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August 22, 2025
Dear Valued Industry Partners:
As Hurricane Erin makes her way up the East Coast and out to sea, it was with the welfare and safety of our visitors and residents in mind that my team and I were in ongoing communications with our local, regional and state partners preparing for what was threatening to be a major weather event for us. Fortunately, the effects of Hurricane Erin continue to be a mixture of winds and some tidal flooding, causing some weekend event schedule adjustments, but overall, Virginia Beach weathered the storm with minimal impact and the weekend looks promising. We wish the best to our friends and colleagues in affected areas.
For the safety of all, venue changes are necessary for tonight’s Funk Fest shows. With large crowds expected this evening, two simultaneous shows will take place at 17th and 24th Street Parks, ensuring enough space is available for fans. Large screens will also be placed on the Boardwalk for overflow crowds to enjoy the show from the sand.
Tomorrow’s performances will take place as planned on the beach.
Here is the updated schedule:
Friday, August 22, 2025
24th St. Park
○ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – DJ Heart Attack
○ 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. – Shalamar
17th St. Park
○ 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – DJ 360
○ 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. – Chuck Brown Band
- No ticketed preferred viewing section; admission is free and open to the public
- Video screens will be placed along the Boardwalk, facing the beach, for overflow crowds
- Note: Anyone who purchased preferred viewing tickets will receive a partial refund at point of purchase. Tickets purchased online will be automatically refunded with no further action required.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
- All performances on the main stage on the sand at 30th Street
- Doors open at 3:30 PM | Show begins at 4:00 PM
4:00 p.m. – DJ Heart Attack
5:00 p.m. – Mass Production
6:30 p.m. – The Blackbyrds
8:00 p.m. – Angela Winbush
9:30 p.m. – Zapp
Entrances at 30th Street beach venue - The entrance for Preferred Viewing (ticketed) will be from the boardwalk at 29th Street.
The entrance for General Admission (free viewing) will be from the boardwalk at 28th Street.
The Box Office will be located on the boardwalk at 30th Street.
ADA Viewing - There will be ADA viewing from both the beach and the boardwalk at 30th Street.
Ticket Sales - Preferred Viewing tickets are sold out. The General Admission area is free and open to the public, and we invite guests without tickets to enjoy the show from that location.
All the details may be found at the link provided here.
We are pleased to share highlights from this week’s press hits:
- Virginia Beach was included in a roundup of top 10 Labor Day getaways in USA Today’s 10Best
- Garden & Gun published a piece titled, “Virginia’s False Cape is True Magic”
📣 Partner with Us on Social! We’re excited to share the latest efforts from the CVB Marketing Team across Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook. By following Visit Virginia Beach on these channels, you'll stay up to date on our newest content, campaign rollouts, and stories that showcase the spirit of our destination.
🤝 We’d love for you to engage with us, share posts that resonate with your audience, and help amplify Virginia Beach’s message. When sharing, be sure to tag @visitvabeach so we can highlight and celebrate you in return!
The M&C Sales Team continued their sales efforts by networking with their colleagues and the 1,200+ delegates from Liberty Tax who were in town this week and holding sessions in the Convention Center. The team was onsite with staff from the Destination Services team to welcome and host the attendees while they were here. Many delegates were delighted as they arrived at Norfolk International Airport to see “Welcome to Virginia Beach” messages throughout the terminal's signage and monitors.
On Wednesday morning, Mayor Dyer came out to kick off their morning opening session at the Center. He gave the attendees an energetic, warm welcome and thanked them for bringing their convention back to Virginia Beach. The delegates were in town through today and had a great time dining in our restaurants, staying in our lodging properties and conducting business with our retailers.
In sales travel news, Amy Overstreet was in DC for a CVB-sponsored educational session during PCMA’s August Spark series. The session was titled “The Cost of Choices: Budgeting Strategies for Seamless Events."
