Family events in Hampton Roads, VA

Head to the Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show for a fun, hands-on shopping experience with vendors from across the United States. You’ll find everything from 14K and sterling silver jewelry to loose stones, pearls, beads, and beading supplies. The show also features museum-quality crystals, minerals, and fossils, plus Virginia rocks and minerals. There will be lapidary arts demonstrations, including geode cutting, and a gemologist on-site offering appraisals. Open to the public with free parking.

A poolside food truck event at The WCP features Liam’s Venezuelan Cuisine serving Venezuelan favorites like arepas and other Latin-inspired specialties prepared with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Guests can swim, relax by the pool, or enjoy dinner in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Head to the Western Branch Splash Park for the Glow in the Park summer event. Expect games, music, giveaways, and photo opportunities, and it’s free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so bring your own folding chairs or picnic blankets. Note that the park will be closed from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. for setup.

Glow at SkyZone (Hampton) turns the trampoline park into a glowing, high-energy night with lasers, music, and blacklight effects. Everyone entering the park during Glow needs to complete the required waivers.

Yorktown Market Days honors National Farmers Market Week at Riverwalk Landing with a showcase of local growers, makers, and dreamers. Visitors can browse seasonal favorites like vine-ripened tomatoes, golden squash, and colorful peppers, all while meeting the people who raise the food and craft market treasures. Families will find kid-friendly fun with a produce guessing game, coloring pages, temporary tattoos, and a craft station where children can make a bird feeder or a flower. Live music by Phil Poteat sets the tone on the Riverwalk Landing Stage, and demonstrations add extra flavor and flair, including a summer floral arranging session with the Yorktown Flower Shoppe and a pulled pork BBQ cooking demo with the Virginia Chef’s Association. The free, ADA-accessible Yorktown Trolley will be in operation during the event. In case of inclement weather, the market will move to the lower level of the Water Street Parking Terrace. It is a day that brings the community face to face with its growers and artisans, where farm to table feels only a handshake away.

Start the day with tricycle races for adults and children, then stay for music, food, ice cream, popcorn, and activities in a new home.

Enjoy a community trading card show at Faith Community Church in Newport News that welcomes collectors, families and kids. Browse Pokémon, One Piece and more, with singles ranging from budget-friendly finds to major chase cards offered by roughly 10 to 15 local vendors. Take part in buying, selling, trading and ripping packs, and make it a fun outing with a bounce house for children, local food trucks and concessions. Vendor tables are available.

Dairy Day at Lee Hall Mansion shares the site's 20th century history, highlighting the years it operated as Lee Hall Dairy, one of the small dairy farms on the Virginia Peninsula. Visitors can browse dairy farm artifacts and photographs, take part in family games, and create a dairy cow puppet. The program is part of the Explore with Your Library Card series. Hampton Roads area library card holders receive free admission by showing their library card, and all other guests are admitted with regular museum admission.

Celebrate the U.S. Constitution with “We the People Read Aloud” at the Chesapeake Central Library. You can sign up to read, or simply stop by to listen, and enjoy a kickoff featuring the Fifes & Drums of Yorktown. There will also be a chance to get a photo with Chesapeake’s largest U.S. Constitution.

Meet other anime fans at the DG Youth Anime Club for friendly discussions about anime. Learn about its history and the different types of anime, and explore topics like animators and voice actors. It’s a welcoming space to share what you love and maybe discover something new, with meetings held on the second and fourth Saturdays each month.

Scales & Tails is an educational program at the Newport News Park Discovery Center that highlights the lizards that call the park home. The session explores what these reptiles eat, how they protect themselves, and the types of habitats they prefer. For more information, call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

Enjoy a family-friendly weekend market that blends a small animal and farm swap with homestead-focused shopping. Browse small pets ready to take home and meet barnyard favorites like goats, chickens, and rabbits. Find practical gardening tools and a range of homesteading supplies. Sample and purchase local honey, pick up homemade pickled vegetables, and taste freshly baked sourdough from the bakery. The gathering highlights learning, good food, and community spirit with plenty more to discover.

