Virginia Beach Jeep Fest is heading into its fourth year, and it's carved out a reputation as one of the more welcoming events on the East Coast. November 7-9, 2025, the festival returns to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with a focus on accessibility, community, and giving people a chance to actually use their rigs on the sand without the chaos of some of the bigger national events.
What started as a regional gathering for the Tidewater Jeep community has grown into something that draws people from up and down the coast. It's still got that local feel, though. The event is organized by Hall Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Virginia Beach, and the vibe reflects that. Less spectacle, more substance. People show up to drive, connect, and enjoy the beach in November when the crowds are gone and the weather is manageable.
Sunrise Beach Cruises and Organized Runs
The beach cruises happen early. 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM shifts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Jeeps stage at Rudee Inlet Loop, air down to 15-17 PSI, engage 4WD, and enter the beach at 20th Street in formation. There's a lead vehicle and a chase vehicle, and everyone rolls together in a straight line along the coast.
It's structured, which some people appreciate and others might find limiting. But it works for what it is. You're not freelancing your way down the beach. You're part of a coordinated group cruise that keeps things moving and avoids the bottlenecks that happen when a few hundred Jeeps show up without a plan.
The sand obstacle course runs from 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM in 90-minute shifts. You can hit the course as many times as you want during your shift. It's not overly technical, which makes it accessible for stock rigs and built crawlers alike. If you're looking to test your suspension travel and see how your setup handles sand, it's a good proving ground without being intimidating.
Evening Events and the Christmas Light Parade
One thing that sets VA Beach Jeep Fest apart is the Christmas Light Parades on Friday and Saturday nights. Jeeps decked out in lights stage at Rudee Inlet Loop and cruise down the boardwalk while spectators watch from the beach and restaurants. It's festive, family-friendly, and not something you'll find at most other Jeep events.
Friday night kicks off with a party at Nautilus Seafood Restaurant from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturday features gatherings at New Realm Brewing Co. and Smartmouth Brewing Co. These aren't massive after-parties with DJs and sponsored giveaways. They're low-key spots where people can grab a beer, talk shop, and unwind after a day on the sand.
The Vendor Scene
The vendor expo runs along the boardwalk from 29th Street heading south, open 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM all three days. Over 120 vendors set up with parts, gear, accessories, and services. It's a solid marketplace if you're in the market for upgrades or just want to see what's new in the Jeep world.
The conversations at vendor booths are often more valuable than the products themselves. You'll talk to people who've actually used the gear they're selling, get advice on what works in coastal conditions, and learn about setups you hadn't considered. That's the real draw of the vendor village.
November in Virginia Beach
November on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a gamble. You might get mid-60s and sunny. You might get low 50s with wind and a chance of rain. Most years, it's somewhere in between. Pack layers. Bring a jacket. Be ready to adjust.
The upside is that the beach isn't crowded. The summer tourists are gone, the boardwalk is quieter, and you've got space to move around without fighting for parking or dealing with traffic. It's off-season Virginia Beach, which has its own appeal if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
Where to Stay
Packet pickup is at the Oceanfront Inn at 2901 Atlantic Avenue, which makes it the most convenient option if you want to be at the center of everything. Pickup runs Thursday from noon to 8:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Other options along the boardwalk include the Holiday Inn & Suites Virginia Beach North Beach, Hyatt House Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and Hampton Inn Virginia Beach Oceanfront North. All are within walking distance of the event areas, which matters when you're trying to move between the beach, the vendor expo, and evening gatherings without dealing with parking.
Book early. Hotels along the oceanfront fill up fast, even in November.
For full event details and registration, go to vabeachjeepfest.com. If you're looking at other East Coast events this fall, we covered Myrtle Beach Jeep Jam in late October.
We'll Be There
We're bringing a couple rigs and running our trail cover systems all weekend. If you're at the event and want to talk about gear that actually works in coastal conditions, come find us. We're not there to pitch anything. Just there to be part of it and see what people are running.