May 1: Hermitage Museum - Sunsets on the River. Come enjoy live music on the back lawn of the Hermitage!
Every other Thursday in May and June, the Hermitage hosts a local concert. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Cash bar—no outside alcohol allowed. Food will also be available for purchase.
This Thursday music from The Hark - Based out of Williamsburg, Va, The Hark is a high-energy act comprised of some of Hampton Road's most talented musicians and entertainers.
Members: FREE, Non-members: $10.00
May 2: First Fridays Downtown Norfolk. Join us for our second season of First Fridays. Each event will feature a great musical act, pop-up businesses, a beer garden and lots of fun all on vibrant Granby Street. Make a night of it and enjoy great eats before or after the party at one of the many downtown restaurants.
5-8:30 pm in Downtown Norfolk, TCC PLAZA, 300 Block of Granby Street - Rain or shine.
Features Music From the Guava Jam Band filling the street with sound and fun! Their style includes 70s to current classic rock, country and adult contemporary music.
Feel free to bring your own lawn chairs or other seating to make yourselves comfortable. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
May 2-4: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more. Friday, 2 May - Concert in the Courtyard by Lewis McGehee from 5-8:00 pm. Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
May 2-4: The Bodacious Boardwalk Bazaar & Spring Festival. Fort Monroe, Hampton. This is an amazing three day shopping experience happening at the historic Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. This festival includes talented artists, crafters, local businesses, and a car show at an extraordinary venue. Our show donates a percentage of its net to several chosen non-profits each show.
Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm Daily
May 3: Town Center Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival. Town Center, Virginia Beach. Something’s brewing at the first-ever craft beer festival at Town Center in Virginia Beach! Featuring local Virginia beers and national and regional craft beers and ciders. Over 50 craft beers from over 25 breweries will be available for sampling at the Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival. Tickets include sampling and live entertainment.
Hours: 1:00pm - 6:00pm
May 3: Hampton Block Party 2014 - Downtown Hampton, Saturday Nights! Spend your Saturday nights on The Block this summer. Bring a chair and watch the band or bring your appetite and sample food from our vendors or from one of the many independently owned downtown restaurants. From country to hair bands to local favorites, each week is something new. This week - Quincy Mumford and the Reason Why, The Dharma Initiative. Block Party is from 6-11:00 pm.
May 3: The 2nd Annual Mariner’s Craft Beer Festival! Live music, good food and great beer in a unique setting! The second annual Mariners’ Craft Beer Festival will feature 15 craft breweries and over 40 craft beer selections in the unique setting of The Mariners’ Museum’s outdoor courtyards. The event also includes live music, food vendors and beer talks by brewery representatives.
Participating breweries will include: Heavy Seas, Smartmouth, Devils Backbone, Legend, Starr Hill, AleWerks, New Belgium, St. George, O’Connor, SweetWater, Lonerider, Anheuser Busch, Sunken City, Bold Rock and Goose Island.
Ticket prices are $35 in advance, $40 day of event and $30 for Museum Members. Tickets include 20 craft beer tastings, souvenir tasting glass, entertainment from Hey Hey Hooligan and Esoteric Ramblers and admission to tour The Mariners’ Museum.
Visit www.MarinersMuseum.org/BeerFest for more information and to buy tickets
May 3: 10th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival. 17th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Kite fliers and spectators of all ages will experience a visual feast at the 10th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival. Held in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, this popular event features a variety of activities appropriate for all ages and all levels of kite aficionados. “Colors in the Sky” is the theme that participants will explore in the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival’s “Best Kite Contest.” The Best Kite Contest is free to enter, and takes place from 1:30-3:00pm.
American Kite Association members from throughout the East Coast will present kite demonstrations, perform kite routines to music, and fly giant kites (up to 80 feet long) that include an octopus kite! Kite vendors will be on site to sell various kinds of kites.
Awards will also be given each day for oldest and youngest kite fliers, funniest kite, most unusual kite, and biggest kite.
Admission to the kite festival is free.
May 3-4: Atlantic Coast Kite Festival - Portsmouth City Park. This two-day event brings performance kite flyers to Virginia Beach on Saturday and Portsmouth on Sunday. Co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center and Beach Events. Free and open to the public.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
For more information, please call 757-393-8543 or visit www.PortsmouthArtCenter.com
May 3-4: 8th Annual AT&T Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world! Norfolk Festevents is bringing 25 of the best wineries from across the Commonwealth right to Hampton Roads' premier waterfront venue! Save those frequent flyer miles and enjoy a blissful afternoon of sampling a wide selection of Virginia Wines in Town Point Park.
