<P> The Vampire Diaries , an American supernatural drama , was renewed for an eighth season by The CW on March 11 , 2016 . On July 23 , 2016 , the CW announced that the upcoming season would be the series ' last and would consist of 16 episodes . The season premiered on October 21 , 2016 and concluded on March 10 , 2017 . </P>
when does season 8 of vampire diaries come out
October 21 , 2016