Virginia Beach brings a new wave of openings for 2025

Virginia Beach is making waves in 2025 with an array of new openings and events.

Highlights include the much-anticipated launch of a surf park, part of the Dome and Atlantic Park development, backed by Virginia Beach native, Pharrell Williams.

Alongside refurbished hotels and a packed calendar of festivals and cultural events, Virginia Beach promises plenty to discover for travelers in 2025.

New Openings

Atlantic Park and The Dome to hit the shore this spring 

For an adrenaline filled adventure in 2025, look no further than Virginia Beach. This spring, the city will unveil a groundbreaking surfing attraction, ‘Atlantic Park.’ Backed by singer, producer, and Virginia Beach native Pharrell Williams, the development features a 2.6-acre surf lagoon powered by Wavegarden technology. It is the first facility of its kind in the US. set within an urban environment near the Atlantic Ocean. It caters to everyone—from first-time surfers to elite competitors cementing Virginia Beach’s reputation as the US East Coast’s surfing capital.

Opening alongside Atlantic Park is the entertainment venue, The Dome, will bring a new dimension to Virginia Beach’s cultural scene. Overlooking the surf lagoon, The Dome features a flexible design with the ability to open to the outdoors, accommodating up to 5,000 guests. The space is set to host a wide range of year-round events, from live music and comedy to community gatherings. The development will also introduce new restaurants, bars, and boutiques, offering visitors a complete dining and shopping experience.

Food and Drink

20 years of Virginia Beach Restaurant Week – January 2025

Celebrate two delicious decades of dining during the 2025 Virginia Beach Restaurant Week. From 20-26 January 2025 local restaurants will showcase iconic dishes from the past, feature signature creations, and test new menu items with prix fixe pricing. Adding to the festivities, local breweries and distilleries will showcase the city’s finest craft beverages.

New Family Experiences

Virginia Aquarium -“Emotions at Play” 

This year, the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center invites visitors to experience Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out like never before with the interactive exhibit “Emotions at Play.” Running from 19 January to 4 May 2025, this hands-on experience explores the five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear—through fun, hands-on experiences and digital displays. Perfect for visitors of all ages, the exhibit offers a playful journey into how we express ourselves and connect with others. Admission is included with admission to the Aquarium.

Festivals and Events

Cherry Blossom Festival Returns

Virginia Beach is set to bloom this spring with the return of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, taking place in the newly reopened Red Wing Park. Scheduled for late March 2025 the festival celebrates the cultural significance of cherry blossoms, highlighted by the 150 Yoshino cherry trees in peak bloom within the park. These trees were gifted to Virginia Beach in 2005 by its International sister city, Miyazaki, Japan. Visitors can enjoy a vibrant lineup of traditional Japanese performances, family-friendly activities, and cuisine while exploring the park’s enhanced walking trails, athletic facilities, scenic picnic areas and gardens.

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