Fall Fun in Virginia Beach
Fall in Virginia Beach is a magical time for both locals and visitors.
The sweltering heat of summer gives way to cool, crisp breezes, and the landscape transforms into a breathtaking array of red, orange, and golden hues. It’s a season filled with outdoor adventures, fun festivities, and opportunities to create cherished memories with family, friends, and loved ones.
In this guide, we’ll go through some of the best fall activities in and around Virginia Beach. So, get ready for pumpkin patches, beach picnics, ghost tours, and more as we explore the heartwarming spirit of autumn by the shore.
Check Out The Many Different Fall Festivals In Virginia Beach
From September to November, Virginia Beach bursts with lively fall festivals that everyone can enjoy. You can explore pumpkin patches, wander through corn mazes, get creative with fall crafts, shop for fall and holiday gifts from local vendors, try regional cuisines, and even pick your perfect pumpkin for carving.
These festivals are a true celebration of autumn’s bounty.
Here’s a list of some of our favorite Fall Festivals:
Virginia Beach Neptune Festival: September 29 – October 1, 2023
Hunt Club Farm’s Harvest Fair: September 30 – October 31, 2023
Proteus Festival: September 28 – October 7, 2023
“For the Culture” African American Fall Festival: October 14, 2023
Have A Fall Picnic on the Beach
With its miles of sandy oceanfront shore, cool autumn breeze, and picturesque sunsets, Virginia Beach brings a bit of magic to your picnics.
Picnicking by the beach during the fall adds an extra layer of charm to this classic activity. The milder temperatures, golden sunsets, and the soothing sound of waves create a magical ambiance that will make your autumn picnic an unforgettable experience. Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a leisurely day, a beach picnic is a must-do fall activity.
Pro Tip: First Landing State Park in the northern part of the city is an ideal spot for a beach picnic.
Go Apple and Pumpkin Picking
Venture into Pungo, Virginia Beach’s rural farming community, for fantastic U-pick activities. Cullipher Farm Market, Hickory Ridge Farm, and Mountain Pleasant Farms offer opportunities to pick your own apples and pumpkins. But, before you go, check their schedules on Facebook for availability and produce varieties.
Here is a brief breakdown of each farm:
Cullipher Farm Market entices visitors with its U-Pick Apples program, featuring a variety of apple types ready for picking at different times throughout the season. From Somerset to Ambrosia, each apple variety offers a unique flavor.
Hickory Ridge Farm hosts a lively fall festival with a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and educational field trips.
Mountain Pleasant Farms also offers a U-Pick pumpkin season. For availability, reach out to them directly or visit their Facebook page.
If you’re looking for a broader selection of fall produce and baked treats, don’t miss the Virginia Beach Farmers Market on Dam Neck Road, which operates year-round.
Attend a Family-Friendly Halloween Event
Halloween events abound in Virginia Beach, but finding family-friendly ones can be a treat. Events like the Harvest Festival at Hunt Club Farm offer delightful activities for the little ones to enjoy without the scary aspect.
The Harvest Festival at Hunt Club Farm is tailor-made for young adventurers. You won’t encounter anything too spine-tingling for your little goblins and ghouls here. From pumpkin picking to hayrides and petting zoos, these events are designed with family fun in mind, so rest easy knowing that your children or grandchildren can enjoy the magic of Halloween without the scares.
Say goodbye to spooky nightmares and hello to wholesome Halloween memories!
Go on a Neptune Ghost Tour
Virginia Beach has a chilling side, and its haunted tales involve witches, pirates, and sirens, so if you’re looking for something a bit scarier, look no further than a local ghost tour!
Virginia Beach’s history is rich, and that includes its darker tales. Imagine strolling through cobblestone streets as your tour guide spins eerie stories of wild witches, ruthless pirates, and sirens thirsty for blood. US Ghost Adventures‘ walking tours take you on a spine-tingling journey through the city’s haunted past, where you can learn why Virginia Beach is renowned as one of the most haunted places on the East Coast.
