It’s officially the holiday season in Hampton Roads! This area has tons of festive activities to enjoy, and many of them–like the Holiday Lights on the Beach–lean into our coastal vibes.
If you’ve never been to the Holiday Lights on the Beach event, the 2021 holiday season is a great time to change that! I hadn’t been for about a decade, but we had such a great time revisiting this year and enjoying the long boardwalk of colorful lights next to the ocean.
If you’re unsure whether this event is for you, keep reading for more details on attending and a sneak peek at the lights.
See All the Holiday Lights on the Beach in this Video!
Details About the Holiday Lights on the Beach 2021
Cost: $30 per vehicle
Schedule: Nightly from 5:30 pm to 10 or 11 pm (depending on the day) until January 2, 2022
Reservation Required: Yes. Get tickets here.
Length of Activity: Approximately 40 minutes
Pet-Friendly: Yes, as long as your car is!
Entrance: Atlantic Avenue and 2nd Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
The Holiday Lights on the Beach event is a fun way to celebrate the holidays–coastal style. I love the fun mix of ocean and Christmas vibes, plus it’s great for just about any weather because you can stay in your car.
You’ll need to enter all the way down on 21st Street and Atlantic Avenue to get to this event. The line can get long during the holidays, so this does make sense. You’ll follow the line of cars and the signs down to 2nd Street, where traffic conductors will guide you onto the boardwalk. There are some tricky cone lanes set up specifically for the Holiday Lights line, so pay attention as you cruise down Atlantic Avenue and make sure you’re in the right lane.
Important: You’ll need to buy a ticket in advance for a specific date and time slot. You’ll have a 90-minute window to enter, but keep traffic in mind as you plan your arrival time.
When you reach the entrance, be sure to tune into the special radio station!
Sneak Peek of the Holiday Lights on the Beach 2021
The boardwalk is wholly lined with fun lights overhead, on the sidewalk, and even on the sand! Some of these are classically festive, like Santa taking off with his reindeer, the 40-foot Christmas tree, and the nativity scene.
But many of them have beachy holiday charm, like Santa surfing or sea animals in holiday hats. These were some of my favorites because they blended our local charm with the holiday in such a cute way.
Then, some are just plain coastal fun, like this shark rushing in from the surf, a giant sandcastle, and a sunken ship resting on the sand.
Additionally, there are several patriotic pieces celebrating the area’s strong military influence, like a giant American flag and a Navy Jet.
Finally, the last piece of this experience is the numerous light arches you’ll drive through on your way to each of these displays. There are several different kinds, from seaweed-looking arches with fish, to jumping dolphins, to long tunnels of color-changing lights in various patterns. These are a lot of fun to go through and be surrounded by the lights!
Closing Thoughts & Comments
With minor stop-and-go traffic, the whole boardwalk took us 40 minutes to get through (not including the drive down Atlantic Avenue). I highly recommend giving your car some space so that the taillights from the vehicle in front of you don’t ruin the experience.
I also recommend packing your car with friends and family to see this because it’s definitely fun with a group! Plus, since you pay by car, the price is a lot more worth it when you have several people. We personally didn’t feel it was worth $15 per person for just the two of us, but both agreed that splitting the cost with just one more person would’ve been perfectly acceptable.
Feel free to drop any questions below, and I’ll answer them asap!
More Hampton Roads Holiday Events
Looking for more ways to celebrate the holidays? Check out these additional articles on fun events in the area!
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Happy Holidays and happy travels!
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