Yesterday, staff from the Convention Center supported a HR Chamber fundraiser to benefit the Navy Safe Harbor Wounded Warrior Foundation. As Liberty Tax ends their convention, the staff is preparing to host the Virginia Beach City Council for a retreat on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
After making some adjustments due to the weather conditions and in the interest of everyone’s safety, Virginia Beach Sports Tourism continues to spotlight one of the city’s most iconic traditions, the East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront which runs through Sunday, August 24th. Now in its 63rd year, ECSC is the longest-running surfing competition in the United States, drawing top professional and amateur surfers from around the globe. Throughout the week, athletes will take on the Atlantic’s summer waves while spectators line the boardwalk and beach to take in the action.
Beyond surfing, ECSC has become a true festival of coastal culture. The event features beach volleyball, skating exhibitions, beach soccer, and live music that keeps the Oceanfront buzzing well into the evening. Families and fans alike can enjoy a mix of world-class competition and community atmosphere, making ECSC both a celebration of sport and a showcase for Virginia Beach as a premier coastal destination.
As ECSC continues throughout the weekend, the city welcomes thousands of visitors who not only contribute to the energy along the Oceanfront but also to the local economy, filling hotels, restaurants, and shops. With its legacy, international draw, and beachside atmosphere, ECSC remains a cornerstone of Virginia Beach’s sports tourism calendar.
Sports Tourism Partnership Opportunity: Partners interested in showcasing their business at the Princess Anne Athletic Complex during the 2025 USA Ultimate Pro Championships August 30th - September 1st are invited to contact Jordan Frazier on the Sports Tourism Team at 757-385-6673 or jfrazier@visitvirginiabeach.com for more information.
Neptune Festival 10th Annual Craft Beer Festival - Tomorrow, Saturday, August 23rd, beginning at 3 pm, don't miss the 10th Annual Coastal Craft Beer Festival at the 31st Street Park. Each ticket includes a commemorative beer glass, unlimited tastings from a variety of more than 60 beers from 30 breweries and live music. Food will be available for purchase. Get all the details here.
Labor Day Weekend 2025 in Virginia Beach runs from Friday, August 29th to Sunday, August 31st and features the Labor Day Oceanfront Concert Series with free performances at the 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks. The scheduled performers lined up include those found at the link provided here.
You can also participate in the Chartway Virginia Beach 10 Miler and related activities over Labor Day weekend. The weekend offers a Kid’s 1 Miler, 5K, 10 Miler, and “Live the Life Challenge” along with a J&A Racing beach party featuring cold beer and live music. It’s more than a race, it’s a celebration. Find all the information you need right here.
Please note that over the holiday weekend during the race events, there will be temporary road closures affecting the Oceanfront and Resort Area roads as well as sections of General Booth Blvd. and S. Birdneck Rd. Businesses and residents will be affected by these road closures. Please take a moment to review the notices below and contact Special Events & Film Coordinator Kate Miller at 757-385-6640 (office) or: 757-987-1278 (cell) with any questions.
- Find the road closure notice for Saturday, August 30th, 2025 here
- Find the road closure notice for Sunday, August 31st, 2025 here
Marina District Businesses Open During Construction - The local businesses, restaurants, and attractions in the Marina District at the Oceanfront remain open and ready to serve everyone during City construction on Winston Salem Avenue. The project will improve pedestrian access and connectivity between Mediterranean Avenue, the Rudee Loop Walkway, and Pacific Avenue.
- For a complete list of businesses and more information on the project, click here.
- Those interested in getting email updates and news from the City on this project can sign up here.
- Support the Marina District during construction – download a flyer with the best routes to the Marina District or request printed copies by emailing WinstonSalem@vbgov.com.