Hours: 11am - 6pm daily in Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk, VA Waterfront.
For questions regarding Private Chalets contact vellinesj@festevents.org
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
Tidewater Virginia Weekend Events
OK, I love living in this area, because when the weather gets warm there's always something to do,....but .... this ....is ridiculous! I mean it's like there's something new almost every single weekend!?!
Check this Weekend out:
April 16-19: The 62nd Annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT). Each year the basketball world focuses on Portsmouth as 64 of the nation’s best college seniors participate in a four-day, twelve-game tournament. Scouts from every National Basketball Association team are on-site to evaluate the talent on the court. Past players include NBA greats such as Rick Barry, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, John Stockton and Scottie Pippen.
www.portsmouthinvitational.com | 757-393-8481
April 19: Hampton International Children's Festival. Mill Point Park, and Downtown Hampton. Travel around the world during the International Children's Festival. Enjoy the rich array of sights, sounds, and tastes of distant lands that will captivate the senses of children and adults alike. Experience the beauty and wonder of exotic places as over thirty-five countries and cultures showcase their unique heritages. Free admission, food & beverages available for purchase.
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm
April 19: Chesapeake Eggstravaganza. Chesapeake City Park. Children 8 and under can join us for fun and egg-citement. Children should bring a basket for the egg hunt. Children may join Peter Cottontail for a picture. Parents, don't forget your camera!
This event is FREE.
INFO: 757-382-6411.
Check this Weekend out:
April 16-19: The 62nd Annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT). Each year the basketball world focuses on Portsmouth as 64 of the nation’s best college seniors participate in a four-day, twelve-game tournament. Scouts from every National Basketball Association team are on-site to evaluate the talent on the court. Past players include NBA greats such as Rick Barry, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, John Stockton and Scottie Pippen.
www.portsmouthinvitational.com | 757-393-8481
April 19: Hampton International Children's Festival. Mill Point Park, and Downtown Hampton. Travel around the world during the International Children's Festival. Enjoy the rich array of sights, sounds, and tastes of distant lands that will captivate the senses of children and adults alike. Experience the beauty and wonder of exotic places as over thirty-five countries and cultures showcase their unique heritages. Free admission, food & beverages available for purchase.
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm
April 19: Chesapeake Eggstravaganza. Chesapeake City Park. Children 8 and under can join us for fun and egg-citement. Children should bring a basket for the egg hunt. Children may join Peter Cottontail for a picture. Parents, don't forget your camera!
This event is FREE.
INFO: 757-382-6411.
Friday, April 11, 2014
Tidewater Area Events Spring/Summer
OK, I love living in this area, because when the weather gets warm there's always something to do,....but .... this ....is ridiculous! I mean it's like there's something new almost every single weekend!?!
Check this out:
April 11-13: Mid-Atlantic Home and Garden Show, Virginia Beach Convention Center. Join the Tidewater Builders Association for this fantastic event, featuring an exciting line-up of celebrities and home and garden experts, offering gardening activities that offer something for everyone in the family. Refresh and renew the inside and outside of your home with ideas and inspiration from more than 200 exhibitors offering everything from flooring to roofing to everything in between – plus ways to save energy and improve your indoor air quality.
Hours: Fri-Sat 10am - 8pm, Sun 10am - 6pm.
April 12: "Aerodrome Wine Classic" - Downton Without the Abbey. In anticipation of the centenary of the Great War, the Military Aviation Museum will celebrate an occasion we hope embodies the spirit of a bygone age, paying homage to the early aeronauts, the joie de vivre of a generation, and the inseparable link between motoring and aviation. You are invited to savour the varietal bouquets of regional wines, the romance of primitive aeroplanes, and the elegance of artisanal automobiles, at the first annual "Aerodrome Wine Classic”.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Visit www.VBwineclassic.com today or telephone 757-721-7767 for tickets.
April 12: Dismal Swamp Stomp - Half-Marathon & Children's 1/2-Mile Cub Run (ages 12 and under). Chesapeake invites you on a spectacular 13.1 mile journey through lush, mysterious landscape and rich history. Alongside and parallel to the trail is the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, part of the famed Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, which offers runners forested wetlands and a peaceful paved pathway through the wilderness. Join the foot stompin' crowd for the race; enjoy the legendary scenery and entertainment that will be anything but dismal. Each registered participant receives a finisher's medal when they cross the finish line. The Dismal Swamp Stomp Half-Marathon and Children's 1/2 Mile Cub Run (ages 12 and under) bring outdoor sports to a new level.
