MISSION RATED • LABOR DAY 2026

Labor Day, sorted.

A military-family guide to what is worth doing around Hampton Roads, what is free, what may get crowded, and what is worth locking in before the long weekend.

SEPTEMBER 4–7, 2026

Big weekend picks

Source-backed • details can change

FREE

Virginia Beach Labor Day Weekend Concerts

SEP 4–6 • OCEANFRONT

Free nightly music at 17th, 24th and 31st Street parks. The 2026 lineup includes Greensky Bluegrass, The Aquabats!, Deep Blue Something, Carbon Leaf, Pop 2000s and more.

Official event details ↗

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Super Girl Surf Festival

SEP 5–7 • VIRGINIA BEACH

A major Labor Day weekend surf and lifestyle festival at the Oceanfront. Expect heavier crowds and traffic around the resort area.

Event listing ↗

MILITARY FAMILY

MWR holiday planning

HAMPTON ROADS INSTALLATIONS

Holiday hours vary across MWR facilities and programs. Check your installation before making plans, especially for recreation, fitness, marina and dining hours.

Check Navy MWR ↗

Free + military value

Keep the weekend cheaper

FREE ADMISSION

MacArthur Memorial

The Norfolk memorial lists free admission on its official visitor information page—an easy indoor option if the weather turns.

Verify official details ↗

VETERAN BENEFIT

Virginia State Parks disability passport

Eligible veterans with a 100% service-connected disability may qualify for a free Virginia State Parks Veteran Disability Passport with admission and parking benefits.

Virginia State Parks ↗

NATIONAL GUARD

Virginia State Parks annual pass

Active Virginia National Guard members can qualify for a pass covering park entry for the member and immediate family traveling in the same vehicle.

Check eligibility ↗

Plan before you go

Mission Rated heads-up

Virginia Beach Oceanfront will be busy. The City has identified Labor Day weekend as part of its major 2026 event season, with large crowds expected around resort-area events. If you are headed to the Oceanfront, plan parking early, expect traffic, and verify event-specific rules before leaving home.

What Mission Rated will keep updating

Between now and Labor Day

Military discounts

Current, source-backed offers that are actually usable over the holiday weekend.

Open Military Value ↗

Gas

Daily Hampton Roads AAA benchmarks so you can see whether prices are moving before the long weekend.

Open Gas ↗

Weekend plans

Events and activities around Hampton Roads, with official sources and eligibility shown where available.

Open This Week ↗