Come sample some of the Virginia Beach area’s best food trucks and restaurants at the Virginia Beach Street Food Festival. Food items will be priced at $5 or less, so you can try plenty of different vendors throughout the day. The festival includes live entertainment, cornhole and eating challenges, a kids fun zone, and more. There’s also a VIP option that includes early entry plus beverage and food vouchers, along with access to an exclusive indoor VIP area.

Enjoy Summer Fest at Town Center with live music from local performers. The Fountain Plaza comes alive for a full evening of family-friendly fun, plus plenty of dinner options nearby to keep the night going.

My Big Back Yard is a club-style meetup for children at Langley Raceway, with the group gathering behind the concession stand.

Get ready for a night of glow-themed trampoline fun at SkyZone. The park is transformed with lasers, music, and blacklights for a full-on after-dark jumping experience. Waivers are required for everyone entering the park during Glow.

Now in its 17th year, 2nd Sundays brings a lively, six-block street festival to Williamsburg curated by the LoveLight Placemaking team. The day features a wide mix of artisan vendors, continuous live music and performances, an array of food, drink, and dessert trucks, and a Kids Craft tent. The Festival Main Stage includes a Beer Garden serving beer, cider, seltzer, and wine, and food trucks offer breakfast, brunch, and lunch options to enjoy throughout the day. Music fills multiple stages, with the Main Stage hosting the Kyle Davis Band and Dharma Initiative. Across the festival, look for Rose & Sword Irish Dance along with sets from Dan Pelligrino, Julie Clark, Brad Claywell, Chloe Youtsey, and Billy Joe & Katie Daniel. Volunteers support the experience in many ways, including the children’s craft area, the information booth, street steward assistance for artisan vendors, beer garden roles, and general help at this monthly street festival.

Ello Delights brings handcrafted, flavor-forward gelato bars to The WCP, a cool complement to live music by What the Heck Jazz Band and a relaxed poolside setting. Grab a bar before, during, or after the concert and cool off while you enjoy the sounds. The atmosphere is family friendly, with room to unwind, listen to the music, and make summer memories. Consider bringing lawn chairs and an appetite for an easygoing evening of music, treats, and community.

Admission is free for live music at Buckroe Beach, where shoreline scenery pairs with a relaxed summer vibe. Attendees can bring lawn chairs and gather with friends and family while taking in ocean breezes and the soundtrack of the season. A favorite Hampton tradition, this summer concert series offers a lively atmosphere by the water.

Come enjoy an evening of music and dancing at the free, family-friendly Groovin’ by the Bay concert series at Buckroe Beach. This concert runs from 5 to 8 p.m., and you can also look forward to local food trucks. Free parking is available in Buckroe Beach lots and in legal on-street spaces as marked. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating along with their dancing shoes. Note that pets are not allowed in the park and beach areas east of First Street (including the greenspace, facilities, boardwalk, and beach) from May 15 through Sept. 15, and only service animals are permitted. The playground is also off-limits to non-service animals year-round.

At The WCP, the Summer Concert Series features a poolside set by What the Heck Jazz Band, a high energy ensemble of WJCC Jazz Band standouts. Live jazz fills the deck while attendees swim, unwind by the pool, or connect with friends in a family friendly setting. Ello Delights will be on site with handcrafted gelato bars for a refreshing treat. Admission is free for WCP members. Non members are 10 dollars per family or 5 dollars per individual. Production support for staging and sound is provided by Dog Street Music, also known as Jordan Stehle.

An academic summer program grounded in Christian principles welcomes students ages 7 to 17. It offers a learning environment that prioritizes scholarship alongside faith-based guidance. Taking place in Hampton, Virginia, the experience supports school-age learners as they build knowledge and character through a Christ-centered approach.

This summer camp focuses on hands-on exploration, open play, creative crafts, and building new friendships. A half day option is available. A snack and all supplies are included, while families should send a packed lunch, a water bottle, a change of clothes, and grip socks each day. Coworking in the café is available, and a waiver is required. Those booking more than one week can use code SUMMER to save $15 on each additional week after the first full price week. Purchases are non-refundable, with the option to reschedule or transfer if arranged at least one week before camp. Theme weeks feature Dinosaur Week, Science Week, Under the Sea, Art Exploration Week, and Builder Week. Full details are available on the website.