For more information check out www.dismalswampstomp.mettleevents.com or call 757-382-6411.
April 12: The Great American Clean-up. Seawall in Downtown Portsmouth near City Hall. The Great American Cleanup is a city-wide beautification initiative that is intended to create and instill pride in neighborhoods and foster a sustainable and livable community agenda.
Hours: 9am - Noon.
In addition, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Electronics Recycling and Document Shredding will take place in Cradock at Afton Square.
For more information or to volunteer, call Donna Corbus, Recycling Coordinator at 757-393-8663, Ext. 7369
April 12: Walk Hampton Clean Day. Hamptonians and friends of Hampton will select sites throughout the city to clean. Sign up today to get the spot of your choice! Cleanup supplies will be provided.
Hours: 6:00am-1:00pm
http://www.hampton.gov
April 16-19: The 62nd Annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT). Each year the basketball world focuses on Portsmouth as 64 of the nation’s best college seniors participate in a four-day, twelve-game tournament. Scouts from every National Basketball Association team are on-site to evaluate the talent on the court. Past players include NBA greats such as Rick Barry, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, John Stockton and Scottie Pippen.
www.portsmouthinvitational.com | 757-393-8481
April 19: Hampton International Children's Festival. Mill Point Park, and Downtown Hampton. Travel around the world during the International Children's Festival. Enjoy the rich array of sights, sounds, and tastes of distant lands that will captivate the senses of children and adults alike. Experience the beauty and wonder of exotic places as over thirty-five countries and cultures showcase their unique heritages. Free admission, food & beverages available for purchase.
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm
April 19: Chesapeake Eggstravaganza. Chesapeake City Park. Children 8 and under can join us for fun and egg-citement. Children should bring a basket for the egg hunt. Children may join Peter Cottontail for a picture. Parents, don't forget your camera!
This event is FREE.
INFO: 757-382-6411.
April 24-27: Virginia Arts Festival 18th Annual International Tattoo. Norfolk Scope Arena. The Virginia International Tattoo, long regarded as the most patriotic of the world's great military tattoos, has just been designated as the Signature Event of the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration in 2014. The 2014 Tattoo will honor Vietnam veterans and their families and also recognize the contributions made by our Vietnam allies. The Tattoo is a massive performance featuring a cast of 900+ from around the world. Performing groups include military bands, bagpipers, drill teams, dancers, choirs and more. The Virginia International Tattoo is the largest tattoo in the United States and thrills and inspires audiences young and old each spring.
Hours: Thu-Sat 5:30 and 7:30pm, Sun 12:30 and 2:30pm
April 26: 61st Annual NATOFest. Norfolk’s Town Point Park. Norfolk NATO Festival is the longest continuously running Festival in the Hampton Roads region, and the only one of its kind in the United States which honors the NATO Alliance and its member nations. The NATO Festival recognizes and celebrates the international influence the NATO Command in Norfolk, VA, and its 28 member nations, brings to our city. Festival events include education programs for our children, cultural events to engage all citizens, and opportunities to empower our industries.
Come celebrate with the whole family in a European Street Fair Atmosphere at NATOFest! Immediately following the Parade of Nations through Downtown Norfolk at 10:00am, join in a celebration and appreciation of our local NATO Headquarters. Interact with NATO Representatives and visit their 28 Member Nation Tents in the “NATO Village”. Explore International Heritage in the NATO Town Square with Cultural Performances, Visual Art Displays and International Merchandise. Enjoy Cuisine from the NATO Nations and enjoy Craft Beers under the Festhaus Tent.
Hours: 11:30am - 5:00pm
April 26: 6th Annual East Coast She Crab Soup Classic. 24th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. An open competition among over 15 participating restaurants, the She Crab Soup Classic focuses on one of the region’s most-loved seafood delicacies. The highly identifiable cuisine has been a staple of area menus for decades. Restaurants serve their individual recipes and compete for People’s Choice Awards, determined by ballots of those attending. Critic’s Choice Awards also are given by a panel of six leading regional cuisine experts.
A limited number of tickets are available for The East Coast She Crab Soup Classic. Advance tickets are on sale for $14 (plus service fees) through all Ticketmaster outlets, and at the Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center (2100 Parks Avenue) , hours are 9:00am-5:00pm.
