01 October 2021

October Event Guide 2021

Old Dominion University Football Games

Now Through November
Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

Join us at ODU in cheering on the Monarchs every home game as they take on their opponents!

Town Point Virginia Wine Festival

October 16th and 17th
Town Point Park

Experience Hampton Roads’ most anticipated Wine Festival of the fall season along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world! This year’s fall favorite will showcase more than 30 wineries with over 200 of the Commonwealth’s finest wine varieties.

Festival guests can enjoy the company of friends and family along the Elizabeth River for a weekend-long harvest of Virginia wineries in Town Point Park. Budding sommeliers and everyday enthusiasts can sample and purchase premier wine vintages and enjoy live musical performances, along with gourmet foods and specialty wares.

Stockley Gardens Arts Festival

October 16th and 17th
Town Point Park

Nestled in the heart of Ghent, one of Norfolk’s most beloved neighborhoods lives Stockley Garden. This strip of land is home to the regionally famous Stockley Gardens Arts Festival. This festival is free to the public and occurs twice yearly, featuring all medians of art imaginable! This one of a kind arts festival showcases true masterpieces of local talented artists, offers two-dollar Cogan’s Pizza slices (arguably amongst the best pizza in town) and even encourages strollers and your furry best friend to tag along! The money raised contributes directly to housing, transportation, and medical care for those with developmental disabilities.

NEON Festival

October 21st and 22nd
Norfolk Neon District

The NEON Festival is a free, two-day event where you can experience the NEON District through the folks who developed and continue to develop Norfolk’s booming art scene! Every Fall, you’ll experience art exhibitions, along with live music, and in-depth mural tours, where you’ll get to learn more about the artists and their inspirations. The NEON District is Norfolk’s first official arts district, with hopes of “Harnessing the new every of Norfolk by providing local and touring artists and musicians a place to burn light”. Check our events calendar for NEON Festival updates on all the performances, entertainment, food and beverage offerings, and public art that ignite the district. The NEON Festival is a fantastic environment for all ages!

Museum of the Moon

October 15th – 17th
Barry Art Museum

This two-day exhibit is perfect all moon lovers! Located between the Barry Art Museum and the TED Center, enjoy a pop-up installation of Earth’s moon, as well as a 3-night festival celebrating and interpreting all things lunar. Enjoy live music, dance performances and art demonstrations along with food and drinks from October 15th – 17th. The Moon will be illuminated from Dusk to Dawn and the festivities are free and open to the public!

Norfolk Admirals Hockey Games

October 22nd
Scope Arena

Cheer on the Norfolk Admirals – a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL based in Norfolk, Virginia. The Admirals are affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks and play all home games at the Norfolk Scope in downtown Norfolk.

See Angels & Airwaves at the NorVA

October 24th
The NorVA

Located downtown, the NorVA is an intimate concert venue that hosts a number of incredible bands and artists. Attend Angel & Airwaves on October 24th, an alternative rock band formed in 2005 by Tom Delonge (co-founder of Blink-182). The band is on their first tour since releasing their new album Lifeforms in 2020.

Halloween Events:

Night of Fortunes

October 29-30th
Macarthur Center Mall

Join us for a 2 day Night of Fortunes! October 29th & 30th 4-9pm at the Macarthur Center. They will be featuring some of the best of the best tarot, numerology, psychic readers etc. in the area. They will also have esoteric vendors, vegan noms, giveaways and plenty more. Come dressed for your destiny and see what the cards have in store for you! Adventure awaits!

BOOs & BOOZE – Halloween Mini Market

October 30
Reaver NFK Brewery

What better way to kick off Halloween weekend than with a festive Mini Market! We’ll be slinging a new lineup of Halloween Themed Brunch Beer Cocktails while you sip and shop from this incredibly talented lineup: Velvet Witch (with Tarot Card Readings), Rvshnfk Art Collective, Raytheon Dunn, bustle, ink., Jan Casper Photography, Neptune City Beads, Mallory Yoder, Christine K. Harris, Apple Of My Eye Crafts, La Loba Collections, Pixi’s Moonlit Trinkets and Treasures, Costumes are encouraged!