Bring your child for a one-day art camp at Potts N Paints in Chesapeake. Campers will work on at least two art projects, with time for a snack break and lunch (lunch break runs between 12 and 1, and they may watch a movie or play games). Kids are grouped by age, and you can choose half-day sessions (9 to 12 or 1 to 4) or an all-day option (9 to 4). Campers should pack a lunch, snack, and drink. Projects may include pottery painting, clay handbuilding, wheel throwing, glass fusing, canvas painting, mosaics, and other creative crafts, for ages 5 and up.

Join the Classic Rock Camp at School of Rock Chesapeake for a week focused on 60s and 70s rock classics from bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones. Campers will work on rehearsals and practice, dive into rock history and stagecraft, and finish the week with a live performance on Friday. Camp is for ages 10 to 18 with some experience, and runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bring lunch, snacks, water, and hearing protection each day.

A ranger-guided walk explores the history of Fort Monroe, including the creation of the 3rd system, the role of the Gibraltar of the Chesapeake in both local and national defense, and the diverse workforce that constructed the largest fortification in the western hemisphere. It begins at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center Plaza and covers approximately 100 yards in total.

Explore the dynamic history of Fort Monroe on a ranger led walking tour that delves into the story of “Freedom’s Fortress.” The tour meets at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center Plaza and covers approximately one half mile in total distance.

This ongoing social skills group supports teens on the autism spectrum who meet Level 1 criteria. Designed for ages 13 to 18, it provides a space to learn, practice skills, and connect with peers. Attendees and families have shared positive feedback about their experience. Participation requires a Level 1 ASD diagnosis.

In the Hennage Auditorium at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, a curated program of archival films traces Colonial Williamsburg’s first hundred years. Each screening begins with an introduction from an expert that provides historical background and context. The series accompanies the exhibition Colonial Williamsburg: The First 100 Years and highlights how the Foundation documented preservation efforts, historic trades, and community stories on film. Titles in the rotation include A Glorious System of Things, Link Among the Days, and Colonial Silversmith. Admission to the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg is free.

Get ready for a fun, skills-focused Summer Gymnastics Tumbling Camp at River Crest Community Center. Campers ages 6 to 14 will work on building strength, confidence, and technique with high-energy training, flexibility work, and daily tumbling skill practice. Along with skill building, there will be games, team activities, and chances to meet other campers. Attire is casual athletic wear such as shorts or sweatpants, a t-shirt, and athletic clothing. A leotard or unitard is optional, and skirts or spaghetti-strap tank tops are not allowed.

Join this co-ed mini camp for kids ages 0-4 (with a caregiver) led by a certified Zumbini instructor. Each session combines music and movement to support early childhood development, helping children build confidence in their minds and bodies. Parent participation is required.

A ranger leads a guided walk highlighting several Fort Monroe buildings that are individually listed on the National Register. Explore how these sites contribute to the fort’s overall significance. The walk features exterior viewing only, with no interior access. Comfortable footwear and water are recommended. The group sets out from the Fort Monroe Visitor and Education Center Plaza.

Catch a free movie on the big screen in the Ella Fitzgerald Theater as part of the Summer Movie Series. The lineup includes titles like Zootopia 2, Wicked: For Good, The Super Mario Galaxy movie and more. Each week features a different film, and admission is free.

Join us every Tuesday for a free movie screening at the Ella Fitzgerald Theater at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. The series runs on Tuesdays and features family-friendly movies, with this showing taking place from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Head to DowningGross.org for the full lineup and ticket information.

Join a free summer writing workshop for tweens and teens where you’ll write, imagine, and share your ideas. This workshop is designed to build creativity and storytelling skills, and week three focuses on plot structure.

