May might be the perfect month in Norfolk, as the weather turns pleasant, offering a hint of summer, but without all that humidity. Outdoor events kick into overdrive, as concerts, festivals and outdoor activities dominate the calendar. It’s also Bike Month, making it the perfect time to hop on two wheels and explore the city. Enjoy the scenery and the fun around town this month with this list of our favorite May 2025 Norfolk events.
Norfolk Tides
Harbor Park
May 13-18; 27-31
Your Norfolk Tides, Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles offer up a pair of long homestands this month, taking on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp mid-month and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs to close out the month.
Farmers’ Markets
Various Dates and Locations
Norfolk is home a pair of recurring farmers’ markets, with Ghent hosting them the first and third Fridays of each month from 4 to 7 p.m., and East Beach holding them each Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Norfolk Home and Garden Tour
Harborfront Garden Club and the Garden Club of Norfolk
May 1, 2025
Lakewood embodies the historic beauty of Norfolk, providing sweeping waterfront vistas, wetlands wildlife, and a canopy of towering trees. Situated on a peninsula between the Lafayette River and Wayne Creek, this hidden gem of a neighborhood features varied architectural styles and gardens, from traditional 1930s Colonial Revivals to 1950s Ranch houses. Visitors will enjoy a walking tour of five properties full of historic charm and modern updates for today’s families.
Soulja Boy
The NorVa
May 1, 2025
DeAndre Ramone Way (born July 28, 1990 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, or simply Soulja Boy, is an American pop rap artist. In September 2007, his single “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published on the Internet, and it became a number-one hit in the United States for seven non-consecutive weeks starting in September 2007.
Plena Libre
Perry Pavilion
May 1, 2025
Distilling a heady mix of Afro-Caribbean styles and irresistible on-stage energy, this sizzling Puerto Rican band has been thrilling international audiences for nearly three decades. With mesmerizing hand drumming, raucous horns and soaring vocal harmonies, they’ll have you on your feet! Discover a fan-favorite band who “can rock the house with traditional singing and drumming, then turn around and lay down a smoking, jazz-heavy, Afro-Rican jam” (East Bay Express).
Chris Staples & Feign Kin
Union Overall Company
May 2, 2025
Chris Staples is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his introspective indie folk sound. Originally from Pensacola, Florida, he later moved to Seattle, touring with artists like Telekinesis, Father John Misty, Jeremy Enigk, and Dave Bazan. Despite his success as a hired musician, he found his true voice in solo work, crafting melodic, reflective songs on love, loss, and self-discovery.
The Great Gatsby Ballet
Chrysler Hall
May 3, 2025
Step into the jazzy world of the Roaring Twenties with this new production of the World Ballet Company. See the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel LIVE on stage, featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, an all-star creative team, lustrous hand-crafted costumes, and lavish, groundbreaking sets. The original score evokes the energy and atmosphere of the 1920s.
Matisyahu
The NorVa
May 3, 32025
Matisyahu’s spirituality has evolved in parallel with his music, though his Jewish heritage remains a central theme throughout his life and music. The new EP, Hold The Fire (out February 2024), also finds him reflecting on celebrity and artistic success. For Matisyahu, “the unbelievable and miraculous feeling of being connected to our people” is what keeps the creative fire alight.
Spring Town Point Va. Wine Festival
Town Point Park
May 3-4, 2025
Held on Saturday & Sunday, May 3 & 4, 2025 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, the festival showcases more than 25 of the Commonwealth’s top wineries in a picturesque setting along the Elizabeth River, to go along with gourmet foods, specialty merchants, live music, and much more! All wines presented during the festival are available for purchase by the bottle or case throughout the day.
John Moreland
Perry Pavilion
May 4, 2025
After clamoring acclaim and a run of hit albums established him as a y’alternative superstar, this fiercely independent Tulsa-born singer-songwriter stopped working, turned off his cellphone, and unplugged to rest, heal and reflect. Faithful fans are thrilled that Moreland has emerged from his self-imposed silence with an “incredibly powerful and timely album” (Americana Highways), filled with deeply personal, moving songs that beg to be heard again and again.
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Chrysler Hall
May 6-11, 2025
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News).
Black Jacket Symphony: Jimmy Buffett
Harrison Opera House
May 9, 2025
Remember putting on an album and listening from start to finish? Relive that moment with a live concert experience unlike any other as The Black Jacket Symphony recreates Jimmy Buffett’s iconic album “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” live in its entirety; note for note, sound for sound.
Memphis: The Musical
Little Theatre of Norfolk
May 9 – June 1, 2025
Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves- filled with laughter, soaring emotion, and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll. Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and two 2015 Olivier Awards, MEMPHIS features a Tony-winning book by Joe DiPietro and a Tony-winning original score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan.
Shane Gillis Live
Chrysler Hall
May 10, 2025
As one of the industry’s top touring comics, Shane recently wrapped up a leg of his sold-out arena circuit, setting an all-time ticket record at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena and achieving a historic sell-out at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Arena, which marked the venue’s largest comedy show ever.
Mother’s Day Activities
Various Events in Norfolk
Events for Mother’s Day include a brunch cruise with City Cruises, an afternoon sail with American Rover, a Paint ‘N Sip event at COVA Brewing Co., free train rides at the Virginia Zoo, brunch at Saltine and so much more.
Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda, Antonio Sanchez Trio
Perry Pavilion
May 14, 2025
Presented by Virginia Arts Festival. Never content to rest on his laurels as the world’s greatest banjo player—and with 17 Grammys out of 38 nominations, he surely could– Béla Fleck has spent a lifetime innovating through collaborations that have taken him from bluegrass to jazz to music of many continents. His newest adventure explores an entirely new sound as he joins with Grammy-winning drummer and composer Antonio Sanchez and Colombian harpist Edmar Castañeda. Fleck fans, prepare to have your mind blown (again!).
Norfolk Greek Festival
7220 Granby St.
May 15-18, 2025
The Norfolk Greek Festival at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral celebrates Hellenic heritage and Orthodox Christian values. It offers Greek culture through food, fellowship, and traditions, dedicating proceeds to charitable organizations. Stop by to immerse yourself in Greek culture, including plenty of baklava and dolmas.
Sunsets on the River
Hermitage Museum and Gardens
Thursdays, May through Aug.
This summer, head over to the Hermitage Museum & Gardens for our 15th Anniversary of Sunsets on the River! Relax on the shoreline and enjoy live concerts from across the musical spectrum, including Alternative Rock, Blues, Country, Yacht Rock, and more.
Bayou Bon Vivant
Town Point Park
May 16-18, 2025
Indulge in the flavors of New Orleans at the Bayou Bon Vivant, a three-day celebration of the tastes, tunes, and traditions of the Crescent City. From juicy handfuls of crawfish to world-renowned N’awlins jazz musicians, the Bayou Bon Vivant captures the vibrant spirit of Louisiana and transforms it into a weekend-long party Friday-Sunday, May 17 – 19, 2024 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront! A wide-ranging and fun experience for the entire family, the Bayou Bon Vivant also features an Arts Market featuring 30+ New Orleans crafters, crocodile and reptile exhibits, mouth-watering Cajun dishes such as beignets, gumbo, etouffees, and jambalaya.
Junie B. Jones
The Hurrah Players
May 17-18, 2025
Created by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, the team that brought you Dear Edwina, comes Junie B. Jones, The Musical – a delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books, brought to life in a genuinely comical (and not strictly-for-kids) musical developed by TheatreworksUSA. Awaken a young person’s desire to read with the sassy little diva, Junie B. Jones, and her adventures in first grade.
Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival
Stockley Gardens, Ghent
May 17-18, 2025
Since 1984 Hope House Foundation has hosted the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, a two-day event featuring over 125 artists from across the U.S. and overseas to participate and showcase their art in a variety of mediums, including photography, pottery, sculpture, painting, mixed media and jewelry. Stockley Gardens Park offers the festival a distinctive atmosphere with its peaceful garden setting in the heart of the historic district in Ghent, Norfolk. The festival is free and open to the public and attracts thousands of people who enjoy the art, live music, an array of food and the community atmosphere of the event held in the spring and fall each year.
The Wood Brothers
Perry Pavilion
May 20, 2025
Presented by Virginia Arts Festival. Hailed by Paste Magazine as “masters of soulful folk,” The Wood Brothers have cemented a reputation, among fans and critics alike, as freethinking songwriters and road warriors. Their latest studio album, Heart is The Hero, has won rave reviews for “songs that reflect the fears, hopes, and joys of everyday people. Their poetry is sonic as well as lyrical and will speak to you in ways you won’t anticipate” (Rock & Blues Muse).
Zemlinsky Quartet w/ Olga Kern
Robin Hixon Theater
May 22, 2025
Co-presented with The Feldman Chamber Music Society and Virginia Arts Festival. So much of the great string quartet repertoire has come from Czech composers; there has come to be a deep appreciation among chamber music fans for what is known as “the Czech tradition.” The Zemlinksy Quartet has become a much-lauded example of that tradition, winning top prizes in international competitions and releasing a library of critically acclaimed recordings. In their Virginia Arts Festival debut, Van Cliburn Gold Medal-awarded pianist Olga Kern joins the ensemble for an evening of chamber classics, including Dvořák’s fiery Piano Quintet No. 2.
Patriotic Festival
Scope Arena
May 23-25, 2025
Performers at this annual celebration of all things patriotic include Old Dominion, Riley Green and Jordan Davis.
Of Mice and Men
The NorVa
May 23, 2025
Known for their powerful live performances and intense sound, Of Mice & Men will be bringing their signature blend of heavy riffs and soaring vocals to the venue. Fans can expect to hear a mix of their popular tracks and potentially new material, making it a must-see show for metal enthusiasts in the area.
Suicidal Tendencies
The NorVa
May 30, 2025
Formed in Venice, CA, in the early ’80s, the band, led by vocalist Mike Muir, initially played hardcore before transitioning to thrash metal. Despite early difficulties booking shows due to violence and gang affiliation rumors, their 1983 debut album became the best-selling hardcore album of its time.
Birmingham Royal Ballet: Black Sabbath – The Ballet
Chrysler Hall
May 30, 2025
The raucous energy of heavy metal rock meets the strength and athleticism of ballet in this spectacular new work from Birmingham Royal Ballet, presented in its U.S. premiere by Virginia Arts Festival. With eight classic Black Sabbath hits arranged for orchestra and rock band, and a live guitarist onstage with the dancers, the pulsing light show frames the action in an unforgettable experience.