‘Best of’ Witches Tea

October 30-31st
Reaver NFK Brewery

It’s back, my pretties! Our annual witch-themed tea will make you want to grab your coven and your broomstick for a frightful afternoon of food and friendship. Enjoy multiple character interactions with witches from your favorite books and movies. Pointy hats are encouraged, but not required.

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19 January 2021

Stained Glass Window Driving Tour of Norfolk, VA

Southeastern Virginia is home to some of the county’s most historic churches, many graced by stained glass masterworks. As the sun streams through these richly hued works of color and light, it seems impossible that such miracles are wrought of simple silica and pigment. You have to see it with your own eyes. Take an afternoon to visit these sacred spaces and be transformed by the power of these windows. The Virginia Arts program has put together a stained glass driving itinerary for you to follow and to take it a step further you can purchase a booklet that dives deeper into the stained glass history.

Although access to the Churches and Temple may not be permitted at this time, the buildings and grounds are beautiful and worthy of a visit.

Central Baptist Church

701 W Olney Road

Highlight: Nativity, Colgate Art Glass Co, 1904

The humble manger scene has been transformed into dramatically – lit tableau featuring a picturesque shelter, blooming lilies, benevolent animals, richly dressed visitors, and even gracefully curling incense smoke.

Christ and St. Luke’s Church

560 W Olney Road

Highlight: Annunciation, Mayer & Co., 1910

The Holy Spirit, taking the form of a dove, comes upon her as she agrees to be the Mother of God. A blooming lily plant symbolizes her purity.

Highlight: Munich

Highlight: The Prodigal Son, Mayer & Co., 1910

The parable of the prodigal son tells of a father’s unwavering love, of his patience with a wayward child and of joy at the child’s repentance. The greenery sprouting at their feet and the lush fields beyond symbolize abundance and rebirth.

Epworth United Methodist Church

124 W Freemason St

Highlight: Faith, Hope and Charity, J & R Lamb Studios, 1910

The memorial windows at Epworth are a treasure trove of allegorical figures in the stained glass. The skill of the painter is evident in the delicate rendering of the faces and the refined details of the limbs.

Highlight: Christ Visiting the Home of Mary and Martha, 1907

The transformation of Martha and Mary’s home into a Roman villa reflects the persistence of that image into the early 1900s and is a nod to the Neoclassicism of the American Renaissance.

Highlight: Rose Window, J & R Lamb Studios, 1897

This sun-like figure at the common axis of twelve planets suggests Christ, the source of light, surrounded by twelve disciples.

First Presbyterian Church

820 Colonial Ave

Highlight: Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha, J & R Lamb Studios, 1912

This window closely matches the poses of the figures in the original, the main difference being that Mary is moved further to the right in the enlarged canvas.

Highlight: Old Testament, Willet Hauser Architectural Glass, 1996

Following the Gothic format, several narratives are presented in the many different lights of this transept window.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

1009 W Princess Anne Rd

Highlight: Jerusalem Temple at the Altar of Incense

“Victorian” is often an unflattering designation of an amalgamation of disparate styles. The pictorial quality of these windows is reassuringly familiar and for many, highly evocative and a large part of their appeal.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception)

232 Chapel St.

Highlight: Rose window, Mayer & Co., 1923-25

The design of a rose window often reflects the medieval reverence for numbers. Geometry was thought to mirror a divine order and certain numbers had biblical significance. Eight flowers, each made up of eight petals, surround a larger flower of similar composition.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

201 St Pauls Blvd

Highlight: Madonna and Child, the Hermann Company, 1892

The relationship between Jesus and his mother is a favorite subject among artists. The window does not get much light from the outside and therefore is highly dependent on the reflective nature of the glass.

Highlight: Three Women at the Tomb, Tiffany Studios, 1906

The empty tomb is a symbol of the Resurrection. The light coming from the tomb hints at the heavenly messenger who greets them with the news of the risen Christ.