Tickets are $18 day-of-show, if available. Children 12 and younger who are not sampling and are accompanied by an adult are free.
Dogs and beach/lawn chairs are not permitted in the tasting area. For more information, please call 757-491-SUNN (7866).
April 26: 2014 Hampton Roads Rubber Duck Race. Intracoastal Waterway at Great Bridge, 116 Reservation Road, Chesapeake, VA. All proceeds from the Hampton Roads Rubber Duck Race benefit CHIP of South Hampton Roads. CHIP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency that provides a continuum of services to families with young children to ensure they have a happy, healthy start in life and enter school ready to learn and succeed.
For more information, visit www.chesapeakeduckrace.org
April 27: Taste of India. Ted Constant Center. This is one of the largest Asian Indian Festivals in the Commonwealth of Virginia celebrated annually. There will be exciting opportunities to experience Indian food, dances, shopping and art. Each year the event has attracted over 7,000 to 10,000 people. This will be the eight year for the Taste of India Event to be celebrated in our area. So join us on April 27th, 2014 at 11 am at Ted Constant Convocation Center, Old Dominion University.
May 2-4: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
May 2-4: The Bodacious Boardwalk Bazaar & Spring Festival. Fort Monroe, Hampton. This is an amazing three day shopping experience happening at the historic Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. This festival includes talented artists, crafters, local businesses, and a car show at an extraordinary venue. Our show donates a percentage of its net to several chosen non-profits each show.
Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm Daily
May 3: Town Center Craft Beer Festival. Town Center, Virginia Beach. Something’s brewing at the first-ever craft beer festival at Town Center in Virginia Beach! Featuring local Virginia beers and national and regional craft beers and ciders. Over 50 craft beers from over 25 breweries will be available for sampling at the Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival. Tickets include sampling and live entertainment.
Hours: 1:00pm - 6:00pm
May 3-4: 8th Annual AT&T Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world! Norfolk Festevents is bringing 25 of the best wineries from across the Commonwealth right to Hampton Roads' premier waterfront venue! Save those frequent flyer miles and enjoy a blissful afternoon of sampling a wide selection of Virginia Wines in Town Point Park.
Hours: 11am - 6pm daily in Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk, VA Waterfront.
For questions regarding Private Chalets contact vellinesj@festevents.org
May 3-4: Atlantic Coast Kite Festival - Portsmouth City Park. This two-day event brings performance kite flyers to Virginia Beach on Saturday and Portsmouth on Sunday. Co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center and Beach Events. Free and open to the public.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
For more information, please call 757-393-8543 or visit www.PortsmouthArtCenter.com
May 3: 10th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival. 17th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Kite fliers and spectators of all ages will experience a visual feast at the 10th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival. Held in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, this popular event features a variety of activities appropriate for all ages and all levels of kite aficionados. “Colors in the Sky” is the theme that participants will explore in the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival’s “Best Kite Contest.” The Best Kite Contest is free to enter, and takes place from 1:30-3:00pm.
American Kite Association members from throughout the East Coast will present kite demonstrations, perform kite routines to music, and fly giant kites (up to 80 feet long) that include an octopus kite! Kite vendors will be on site to sell various kinds of kites.
Awards will also be given each day for oldest and youngest kite fliers, funniest kite, most unusual kite, and biggest kite.
Admission to the kite festival is free.
May 9: PANorama Caribbean Music Fest. 24th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The PANorama Caribbean Music Fest is a musical adventure set to the soothing sounds of steel pan music. The festival’s casual atmosphere appeals to the island community and people of all ages who are intrigued by the unique sounds and style of steel drum music! Fusing together the rhythm of steel bands, ocean breezes, and great Caribbean food, the breathtaking Virginia Beach oceanfront becomes an “island paradise” for the weekend.
Co-produced with the Virginia Arts Festival, the PANorama Caribbean Music Festival at its core is a steel drum band competition featuring over 20 high school, college, and community bands from throughout the United States. Bands attend workshops on Friday at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. These workshops are led by nationally-known steel drum artists and educators.
Friday evening features a concert in the 24th Street Park. On Saturday bands compete for ratings and the coveted Grand Champion Award. In the evening, steel drum headliners play on the main stage. All performances are free to the public.
