TGOV: Ocean View’s Weekly Summer Festivals

August 04, 2021

If you aren’t in the know yet, we are here to enlighten you about “Thank Goodness it’s Oceanview.” You’ll find all you need to know to have a good time at this popular Norfolk beach location and about the two series’ that are running strong through August. 

Ocean View Beach Park (OVBP) is where the party is for the remaining days of summer!

TGOV features live performances, themed parties, family movie nights, Big Bands on the Bay, scrumptious food, refreshing drinks, and much more.

Let’s break it all down.

Fridays

Fridays at OVBP are themed and rotate every week. Some past events included Taste of VA on the Bay, Reggae on the Bay, and Shore Thing, with several more slated to close out August. All events begin at 6:00 pm and wrap up for the night at 9:30 pm. Each is free and open to the public.

Don’t worry if you missed any of these previous events, the remaining August schedule is bumpin’ and includes: Backyard BBQ on August 6th, Family Fun & Movie Night on the 13th, Salsa Dance Party on the 20th, and Beach Party on the 27th to close out the summer. 

Here’s a look at each of the remaining events:

This event features music by Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos. Gear up those taste buds for mouth-watering BBQ to enjoy alongside local craft beer. No babysitter for the night? Bring your little monsters to engage in children’s activities to keep them entertained (read: distracted).

Join the fun for a free movie night with the entire family. The specific movie that will be screening is TBD, but check in with their Facebook event to see the chosen title a little closer to the date. Besides the movie, children of all ages can enjoy various activities, including creating artwork for a memorable late-summer night. 

Dust off those dancing kicks or sit back and enjoy the sounds of the Tumbao Salsero Orchestra during this lively free event. Featuring more than just Latin music, get ready to indulge in Latin-inspired food and drinks, while the kids have activities of their own to stay busy. 

End this summer on a high note with a party at OVBP. Featuring music by Bill Deal’s Original Rhondels, it runs from 6-9:30 pm with food, drinks, and family activities all around. 

Sundays

Sundays are a big night at OVBP. It may be the day that closes out the week for most of us, but at the park, it’s the day that sets a great tone (literally) as you head into your week. 

On Sundays is Big Bands on the Bay (BBOB), the second and very well-attended series taking place right at the gazebo stage under the stars. This popular and free event series occurs every Sunday from 7-9pm. It kicked off for the summer in June and runs through September 5th. So, there’s still ample time to get out and see for yourself what this fantastic event is all about. 

The upcoming BBOB schedule is:

August 8th: The Khedive Notables Dance Band

August 15th: Southside Little Big Band

August 22nd: Glen Boswick & the Sounds of Swing

August 29th: The Top Hats Orchestra 

September 5th: Terry Chesson Orchestra 

*Special note: the last BBOB on 9/5 goes on until 10 pm

The Park and Beach 

Now that you’re in the know about the upcoming events at OVBP, here’s some details regarding the space.

The park, at 6.5 acres in size, is often called the jewel of Ocean View. The area features beach access with staffed lifeguards in the summer, a boardwalk including a handicap-accessible ramp, tons of green space for all types of summer activities, and a gazebo stage for bands and presentations. 

Ocean View is just one of several Norfolk beaches that encompass the 7.3 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline.

Norfolk Beaches oversees and maintains the park as one of its sub-facilities. More information about all of the beach access points, plus all rules and regulations, are found on The City of Norfolk site. 

The summer event series as a part of TGOV are put on by Festevents, one of our city’s renowned event planning teams. They operate with the help of sponsors and the Ocean View Crew, which financially supports the OVBP exclusively and includes various membership packages that you can view on their website. 

Both OVBP and its surrounding beaches are well-loved by locals and tourists alike. You can imagine the popularity of this scenic spot, so get there early and secure your spot.

Get in the Know

Now that you’re familiar with OVBP and the upcoming schedule of events, click the links below for more information.

Instagram (Festevents)

Photos courtesy of Facebook 

Lauren Roberts

Ghent, NFK

Lauren is originally from Pittsburgh but has called the 757 home for the past 10+ years. She is a content creator and has a strong love for social media. You can find her sipping coffee at the local shops, enjoying a bite at one of her favorite restaurants or taking in the latest social scenes.

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