07/04/2026
Celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular coastal salute at the annual July 4 Stars and Stripes Celebration, a premier holiday tradition along the vibrant Virginia Beach oceanfront. This dynamic, completely free event turns the historic boardwalk into a patriotic promenade, welcoming families and music lovers to enjoy a star-spangled evening of entertainment right against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
The holiday programming features simultaneous live outdoor concerts distributed across multiple popular beachside venues, including the performance spaces at Seventeenth Street, Twenty-Fourth Street, and Thirty-First Street Parks. Attendees can stroll along the oceanfront to enjoy a diverse musical lineup ranging from symphonic patriotic anthems and classic big band arrangements to upbeat Motown tributes and contemporary hits. The entire evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks display launched directly from a barge in the ocean, offering panoramic viewing opportunities all along the sandy shoreline.
July 4 Stars and Stripes Celebration Event Details
- Admission: Completely free and open to the general public with no tickets or reservations required
- Time: Live musical performances run nightly from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm
- Main Fireworks Display: Pyrotechnics show launches at 9:30 pm from an ocean barge situated near 24th Street and can be viewed anywhere along the boardwalk
- Event Locations: Synchronized entertainment stages are located outdoors at 17th Street Park, 24th Street Park, and 31st Street Park
- Permitted Items: Guests are welcome to bring beach chairs, blankets, strollers, and small coolers containing outside food and drinks
- Prohibited Items: No glass containers, alcohol, bicycles, personal umbrellas, or pets are allowed inside the park boundary lines with the exception of certified service animals
- Local Parking Options: Public parking infrastructure is accessible nearby at the 19th Street lots or the 25th Street parking garage structure
Current Holiday Performance Lineup
- Seventeenth Street Park Stage: Chester B's Tribute to Motown delivering timeless hits from iconic artists from 7:30 pm to 10:45 pm
- Twenty Fourth Street Park Stage: The Tidewater Winds Concert Band presenting their original historical theatrical production titled Racing the Night alongside a selection of Americana melodies from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
- Thirty First Street Park Stage: The 100th Army Band traveling from Fort Knox to deliver powerful military arrangements and symphonic favorites from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm