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 30 – 12:00pm – 11:00pm

Saturday, October 1 – 10:00am – 11:00pm

Sunday, October 1 – 1o:00am – 6:00pm

Boardwalk Weekend Highlights

Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship

• Between 6th and 8th 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 KINGDOM: LAND OF SAND

A huge tent, almost as large as a football field, will house 18 sculptures created by 10 solo and 8 doubles teams! Sculptors will compete for the largest prize purse awarded in the country.

• Viewing time of 10 days
• Walkways and viewing areas providing an intimate view of the process and artwork
• Lighting for viewing into the evening hours
• Protection from wind and rain, providing an entertainment option no matter the weather!
• Unique photo opportunities
• Live “QuickSand” competitions (These sculptors are quick on their feet!)
• Meet and Greet opportunities with the extremely talented pool of sculptors!

Neptune Festival Art and Craft Show

• Friday, September 30
  12 noon – 7 pm
• Saturday, October 1
  10 am – 7 pm
• Sunday, October 2
  10 am – 6 pm
• 20th – 31st Street
  Virginia Beach Boardwalk

The Neptune Festival Art & Craft Show has been recognized by Sunshine Artist Magazine in the Top 5 of 200 Fine Art & Design Shows in the country for 3 years, and in the Top 200 Fine Art & Design Shows for 8 years! The show features over 250 artisans displaying handmade work from paintings and sculptures, to photography and glass-work. Mosey your way through the tents and displays and find a piece of the show to bring home with you!

ARTWORK ELIGIBILITY:

This juried art show requires pre-registration to participate, but viewing is free and open to the public.

Artists and craftsmen of original work in all media are eligible for the show, with acceptance based on a jury process. This show does not include a section for commercial or imported products. In all cases, the spirit of our guidelines intends that the work depend heavily on the “handmade” aspect of art and craft. We do not allow buy/sell and we reserve the right to remove work from the show that violates our policies and guidelines.

We will devote an area of the boardwalk to selected exhibitors who display work with the highest degree of originality, handcrafting and excellence. It will be only these exhibitors who are eligible for the cash awards. The decision of the show committee is final.

Neptune’s Atlantic Regatta

• October 1, 2022  8:00 am – 3:00 pm
  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

• Oct 1 – 2, 2022 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  32nd – 36th Streets, Virginia Beach Oceanfront

2 v 2 and 4 v 4 play heats up the sand as men, women, youth, 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, October 1, 2022  11:30 am – 1:00 pm
  16th – 32nd Streets on Atlantic Avenue

Streets lined with people, colorful floats in all shapes and sizes, larger-than-life balloons, marching bands… all of which is just a small snapshot of Neptune’s Grand Parade on Saturday. Find yourself the best spot on the block as you enjoy the music and sights of our many parade units. Be sure to keep an eye out for King Neptune and his court! With a 16 block parade route, a bad spot is hard to find.

Make sure you get there early for front row seating, as many of the floats will have beads and other fun giveaways for the crowd. Come cheer your favorites as all roll down Atlantic Avenue starting on 16th Street at 11:30 AM. As a highlight of Neptune Festival, this free event is a must for all, young and old alike. So take a seat on the curb and watch the entertainment roll by.

Youth Art Show

• Sunday, October 2, 2022  10:00 am – 5:00 pm
  27th – 28th Streets Virginia Beach Oceanfront

There is beauty in youth some say, especially when they are as talented as those chosen to participate in Neptune’s Youth Art Show. On display will be the finest youth art Hampton Roads has to offer. Come enjoy this perspective as you peruse their gallery on 27th-28th Streets.

Open to all young artists, grades 7 – 12, this event gives them the chance to display and sell their creations in a juried venue. Over 30 awards worth more than $1,000 will be presented to students representing all grade levels. The Best-in-Show Award winner will walk away with a $250 cast award, Neptune Festival Plaque and Ribbon!

Neptune’s Healthy Haven

• Saturday, Oct 1, 2022 10:00am-4:00pm
• Sunday, Oct 2, 2022 10:00am-4:00pm

  On the Beach at 33rd Street Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Find your healthy haven at the Neptune Festival! Take part in a free Fitness Class, browse the Wellness Marketplace, or grab a bite to eat from a local, health-conscious food vendor. All of this and more is located north of the Neptune Statue on the beach at 33rd Street!

NEPTUNE’S BEACH YOGA + FITNESS EXPERIENCE
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1-2 | 10:00am-4:00pm
On the Beach at 33rd Street
Pre-registration is not necessary, just show up and join the fun!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
Schedule TBD

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
Schedule TBD

Poseidon’s Playground : Family Fun Zone

• Friday, Sept 30, 2022 5:00pm-9:30pm
• Saturday, Oct 1, 2022 11:00am-9:30pm
• Sunday, Oct 2, 2022 10:00am-4:00pm

  17th Street Park Virginia Beach Oceanfront

Test your skills with cornhole, giant jenga, connect four, chess, and checkers…or try your hand at a Scavenger Hunt and Virginia Beach Trivia for the chance to win prizes!

Dance it out to our house DJ or put on headphones for a silent disco. Face Painters, Stilt Walkers, Magicians, and Balloon Artists will be in the park all weekend long!

Join a Paint Party with The Mermaid Factory!

Saturday, October 1:
12pm, 2pm, and 4pm

Sunday, October 2:
10am, 12pm, and 2pm

Decorate your choice of ocean themed wooden ornaments with safe and easy to use acrylic paint, glitter, and embellishments that allow you to take home your masterpiece the same day.

Once the sun goes down, the silent disco is open and a movie begins!

Grab movie snacks from food vendors on the Boardwalk, and settle in for movie night in 17th Street Park. MOVIE BEGINS AT 7:30PM

Friday, September 30th:
Sing 2

Saturday, October 1st:
Encanto

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 30, 2022 

31st STREET STAGE

• TBD

24TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

17TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

Saturday, October 1, 2022 

31st STREET STAGE

• TBD

24TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

17TH STREET STAGE

• FAMILY FUN ZONE

Sunday, October 26, 2022

31st STREET STAGE

• TBD

24TH STREET STAGE

• TBD

17TH STREET STAGE

• FAMILY FUN ZONE

Restrooms are located along the boardwalk and the 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks.

Beverage Tents are located in 24th and 31st Street Parks. Please have a valid photo ID. You must be 21 years or older to purchase and consume alcohol.

Festival Information and Brochures can be found at kiosks on 17th and 24th Streets on the Boardwalk.

Commemorative Posters will be for sale at 24th Street. Posters and a limited number of autographed posters are available for purchase on the boardwalk.

Commemorative T-shirts are available for purchase along the Boardwalk at 16th, 24th and 31st Streets.