Norfolk plays host to plenty of extraordinary festivals and special events, providing entertaining and culturally enriched experiences for individuals and families alike. Many of these signature events draw thousands of visitors annually from across the world. Check out some of our favorite early spring and summer festivals in Norfolk, VA!
Winter 2024-25 Festivals
Holiday Yule Log Bonfire & Christmas market
Town Point Park – Dec. 7, 2024
Filled with plenty of holiday cheer and good tidings, the Holiday Yule Log Bonfire and Christmas Marketplace is the perfect way to welcome in the holiday season. For one afternoon, Town Point Park is transformed into a festive outdoor wonderland highlighted by a towering Yule Log Bonfire and also featuring a local artisans market, Christmas caroling, hot chocolate and whiskey tastings and a visit from the Big Man himself.
WinterFest on the Wisconsin
Nov. 15, 2024-Jan. 1, 2025
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and Nauticus’ annual WinterFest on the Wisconsin is celebrating with an all-new holiday movie theme. A towering 35-foot-tall leg lamp, a larger-than-life Ralphie (complete with his pink bunny suit), two Grinch “takeover” nights, and an elaborate new train display featuring everyone’s favorite elf are just some of the additions that make this season’s WinterFest bigger and brighter than ever!
2025 Events
Virginia International Tattoo
Scope Arena – April 24–27, 2025
It’s no secret Norfolk has a serious appreciation for our military. After all, Norfolk is home to the largest naval base in the world. In 1997, the Virginia Arts Festival presented the city with what has now become a staple to Norfolk’s performing arts scene; The Virginia International Tattoo. This annual spectacular event showcases inspirational military music, majestic massed pipes and drums, show-stopping drill team maneuvers and hundreds of international performers! This display of military talent is incomparable to any other event, so don’t miss it.
SPRING FESTIVALS
Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival
Town Point Park – Early May 2025, Exact Dates TBA
Winter is over, the bees are buzzing, and the locals are sipping their way through the Town Point Virginia Wine Festival. There’s no better way to spring into summer than by sampling Virginia vintages with the Elizabeth River as your backdrop. For a local’s secret, pack yourself a picnic and attend the festival on Sunday to avoid the long lines. So sip, swirl and enjoy the extraordinary taste of Virginia grapes!
Bayou Bon Vivant: Cajun Music & Food Festival
Town Point Park – May, 2025 EXACT DATES TBA
Festevents brings a taste of Louisiana to Norfolk with more than 8,000 pounds of Cajun crawfish at your fingertips! Have you always wanted to visit Cajun country or just simply miss good ole Louisiana cooking? Then come eat your way through the Bayou Bon Vivant: Cajun Music & Food Festival. From po’ boys to alligator sausages and all the beignets in between, this foodie festival will be sure to satisfy your Cajun craves.
Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival
Stockley Gardens – May 17-18, 2025
The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival welcomes artists from the U.S. and abroad to display their work in various mediums such as photography, pottery, sculpture, painting, mixed media, and jewelry. With free admission, the festival draws large crowds who appreciate the art, live music, food options, and community spirit. It takes place annually in the spring and fall.
Patriotic Festival
SCOPE ARENA – May 23-25, 2025
Patriotic Festival comes to the vibrant Norfolk waterfront on Memorial Day weekend. The mission of the Patriotic Festival is to honor and celebrate the branches of our armed forces and promote patriotism. Enjoy performances by country artists Old Dominion, Riley Green, Jordan Davis and more. All performances will take place at Scope Arena in Downtown Norfolk.
Summer FESTIVALS
Harborfest
Town Point Park – June 2025, EXACT DATES TBA
Tis the season for fireworks, boating and all things outside! Harborfest is a must-attend event in Norfolk. The festival features the famous Parade of Sail, outdoor vendors, live music, delicious eats and drinks, plus a fabulous fireworks display on the beautiful Norfolk waterfront.
Juneteenth in the Park
Town Point Park – June 2025, EXACT DATE TBA
This event hosted by Festevents is free and open to the public!
Pridefest
Downtown block party – June 2025, EXACT DATE TBA
PrideFest has become a staple to Norfolk’s festival scene for over 30 years, making our city more dynamic, diverse and distinct than ever! This vibrant festival had a humble beginning at Lakewood Park and has now grown into one of the hottest events of the summer!
4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks
Town Point Park – July 4, 2025
What better place to celebrate Independence Day than in the heart of Norfolk? Town Point Park offers classic fare like hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, buttered corn on the cob, juicy watermelon and lemonade! Fill up your plates, sit back and relax as you watch the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band kick off the holiday celebrations. Stick around until 9:30 for a spectacular fireworks display just over the Elizabeth River!
