Norfolk summer season jam-packed with art, concerts and culture

NORFOLK, Va. — Festival season across Hampton Roads is picking up with events already underway.

Last month we told you all about the festivals happening in Virginia Beach. Now, we’re taking you to Norfolk’s summer calendar.

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The city will be jam-packed with delicious food, fun music and fireworks this summer.

“It seems like its going to be a reoccurring theme here, week after week after week something happening here at Town Point Park,” Festevents Marketing Director Jordan Lett said.

Lett said they’ve got a diverse lineup with a lot of familiar faces.

“A lot of our festivals have very similar elements with the food the music the culture,” Lett said.

Bayou Bon Vivant kicks off next weekend May 17 to 19. The taste of Louisiana takes over Town Point Park with more than 8,000 pounds of crawfish, alligator sausages, and all the beignets you can eat.

The fun isn’t just happening in Town Point Park. That same weekend, enjoy a classic gyro and give back to local charities at the Norfolk Greek Festival.

Next weekend is a busy one, because you can also check out the Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival on May 18 and 19 or the Norfolk Anime-Fest on the 19th at the Doubletree Hotel.

The very next weekend, some of the biggest country artists in the nation will take over Scope Arena with an expanded Patriotic Fest. Bailey Zimmerman, Warren Zeiders, Hardy and Zac Brown Band will take the stage for the four-day festival Memorial Day weekend from May 23 to 26.

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Up next, enjoy some delicious food at the Norfolk Street Food Festival at the Waterside District on May 23 and 24.

Ships of all shapes and sizes descend on Town Point Park for Harborfest from June 7 to 9.

13News Now is a proud sponsor of the event showcasing live music, food vendors, fireworks and a drone show. The festival will likely host 100,000 people over the three days.

“It’s the largest, longest-running free maritime festival in the country,” Lett said.

Also in June, Festevents hosts a Juneteenth celebration, with a Pridefest block party following soon after. Pridefest is home to the only Pride Boat Parade in the country.

Up next, a Norfolk classic — the 4th of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks.

Celebrate Independence Day with the classics — hot dogs, BBQ and corn on the cob. Sit back and relax to watch the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band until fireworks light up the Elizabeth River. That runs from 5 to 10 p.m. in Town Point Park.

Throughout July and August, Town Point Park will also host the Latino Music Festival.

“We call it the largest outdoor dancefloor in Hampton Roads,” Lett said.

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert and the Waterfront Jazz Festival keep the party going on July 21 and from Aug. 16 to 17, respectively. Lett said they’ve already sold tickets for that in 20 different states for the jazz festival.

Something you can enjoy all summer long? The Ocean View Friday night parties! Every week offers something new running from June to August.

Wrapping things up in September, the colorful CaribFest takes over downtown with the Parade of Bands and Caribbean music.

Finally, experience hot chicken and Music City sounds with Nash Fest 757 on Sept. 14. The one-day event by Festevents features an unannounced lineup of local and national country artists.

When it comes to safety at the large festivals hosted by Festevents, Lett says that’s the number one priority.

He assures everyone they partner with Norfolk police, the Sheriff’s Office, the Navy, Homeland Security and the FBI to make all festivals as safe as possible.

Not only are the festivals fun for the people attending, but they’re also good for local businesses.

Lyndsie Kearney owns the fairly new food truck Hades Wood-Fired Oven. She said they started working with Festevents last year with the summer wine festival.

“We were so incredibly busy that I don’t think we stopped for the eight hours it was going on,” Kearney told 13News Now.

She said getting involved has been great for their growth.

“Definitely our followers went up on our social media,” she said, “It’s opened the door for us to get into some places that we had struggled to get into before because we were so new.”

Lett said not only do these festivals bring a big economic impact to the city, but they also make a social impact.

“Creating a culture here in Norfolk of quality, accessible entertainment,” he said. “There’s something for everybody in Town Point Park at some point throughout the summer.”