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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions? We have answers! Check out some of our frequently asked questions using the expandable modules below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can reach out to our team using the button below.
During Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend, call the Neptune Festival Command Center at (757) 213-3461.
Boardwalk Weekend FAQs
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend will always begin on the last Friday in September and continues through that weekend. In 2023, Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend will take place Friday, September 29 – Sunday, October 1. The Neptune Festival has other events that take place year-round, and the full schedule of events can be found here.
Almost all events at the Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend are free – including all concerts in 24th and 31st Street Parks, Poseidon’s Playground childrens’ activities, Healthy Haven beach yoga and fitness classes, Touch-A-Truck, Grand Parade, and so much more!
There is a $7 admission (free for children under 12 with an adult) to enter the International Sandsculpting Championship tent, but all Sand Clinics taught by the pros are free. There is a registration fee to run in Neptune’s 8k Race, to be a vendor on the boardwalk, and to compete in Neptune’s Surfing Classic.
If you are a food vendor, non-food vendor, exhibitor, or non-profit organization, please CLICK HERE for more information on vendor opportunities.
If you are an artist, please CLICK HERE for more information on our Art & Craft Show opportunities.
Animals are not allowed in the International Sandsculpting Championship tent or in 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks. All other locations are regulated by City of Virginia Beach rules, which says that leashed pets are allowed on the Boardwalk between Labor Day and Memorial Day. However, due to the large number of people in attendance, we recommend that pets stay at home.
Restrooms are located along the boardwalk and at 17th, 24th and 31st Street Parks.
Beverage Tents are located in 24th and 31st Street Parks, offering beer, seltzers, and canned cocktails. You must be 21 years or older to purchase and consume alcohol. A valid photo ID is required to purchase and consume alcohol.
Festival Information booths are located at 12th and 24th Streets on the Boardwalk.
Commemorative Posters will be for sale at 24th Street. Posters and a limited number of autographed posters are available for purchase on the boardwalk or in advance at the Neptune Festival office and online.
Commemorative T-shirts and other Neptune Festival Merchandise are available for purchase along the Boardwalk at 8th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 24th and 31st Streets.
The Boardwalk and all parks are wheelchair accessible. The International Sandsculpting Championship tent is also wheelchair and stroller accessible.
According to the City of Virginia Beach, Beach Wheelchairs are FREE to use (available as first come first serve). To reserve a wheelchair, please see a park attendant located at the 2nd Street/Grommet Island Park Handicap Center. Please call (757) 385-1100 to make a reservation. For additional Accessible Amenities provided by the City of Virginia Beach, CLICK HERE.
Click Here for more information about your travel options, as well as parking locations and prices. For additional parking information, call (757) 385-4800.
Municipal parking lots are located on Atlantic Avenue at 4th St, Rudee Loop, 2nd St, and on Pacific Avenue at 19th St and Croatan Beach. The lots charge a daily fee. Municipal parking garages are located on Pacific Avenue at 9th St, 25th St, and 31st St. The maximum fee for the day at any of the garage locations is $10 unless staying overnight. Metered street parking is available throughout the resort area at $2.00 per hour.
Designated on-street parking for people with disabilities is available at Rudee Loop, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, 33rd, 34th, 36th, 37th, 38th. Designated off-street parking for people with disabilities is available in all municipal lots. To park in these spaces requires A PROPERLY DISPLAYED sticker, windshield placard, license plate, or other officially issued tag. No placard will be honored unless the person to whom the placard is issued is riding in the vehicle. Additionally, any vehicle visibly marked with a “handicapped” tag or other form of identification may park at any metered location for free up to 4 hours. Universally-accessible ramps are located at every beach access in the resort area.
VB Wave Oceanfront Public Transportation
Route 30 – The Atlantic Avenue Shuttle runs from one end of Atlantic Avenue to the other, with service approximately every 15 minutes, 8am-2am (daily).
Route 31 – The Aquarium & Campground Shuttle runs south to campgrounds and tennis courts, fun parks, and to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, with service about every 20 minutes, 9:30am-11:10pm (Friday-Sunday).
Route 34 – The Oceanfront Connector provides service from Parks Avenue / 19th Street to Atlantic Avenue / 22nd Street via 19th Street, Birdneck Road, and Virginia Beach Blvd. Route 34 services the Convention Center, Virginia Beach Sports Center, Vibe Creative District, and Atlantic Avenue between 17th and 22nd Streets, with service about every 15 minutes, 8am-12am (Saturday & Sunday only).
Route 35 – The Bayfront Shuttle provides seasonal service between Atlantic Avenue / 3rd Street and Shore Drive / Pleasure House Road in Virginia Beach. Route 35 will service the Oceanfront, First Landing State Park, North End beaches, Chesapeake Bay beaches, and Bayfront restaurants on Shore Drive.Service is offered about every 30 minutes, 8am–12am (Friday-Sunday).
Single fares for all shuttles are $2 or less – you can pay with cash onboard or use cash, debit or credit cards to purchase multiple-day passes and fare cards at select stores along Atlantic Avenue, on the Mobile App, or at ticket vending machines along Atlantic Avenue at 13th, 17th, 29th, 37th and 41st Streets.
Click Here for more info about oceanfront public transportation and ways to purchase VB Wave or Bayfront Shuttle tickets.
Freebee
Freebee provides convenient and FREE door-to-door, on-demand public transportation for residents and visitors throughout the resort area in all-electric Tesla Model X vehicles. The vehicles operate seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and are available to everyone. The vehicles can take passengers as far as: Atlantic Avenue in the East; Birdneck Road in the West; 42nd Street in the North; General Booth Boulevard in the South.
Click Here to download the Freebee app and start riding!
Atlantic Avenue will be closed Saturday, 9/30 between 1st and 40th Streets 7:00am-9:15am, and between 10th and 32nd Streets 10:00am-1:00pm.
There are over 40 different food vendors on the Boardwalk, mostly concentrated around 31st Street, 24th Street, and 17th Street Parks. There are also a plethora of local restaurants located on and off the Boardwalk. CLICK HERE to search for a specific type of local restaurant by location.
CLICK HERE to view our available volunteer shifts, and to register to volunteer online. If you have specific questions about volunteering, please contact volunteer@neptunefestival.com.