Temple Israel

7255 Granby St

Highlight: Abraham, Ascalon Studios, 1991

Plants shoot up next to Abraham, symbolizing the fertility that he and his wife would be blessed within their old age. Here we see Abraham with his face turned toward the sky, his arms raised up as if to embrace the stars.

Highlight: David and Goliath, Ascalon Studios, 1991

Goliath looms in the distance, feet planted squarely on the ground, shield and sword at the ready. His confident stance shows no sign that he is threatened by his youthful, unarmed challenger, who carries a bag of stones.

Highlight: The Flood, Ascalon Studios, 1991

The story of the Great Flood is well known. The sun is shining in the background and a rainbow has appeared, signaling a new covenant with God and hope for a world reborn.

Highlight: Swords and Plowshares, Ascalon Studios, 1991

The larger part of the window is dominated by a figure poised to strike his sword. Behind him, someone is pushing a plow. This sun rises in the distance, signaling the coming of a new age. Isaiah’s prophecy describes a vision of world peace.

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14 December 2020

Must-See Outdoor Public Art in Norfolk, VA

Norfolk’s public art not only distinguishes us from other cities, but also brings great awareness to our community’s values. Giant sculptures, iron statues and a life-size kaleidoscope are all pieces that are scattered throughout our city for your enjoyment. While there are more than 50 pieces of public art (and counting), we’ve rounded up the must-see pieces for you.

Metalmatisse

Artist: Electroland (Cameron McNall, Damon Seeley)

Location: MacArthur Square

Metalmatisse resembles a giant-sized futuristic flower pot, is made of stainless-steel and is completely interactive. Visitors can activate lights and sounds in 14 locations by standing in view of an aimed sensor inside of each flower. Visit the piece of art at the right time and the entire sculpture comes to life in an orchestrated chorus of light and sound.

Wind and Tide

Artist: Knox Garvin

Location: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Fairfax Avenue

Norfolk’s light rail transportation, the Tide, has public art featured among its stations, like the Wind and Tide; a multi-colored image that is printed on laminate placed within a layer of glass. Artist Knox Garvin, a Norfolk Public Schools teacher at the time, designed this piece based on the movement of the train, the wind and the local tides. The art work is transparent, making for a beautifully lit design on a sunny day.

Upper Blush

Artist: Matthew Geller

Location: NEON District

Not your typical brush and paint type of art, Upper Blush is an eye-catching circular canopied bench located in the NEON District. While your legs dangle from the bench swing, you simultaneously create movements that direct rain water to flow down a pipe which feeds into a nearby garden, repurposing the water and aiding in local flooding issues.

Lone Sailor

Artist: Stanley Bleifeld

Location: 113 Waterside Dr

While the Lone Sailor represents the past, present and future Navy bluejacket, it is by no means a lonely statue. Lone Sailor is accompanied by eight bronze commemorative plaques of Norfolk-based ships and submarines that have met with tragedy – and one plaque that recalls the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. The plaques are: USS Cole, USS Forrestal, USS Iowa, USS Liberty, USS Nimitz, USS Newport News, USS Scorpion and The Pentagon.

Harboring Histories

Artist: Rhiza A+D (Ean Eldred, Richard Garfield, John Kashiwabara, Peter Nylen)

Location: Harbor Park

If you arrive in Norfolk via the Amtrak Train you will be greeted by this three-part steel and aluminum structure the moment you leave the station. The first structure represents the history of boat building and shipping, and is layered like the outside of an oyster shell. The second sculpture, which is in the median portion of the drop of lane, mimics the commonly-seen profile of large ships. A railroad tress and oyster tongs support a reef like collection with railroad signal lights and radar forms on top. Lastly, the third sculpture merges the biology of the Elizabeth River’s natural reef forms with Norfolk Virginia’s great shipping industry.

Cementiscope

Artist: Glassatorium (Joan Biddle, Hannah Kirkpatrick, Charlotte Potter, Kristi Totoritis), Joan Biddle

Location: 776 Granby St.