May 9-11: SonRise Music Festival. On the Beach at 30th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The oceanfront will come alive with the sounds of “positive/alternative” music presented on the beach and in the sand. This completely family-friendly event will be held on the beach at 30th Street and feature positive/alternative artists offering a myriad of musical genres such as cutting edge top 40, hip hop, indie, and inspirational. Many of the featured artists can be found on Billboard’s Top 100 in the Positive Music genre. In addition, family activities comprised of comedians, children’s fun tent, speakers, contests, and more round out a weekend sure to entertain, motivate, and inspire.
Acts include: Switchfoot, Francesca Battistelli, Sonic Flood, and KJ 52.
http://www.sonrisefestival.com
May 10: Town Center Art & Wine Festival. Town Center, Virginia Beach. A unique opportunity to enjoy visual and gastronomic arts in the same setting. While the late spring sun bathes the Fountain Plaza, artists of all types display their creations at the festival. At the same time, international wine favorites sit side-by-side with the best of Virginia wineries in a sampling of new and classic vintages. The Town Center Art & Wine Festival is the perfect event to leisurely examine cutting-edge art while sampling the very latest in the vintner’s art.
Admission tickets will be sold for the wine portion of the event. Each ticket includes a commemorative wine-tasting glass and tastings throughout the day.
Hours: 12:00n - 5:00pm
May 10-11: 44th Gosport Arts Festival - Historic Olde Town Portsmouth. This major Hampton Roads event features 150 juried artists and artisans displaying two- and three-dimensional works. Held on the High Street corridor in Historic Olde Towne, the event includes arts demonstrations, live music, food vendors, a children’s area and a silent auction.
Hours: Sat - 10am - 6pm / Sun - 10am - 5pm www.gosportartsfestival.com | 757-488-6908
May 15-18: Chesapeake Jubilee. Chesapeake City Park. This year's event features music from Uncle Kracker, Colt Ford and the fun and exciting Roots & Boots Tour by country music superstars Aaron Tippin, Joe Diffie and Sammy Kershaw. As always, don’t miss our Annual Fireworks Extravaganza produced by the world famous Zambelli Fireworks! The Jubilee will again host the Annual Chesapeake Kiwanis Club Shrimp Feast and the Annual BBQ Cook-off Competition, sanctioned by the world famous Kansas City Barbeque Society. In addition to great Music and Food, Amusements of America, one of the nation’s premier carnival operators will be on site with thrilling rides and game. Bring the kids out for what is sure to be a memorable occasion.
May 16-18: Beach Music Cruise-In. On the Beach at 30th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Combining bands on the beach and cars on the boardwalk, blends the best of the “oldies” with dancing under the stars in a jam-packed blast to the past! Settle into the sand as the top Beach Music bands from up and down the East Coast descend on the Virginia Beach oceanfront in a nostalgic salute to the “good old days” of cool cars and hot tunes. Stroll the boardwalk to view classic cars, hot rods, antiques, and more. A three-day series of free concerts is presented on a stage built right on the beach at 30th Street. Evening concerts on Friday give way to a full day of entertainment on Saturday and more daytime concerts on Sunday.
The car show feature turns the boardwalk into a local version of “Route 66,” with cars and trucks from yesterday and today competing for trophies and Best in Show cash prizes. The car show will be on Saturday, May 17, from 10:00am-4:00pm.
May 17-18: The 13th Annual Virginia Beer Festival. own Point Park, Norfolk. This is one of the most popular Beer Festivals in the mid-Atlantic Region and promises to be a day full of good beer, good friends, and good fun. Spend the afternoon sampling beer from all over the world. International premium beers, hand crafted domestics and local brews comprise a selection of over 125 tap handles. The event features live music, great food and, of course, great beer.
Hours: 2pm-6pm Daily
Virginia Beer Festival is produced in partnership with Virginia Arts Festival
May 17: 5th Annual Elizabeth River Nautical Yard Sale. Ocean Marine Parking Lot on Wavy Street.
Hours: 9am - 2pm
For more information call (757) 321-7433 or email adm1@oceanmarinellc.com
May 17: Town Center Corvette Showcase. Town Center, Virginia Beach. The Town Center Corvette Showcase is a premier classic car show featuring one of the most impressive collections of Corvettes of yesterday and today ever assembled. Participants showcase their vehicles and compete for cash prizes and trophies in various categories. The Town Center Corvette Showcase is open to both individual car owners as well as car clubs. There will be a nominal registration fee for participants but will be free for spectators. The Pre-Registration fee is $20 per vehicle/$25 per vehicle day of the Showcase. A portion of the entry fees will benefit local Virginia Beach charities.
