The Coastal Virginia Auto Show takes place every November at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach. Over 7,000 car enthusiasts gather to see the newest and most beautiful cars in the country, rare antique models, show-stopping displays, and much more. The show offers plenty of live entertainment, competitions, demonstrations, giveaways, and a children’s area.

Car Displays

The Coastal Virginia Auto Show features imported cars, classics, custom cars, antiques, trucks, motorcycles, and after-market. Visitors can also take a closer look at unique race cars, fascinating car builds, vintage military vehicles, and more. A special outdoor one-day show will be held for those who have limited time but still want to observe everything. The display is located on 19th Street in front of the venue.

Car enthusiasts can send their applications to show off their vehicles at the show. The participants compete in numerous categories, including Best in Show, Neptune’s Trident Champion, First Responder, Best Interior, Best Engineered, and many others.

Other Attractions

Besides car exhibits, the venue features numerous thrilling activities for all ages. The brave ones can test their aim at the Corn Hole Tournament, while girls can embrace the aesthetic of the 1950s at the annual Pin-Up Contest. Cruising on the Atlantic Avenue is one of the highlights, with cars driving along the beautiful oceanfront. Local musicians also entertain the crowd, playing some notable hits. Children will have their hands full with kid’s attractions, including photo ops with children’s characters.

Festival Guests

Each year, the show features celebrity TV hosts, actors, and racers. This year, TV personality Heather Storm, motorcycle racer and former stunt man David Ankin, and Joe and Amanda Martin from Iron Resurrection will host meet-and-greets, interviews, and autograph sessions. During its past runs, the show featured Dan Woods, Tom Cox, Mad Mike, Jason Ewing, Heather Storm, Joe Kenda, David Ankin, Ron and Amy Shirley, Brandon Good, Zac Love, and others.

Schedule & Admission

The hours of the event differ depending on the day. The three-day event runs from 6 to 9 pm on Friday, 10 am to 7 pm on Saturday, and from 10 am to 6 pm on Sunday. To attend the event, you need to purchase a ticket. Tickets cost $15 for adults, while children under 12 can enter for free. You can also purchase a Friday Family Pass for $10, but it’s only valid on Friday.

Charity Efforts

The event benefits charities like “We Promise,” a children’s charity, Wreaths Across America, and “The Bunny Hutch” animal rescue. The show also has an annual tradition of a Charity Truck Raffle, with all the proceeds going to various charities. This year, the funds will be donated to the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation, a fundraiser for ASL and disability causes.

Visitor Reviews

The rove.me team reached out to several attendees of the Coastal Virginia Auto Show to hear about their experiences and impressions of the event. We had the privilege of talking to one of the participating teams, The Dragonfly Three Wheeler, led by Greg and Alex Kunsch, who describe their endeavor as a father-son project.

Greg described the diverse display of car models at the show, saying, “There is a huge variety of vehicles, from old tractors to hot rods, customs, racing cars, and street cars. You’ll see cars from the local guys with customized Honda Civics to full-blown Lamborghini’s and true rolling works of art arriving in covered vans from around the US. There are lots of great people and conversations happening. ” The show ran for three days, with cars shown in the main area, cars in the lobby, and cars in the front parking lot.

For their first public showcase of the Dragonfly Three Wheeler, they were thrilled to win the Best Overall Special Interest Build award in the 2023 edition of the show. “We were there for all three days,” Greg said, “and met lots of interesting and positive people.” Greg and Alex enjoyed allowing others to sit in the Dragonfly and take selfies. They also appreciated the family-friendly aspects, sharing that “in 2023, you would have found Batman walking around, the Flintstones car, and Bat Helicopter.”

When it comes to vendors, Greg shared that while there were several booths selling various automobile-related items, the food choices were limited. But the event’s location is quite convenient, with Greg pointing out, “However, there are a bunch of great restaurants close by… Just walk out the front and head toward the Vibe district.” He also shared his final thoughts on the event, “It’s not quite the LA car scene, but it is a great show for the East Coast. If you are a car person and passing through Virginia Beach during this time, it is worth your time to stop by and check out the scene.”