- Scott Westfall
50+ Must-Do Fall 2023 Activities in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is full of autumn activities, fall festivals, and seasonal things to do today, this weekend, or throughout this fall. Autumn is a great time to visit Virginia Beach because there are so many phenomenal events to attend along with the beautiful weather!
There are lots of reasons we love Virginia Beach and the greater Hampton Roads. Get ready to have tons of fun on your own or with the whole family with these best things to do around Virginia Beach over the next few months.
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Virginia Beach Fall Festivals
Virginia Beach Fall Wine Festival (September 16-17, 2023) Stroll the Oceanfront – commemorative wine glass in hand – to sip and savor tastes of the best wines made around Virginia. Food and entertainment will also enhance your experience!
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival (September 29 - October 1, 2023) It’s almost Boardwalk Weekend! From rockin’ concerts, to magnificent sand sculptures, to an artisan arts and crafts fair, to the Neptune 8k race, there’s something for everyone!
Virginia Beach Seafood Festival (October 21, 2023) Head over to the State Military Reservation to get a taste of what Virginia Beach is best known for - incredible seafood! Sample culinary creations from more than 20 Hampton Roads restaurants and food trucks, to your tastebuds’ delight.
Hunt Club Farm’s Harvest Fair (September 30 - October 31, 2023) Take part in a family favorite with the Harvest Fair at Hunt Club Farm! Your kids will love the hayrides, carnival rides, petting farm, and TreeWalk Adventure. Don’t forget to stop by the farm market!
Proteus Festival (September 28 - October 7, 2023) Zeiders American Dream Theater hosts a performing arts festival that has a bit of everything! From theater to comedy to music, performances are complemented with interactive art projects and kid’s entertainment in Town Center.
“For the Culture” African American Fall Festival (October 14, 2023) Celebrate Virginia’s African American history, culture, and community at the “For the Culture” festival! Enjoy live music, food, art, vendors, and games at the Virginia African American Cultural Center.
Jeepfest 2023 (November 10-12, 2023) Jeep enthusiasts unite at the first-ever Jeepfest Virginia Beach! Soak in the sunrise with an early morning beach cruise and try out the sand obstacle course. There will be plenty of Jeep vendors and owners to bond with!
Annual Virginia Beach Christmas Market (November 24-26, 2023) Visit the Virginia Beach Convention Center for another fantastic Christmas Market! Get pictures with Santa and finish your holiday shopping early while you anticipate winter vacations.
Spooky Things to Do in Virginia Beach Around Halloween
Haunted Hunt Club Farm (September 29 - October 31, 2023) Want some real haunted thrills? Visit Hunt Club Farm after dark for Haunted Hayrides, a trek through the Forbidden Fields, and a stumble down Death Alley.
Neptune Ghost Tours The chilling stories of Virginia Beach hauntings include tales of wild witches, ruthless pirates, and sirens out for blood. Learn why this city is considered one of the most haunted places on the East Coast with a US Ghost Adventures walking tour.
Creepy Car Show at Landstown Commons (October 28, 2023) Join the CCCHR for a classic car trunk-or-treat at the Landstown Commons Shopping Center. Deck out your car to win spooky rewards and enjoy auctions and raffles in costume.
You Sleuth Augmented Reality Crime Solving Unleash your inner detective with You Sleuth’s augmented reality mystery-solving game! It’s like a mix between Clue and Pokemon Go!, where you and your smartphone are on the case.
Nightmare Mansion and Escape Room Nightmare Mansion has been eliciting screams at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for over 30 years. Journey through their haunted house or book a creepy escape room experience for you and your friends!
Halloween Bar Crawl and Party (October 27-28, 2023) Thrill-seekers will gather two nights in a row for much more than your average bar crawl. Be prepared special games, dancing, and haunting atmosphere while monsters lurk nearby to give you an extra thrill.