Hours: 10:00am-4:00pm
May 17-18: Pirate Party on the Beach. 17th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This family-friendly event features two days of activities designed to bring out the “pirate” in everyone! Costume contests, games, a treasure hunt, pirate re-enactors, and movie on the beach all combine to celebrate those scallywags we all wish we could be: pirates!
On Saturday dress like a pirate and enter the costume contest! Also on Saturday, participate in Cap’n Pete’s Treasure Hunt at 5:30pm and then settle in the sand at 7:45pm for the animated film “Pirates: Band of Misfits” – to be shown on a giant screen, right on the beach!
On both days, enjoy arts and crafts and displays by participating museum organizations like the Old Coast Guard Station and Mariner's Museum.
Other activities throughout the weekend include bandana-making, face-painting, storytelling, weapons demonstrations, and strolling entertainers.
On Sunday, enter your team in the Pirates Challenge, which will test your skill in several physical challenges, all pirate-themed. Winning teams receive cash prizes and trophies! There is an entry fee for teams in the Pirates Challenge.
May 23-25: 24th Annual Umoja Festival. Come celebrate Portsmouth's Annual African-American Culture and Heritage Festival promoting cultural diversity and unity. Live music, vendors, food and much, much more. www.UmojaFestPortsmouth.com | 757-393-8481
May 23-25: Salute to Summer. 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks, on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Salute to Summer is an unabashed “Star-Spangled” salute to great music, fun in the sun, and the military men and women who have sacrificed their lives throughout our history. Live, free entertainment on three outdoor stages includes music presented by local and regional bands.
Friday, May 23
17th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Rare Mixx; 24th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, TRADOC Concert Band; 31st Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, The Fuzz Band Saturday, May 24 17th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Nature’s Child; 24th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Jesse Chong Band; 31st Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, DEJA Sunday, May 25 17th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, The River Boyz; 24th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot; 31st Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, The Deloreans
May 24: 35th Annual Elizabeth River Run. ERR will be held on the exciting and scenic course in Portsmouth, Virginia. With magnificent views of the Elizabeth River, participants will traverse through Olde Towne with its towering monuments, museums, historical homes and the Portsmouth sea wall. Following the race will be a post-race celebration at the spectacular nTelos Pavilion.
Three fun events for all age groups:
· CSX Elizabeth River Run 10k - Running and Walking divisions - 8:00 am; · Crawford Street Mile - 7:45 am; · Children’s Museum Fun Run - 9:45 am.
For more information, please visit www.tidewaterstriders.com
May 24-25: 2014 Langley Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show. Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton. Hosted by the Gloucester and Langley Kennel Clubs, this highly anticipated event is expected to draw over 4,000 spectators and 1,500 dogs. This year’s highlights will include four days of obedience trials, four days' worth of AKC Rally®, and a free Junior Showmanship clinic. The event will feature over 30 vendors offering unique pet merchandise not generally available in the Hampton Roads region.
May 26: 130th Portsmouth Memorial Day Parade. A Portsmouth tradition since 1884. Annually, the Memorial Day Parade salutes the service and sacrifices of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and celebrates Portsmouth’s proud military heritage. This year’s parade will include floats, marching band units, armed forces units, lots of excitement and much more.
For more information call Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services at (757) 393-8481.
May 31-June 1: The 15th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival. Downtown Hampton and Mill Point Park. Festivities kick off Friday, May 30, from 7-11 p.m. with the Grand Pirates Ball at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel. It will include a bounty of food, adult beverages and live music. The festival is free but tickets for the ball, available starting April 15, are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.
June 6-8: 38th Annual AT&T Norfolk HarborFest. Free and Open to the Public! Launch your summer with the area's biggest dock party!!
The Festival continues through the weekend with 3 full days of FREE, fresh, family-friendly FUN! For four memorable days, the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront transforms into an exciting playground for people of all ages. The historic waterfront festival offers a weekend packed with exciting activities on land and sea! Harborfest® includes tall ships and the Parade of Sail, the largest fireworks show on the East Coast, local, regional and national entertainment, family activities, unique and unusual performances, water activities and much more.
Friday, June 6: Noon - 11pm (Parade of Sail) Saturday, June 7: Noon - 11 pm (Fireworks) Sunday , June 8: 10 am- 6 pm
June 6-8: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
June 6-7: Seawall Music Festival. This is Portsmouth's summer celebration of music along the seawall with free family fun. Daily musical performances by local and regional bands, children's activities and the East Coast's largest pyrotechnical show. Check back for a complete list of musical acts, time and activities or call 757-393-8481 as the date gets closer.