Free Family Entertainment as Summer Fest Continues at Town Center Through Monday, September 1st - Catch free live entertainment from 5:00 - 9:00 pm or 5:30 - 8:30 pm on select summer nights in the Town Center Fountain Plaza as Summer Fest 2025 continues. Come listen to some of your favorite local artists while enjoying a cool beverage or a delicious meal at one of the many fine dining establishments surrounding the plaza. The scheduled lineup includes:
Fri. 8/22 | 5:00-9:00 pm Vince Kornegay Band
Sat. 8/23 | 5:00-9:00 pm Snackbar Jones
Sun. 8/24 | 5:30-8:30 pm Frank Sings Frank
Fri. 8/29 | 5:00-9:00 pm Aaron Firestone Band
Sat. 8/30 | 5:00-9:00 pm Vinyl Headlights
Sun. 8/31 | 5:30-8:30 pm Fond Memories
Mon. 9/1 | 5:00-9:00PM Kaboombox
Parking and WI-FI are always free in Town Center. Garage parking is recommended as on-street parking times have limitations. In inclement weather, all outdoor entertainment may be cancelled. Follow the CBDA Facebook page for updates here
From Summer Fest To Movies in the Plaza, Town Center Continues its Free Entertainment Each Saturday in September and October - Movies in the Plaza, a series of free outdoor movie screenings each Saturday night at sunset, begins Saturday, September 6th. The films will be presented on a large outdoor screen in the recessed area of the Town Center Fountain Plaza. Limited seating is available; first come first served! You are encouraged to bring your own chairs and blankets (if necessary) and prepare for an evening of family-friendly fun. Parking is always free at Town Center! There will also be free treats while they last! All movies start at sunset; the times below are approximate.
Here's the full movie lineup for each Saturday in September and October:
September 6 @ 7:30 PM – The Wild Robot
September 13 @ 7:00 PM – Despicable Me 4
September 20 @ 7:00 PM – A Minecraft Movie
September 27 @ 6:30 PM – Sonic the Hedgehog 3
October 4 @ 6:30 PM – If
October 11 @ 6:30 PM – Captain America: Brave New World
October 18 @ 6:00 PM – Finding Nemo
October 25 @ 6:00 PM – Wicked
Make dinner reservations before the show at one of our many dining establishments for a dinner and movie experience. For a complete list of Town Center restaurants, visit towncentervb.com. Viewer discretion advised, weather permitting. Visit www.cbda.net to learn more.
Partner Professional Development Opportunities - To support our strategic pillar of accountability to the industry, we are pleased to share information about upcoming opportunities for professional development:
2025 VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit Early Bird Pricing Available Through September 19 - Whether you’re with a restaurant or a lodging facility, a hospitality supplier or a DMO/CVB, VA1 is your chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the power of Virginia’s tourism economy. Register before 9/19/25 for early bird pricing for this year’s Summit and join more than 500 industry professionals for networking, education, and inspiration like nowhere else. Find all the details here.
Virginia Restaurant Lodging and Travel Association Hospitality Training (VRLTA) 2025 Regional Seminar Series Offers Professional Development Opportunities - VRLTA’s 2025 Regional Seminars aim to provide education and resources on critical industry topics, extending VRLTA’s outreach and enhancing their statewide presence through valuable, focused programming. The organization also regularly offers a variety of training and certification opportunities in the hospitality industry. These include online courses, career and technical education programs, and certification programs. Visit https://www.vrlta.org/hospitality-training/ for more information.
2025 Miles Partnership Professional Development Dates - For more information about the following opportunities and/or to register to participate, visit https://www.milespartnership.com/how-we-think:
- September 16 – Traveler Segments, Powered by the State of the American Traveler
- November 18 – Stewardship & Sustainability Insights, Powered by the State of the American Traveler
I encourage everyone to try to attend one of these insightful professional development opportunities if possible.
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Find the 2025 CVB Event Calendar here, the Virginia Beach Events entertainment schedule here, and a link to the many fun events at Town Center of Virginia Beach here.
My team and I are committed to you and our industry and are here to help in any way we can.
Sincerely,
Nancy Helman
CVB Director
nhelman@visitvirginiabeach.com
CVB Strategic Pillars:
Engagement|Growth|Brand Development|Culture|Accountability
Hotel Occupancy for July 2025 - Virginia Beach’s hotel occupancy rate for the month of July was up 0.4% from July of 2024, at 78.6.3% occupancy, but down -0.3% year to date. ADR was down -0.8% from July of 2024, at $232.26, but up 0.7% year to date. RevPAR was down -0.4% from July of 2024, at $182.55, but up 0.4% year to date.
Source: STR, LLC. Republication or other reuse of this data without the express written permission of STR, LLC is strictly prohibited.
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