Latino Music Festival
Town Point Park- July 2025, EXACT DATE TBA
Every summer Town Point Park transforms into one giant dance floor. We encourage you to grab your favorite dance partner and join us for an evening of the hottest salsa, meringue and guaguanco dancing the East Coast has ever seen. Live explosive Latin music by local, regional and national recording artists will fill the park and have your feet dancing all night long. This cultural event will not only showcase stellar Latin beats but will also deliver the best Latin cuisine Norfolk has to offer.
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park
Town Point Park – July 2025, EXACT DATE TBA
Virginia’s pre-eminent professional symphony orchestra will appear in concert for a free evening Downtown Norfolk waterfront performance. This annual summer concert features national recording artists and includes gourmet artisan foods and beverages available for purchase.
Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival
Town Point Park – August 2025, EXACT DATES TBA
Pull up your lawn chair to the longest-running Jazz Festival in Norfolk and Hampton Roads! Chill on Norfolk’s waterfront while indulging in the tunes of sweet smooth Jazz and R&B. Jazz is arguably the truest art form of America, so let these talented musicians transform you into the era of the 1900s. Don’t forget to snack, drink and shop at the festival’s marketplace too!
CaribFest
Town Point Park – September 2025, EXACT DATE TBA
Come and experience the fusion of food, colors, creativity, incredible art and live, authentic Caribbean music along the waterside at Town Point Park! Watch the Parade of Bands full of stunning, vibrant colorful costumes with unique themes and music to get everyone moving. This Caribbean festival in Norfolk, VA only gets better with a full-blown concert of international artists on the main stage plus so much more.
NashFest 757
Town Point Park – September 2025, EXACT DATE TBA
Hot chicken, hard drinks, and Music City sounds! NashFest 757, a one-day festival celebrating the iconic culture and cuisine of Nashville is back and will take place in September 14, 2025 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront! Fusing together all of the elements that make Nashville one of America’s most popular cities, NashFest 757 will offer an experience similar to an evening stroll down Broadway, featuring national and local recording artists, mouth-watering hot chicken, barbecue, and biscuits, line dancing, craft beer and whiskey tastings, bull riding, and much more for what promises to be one of The 757’s hottest summer events!
FALL FESTIVALS
Virginia Children’s Festival
Town Point Park – October 2025, EXACT DATE TBA
Coastal Virginia’s most beloved family festival is filled with more than 100 creative and interactive activities, storytelling, hands-on workshops and educational displays, cultural experiences, arts and crafts, costumed characters and more! Parents and children alike can frolic through the many imagination stations, shows and displays that are on site. Then visit the multiple exhibitions and activities that are sure to get the creative juices flowing.
Fantastic Planet
Barry Art Museum – October 2025, Specific date TBA
Over three nights, the ODU campus will be transformed by the presence of otherworldly figures, inviting us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and our responsibility to preserve it for future generations. Inspired by the film of the same name, this playful and immersive series of artworks carries an underlying message of stewardship, environmentalism and our role on this fantastic planet. Fantastic Planet is presented by Old Dominion University, the ODU Educational Foundation and the Brock Foundation. This event is free and open to the public!
Fall Town Point Virginia Wine Festival
Town Point Park – October 2025, EXACT DATES TBA
Back again, the Town Point Virginia Wine Festival is a fall favorite. There’s no better time for sampling Virginia vintages with the Elizabeth River as your backdrop. Enjoy gourmet foods for purchase and a great lineup of vendors as you sip, swirl and enjoy the extraordinary taste of Virginia grapes.
Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival
October 2025, EXACT DATES TBA
Come to Ghent for the regionally famous Stockley Gardens Art Festival. This festival is free to the public and occurs twice yearly, featuring all medians of art imaginable! Enjoy pizza slices from Cogan’s Pizza, followed by family-favorite Joysicles. Families are encouraged to bring their strollers and furry best friends to tag along.
Norfolk Greek Festival
October 2025, EXACT DATES TBA
The Greek Festival in Norfolk is the region’s oldest and largest ethnic festival under one of the area’s largest tents. Festival goers look forward to lining up for irresistible, authentic Greek food, lively entertainment, an exceptional vendors’ market and mingling with friends old and new.
NEON Festival
NEON DISTRICT – October 2025, EXACT DATES TBA
The 7th Annual NEON Festival will take place on Thursday, October 20 and Friday, October 21, 2022 from 6–10 p.m. in Norfolk’s first official arts district, the NEON District. The NEON Festival is a free, two evening event that encourages visitors to explore and discover the NEON District. The festival celebrates the energy in NEON and draws from the passion and creativity in Downtown and the region. Anchored by the Chrysler Museum of Art and Harrison Opera House and extending to The Plot on Granby Street, the NEON District includes many creative small businesses and arts partners that contribute to the festivities.