June 12-15: Boardwalk Art Show & Festival. 17th-32nd Streets Boardwalk, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Enjoy 300 artists and a fun festival atmosphere at the oceanfront during Father's Day Weekend. The Boardwalk Art Show and Festival is one of the oldest and best outdoor fine art shows on the Eastern Seaboard. Produced by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, it is ranked as one of the top 15 fine art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This four-day festival features fine art, great shopping, and live entertainment for the entire family.
June 13-14: 27th Annual Cock Island Race. Known as the largest sailing event on the East Coast. Several classes of sailboats race up and down the Elizabeth River, but the race is not just for professionals. Causal boaters hit the water, too. The race kicks off with concerts and food Friday night and ends Saturday evening with an awards ceremony and more live music.
For more information, call 757-393-8481.
June 14: Life's a Beach Triathlon. Buckroe Beach and Park, Hampton. Life’s A Beach encourages people to “catch the new wave of triathlon,” with its unique take on a sport most people often associate with grueling training regimes and expensive, high-tech equipment. The Life’s A Beach swim is 200 yards of “Almost Anything Goes,” with racers allowed to use boogie boards, swim fins, mask and snorkels, water wings, and almost anything else to help them feel comfortable and have fun. The bike portion of the race is only five miles and is for fat tire bikes only—beach cruisers and mountain bikes—as some courses may actually involve stretches of beach riding. The two-mile beach run is laid back and includes some of the Life’s A Beach challenges—obstacles to break up the run in a fun way. Awards will be given to the Top Dudes and Dudettes, Top Slackers, Most Bodacious Bike Decorating, and Coolest Costume. There will be an Awards Ceremony and Bodacious Beach Bash After-Party following the event.
Hours: 8:00am - 2:00pm
June 20-22: The 25th Annual AT&T Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival delivers the heart and soul of Louisiana to visitors of Town Point Park in true Cajun style. From New Orleans to Norfolk, two stages featuring national recording artists provide musical entertainment for the weekend. Also on hand will be many local New Orleans musicians and artists who are sure to get your hands clapping, feet two-steppin' and heart pumping throughout the weekend.
The Arts Market of New Orleans returns for its 9th season and brings with it talent, unique artistry and the culture of Louisiana! The Arts Council of New Orleans and Norfolk Festevents hand-pick the most unique and one-of-a-kind artists from Louisiana to share their stories, culture and craft. This year, over 24 artists in various mediums including art, jewelry and sculpture will be on site displaying their works.
No Bayou celebration would be complete without the mouthwatering Cajun delicacies prepared by authentic Louisiana inspired chefs. Festival guests are in for a real treat as they feast on fresh crawfish straight from Louisiana, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, alligator, muffuletta, andouille, and beignets. Guests will also find festival favorites like sno balls (discovered in New Orleans, by the way!), root beer floats, smoothies, Italian water ice, glazed nuts, kettle korn and funnel cake. Wash it all down with a variety of cold beverages including a fine selection of beers straight from New Orleans' own Abita Brewing Company as well as New Orleans-born Southern Comfort Hurricanes.
Friday: Noon - 4pm (free & open to the public) 5pm-10pm (ticketed)
Saturday: Noon - 10 pm (ticketed)
Sunday: Noon - 6pm (ticketed)
June 20-22: Sandstock – A Tribute to Rock & Roll. 24th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This is a beach-inspired variation on “Woodstock.” National and regional tribute artists who cover performers from Elton John to the Allman Brothers to the Grateful Dead will crank out hit after hit on two beach stages at the Virginia Beach oceanfront! All performances, which are free to the public, will be held on “dueling” stages on the beach at 24th Street, adjacent to the 24th Street Park. Merchandise vendors will be featured in the park itself.
June 27-28: Hampton Jazz Festival. Hampton Coliseum, Hampton.
Friday’s show at 7:30pm features the incomparable Charlie Wilson. Since storming back onto the music scene after his departure from the Gap Band, Charlie has turned out one hit after another and is currently one of the finest entertainers working today. Making his festival debut this year will be Jaheim - billed as possibly the next Luther - fans will come to appreciate the true greatness of his voice. Also appearing on Friday will be a super jazz package featuring Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown and Alex Bugnon. This is probably smooth jazz at its best. Friday’s show will open with Jackie Scott & The Housewreckers with special guest William ‘Mobetta’ Ledbetter.
