Neptune Festival Announces Modified Boardwalk Weekend Schedule Due to High Winds

Friday Boardwalk activities paused for delayed vendor load-in; Farm Aid Family Reunion concerts remain scheduled; full programming resumes Saturday

Sept. 24, 2026 – Virginia Beach, Va. – The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival has announced a modified schedule for its 52nd Annual Boardwalk Weekend, Sept. 25–27, in response to sustained high winds currently affecting the Virginia Beach oceanfront. 

For the safety of participating artists, vendors, and event teams, Neptune Festival is postponing its scheduled Thursday artist and vendor load-in until Friday.

Boardwalk Weekend activities scheduled for Friday, Sept. 25 will be suspended to allow vendors and event teams to complete the delayed load-in. The Farm Aid Family Reunion concerts at 31st Street Park will proceed as scheduled Friday evening.

All Boardwalk Weekend activities will open Saturday, Sept. 26 with Saturday and Sunday programming proceeding as planned.

Attendees are encouraged to check NeptuneFestival.com and our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram (@NeptuneFestival) before traveling to the oceanfront for the latest schedule information and event updates.

MODIFIED BOARDWALK WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 25, 2026

31st Street Park — Farm Aid Family Reunion:

  • 6 p.m. | Red Crook-ed Sky American Indian Dance Troupe
  • 6:30 p.m. | Farmer Interview with Larry Swartz 
  • 6:45 p.m. | Chris Pierce
  • 7:15 p.m. | Farmer Interview with Captain Kindra Arnesen
  • 7:30 p.m. | Kyshona
  • 8 p.m. | Lette’s Line Dance
  • 8:45 p.m. | Rissi Palmer’s Color Me Country Takeover feat. Roberta Lea, Rebecca Porter and the Smoke
  • 10 p.m. | Shirlette Ammons
  • 11 p.m. | Program ends

24th Street Park: No Friday concerts. Concert programming resumes Saturday.

17th Street Park — Poseidon’s Playground: Closed Friday. The free family fun zone reopens Saturday.

Neptune Festival Boardwalk: Closed Friday during delayed vendor load-in. Boardwalk activities open Saturday.

Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship Tent: Closed Friday; reopens Saturday.

Saturday, Sept. 26 – Sunday, Sept. 27

All currently scheduled Saturday and Sunday Boardwalk Weekend events will proceed as planned.

Weekend events include Neptune’s 8K Race, Neptune’s International Sandsculpting Championship, the Neptune Festival Grand Parade, Healthy Haven, Neptune’s Surfing Classic, Neptune’s Volleyball Tournament, Poseidon’s Playground, Touch-A-Truck, Dock Dogs and free concerts at 31st Street and 24th Street parks.

SATURDAY STAGE SCHEDULE

31st Street Park

  • 3–5 p.m. | Allen Hudson & the Halfmoons
  • 5:30–7 p.m. | Rocky 7
  • 7:30–9 p.m. | KT Tunstall
  • 9:30–11 p.m. | Gavin DeGraw

24th Street Park

  • 3–5 p.m. | Alec Edmonds
  • 5:30–7 p.m. | Ben Phelps Project
  • 7:30–9 p.m. | Bennett Walker Wales Band
  • 9:30–11 p.m. | Soul Asylum

17th Street Park — Poseidon’s Playground: Free Family Fun Zone

  • 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m. | DJ and lawn games
  • 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Face painters and fairy hair
  • 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Neptune Festival Grand Parade on Atlantic Avenue
  • Noon, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. | Paint Parties with The Mermaid Factory
  • 3–5 p.m. | The Sandy Castle Crew Puppet Show
  • 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Magic Show by Rob Westcott
  • 7:30 p.m. | Movie Night in the Park featuring Zootopia 2

 

SUNDAY STAGE SCHEDULE

31st Street Park

  • 1–3 p.m. | Intangible Cats
  • 3:30–6 p.m. | Strictly Bizzness

24th Street Park

  • 1–3 p.m. | Nate Sacks and the Lifehacks
  • 3:30–6 p.m. | Grateful Jed

17th Street Park — Poseidon’s Playground: Free Family Fun Zone

  • 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | DJ and lawn games
  • 10 a.m., noon & 2 p.m. | Paint Parties with The Mermaid Factory
  • 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Face painters and fairy hair

 

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ABOUT VIRGINIA BEACH NEPTUNE FESTIVAL

Founded in 1974, the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that produces more than 40 events each year celebrating the spirit of Virginia Beach through authentic experiences that foster joy, community and connection for all. The Festival’s flagship event, Boardwalk Weekend, has an economic impact of $26.1 million, attendance of more than 405,000 and recognition as one of North America’s Top 100 Events. The 2026 Boardwalk Weekend will take place Sept. 25-27. For more information, visit NeptuneFestival.com or call (757) 498-0215.