It’s Virginia Beach’s most famous party – The Neptune Festival’s Boardwalk Weekend!

This grand finale to the  Neptune Festival season includes something for everyone! Boardwalk Weekend’s signature event is the renowned Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship. Internationally known as the largest competition of its kind in the United States, this event has the richest prize purse in the country and draws professional sand artists from around the globe to cultivate their finest masterpieces. These showy sand masterpieces will be on display in the Neptune Sand Gallery, Neptune’s Land of Sand.

The weekend also includes a continual series of daily outdoor concerts along 35 blocks of the Boardwalk with a variety of live music.

Past performers included TR3 featuring Tim Reynolds, The Connells, Langhorne Slim & The Law, Eric Paslay and Steel Pulse. Additional weekend features include the Neptune Art and Craft Show with over 250 artisans showcasing their talent along the boardwalk; volleyball tournament; Atlantic Sailing Regatta; and an 8K run.

There is even a 26-yard Crab Crawl for kids up to 5. Additionally, the Grand Parade features more than 100 floats, military units, costumed characters and marching bands, including the award winning Booker T. Washington High School Marching Band, along the oceanfront.

Below is general information about Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend.

HOURS

Friday, September 24 - 12:00pm - 11:00pm

Saturday, September 25 - 10:00am - 11:00pm

Sunday, September 26 - 1o:00am - 6:00pm

Boardwalk Weekend Highlights

Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship

• Between 4th and 10th Streets on the beach under the big tent
  Entrance to Land of Sand on 7th Street.

Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship returns to the oceanfront as one of the world’s largest sand sculpting competitions.

The results of this spectacular competition will be on display under the big tent (Neptune’s Land of Sand) for 10 days. Admission to “Neptune’s Land of Sand” is $5.00 per adult with children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult. A discount “Buy 1-Get 1 Free” lunch coupon is included with purchase. NO ANIMALS allowed. “Neptune’s Land of Sand” is wheelchair accessible. Special sand “photo ops” available.

Neptune’s “Land of Sand” hours:

• Friday, 9/24: 9 am – 11 pm
• Saturday, 9/25: 9 am – 11 pm
• Sunday, 9/26: 9 am – 9 pm
• Monday – Sunday: 10/1 – 10/7: 10 am – 6 pm

Vote for your favorite solo and team sculpture in the People’s Choice Voting available at the event. Also, receive a discount lunch coupon with admission ticket. On Friday and Saturday of Boardwalk Weekend, don’t miss the excitement of speed sand sculpting with the “Quick Sand” as master sculptors square off in a game of speed against the clock.

Neptune Festival Art and Craft Show

• Friday: Noon – 7 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
  18th – 29th Streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

More than 250 exhibitors present original works of art in individual displays along the boardwalk. The artists exhibiting between 25th – 28th Streets have been selected as eligible for judging for awards. Free and open to the public.

Boardwalk Weekend Food & Exhibitors

• Friday: Noon – 11 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  Along the Boardwalk between 10th – 35th Streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

This year’s outdoor dining experience features all of your favorite festival fare – enjoy the view of the Atlantic Ocean along with fresh crab cakes, mouth watering barbecue, fresh cut French fries, savory chicken on a stick, hot funnel cakes and cool Italian ices to list just a few! You’ll find these delectable food offerings, great exhibitors and bountiful shopping all along the Boardwalk.

Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta

• Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

This recreational sailing event is presented in conjunction with the Broad Bay Sailing Association. Cruisers and catamarans will sail between Cape Henry and Rudee Inlet. Limited beach viewing.

Neptune Volleyball Tournament

• Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m.
  32nd– 36th Streets, Virginia Beach

2 v 2 and 4 v 4 play heats up the sand as men, women, and coed divisions compete for titles on the oceanfront. Numerous skill level classes are available for entry. Set and spike your weekend to a new level by getting your piece of the beach at Neptune's Volleyball Tournament. Games begin at 9:00am on both days.

Neptune Grand Parade

• Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
  16th – 32nd Streets, Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

One of the highlights of the weekend, The Neptune Festival Grand Parade includes over 100 parade units from floats to marching bands, larger than life balloons, costumed characters and more! Even King Neptune XLIV and his entire Royal Court join the fun!

Youth Art Show

• Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  27th – 28th Streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Open to all young artists in grades 9 – 12, this event gives them a chance to display and sell their creations in a juried venue. Prizes totaling $1,600 will be awarded in various categories, including Best in Show, Neptune Youth Artist, Photography, and Most Creative. The awards also include Visual Arts High School (HS) and Visual Arts Magnet (M) in the medium categories to encourage participation from high school visual arts programs.

LIVE MUSIC LINEUP:

Boardwalk Weekend fills 3 musical stages with great local and national talents. Stages are located at 17th, 24th, and 31st Streets on the Boardwalk.

Friday, September 24, 2021 

31st STREET STAGE

• TBD

24TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

17TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

Saturday, September 25, 2021 

31st STREET STAGE

• TBD

24TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

17TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

Sunday, September 26, 2021

31st STREET STAGE

• TBD

24TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

17TH STREET STAGE

• TBD