US Ongoing

52nd Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend

Name: 52nd Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
Start: 2026-09-25
End: 2026-09-27
Location: Virginia Beach

The 52nd Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend is a major community celebration held from September 25 to 27, 2026, in Virginia Beach. Traditionally spanning the oceanfront from 1st to 35th Streets, the festival features the International Sandsculpting Championship, an extensive art and craft show, and live musical performances. Due to high winds during the 2026 event, several activities were relocated to the Virginia Beach Convention Center or canceled.

Date: Sep 25-27, 2026
Location: Virginia Beach
Status: Ongoing

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52nd Annual Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend

Event summary

Highlights

International Sandsculpting Championship
Art & Craft Show
Neptune’s 8K Race
Grand Parade

Established in 1974, the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend is a hallmark tradition for Virginia Beach, typically featuring a wide array of coastal activities. The event's centerpiece is the International Sandsculpting Championship, where artists compete under a massive tent. Other regular features include a grand parade, a surfing classic, an Atlantic regatta, and a 25-block-long art and craft show. Each year, a local artist is selected to design a commemorative poster, reflecting the coastal heritage of the region.

For the 2026 iteration, inclement weather and high winds necessitated significant logistical adjustments. The Art & Craft Show, Youth Art Show, and Poseidon’s Playground were moved from the boardwalk to the Virginia Beach Convention Center. While the Neptune’s 8K Race and specific concerts at 24th and 31st Street parks proceeded, several outdoor events including the Grand Parade, Surfing Classic, and various sports tournaments were canceled.

Despite the weekend schedule changes, the Sandsculpting Championship tent remains a focal point of the festival, opening to the public on the Saturday of the event weekend and continuing its exhibition through October 4.

Practical details

Location described by the source: 1st- 35th Streets at the Oceanfront; www.pilotonline.com
Area for browsing nearby events: Virginia Beach

Before attending

Check the sources below for current opening times, admission prices and registration requirements. A date range does not mean the event runs continuously or that admission is free.