An essential piece of public art to Norfolk’s NEON Arts District, Cementiscope is an interactive life-sized kaleidoscope. As you manually crank the large black and white striped drum, colorful glass appears to tumble via reflective mirrors but only the glass within close proximity to the mirrors gets reflected, allowing viewers to see Norfolk in a whole new way. Colorful shape combinations are enhanced by integrated LED lights. Due to the randomness of the tumbling action, you’ll never see the same set of images twice.

The Future is in the Margins

Artist: Deedee Morrison

Location: Larchmont Library Trail Head

This massive three-paneled piece of art decorates the lawn of the Larchmont Library and can be seen when traveling along the Elizabeth River Trail. The middle panel is made of resin and is an interpretation of the entire Elizabeth River watershed. While the middle panel is the most colorful, the panels to either side of it are made of steel and pay tribute to native plants.

Jumbo-Wumbo Technico

Artist: Tommy Fox

Location: Brambleton Avenue and Yarmouth Street, Norfolk VA 23510

USS Antietam Anchor

Location: Town Point Park

This huge anchor, 30,000 pounds to be exact, plays perfectly into Norfolk’s large military population. The USS Antietam was commissioned on January 28, 1945 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, served in the Pacific for most of her career and earned two battle stars for service in the Korean Conflict.

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16 November 2020

Top 5 Reasons to Meet in Norfolk, VA

Deeply rooted in southern hospitality, Norfolk is the one-stop-shop for your next memorable meeting location. From its pedestrian friendly community (recently named among the top 50 most walkable cities in the country) and its convenient Mid-Atlantic location with multiple off-site venue offerings, rich history, eclectic mix of art and an experienced services staff waiting to accommodate your needs are a few reasons to select Norfolk as your next host meeting destination. If you are looking for a perfect match, while also creating an extraordinary experience for all then check out the top five reasons why Norfolk must be included in your next site selection process.

1. Location and Transportation

Located in the middle of the Eastern seaboard, just off interstate 64, Norfolk is only a day’s drive from two-thirds of the Us population, making for a convenient destination for both business and leisure. The Norfolk International Airport offers 150 nonstop flights to major airports on seven different airlines including the newest airline, Boutique Air. Norfolk is also home to an Amtrak station whose downtown location will bring you straight into the heart of the city. Once here, downtown Norfolk and its surrounding neighborhoods are highly walkable, with designated pedestrian trails and bike lanes. A public light rail train is also available to transport you outside of the downtown area.

2. Walkability

Just a few blocks from your downtown hotel, attendees can enjoy the Elizabeth River Trail, a 10.5-mile pedestrian and biking trail on the waterfront, sail the Elizabeth River on a tall ship with Rover Cruises or tour the Battleship Wisconsin, one of the largest and last battleships ever built by the U.S. Navy. The Pagoda and Oriental Garden is nearby, a gift from the Taiwan Provincial Government, and history buffs can stroll the cobblestone streets in West Freemason where Victorian homes tower over the sidewalks and roses curl along garden fences. Narrative plaques wind through this area making The Cannonball Trail, a self-guided tour of 400 years of history, showcasing buildings and sites from the turn-of-the-century. You’ll even find a Civil War-era cannonball still lodged in the wall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church!

For art lovers, Norfolk’s NEON Arts District boasts streets lined with art in the form of colorful murals, statues, pop-up galleries and sidewalk installations. Here attendees can explore The Chrysler Museum of Art, a free world-class museum with 50 galleries and over 30,000 objects ranging from Tiffany Glass to ancient Egyptian artifacts. The museum offers regular, free glass-blowing demonstrations on select days of the week.

3. Safety and Services

From open-air venue options with plenty of room for social distancing, to our walkable waterfront downtown helping to reduce your attendees’ transportation needs, when you book a meeting in Norfolk, you can plan on it being a safe one.The moment you choose Norfolk, our incredible event planning team will be there every step of the way. You’ll get a dedicated Destination Services Manager to ensure your event goes smoothly. Our Sales and Destination Services teams are coached up and pumped up to make your Norfolk meeting the most successful one yet.

