Virginia Beach KOA

via Virginia Beach Farmers Market Facebook It’s always pleasant to go to the Virginia Beach Farmers’ Market, but it will be especially fun on November 3 at the Fall Festival Craft Show. In addition to the usual luscious produce and baked goods, the event will feature handcrafted items, live music, children’s activities, food trucks and workout demonstrations. Come hungry, so you can participate in the pie eating contests! Admission is free. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The address is 3640 Dam Neck Road. The Nutcracker Attending the exquisitely beautiful Nutcracker ballet is a holiday tradition cherished by many. On November 27 and 28, the Moscow Ballet will present this classic at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. The timeless music, hand-painted sets and extraordinary skill of the dancers will put a glow in your heart and fill you with delight. Ticket prices range from $28 to $68. Showtime is at 7 p.m. The address is 201 Market Street. Stay With

via House Beautiful It’s late October, which means the holidays are right around the corner. This is a magical time in Virginia Beach, as the city offers an array of glittering lights and special events that make the season bright. Make plans for a camping trip to the city during this merriest part of year. Grand Illumination Holiday galas don’t peak until late November and December, but you can get a foretaste on November 9 at the Grand Illumination held at the Lynnhaven Mall. This preseason kickoff will feature acrobats and stilt walkers, as well as an appearance by Santa. Children under 12 will receive a complimentary light-up item. Admission is free. Hours are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The address is 701 Lynnhaven Parkway. The Bee & the Biscuit When you go to a restaurant called The Bee & the Biscuit, you know you’re in for an extra nice experience. Cozy, quaint and warm, the eatery serves up the most wonderful breakfast and brunch items, along with sala

When the cool temperatures arrive in November, they seem to stimulate the appetite. There is nothing like a savory, hot bowl of stew or a plate of barbeque with all the fixings to warm the cockles of the heart. Upcoming events will center on these foods. via Rockafeller's Restaurant House of Brews, Blues & Stews On November 5, you can see which restaurant in the city makes the best stew. The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art will present its annual outdoor fall event, House of Brews, Blues & Stews, which will feature live music, craft brews and a stew competition. Tickets are $50. Hours are from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 2200 Parks Avenue. Barrels, Brew & Barbeque Festival The Hunt Club Farm will be the scene of the Barrels, Brew & Barbeque Festival on November 9. This event promises to be a fabulous evening that features delicious food, live music and games, as well as local wine and craft beer tastings. Tickets are $35 at the

via Rudee Tours During most of the year, enterprises in Virginia Beach offer exciting wildlife-watching cruises and deep-sea fishing expeditions. One of the top companies is Rudee Tours, located at 200 Winston Salem Avenue. The dolphin-watching cruises into the Atlantic Ocean are 90 minutes of pure delight, giving patrons the opportunity to see the creatures jumping and splashing. These trips are such a blast that they should be on every tourist’s must-do list. Tickets are $22 for adults and $16 for children. Dolphins head to warmer waters for the winter, but whales come in their place. Whale-watching tours are available December through March. In the fall, visitors can also book a ¾-day fishing trip with Rudee, where the species in season is primarily seabass. The crew supplies all the equipment needed, and they’ll even bait the hook and remove the fish for customers. It’s quite an experience! Tickets are $80 for adults and $70 for children. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 2

via vabeach.com Every year, Virginia Beach offers family-friendly events for Halloween. One of the best is the Halloween Spooktacular at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. On October 27, adults and children can dress up in a costume and enjoy a wonderful afternoon listening to spooky music performed by a symphony  orchestra. The concert starts at 3 p.m., but plan to arrive at 2 p.m. for an hour of fun activities. Tickets start at $12. The address is 201 Market Street. Dinner Detective Costume Party Murder Mystery Dinner Show While you can attend the Murder Mystery Dinner Show any time of the year, it’s extra enjoyable to attend on October 27 because it will include a costume party. The event is an interactive comedy, where the actors are hidden in the audience. Patrons try to solve the mystery while eating a nice dinner of roast chicken or pan-seared Atlantic salmon. Tickets start at $60 per person. Hours are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The address is 1900 Pavili