prettiest Crab Shell, Most Athletic Crab, and Most Traveled Crab. Approximately 300 hermit crabs participate in the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge each year.  Many of these come from out of state just to be with us!  ALL participants receive a medal for being a part of this unique event.  There are no fees for entering the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge; the event is free for both participants and spectators.

Stroll Old Towne’s streets and you’ll note that while the city still exudes old world charm, a new energy is invigorating the area, due to new stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues popping up on every corner.  Children’s Museum of Virginia, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, and other attractions call Old Towne Portsmouth, VA home!

Van leaves your resort at 9:00 am.

***This van trip is Complimentary for all Owner’s and Guests.  Admission to attractions not included.  All Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Minimum of 4 required for trip.

Guests sample She Crab Soup from competing restaurants.  Based on tastings, there are two categories for best recipe winners, with three places in each.  One category is decided by a panel of Hampton Roads food critics and the other – “The Peoples’ Choice” – by the general public.  The event is open to up to 20 restaurants.  Each paying guest receives a sheet that is stamped at each restaurant’s station, allowing everyone to sample each offering. Winners are announced at the end of the event.  Plaques for all winners are awarded to be displayed in restaurants, where chefs enjoy “bragging rights” for a full year.

Kite fliers and spectators of all ages experience a visual feast at the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival.  This popular event features a variety of activities appropriate for all ages and all levels of kite aficionados. Everyone is invited to take part in the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival’s “Best Kite Contest.”  To enter this contest, participants must build a kite and bring it to the festival.  The contest consists of two parts: the actual kite itself and how well it is made, and the participant’s ability to fly the kite.  Participants must be able to fly their kites consecutively in the air for 5 minutes at a height of 100 feet.  Kites are judged on Flight (ability to fly for 5 minutes), Structural Design, Craftsmanship, and Visual Appeal.  There are three competitive divisions: Master, Novice, and Youth (ages 7-14).  Kites are photographed and entered in the “People’s Choice” contest, where festival attendees get to vote on their favorite kites!  The Best Kite Contest is free to enter.  In addition, everyone is invited to participate in kite building workshops led by Archie Stewart of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.  American Kite Association members from throughout the East Coast present kite demonstrations, perform kite routines to music, and fly giant kites (up to 80 feet long) that include an octopus kite!  Kite vendors are also available on site, selling various kinds of kites.  Admission to the kite festival is free.

Urban contemporary gospel music takes center stage at GospelFest Virginia Beach, held at the 24^th Street Park.  This event features an electrifying two days filled with the inspiring sounds of Southern gospel, gospel hip hop, and praise music.  Local and regional gospel dance groups, quartets, powerful vocalists, and gospel music choirs celebrate a genre of music that needs to be seen AND heard.

Officially ushering in the holiday season at the resort, this parade affords local businesses, schools, and organizations the opportunity to support the community and celebrate the season with thousands of parade-goers.  Marching bands, lighted floats, equestrian units, fire trucks, performing dance groups, motorcycles, and more join forces to present a dazzling and entertaining night of fun for all ages!  And best of all, Santa himself makes a grand appearance to greet all his loyal fans as the evening winds down and many families take the opportunity to also visit the amazing Holiday Lights at the Beach!

Festive fish, jumping dolphins, frolicking porpoises – all in bright, colored lights against the clear night-time sky, are the stars of McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, a nautical and holiday-themed light display at the Virginia Beach oceanfront!  They are joined by Santa, elves, and a 40-foot tall Christmas tree erected on the beach and in the beautiful parks along the Virginia Beach boardwalk.

It’s the only time of the year that cars get to drive right on the boardwalk – for over 30 blocks!  30,000 vehicles a year make the trek through this holiday wonderland.  This “Fanta-Sea” of lights is sure to dazzle and amaze holiday travelers visiting Virginia Beach.  Hotels create special packages that include free tickets to the light show.  New displays are added each year so it’s never the same show twice!

One of the highlights is the giant “12 Days of Christmas” display, where some fixtures stand 20 and 30 feet high!  A free CD of holiday music is provided to each vehicle entering McDonald’s Holiday Lights at the Beach, making it easy to see AND hear why this event has been named one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Top 20 November Events!”