The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival is a celebration of Virginia Beach’s sea faring heritage and the grand finale of summer. With an annual budget of $2 million, the Neptune Festival is Virginia Beach’s community celebration, occurring every September for the past 34 years. Heralded as the largest and oldest event in Virginia Beach, and one of the largest events in the state, it had been recognized as one of the top 100 festivals in the nation and one of the top ten on the East Coast. Presided over by King Neptune and his royal court, the Neptune Festival includes days and nights filled with festivities, food, and fun.

In Virginia Beach, September belongs to the Neptune Festival. Highlights during the month include King Neptune’s Grand Ball, the Neptune Wine Tasting Festival, and the Sandman Triathlon. The Festival culminates with the excitement of Boardwalk Weekend featuring The North American Sand Sculpting Championship, the Art & Crafts Show, Neptune’s Grand Parade, sporting events, music, fireworks and, of course, food.

Pre-Festival events are held at various locations throughout the city of Virginia Beach, with Boardwalk Weekend taking place along 30 blocks at the oceanfront.

Every year the Neptune Festival draws hundreds of thousands of attendees and participants. Average estimated attendance over the past 3 year for festival events is over 500,000.

The Neptune Festival is a private non-profit 501-C-3 organization consisting of a 40 member Board of Directors, 23 committees, over 1,200 volunteers, a full time staff and 35 events. Corporate sponsorships, admission tickets, merchandise sales, and site revenues fund the Neptune Festival.