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens (September 8 - October 31, 2023) Ok, this one’s a little bit of a drive from VB, but it’s an autumn classic in Hampton Roads. This year at Howl-O-Scream, get thrilled by the all-new DarKoaster ride and re-imagined haunted houses and sinister shows.
Ferry Plantation House Tours Experience both history and the paranormal with a tour of the centuries-old Ferry Plantation House, featuring tales of Virginia Beach’s very own “Witch of Pungo,” Grace Sherwood.
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Be a part of the intrigue with America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theater, The Dinner Detective! Enjoy a delicious meal while helping to unravel the mystery.
Haunting at Greenbrier Farms (September 22 - October 29, 2023) Get another spine-chilling farm haunting experience with Historic Greenbrier Farms’ mile-long haunted trail for the Halloween season! They plan to run Thursday-Sunday from 7pm-10pm.
Things to Do with Your Kids This Fall
Pumpkin Picking From late September through Halloween, head over to Cullipher Farm to pick your very own pumpkin to make a jack-o-lantern that will get your home in the seasonal spirit.
Touch-A-Truck at the Neptune Festival (September 30, 2023) As part of Virginia Beach’s annual Boardwalk Weekend, kids and adults alike can find all types of trucks, construction vehicles, and farm tractors down at the Oceanfront. Come touch and explore!
Neptune Festival Grand Parade (September 30, 2023) While you’re down at the boardwalk, take in the annual Neptune Festival Grand Parade from 11:30am - 1pm! Huge balloons, floats, and marching bands will entertain (and toss some giveaways) as they parade down 16 blocks.
Sensory Play Wednesdays at Surge Adventure Park This popular Virginia Beach indoor trampoline park sets aside the first Sunday of each month from 10am-12pm for special jump sessions for kids with special needs. All the fun without the flashing lights and loud music.
Poseidon’s Playground (September 29 - October 1, 2023) Enjoy this family fun zone as part of the Neptune Festival’s Boardwalk Weekend, complete with yard games, scavenger hunts, and Virginia Beach trivia! Then pop over to check out the super sand sculptures in progress on the beach.
ViBe District Art Scavenger Hunt Enjoy the fall weather by touring the art of the ViBe district via a curated scavenger hunt. This printable walkthrough tells you where to walk to see some of the local sculptures, paintings, and history.
Tinkergarten at First Landing State Park (October 2 - November 13, 2023) Join the Virginia Beach Nature Bus for six sessions of intentionally designed outdoor play for families with young children! Education experts designed play-based curriculum at this beautiful state park.
DIY Puzzling Adventures Gamify your walk along the boardwalk by taking part in Puzzling Adventures™! Your mobile device will tell you where to go to complete trivia and puzzles while enjoying the beautiful scenery at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Laser Tag and Arcade Games at Flipper McCoys Perfect for a rainy day, a trip to Flipper McCoys Family Entertainment Center is a guaranteed good time. Book a round of laser tag or enjoy retro arcade games, skeeball, pool, and more.
Fall Activities with Flavor in Virginia Beach
Chesapeake Bay Pedal Club Enjoy the fall air on a cycleboat pub, an innovative way to work off the calories as you drink them! Take in the beauty of the Rudee Inlet on this unique and laughter-filled booze cruise.
BBQ Lunch at A Taste of Texas There’s nothing that pairs with a crisp autumn day like delicious BBQ. This veteran-owned joint smokes their meat all day for a flavor that can’t be beat in Virginia Beach!
Beachside Social Food & Fun Can’t decide what to do tonight, but know you want to have some laughs together? Head over to Beachside Social for an excellent menu, bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, and even a board game!
Brunch at a Local Favorite Indulge in a favorite Virginia Beach weekend activity with brunch at one of the many delectable restaurants around the city. A few local favorites for brunch include Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, Rockefeller’s, or Waterman’s Surfside Grille.
Virginia Bourbon Invitational (November 4, 2023) Bourbon lovers will love spending the afternoon on the sweeping lawn of the Historic Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach, indulging in live music, tapas, and (of course) delicious bourbon tastings.