An intimate 125-seat setting at The Wagsters Magic Theatre, Williamsburg’s dedicated home for magic, sets the stage for close-up wonder. Merlin Award recipients Brandon and Hannah Wagster present Magic Happens, blending large-scale illusions, deft sleight of hand, surprising mind reading, heartfelt storytelling, and daring escapes into a 90-minute performance. Sophisticated lighting, sound, and video enhance the spectacle from opening curtain to finale. Designed for audiences of every age, this production encourages dreamers to believe in possibility and often leaves guests puzzling over how the feats were achieved.

Enjoy a free, family-friendly open mic at 25 Mics that brings the community together to celebrate local talent. Budding musicians, comedians, poets, and storytellers are invited to step up to the mic and share their voices, while others can sit back and take in a lively mix of performances and good vibes.

Lil’ Mariners’ Wonder Wednesdays at The Mariners’ offers a playful discovery program created for the youngest learners. Each session features fresh themes with engaging stories, lively songs, and hands-on activities that spark curiosity and creativity. It supports early development through movement, music, and storytelling in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Programs take place beneath the trees in the Bumblebee Learning Garden, with a move to the Museum Lower Lobby if the weather does not cooperate. Select sessions are available in Spanish.

Families with young nature enthusiasts can visit Newport News Park’s Discovery Center for a friendly storytime focused on animals and the outdoors. Each month from March through November, a different picture book is shared, followed by a short nature walk if the weather allows. The experience supports early reading and learning skills and is recommended for children ages 2 to 6. For details, contact the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

Give your dog the thrill of the chase on a managed lure course that encourages natural sprinting instincts in a safe, controlled setting. Dogs with any level of experience can take a turn chasing a moving lure. Hosted at PETquoson, this activity is walk-in only and costs $10 per run. Handlers must be at least 16 years old, or be accompanied by an adult or guardian if younger. Owners must remain on site and accompany their dog for the entire visit. Only one dog is on the course at a time. If you bring multiple dogs, secure the others away from the course while one is running, such as in a vehicle, in a kennel, or with another dog owner. A liability waiver is required for each dog before running and can be completed in advance. Owners are responsible for retrieving their dogs. Buddy and Co Shop and its affiliates control the speed, distance, and duration of each run and may stop a run if a dog shows fatigue, injury, disobedience, or other problematic behavior. They may also limit back to back runs when needed.

Catch the Gwinnett Stripers in action at Harbor Park Stadium. The game is scheduled for 6:35 PM. Ticket availability is through AXS Marketplace resale, and all sales are final with no refunds for postponed events.

Wacky Wednesdays is a midweek street car racing event at Langley Speedway. Street-legal cars with current inspection tags can compete. Registration and spectator gates open at 6:00 PM, with a drivers meeting just after 7:00 PM and racing starting shortly after. Racing is typically wrapped up by about 10:00 PM, making it a fun family-friendly weeknight outing. Coolers and outside food are allowed in the grandstands, and video or photography is encouraged.

Join Zoo Tales, a popular story-time program with two new stories and an animal encounter featuring a zoo animal ambassador. Each week ties into a changing monthly theme. You can find the exact meetup spot in the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza by checking the signs posted on the day of your visit. Admission is free with general admission.

Explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through hands-on experiments and activities at this STEAM Team program. It’s designed for middle school and elementary students and will be held in the library’s Activity Room.

Riverwalk Landing hosts a Sounds of Summer concert featuring Slapnation, a ten piece band with a powerhouse rhythm section, a bold horn line, and standout vocals. The group shifts easily from mellow dinner tunes to funk, Motown, beach favorites, and disco, keeping the energy high throughout the night. Set beside the York River in Yorktown, the evening blends dancing and laid back waterfront vibes. A dance floor will be in place, and casual games of cornhole add to the fun. Attendees may bring blankets, chairs, and small coolers. Tables, umbrellas, and tents are not permitted. Tasty options are close at hand, from rotating food trucks with meals to go to waterfront staples like Water Street Grille, Carrot Tree, and Ben & Jerry’s. Scheduled trucks include Burger Mania, Coastal Thirst Beach Deli, and Dong's. Free parking is available in designated public lots around town, including York Hall, the York Poquoson Courthouse, and the County Administration Building. A complimentary, ADA accessible Yorktown Trolley operates during concerts on a modified route that still serves several stops on the outskirts of town.