Hampton Roads Virginia

The name "Hampton Roads" originated nearly four hundred years ago when Virginia was a British Colony. Hampton Roads refers to both a body of water and the region of land bordered by the Elizabeth and James Rivers, the Western edge of the Chesapeake Bay and the Waterfronts of Virginia Beach and Sandbridge.

The waterways of Hampton Roads create one of the world's biggest natural harbors. The area is occupied by the United States Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, NASA, Marines, Army, shipyards, coal piers, all of which contribute to the local economy.

The seven cities of Hampton Roads are Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Chesapeake, Hampton, Virginia Beach and Suffolk.

The area is a popular vacation and tourism destination. Richmond, Williamsburg, Washington D.C., Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia are all within a few hours of Hampton Roads.

Virginia Arts Festival

Begun in 1997 as a way to promote tourism, this spring festival showcases artists from around the world as well as the Virginia's best professional artists. The arry of performances include of music, theatre and dance. Festival events are held in eight cities across Hampton Roads in concert halls, performing arts centers, opera houses, theatres, museums, outdoor stages, and historic churches.

North American Sand Soccer Championship

The North American Sand Soccer Championship, held annually in Virginia Beach in early June. Between games, players and spectators, mingle and relax on the the beach. Often during the event, street vendors attend selling foods and art on the boardwalk. Teams for this event are a mix of adults, teenagers, and small children. There are all-male teams, all-female teams, and coed teams that make up each division. A pro division includes a team from the United States as well as from other countries.

Virginia Wine Festival

The Virginia Wine Festival is an annual event that no wine lover should miss. Each year, thousands of wine lovers flock to the banks of the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk, Virginia to enjoy this festival. The event has music, gourmet foods, specialty wares, and samplings of newly released vintages and past favorites from Virginia's premier wine-makers. Wineries from across the state offer chardonnays, merlots, cabernets and other fine wines. Wines presented during the festival are available for purchase by the bottle or the case throughout the day.

Chesapeake Wine Festival

This event showcases wines from around the world as well as spirits produced by Virginia Wineries. In addition to tastings, several wine seminars are offered during the festival.

Virginia Beer Festival

This festival celebrates the fine art of beer making. The event features live music, food, and beers from Europe and America. The Virginia Beer Festival is often held in the Town Point Park at Norfolk's Waterside.

Norfolk Jazz Festival

Held in Town Point Park over 2 days, this is the region's longest running outdoor jazz festival. The festival recruits nationally known artists as well as a selection of local and regional jazz favorites.

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show & Festival

The Virginia Beach Boardwalk Art Show & Festival is one of the Commonwealth's most highly anticipated events. Attendance often exceeds 350,000 visitors and art sales can surpass $2 million annually. The event has been ranked in the top 50 best fine art & design shows in the nation by Sunshine artist magazine. Prize money for artist awards reached over $30,000 in 2008, a milestone which has attracted high-caliber artists and art collectors since.

Suffolk Peanut Fest

Suffolk Peanut Fest offers concerts, amusement rides, contests and competitions, a demolition derby, a truck and tractor pull, motorcycle rally, fireworks, as well as local and national entertainment. The event has been featured in numerous magazines, including Virginia Business, Southern Living, The Southern Farmers Almanac, Best Festivals-Mid Atlantic and others.

Hampton Jazz Festival

The Hampton Jazz Festival is held each year during the last full weekend in June. Festival organizers evaluate available jazz, R&B and blues artists that are on tour during the time of the festival, bringing in the best musicians possible. Held in the Hampton Coliseum, the venue is highly respected by Hampton Roads residents and visitors.

Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival

The Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival is Norfolk's annual New Orleans' and Bayou culture festival. This 3-day summer festival delivers the heart and soul of Louisiana to visitors to Town Point Park in true Cajun and Creole style.

Norfolk Latino Music Festival

This August festival features the largest outdoor dance floor in Hampton Roads filled with salsa, merengue, and guaguanco dancing and live music by local, regional, and national Latin recording artists.

Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife

The Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife is held in Newport News Park annually. This is Southeast Virginia's biggest traditional craft show. The event features over 200 vendors, crafts, trades, entertainment, foods and children's activities.

Holidays in the City

Holidays in the City celebrates 25 years with six weeks of magical festivities, saluting the holidays of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve. The festivities in late November with the Grand Illumination of the downtown skyline. The highlight is the annual Grand Illumination Parade where floats, marching bands, giant balloons, dancers and Santa himself parade through downtown Norfolk.

City of Chesapeake
City of Franklin
City of Hampton
City of Newport News
City of Norfolk
City of Poquoson
City of Portsmouth
City of Suffolk
City of Virginia Beach
City of Williamsburg
County of Gloucester
County of Isle of Wight
County of James City
County of Southampton
County of Surry
County of York
Town of Smithfield

A powerful noreaster storm pounded Hampton Roads for 3 days in November of 2009. Damage was extensive, including severe damage to the Lynnhaven Pier and the stranding of the La Princesa barge which stopped just short of crushing the Sandbridge Pier.

The Seashore to Cypress Birding Trail connects locations such as First Landing State Park, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. These parks and refuges provide more than 130,000 acres of natural area for birdwatchers of Hampton Roads.