Because Hampton Roads festivals start to crop up as soon as the leaves fall down. Daily Press composed a list of the top six HRVA fall festivals to watch for. The causes celebrated range from oysters to bluegrass — and almost everything in between.
Category Archives: HRVA Events
#GoLocal applies to the arts, too
Support your local songwriters this Saturday at VB’s Barry Robinson Theater. Daily Press reports that the fifth annual Acoustic Music Gathering, sponsored by the Tidewater Friends of Acoustic Music, will host workshops for the songwriters, culminating in a public concert at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10. Check here for the local lineup.
Hops on down to Hampton this weekend
The Hampton Rotary’s Riverfest Beer Tasting is slated for this Saturday, and if you know what’s good for brew, you’ll be there. Daily Press reports that the event, which runs 5 to 10:30 p.m., will feature live music and more than two dozen local beers. Tickets are $35 at the gate.
Be in this B-movie in Norfolk
This could be your big break. Alt Daily reports that filmmakers are looking for 13 actors for a movie filming on the USS Wisconsin. Auditions for “Haunted Ship: Alien Terror” will be held at Nauticus on Sept. 12. Training, rehearsals and filming run from Oct. 11 to 29.
Hampton Roads’ biggest music fest ever kicks off Friday
The largest outdoor event this side of the Mississippi is happening this weekend. hrScene reports that Friday kicks off the weekend-long American Music Festival in Virginia Beach. The 5th Street beach will host headliners, with smaller stages set up along the boardwalk, but check the festival’s website as some acts have changed due to inclement weather. Get your lineup and tickets now (it’s $25 at the door).

Mathews Hotel site is getting ready for a big dig
Remember the Mathews Hotel? Well, history may be uncovered at the hotel’s site. Artifacts dating back to 300 years ago have been found at the site, and archaeologists will soon be digging for more finds. Community members are welcome to participate in the search. To volunteer for the Sept. 9-10 dig, email fairfield@fairfieldfoundation.org.
Take your grandparents out to Colonial Williamsburg
From Sept. 1 until Oct. 31, Colonial Williamsburg will be offering free, unlimited visits for anyone 50 years of age and older. The “50+ Pay for a Day” event will be the perfect getaway for any elders or a great bonding experience for the family.

Not outdoorsy but still want to do paddleboard yoga?
Don’t wanna do sun salutations in the swamp? Paddleboard yoga is great for your core, but if you’ve never done it before, Daily Press reports that Mondays through Oct. 3, James City County’s rec center is offering indoor classes to get you started. Click here for more details.