4. World Class Off-site and Unique Venues

Norfolk offers world class offsite unique venues for groups of all sizes. Take a step outside of the board room and onto the American Rover, a three-masted topsail schooner with the Norfolk skyline as your backdrop or meet at the Chrysler Glass Studio, where you can witness glass blowing demonstrations and even create your own piece of artwork. The options are limitless, to help you create an extraordinary experience for your attendees. With the versatility and capabilities of being able to host an event on land or water, our team is ready and willing to help you pull it all together.

5. Cuisine

With more independently owned restaurants per capita than almost any city in the U.S., Norfolk has blossomed into one of the South’s most dynamic foodie destinations. With the convergence of cultures, Norfolk brings chefs, farmers, brewers and bakers to your table, giving attendees the chance to try something new without big-city hassle. Dine on the water and taste local, fresh seafood at Stripers Waterside or experience true southern BBQ from Redwood Smoke Shack.

October Event Guide 2021

Old Dominion University Football Games

Now Through NovemberKornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

Town Point Virginia Wine Festival

October 16th and 17thTown Point Park

Stockley Gardens Arts Festival

October 16th and 17thTown Point Park

NEON Festival

October 21st and 22ndNorfolk Neon District

Museum of the Moon

October 15th – 17thBarry Art Museum

Norfolk Admirals Hockey Games

October 22ndScope Arena

October 24thThe NorVA

Halloween Events:

Night of Fortunes

October 29-30thMacarthur Center Mall

BOOs & BOOZE – Halloween Mini Market

October 30Reaver NFK Brewery

‘Best of’ Witches Tea

October 30-31stReaver NFK Brewery

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October Event Guide 2022

Activities for Small Meeting and Professional Groups

Stained Glass Window Driving Tour of Norfolk, VA

Central Baptist Church

701 W Olney Road

Christ and St. Luke’s Church

560 W Olney Road

Epworth United Methodist Church

124 W Freemason St

First Presbyterian Church

820 Colonial Ave

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

1009 W Princess Anne Rd

St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception)

232 Chapel St.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

201 St Pauls Blvd

Temple Israel

7255 Granby St

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Must-See Outdoor Public Art in Norfolk, VA

Artist: Electroland (Cameron McNall, Damon Seeley)

Location: MacArthur Square

Artist: Knox Garvin

Location: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Fairfax Avenue

Artist: Matthew Geller

Location: NEON District

Artist: Stanley Bleifeld

Location: 113 Waterside Dr

Artist: Rhiza A+D (Ean Eldred, Richard Garfield, John Kashiwabara, Peter Nylen)

Location: Harbor Park

Artist: Glassatorium (Joan Biddle, Hannah Kirkpatrick, Charlotte Potter, Kristi Totoritis), Joan Biddle

Location: 776 Granby St.

Artist: Deedee Morrison

Location: Larchmont Library Trail Head

Artist: Tommy Fox

Location: Brambleton Avenue and Yarmouth Street, Norfolk VA 23510

Location: Town Point Park

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Your Guide to Norfolk Mermaids

Best Coworking Spaces In Norfolk—No Membership Required!

October Event Guide 2022

Activities for Small Meeting and Professional Groups

Top 5 Reasons to Meet in Norfolk, VA

1. Location and Transportation

2. Walkability

3. Safety and Services

4. World Class Off-site and Unique Venues

You May Also Like

Your Guide to Norfolk Mermaids

Best Coworking Spaces In Norfolk—No Membership Required!

October Event Guide 2022

Now Through November
Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium

October 16th and 17th
Town Point Park

October 16th and 17th
Town Point Park

October 21st and 22nd
Norfolk Neon District

October 15th – 17th
Barry Art Museum

October 22nd
Scope Arena

October 24th
The NorVA

October 29-30th
Macarthur Center Mall

October 30
Reaver NFK Brewery

October 30-31st
Reaver NFK Brewery