Home Holiday light display returns to Virginia Beach boardwalk beginning Nov. 16
Local, Region/State

Holiday light display returns to Virginia Beach boardwalk beginning Nov. 16

Virginia Beach boardwalk holiday lights
Image courtesy Virginia Beach events

The magic of Holiday Lights at the Beach returns to the Virginia Beach Boardwalk with several new light displays including a 600-foot LED tunnel.

The official opening will be on Nov. 17 and run through Dec. 31 starting nightly at 5:30 p.m.

Cyclists of all ages are invited to get a first look at Virginia Beach’s light show during Holiday Bike Night on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 5 – 7 p.m. Participants will enter the show at 9th Street, peddle north through the lights, turn around and return on the bike path. Cyclists will get a final opportunity to enjoy the lights on Jan. 1 from 5 – 7 p.m. during the free Bike Night finale.

Starting Friday, Nov. 17, attendees will enjoy an enchanting drive on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk through holiday, nautical and adventure-themed light displays while listening to a soundtrack of traditional holiday music.

Jumping fish, musical crabs and jolly elves dance in lights against the backdrop of the moonlit Atlantic Ocean. Highlighted by a Surfing Santa, color-changing archways, light fixtures that pay tribute to the region’s Armed Forces community, and a 40-foot dancing-light Christmas tree, the Holiday Lights at the Beach offers fun for the entire family.

More than 25 individual large displays are new this year, including one exceptionally noteworthy display that is being built from a drawing by a Virginia Beach elementary school student. The drawing was chosen from more than 50 submissions following a contest open to all participating Virginia Beach schools last spring. The display is being produced by local executive and artist Andy Vakos.

This year’s event will utilize timed entry to minimize wait times. Admission is $25 per vehicle Monday-Thursday and $30 per vehicle Friday-Sunday. Limousines are $75; buses range from $40-$60; and on Mondays, members of the military receive a $5 discount.

The event features two premier sponsors: BayPort Credit Union and Food Lion.

Guests must purchase tickets in advance for a specific day and time, available at https://beacheventsvb.com.

Multimedia

 




Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, Crystal Graham has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]

Latest News

uva volleyball
UVA Olympic Sports

Volleyball: Virginia drops 2026 season opener to American in four sets

thornrose cemetery staunton stock
Arts & Culture

Staunton: Learn more about the ‘dark side’ of Thornrose Cemetery in October series

Pumpkin spice latte has been available for a couple of weeks now, so it’s the proper time to be thinking of Halloween, which will be the focal point for a new program from the Augusta County Historical Society.

closeup of microphone on stage
Arts & Culture

‘SNL’-themed ‘Please Don’t Destroy: Live’ coming to The Paramount

“Please Don’t Destroy: Live,” featuring “Saturday Night Live” alums Martin Herlihy and John Higgins, and current “SNL” cast member Ben Marshall, is coming to The Paramount in Charlottesville on Friday, Nov. 20.

theater
Arts & Culture

250 and counting: Waynesboro Players set to stage award-winning musical ‘1776’

uva football entrance
UVA Football

UVA Football: Deep statistical dive into the Week 0 win over NC State

acc football
Football

What do we know about ACC Football after Week 0? Still not much

aew logo
Pro Wrestling

AEW crowns new world champs at star-studded ‘All In’ PPV in London