Catch a wave with the East Coast Surfing Championships
The East Coast Surfing Championships will be taking place in Virginia Beach! This week, until Wednesday, you can find people at the beach surfing all day. By Thursday, there will be a surf competition on 2nd Street at 8:30 a.m. Saturday will be filled with fun events, and Sunday the winning surfers will be crowned.
Pig out at VB’s Beer, Bourbon and BBQ fest
Friendly reminder to head down to the Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach this Saturday for the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ festival. Tickets are available on site only and start at $35, and hrScene reports that the fun runs from 2-6 p.m. Hungry for more details? Eat your heart out here.
Let’s bounce: Inflatable obstacle course blows up in VB
Moon bounces are getting a makeover when Insane Inflatable 5K comes to Virginia Beach. The massive inflatable obstacle course unfurlin itself at the VB sportsplex next Saturday (Aug. 27) and it intends to Benjamin Button anyone who’s brave enough to bounce. Waivers and tickets are required, so get them here.
Back to brew: Take beer-making classes at O’Connor Brewing
Have you ever seen a syllabus dedicated exclusively to making a malt? Do you want to? Because if so, Professor O’Connor will see you now. On Aug. 22 and 29, you can attend class on everything from how to taste beer to the history of pale ales. Class starts at 6 p.m. sharp!
Blink-182’s upcoming show proves it’s definitely the ’90s again
Pokémon’s popular, Crystal Pepsi decks the shelves and a new “Harry Potter” book is in stores; it really feels like the ’90s are upon us again. And what are the ’90s without a certain beloved grunge band? To complete this timewarp, Blink-182 is back and touring in VB on Aug. 16. at 7 p.m.
Inaugural ‘Waiter’s Race’ comes to Hampton
If you’ve ever been impressed by your waiter’s ability to carry a ton of plates at once, you’ll love this story. Hampton will host a “Waiter’s Race” on Saturday afternoon. But it’s not all fun and games for the racers – – there are thousands of dollars available in prize money.
Discounted beers if you bike to O’Connor Brewing in Norfolk
Not even kidding. Aug. 6 from noon until 10 p.m., O’Connor Brewing will offer discounted brews to anyone who shows up on a bicycle. They’ll have reserved bike parking, a safety-check station and a raffle for a Norfolk Bicycle Works beach cruiser. Just promise not to drink and pedal.
‘Music Man’ brings family fun, family ties to PCT’s stage
Running through Aug. 20, Newport News’ Peninsula Community Theater will show its production of “The Music Man,” which will provide a family-friendly outing on weekends and unite families onstage, as several cast members are blood relatives. Tickets are $18, but student, senior, and military discounts are available.
Distill the best of the best at Williamsburg festival
Williamsburg Distillery will bring together distilleries from across Virginia for its first Virginia Craft Distillers Festival, which is slated for August. The festivities will feature not just locally made booze but also bands, food trucks and artisans. Tickets for the Aug. 20 event include tastings and a souvenir cup, according to the Tidewater Review.
Even more bucket-list activities to totally make your summer
With the dog days of summer in full swing across #HRVA, its tempting to throw in the towel. But there are plenty of ways to beat the heat even if you think you’ve exhausted all the 757 has to offer. The Virginian-Pilot has compiled a list of 25 local treasures to add to your seasonal bucket list. And if you need a little refresher on all the other ideas we rounded up, head here.
The ultimate 757 bucket list for those dying of boredom
If you are truly so bored with life that you feel the casket calling, take a look at Veer Magazine’s 101 Things To Do in the 757 Before You Die. They’ve rounded up the best hiking trails, wildlife preserves, botanical gardens, museums — you name it, they’ve got it.
Spend the dregs of your summer at a Hampton Roads drink festival
It’s possible July Fourth won’t be the biggest party of your summer. The Peninsula’s got about five drink festivals on tap, and the Daily Press took the liberty of preparing a list of drafts, ticket prices and basically anything else you need to know to make your ‘fest the best.
Now you have something to do every day of the summer
In case your Googling fails to turn up activities for any given summer day, the Daily Press can keep you busy with this comprehensive list of Peninsula summer activities, including outdoor adventures, free movies, live music and cultural hot spots. Best part? All of ’em are cheap, and plenty are free.
Virginia Air & Space Center offers labyrinths and lounge time
The Virginia Air & Space Center is about to be the best babysitter ever. hrScene reports that Friday nights through Aug. 12 parents can relax with food, drink and live music while their children toddle through a 3,000 square foot outdoor maze. The best part: it’s only $5.
The Hampton Roads brewery list to rule them all
Why bar crawl when you can brewery crawl? And why blunder to said breweries when you can use this handy-dandy map handcrafted by the Daily Press? Most, if not all, brewing companys in the 757 are on this baby, including the ones that are still in their *fermentation* phase.
The Dharma Initiative scores a spot at Lockn’ Festival
Local jam band the Dharma Initiative will perform at this year’s Lockn’ Festival in Arlington. The Hampton-based group took first place in the “Rockin’ to Lockn’ ” competition, the Daily Press reports. Other acts include My Morning Jacket, Ween and Phish. For tickets and more information, check out this website.
Theresa Caputo sees her live show in your future this fall
Whether you’re a true believer or a skeptic with nothing better to do, consider checking out this live performance by TLC’s Long Island Medium coming to the Norfolk Scope Arena at 7:30 Oct. 13. The show will feature “healing messages” and assorted psychic stuff. Get tickets here or here starting this Friday.
Let a little color into your life
Adulthood is stressful, but you can keep it at bay the way you did as a child: coloring. We’re serious. Suffolk Public Library hosts Adult Coloring Club; the library provides silence and snacks but coloring books may be BYOB. Club is held 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday of every month.

Free crossfit for teachers can release that pent-up school year stress
Because you know your job is stressful. From June 20-23, Jamestown Crossfit is offering a wide array of free fitness classes for the professors of the Peninsula (that’s just for alliteration; all teachers are welcome). You can register for classes at any level of difficulty.

Jazz up your weekend plans with this Richmond show
If you’re looking to jazz up your weekend and don’t mind a short road trip, go check out No BS! Brass’s show at the Broadberry in Richmond at 9 p.m. this Saturday, June 18. Get tickets here quickly — these guys are the real deal, and you won’t want to miss out.
‘Where Are You Going?’ To see Dave Matthews Band, of course.
You’d know their sound anywhere, including when it’s piping out of the Veterans’ Amphitheater (or whatever it’s called) this Friday. hrScene reports that Dave Matthews Band will be in town, kicking off their show at 8 p.m. June 17. Snag some last-minute tickets here.