Spookcuterie Halloween Workshop (October 18, 2023) Take your fall party to the next level by learning to make a beautiful and spooky charcuterie board! Participants will create their own array to take home – and there will be wine bottle and drink specials, too!
Things to Do Outdoors This Autumn
Corn Maze at Bergey’s Barnyard Get lost in this classic fall activity - a corn maze! Bergey’s Barnyard is in nearby Chesapeake and also features a petting zoo and corn gun. They add this year’s corn maze details to their website in September!
Tidewater Arboretum Celebrate the changing of the seasons with a tree bark rubbing at the Tidewater Arboretum. This 5-acre plant oasis has 12 theme gardens and a variety of flora.
Landstown Commons Cruise-In (October 7-28, 2023) Every Saturday night in October, head over to Landstown Commons Shopping Center for a classic cruise-in. It’s a great way to see beautiful vehicles and give back, as all the proceeds go to charity.
Neptune’s Youth Art Show (October 1, 2023) As part of Boardwalk Weekend, enjoy a display of art created by 4th-12th graders from around Hamptons Roads. Many awards will be presented and pieces will be for sale throughout the show.
Professional Fall Photo Shoot Hampton Roads is known to be a hub for creatives, so there are lots of incredibly talented photographers ready to capture your autumnal spirit in a mini-session or full photo shoot!
Trunk or Treat with the VBPD Mounted Patrol (October 28, 2023) Unless you have equinophobia, this event should be a little less spooky and more kid-friendly. Join our first responders and their horses for a special trunk-or-treat event!
The Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise Take in the beauty of neighboring Norfolk at night with a dinner cruise on the Elizabeth River. The Spirit of Norfolk will host your evening with dining, dancing, and games as you sail by some of the impressive battleships and cargo ships that frequent the harbor.
Reels and Wheels Movie Night (October 28, 2023) Enjoy a drive-in movie at Landstown Commons Shopping Center. Sit in your car or by the screen and enjoy snacks from Hepcat Honeys and Mooyah!
Wicked 10k (or less!) (October 27-28, 2023) Choose your distance and take part in a costumed run by the ocean. From the Kids 1k to the Monster Mile to the special challenge series, there’s something for every runner!
Virginia Beach Fall Concerts and Onstage Productions
Totally 80s Concert with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra (October 5-6, 2023) Get your fix of Phil Collins, George Michael, Cher, and more as the VSO helps you relive one of the best decades of music!
Disney’s The Little Mermaid by Virginia Musical Theatre (October 6-8, 2023) Get tickets to this children’s classic at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Town Center. Allow the magic, mermaids, and Alan Menken’s classic music enchant your heart.
Holiday Spooktacular Heroes and Villains (October 29, 2023) Wear your costume to this family-friendly musical event with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, featuring music from favorite films that feature heroes and villains.
Pat McGann presents Comedy Night Benefit (November 10, 2023) Laugh your head off at this annual fundraiser for People in Need to provide services for those experiencing homelessness in Virginia Beach. Comedian Pat McGann’s performance promises a hilarious evening!
The Screwtape Letters (November 12, 2023) A “senior temptor from Hell” invites you to see an adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters made for the stage at the Sandler Center. This fast-paced play is considered a satiric masterpiece on spiritual warfare.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (November 17 - December 10, 2023) Load up on music and laughs in this Freedman and Lutvak hit musical being performed at the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach.
The Rich Guzzi Comedy Hypnosis Experience (November 22, 2023) Witness audience members volunteer to get hypnotized and do some outrageous stuff! This show is for patrons 21+ at the Funny Bone in Town Center
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (November 26. 2023) The puppets, acrobats, and costumes in this captivating rendition of the holiday classic will capture your heart and enthrall you as stars from the Ukraine Ballet take the stage at the Sandler Center.
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