Neptune Festival brings global sand art to Virginia Beach with live access and public hours
The 52nd annual Neptune Festival is bringing a new level of accessibility to Virginia Beach this year: organizers will livestream activity inside the festival’s Sandsculpting Tent for the first time, while also opening the tent to the public for nearly two weeks of viewing. WAVY is serving as a media sponsor and will host the exclusive live stream.
Festival organizers said the tent will house 22 sculptures created by 30 international artists — a mix of 12 solo works and 10 two-artist teams. Sculpting activity is scheduled to begin Monday, Sept. 21, with public admission starting Friday, Sept. 25.
- Location: Entrance on the beach at 7th Street, Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
- Admission: $7 per person, on-site purchase only; children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult.
- Benefit: A portion of ticket sales will support The Governor's School for the Arts, which serves students across Hampton Roads.
- Sand source: Special sand transported from Currituck, North Carolina for optimal sculpting properties.
"We bring in sand from Currituck, North Carolina because it's more 'clumpable' for the artists to create their masterpieces,"
The decision to bring in Currituck sand reflects organizers' emphasis on the technical needs of master sculptors, who rely on grain size and moisture retention to form large, detailed works that can withstand public display.
Public schedule and viewing windows
Organizers have divided the event into a period reserved for sculpting-only hours, followed by extended public viewing across Boardwalk Weekend and into the following week. The tent will be closed to the public during the initial sculpting days so the artists can work uninterrupted.
| Dates | Hours | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Sept. 21 – Wed, Sept. 23 | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Sculpting only (closed to public) |
| Thu, Sept. 24 | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Sculpting only (closed to public) |
| Fri, Sept. 25 – Sat, Sept. 26 | 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. | Open to public |
| Sun, Sept. 27 | 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Open to public |
| Mon, Sept. 28 – Thu, Oct. 1 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Open to public |
| Fri, Oct. 2 – Sat, Oct. 3 | 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Open to public |
| Sun, Oct. 4 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Open to public |
Programming and community ties
Alongside exhibition hours, the festival will offer free sand clinics led by master sculptors on the beach at 8th Street, where participants will be provided with materials, water and tools. Those clinics are aimed at engaging families and aspiring artists and are part of the festival’s educational outreach.
Organizers emphasized the community benefit built into the ticketing plan. A portion of proceeds will go to The Governor's School for the Arts, the tuition-free arts program that partners with public high schools across Hampton Roads. The connection underscores the festival’s role not only as a tourist attraction but also as a contributor to regional arts education.
What to expect and visitor tips
Because the tent will host dozens of large, intricate works by international sculptors, visitors during public hours should expect crowded conditions, particularly on Boardwalk Weekend (Sept. 25–27) when hours are longest. Admission is sold on-site only, so attendees planning to visit during peak times may face lines at the 7th Street entrance.
- Bring cash or card; admission is purchased at the tent entrance.
- Children under 13 are free when with an adult — plan accordingly for families.
- Consider visiting during weekday afternoons after the initial weekend to avoid the largest crowds.
With the live stream available on WAVY.com, residents who cannot attend in person will still be able to watch sculptors at work and see behind-the-scenes moments as artists shape sand into detailed creations. The live feed represents a new way for Virginia Beach to share one of its longest-running festivals with a wider audience.
The Neptune Festival’s Sandsculpting Tent returns after more than five decades as a signature Oceanfront attraction, blending international artistry with local benefit and offering both in-person and digital access for residents and visitors alike.
