Arts & Entertainment
Arts & Entertainment
The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, the region’s newest performing arts facility, hosts scores of world-renowned entertainers and provides a state-of-the-art home for the area’s finest performing arts organizations. With the farthest seat only 100 feet from the stage, seating in the 1,300-seat performance hall is both generous and intimate.
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is the only accredited museum in Virginia devoted exclusively to contemporary art. It fosters awareness, exploration and understanding of the significant art of our time. Through excellence and diversity in our exhibitions and educational programming, MOCA stimulates individual thinking and dialogue throughout the community.
Each year millions of visitors flock to Virginia Beach. They come to enjoy the City’s famous three-mile boardwalk (named one of the top ten boardwalks by National Geographic), 38 miles of beachfront, and many exciting year-round attractions.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center features several aquariums with a total of 800,000 gallons of water, live animal habitats and hands-on exhibits, nature trails and marshlands. Discover the amazing underwater world of the Aquarium as you experience an aquatic journey from the shore to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean and discover coastal habitats from around the world. Thousands of animals representing over 300 species, displayed in entertaining and educational exhibits, are ready to enchant and inspire you!
Virginia Beach Town Center
The Virginia Beach Town Center is the focal point of the City’s dynamic Central Business District. Covering 17 city blocks and offering more than 800,000 square feet of Class A office space and 832,500 square feet of commercial space, Town Center features an eclectic mix of shopping, dining, entertainment, and living options. Enjoy world-renowned performers at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, or free live entertainment and festivals in the plaza. Moreover, visitors can dine at a local eatery or a national restaurant, shop at popular brand retailers and upscale boutiques, or treat themselves to a night at the 4-star Westin Hotel.
Military Aviation Museum
The Military Aviation Museum is home to one of America’s largest historic military aircraft collections. These vintage WWI and WWII aircraft, including the P-51 Mustang, Warhawk, and Spitfire, have been restored to their original flying configuration. The aircraft is flown on local demonstration flights and at regional air shows. For more information on the Museum visit www.militaryaviationmuseum.org.
Historic Houses
Virginia Beach residents and visitors can visit a variety of historic attractions in the City, including the Adam Thoroughgood House, Francis Land House, the Cape Henry Lighthouses, and the site of the First Landing. In addition, the region provides a multitude of destinations including Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown, Yorktown, and many other exciting adventures.
Sandler Center for the Performing Arts
The main attraction for the Virginia Beach cultural arts scene is the world-class Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Dedicated in November of 2007, the Sandler Center performance hall is among the nation’s most acoustically sound arts venues. The Center hosts scores of world-renowned entertainers and provides a state-of-the-art home for the area's finest performing arts organizations. With the furthest seat only 100 feet from the stage, seating in the 1,300-seat performance hall is both generous and intimate.
Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
The Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach seats 20,000 and draws world-renowned entertainers, including Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, and Kid Rock. Whether you are in one of the 7,500 reserved seats under the pavilion roof or under the stars on the lawn, the amphitheater is a must-see attraction.
Virginia Beach Events
Each summer, Virginia Beach Events delights passersby on Atlantic Avenue and the neighboring Boardwalk. This nationally recognized entertainment program along Atlantic Avenue features free performances from musicians, puppets, magicians, and more!
The Economic Power of Special Events and Festivals
Festivals and other signature events are a boon for our economy generating nearly $138.6 million of economic activities in 2018 (the latest data available).
Something in the Water Festival
Pharrell’s vision only confirmed what so many already know about Virginia Beach: It is a first-class, destination for vacations, entertainment, business, and education, offering the perfect environment for work, play, and raising a family.
While the inaugural Something in the Water Festival was a success, there are other successful events that are worth mentioning:
Source: City of Virginia Beach, 2018