Annual Community Happenings

As if being lucky enough to live by the sea was not enough, there is more. The annual events make the quality of life here very special.

What do most of these events have in common; most of them are free.

Things to Do in Hampton

January

February

March

3rd annual Hunt for Hampton History: 2009 focus is Education and is held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center from 9 am-3 pm.

April

The International Children's Festival provides a unique opportunity for children and their families to experience the sights, sounds, and cuisine of distant places right in their own backyard. 2009 event is held on April 18, 2009 at the Mill Point Park in downtown Hampton from 10am to 5pm.

Hampton takes to the streets every Saturday night for a fun-filled street fair featuring live musical entertainment, cold refreshments and plenty of activities, including a children’s area. It is held in historic downtown Hampton on Queen Street, Free and opens to all, from April 25, 2009 to September 5, 2009 from 6 pm to 11pm.

A Salute to America's Unsung Heroes

7 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2009
See the flier

May

The historic downtown Hampton Farmers Market happens every Saturday, starting on 05/09/2009 and is open until 12/05/2009 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. This event was established to bring people to downtown Hampton to shop and eat on Saturday mornings. It features vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, coffee baked goods and lots more. It is free and open to all, Carousel Park, next to the Virginia Air and Space Center.

May 27, 2009 kicks off the Peninsula Pilots Baseball Season that runs through August 4, 2009. This is an annual favorite among locals who provide housing to the college players who come from all over the country to live in Hampton during the summer and play ball. The games are held in Historic Peninsula War Memorial Stadium in Hampton, Virginia that was built in 1947. Just being there will trigger memories of a time when things moved a bit slower. When the Pilots play, we all get to experience the joy of watching the boys of summer with our friends and neighbors. Go to: www.peninsulapilots.com for schedule, tickets and directions.

June

Set sail for the Blackbeard Pirate Festival where living history and family fun go hand-in-hand. Immerse yourself in 1780's Hampton with live entertainment, pirate camp, children's activities, sea battles, fireworks and more, as Hampton re-enacts and celebrates the demise of Blackbeard, one of the fiercest pirates ever known. It is held in historic downtown Hampton, along the waterfront, Mill Point Park and Queen Street.

Three day festival is free and open to all, from 06/05/2009 to 06/07/2009

Time:

• Fri ~ 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm
• Sat ~ 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Sun ~ 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• Free and open to all

The Hampton Jazz Festival is always held during the last full weekend in June each year. For example 2009 dates are June 26, 27 & 28. Tickets may be purchased at the Hampton Coliseum Box Office and at all Virginia, Maryland and D.C. Ticketmaster ticket centers. Guests can charge by phone by calling 757-671-8100 or 757-872-8100 or 804-262-8100. Guests can also order online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Outdoor entertainment at Buckroe Beach Park for the summer, featuring weekly band concerts with emphasis on beach music. Held on Sundays from 06/21/2009 to 08/23/2009 from 6 pm to 9 pm Free and open to all.

Pomoco Family Movie Series at Buckroe Beach Park
Bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for this great Family evening by the Bay. Outdoor G rated movies for the entire family. Pre-entertainment for children under twelve, will keep them entertained until the movie starts. And, there are food vendors and popcorn is sold--of course! It is held every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 11pm, from 06/23/2009 to 07/28/2009 Free and open to all.

75th Anniversary of Music under the Stars, FREE and open to the public
Every Thursday, 7 p.m. Continental Park, Fort Monroe
June, July and August
See the flier here

July

Fourth at the Fort This lively celebration of our nation's independence takes place on July 4, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the largest stone fort ever built in the U.S. Enjoy live music, children's games and rides, food and beverages, military exhibits and of course, fireworks! Walker Field. The day is free and open to all and kicks off with a ceremony and 50 gun salute, one for each state in the union, from 11:50am-12:20pm. Gator Allmond & the Spice of Life Band will open for Average White Band. Average White Band will take the stage at 8pm and there is a $5 general admission fee for their concert. The day ends with some of the grandest fireworks in all of Hampton Roads.

August

The annual Hampton Cup Regatta is held from August 14 to August 16, 2009. Hampton Cup has run since 1926, putting the event on its 82nd consecutive year running.

The Hampton Cup Regatta is the host this year to the North American Championships. This race is sanctioned by the UIM which is the world powerboat racing sanctioning body. So, where do people come to watch the races and how close are you to the actual action? Fort Monroe and the Mercury Boulevard Bridge the prime vantage points. The Mercury Boulevard Bridge is where many fans have gotten wet over the years from the huge rooster tails from the boats in the outside lanes. Go to: www.hamptoncupregatta.org

September

Hampton Bay Days is held in historic downtown Hampton, the weekend after Labor Day, every year.

In 2009, it starts on Friday, 09/11/2009 and ends on 09/13/2009 The times for the 3 day event are:

• Fri ~ 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
• Sat ~ 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Sun ~ 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

This is a family oriented event that attracts people to Hampton while educating them about the importance of the Chesapeake Bay and its natural resources. It is free and open to all. www.baydays.com

October

Phoebus Days, held on October 26, 2009, go to the Phoebus Improvement League for more information. www.phoebus.info

November

The annual Holiday Parade in Coliseum Central takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Bring your family and friends early for the pre-parade entertainment that starts at 9AM. The parade route is on Coliseum Drive from Hampton Roads Center Parkway to Von Schilling Drive.

In late 2009, the new Peninsula Town Center will be fully open. This $200 million project encompasses nearly one million square feet of mixed uses including retail, dining and entertainment situated around a town square and a public park with children’s play fountain.

December

This annual tradition showcases all the local charm that makes Hampton one of America's best places to live. School bands march with pride in the Hampton Holly Days Parade, is held on Saturday 12/12/2009 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The best viewing is on Settlers Landing Road in historic downtown Hampton.