Go Leaf Peeping
Nothing says ‘fall’ like watching the leaves change into vibrant foliage hues. And the best way to enjoy the changing of the seasons is to do some leaf peeping while the fall foliage is at its peak!
First Landing State Park and Stumpy Lake Natural Area are just a few of the many locations where you can witness this awe-inspiring display of colors without having to drive way out into the countryside.
First Landing State Park, draped in Spanish moss, offers a picturesque backdrop for your leaf-peeping adventure. It boasts diverse habitats, from bald cypress swamps to maritime forests, and over 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beachfront to enjoy.
But if you seek unbeatable views and serene surroundings and are willing to drive just a bit further, head to Stumpy Lake Natural Area, nestled along the south-central city boundary. This area boasts a 278-acre lake with a raised overlook, a 174-acre golf course, and over 970 acres of pristine, undeveloped forested land surrounding the lake. As you walk along the 1.65 miles of soft shared-use trails, you’ll be greeted by a gorgeous autumn color display that makes this park an unforgettable destination for leaf peeping.
Experience Traditional Fall Oyster Shucking
Oyster enthusiasts, rejoice! Fall marks the return of these briny treasures to Virginia Beach’s culinary scene.
As the fall season arrives, the waters cool, and oysters return to the menu. Captain Chris and Pleasure House Oysters offer boat tours where you can pluck Lynnhaven oysters right from the river, shuck them open, and savor their unparalleled freshness.
But, if you’d rather skip the work and still partake in these Eastern Shore delicacies, let the experts handle the shucking and head to one of many local eateries to enjoy freshly caught and shucked oysters.
Sample Seasonal Fall Brews
Virginia Beach’s craft beer scene is flourishing, and local breweries are always ready to change up their menus to match the season.
These breweries release a delightful array of seasonal brews during the fall season. Sample pumpkin-infused beers that capture the essence of the season or cozy up with a rich stout by the fireplace. Some breweries even get into the Halloween spirit with brews sporting eerie names and flavors.
From pumpkin-flavored beers to cozy stouts with spooky names, the options are as diverse as the fall foliage and any of these breweries are pet-friendly and family-friendly, ensuring a warm welcome for all.
Get Out on the Water
Autumn in Virginia Beach isn’t just about land-based adventures; it’s also an excellent time to explore the waterways.
Kayaking offers a unique perspective of the changing scenery as you paddle through serene landscapes framed by vibrant foliage. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a prime kayaking spot featuring a soft earthen launch at the refuge’s visitor center.
As if the foliage wasn’t already beautiful enough, you may even witness the mesmerizing bioluminescent waters caused by microscopic dinoflagellate plankton during the fall season. It’s a unique fall experience native to this area and one you won’t soon forget!
Attend the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
Although we briefly mentioned this festival earlier, it deserved its own section because it’s one of the most anticipated festivals of the year!
The Neptune Festival offers a chance to bid farewell to summer and welcome the fall season. This celebration highlights the iconic Neptune Statue through pageantry, parades, fine art, craft shows, sailing regattas, and live music.
Taking place from September 30 through October 2, this event transforms the Virginia Beach oceanfront into a vibrant hub of festivities. Attendees can marvel at the Neptune Statue, the city’s beloved icon, as it takes center stage in a grand parade.
The event’s centerpiece is the International Sand Sculpting Championship, where artisans from around the world gather to create intricate sand masterpieces. It’s a spectacular way to usher in the fall season.
Fall Fun To Be Had By All In Virginia Beach
As we bid farewell to summer’s warmth and embrace the cool breezes of autumn, remember that Atlantic Shores Retirement Community is here to make your fall season even more enjoyable. With a vibrant community and a wide range of amenities, including beautiful outdoor spaces, Atlantic Shores provides the perfect backdrop for your autumn adventures.
So, whether you’re exploring the colorful foliage at First Landing State Park, savoring the taste of freshly shucked oysters, or toasting to the season with local craft brews, Atlantic Shores is your home base for all things fall.
