About the Festival
The holiday season is less exciting if there are no twinkle lights. Fortunately, the annual Virginia Beach Festival of Lights gives you the magic, joy, and excitement as the holiday gets closer. Besides twinkle lights, trees, blinking Christmas lights, and fairy lights, you will also witness musical crabs, festive fish, hard-working elves, and so much more.
This Christmas light show is a perfect bonding experience for the entire family. You can even invite your friends and colleagues to enjoy the colored, twinkling lights against the Atlantic Ocean.
Almost 25,000 families join this light festival and make their holiday celebration even more exciting. Don’t worry; there are plenty of hotels and restaurants nearby, so your entire experience is filled with not just fun but also convenience.
Festival Dates 2021-2022
One of the most anticipated and favorite events in Virginia Beach is the festival of lights. If you missed the fun last year, you could experience it this 2021.
Whether you are with your loved ones or traveling alone, complete your Beach Virginia trip by joining the Christmas light show from November 19, 2021, to January 2, 2022. So, make your calendar and invite your friends and families.
No matter how busy you are during those months, ensure to save a date and witness how magical and beautiful the light exhibition. Whether you are a fan of lights or not, you will get amazed at how beautiful the entire venue. It is like you are being transported into another world. So, don’t miss the experience!
How to Get There
Virginia Beach itself is already a beautiful place to explore. However, the festival of lights makes it even more colorful and unique. The good news is that you can access the festival address with ease.
Virginia Beach Festival of Lights will take place at 215 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA. Norfolk Airport is the nearest commercial airport, which is approximately 18 miles away.
If you want to drive by yourself, you can find several parking options near the boardwalk, such as metered parking, parking lots, and parking garages.
If you prefer riding a bus to reach the festival address, 020 and 033 are the nearest bus lines stop. You can choose between two stations: Pacific & 25th 1/2 and Arctic and 19th.
Festival Hours
While you can enjoy a mesmerizing view in Virginia Beach any time of the day, the best time to visit the festival address is from 5:30 PM every night until 10 PM from Sundays through Thursday and 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
For sure, you will enjoy the entire lights festival experience, especially if you are with your loved ones. If you think it’s time to escape all your worries in life, head your way to Virginia Beach and discover the magic brought by the light exhibition.
How Does It Cost to Visit the Festival
Local and foreign tourists have endless things to do in Virginia Beach, but the festival of lights still remains the much-awaited event of the year. You cannot go wrong with joining this spectacular event that lets you create new, memorable memories with your loved ones.
Virginia Beach Festival of Lights is a ticketed event. Ensure to buy tickets in advance. Below are the different tickets available for the exhibition of the light for 2021-2022:
- Admission Fees: $12 – $50
- Military Monday: $12
- Limousine Admission: $30
- Mini Bus Admission (Vans or buses with 15-25 passengers: $30
- Bus Admission (Buses with more than 25 passengers): $50
Before you get too excited to witness a bright and colorful night in Virginia Beach Boardwalk, take note of the following:
- Vehicles can enter the Boardwalk through the Holiday Lights you can find at the Atlantic Avenue main entrance at 2nd Street
- Vehicles should observed traffic rules and regulations posted on the Boardwalk
- The vehicle queue starts at 21st Street on Atlantic Avenue
- Refunds are not available
- Vehicles should observe the posted speed limit
- Vehicles should be properly insured and registered
Weather and What to Wear
When joining the festivals of lights, one of the critical things you should do is to get familiar with the weather in Virginia Beach. That is especially true if it is your first time visiting the place or not familiar with it. That way, you will pack the right clothing and ensure that you are comfortable throughout the festival.
Since the festival will happen from November and the first week of January, expect winter days. The average weather in November to December in Virginia Beach is 50˚F to 43˚F for low temperatures and 66˚F to 58˚F for high temperatures.
Meanwhile, January has the coldest temperatures with an average of 32˚F.
As you pack your things for your upcoming light festival adventure, do not forget to bring clothing that can protect you against cold weather. Go for coat, gloves or light mittens, jacket, warm pants or jeans, waterproof footwear, and socks. Do not forget to bring an umbrella since you may experience rainfalls in some instances.
Where to Sleep
Exploring the entire Virginia Beach will not give you a headache. Finding the perfect place to sleep after a tiring day of exploration is straightforward. You can choose a hotel that suits your travel needs and budget.
Below are some of the many hotels in Virginia Beach to choose from:
The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club
This hotel is pet-friendly and one of the most elegant options in Virginia Beach. It is a place where couples, families, and everyone else can have a relaxing and satisfying stay. It was built in 1927 and offers ocean-view rooms.
This elegant hotel offers a great range of amenities, such as a fitness center and tennis courts. You can try the private beach that is complete with chairs with umbrellas and cabanas. You can also enjoy the large outdoor and indoor pools.
The Founders Inn and Spa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
This beautiful hotel is just a few minutes away from the coast of Virginia. You will love the expansive brick-path gardens with a fountain-adored reflecting pool. In short, this hotel is meant for pampering and relaxation.
You can try the spa services, hot tub, and even play tennis. It is also one of the most romantic hotels in the area. It has pet-friendly rooms, air transportation, beach shuttle service, a well-equipped fitness center, and a restaurant with room service.
Oceana Resort Hotel
This stylish hotel provides a wide range of suites and rooms with well-equipped kitchenettes and on-site self-service laundry facilities. The ocean-front rooms and suites come with private balconies.
The location of this hotel is close to the Neptune Statue. This hotel has four pools: two indoor pools and two outdoor pools. Besides being perfect for families, this hotel also offers exciting activities for youngsters.
Hyatt Place Virginia Beach Town Center
If you are looking for an affordable and elegant hotel in Virginia Beach, this hotel is a great option. It is a few-minute drive to the beach and a few walks away from shops and restaurants. The rates come with free breakfast.
Each guest room is well-equipped with iPod locking, refrigerators, walk-in showers, black-out curtains, and sofa beds. Some of the hotel amenities include a fitness center, baggage storage, and free parking.
What to Eat
Virginia Beach is also famous for its delicious foods. So, it’s no surprise why you can find tons of restaurants serving mouthwatering dishes near the festival venue, including:
Blue Pete’s
This small fish and marina house was established in 1972. The menu is filled with delicious and flavorful seafood options. The she-crab soup is one of the best sellers because of its creamy flavor.
Terrapin
This fine-dining destination offers sophistication and excellent service. It comes with a daily-changing menu with impressive food quality. You can try the Lynnhaven Oysters and enjoy the view on the terrace.
Repeal Bourbon and Burgers
As you order perfectly crafted burgers, do not forget to get some classic cocktails while enjoying the subtle and sophisticated ambiance. You can also try the mac n cheese.
1608 Crafthouse
This food destination has a farm-to-plate concept and has been serving delicious foods for a long time. It offers a relaxing and tap-house atmosphere. If you love craft beers, this place is perfect for you.
More Things To Do
Besides festivals of lights, you can enjoy plenty of activities and attractions in Virginia Beach, such as:
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
This destination is located between 14th and 15th Streets and an ideal place to enjoy the calming view. You can even fish off and reels in fish, such as Spanish mackerel, trout, kingfish, and croaker.
King Neptune
Of course, you will regret you will not see King Neptune. This bronze statue is 26-feet tall and offers a spectacular spot for selfies.
Sunrise
If you get up early, you will witness the stunning sunrise over the mesmerizing Atlantic Ocean. After that, you can have a bike ride or a leisure walk.
Are you planning to visit Virginia Beach? Then, do not miss to experience the festival of lights and create beautiful memories with your loved one.