Saturday’s show at 7:00pm features Hampton Jazz Festival’s favorite - The O’Jays - paired with another icon of R&B music - Chaka Khan. Together they are sure to give Festival patrons a once in a lifetime experience. Also appearing will be Morris Day & The Time - a great throwback to music from the 70's and 80's. Rounding out Saturday will be one of the true icons of the smooth jazz genre - Spyro Gyra.
Sunday’s show at 2:00pm will feature something truly special. Toni Braxton and Babyface will both appear and perform complete shows - but what will be really exciting for Festival patrons will be that they will perform songs together from their brand new smash album “Love, Marriage & Divorce”. This will surely be one of the highlights of the Festival. Also appearing will be Dave Koz and Friends - and in this case his friends are Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliott. Local Hampton Jazz fans will also delight in this year’s Sunday opener The Now & Then Trio + One, well-known throughout the Tidewater area.
June 27-28: Hardee's Latin Fest. On the Beach at 24th Street, on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. For two days, Virginia Beach celebrates the sights and sounds of the Latin experience. Hardee’s Latin Fest, Friday-Saturday, June 27-28, possesses the key ingredients of good food, family participation, and first-rate Latin music. National performers electrify the diverse audience with high-energy tunes that move the crowd to dance under the stars. Local and regional Latin acts (each with their own loyal fan base) take the stage and unite festival-goers with the rhythms of Salsa, Merengue, and Jazz. All performances will take place on a giant stage on the beach at 24th Street.
Additional activities, in the 24th Street Park, include the Zumba fitness marathon on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 8:00am. Zumba fitness is the Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow calorie-burning party! Meet some of the area’s best instructors. Participate for one hour or all four! Vendors and cultural activities in the park will round out the festival.
July 4-6: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
July 4: The 32nd Annual AT&T Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks Spectacular. Town Point Park, Norfolk. Free & Open to the Public. Leave the grilling to us on the 4th of July and bring your family and friends down to Town Point Park from 5pm-10pm! Guests can feast on traditional All American Fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, buttered corn on the cob, juicy watermelon, lemonade... with all the fixin's and much more! Relax on the lawn and enjoy patriotic sounds by United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Band. Then watch as the sky lights up with the fireworks display at 9:30pm!
July 4: Independence Day Fireworks - Olde Town Portsmouth.
9:30 PM - View the fireworks from the Seawall or along Crawford Parkway.
757-393-5111
July 4: Stars & Stripes Explosion. On the Beach between 16th and 18thy Streets, at 20th Street, and 24th and 31st Street Parks, and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Multiple live performances on oceanfront stages attract tens of thousands of visitors and residents of Hampton Roads to a “star-spangled” salute to this great country of ours at Stars & Stripes Explosion! Musical acts offer something for everyone with tribute bands saluting some of the biggest names in music. From 8:00pm-9:30pm, a stage erected right on the beach at 20th Street becomes the focal point for performances by Symphonicity (the symphony orchestra of Virginia Beach) together with the Virginia Beach Chorale. This musical program encompasses patriotic songs, Broadway standards, movie themes, and folk music. The show segues into a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30pm that explodes over the ocean in a burst of colors and patterns!
July 5: Patriots Day. Spend some time on the Fourth of July weekend and continue the celebration of America's independence at our seventh annual Patriots Day event. Take a journey with us back in time through living history to the eve of revolution, as the Town of Portsmouth prepared for the clouds of war. Will you sign up as a patriot or loyalist?? Be part of the revolutionary event and enjoy crafts, music, games and drills. This event is sponsored by Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum in collaboration with the Portsmouth Museums. Admission is free as part of our First Weekend, First Saturday programming series.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Presented by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth Museum | 757-393-8591 | www.portsmouthnavalshipyardmuseum.com
July 11: AT&T Summer BrewFest. TowneBank Fountain Park, Town Point Park, Norfolk. Free & Open to the Public.
Kick off Friday night right with AT&T Summer BrewFest. Loosen the tie or take off the heels and meet your friends in TowneBank Fountain Park at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk, Virginia Waterfront where you can sample a wide variety of summer beers from a selection of local, regional, national international breweries. AT&T Summer BrewFest is the perfect way to celebrate the end of the work week with an extended happy hour and great music at the Fountain. Admission to AT&T Summer BrewFest is free while beer sampling tickets will be available for purchase.
Hours: 5pm-9pm
July 12. Chalk the Walk ARTsplosion. On the Boardwalk between 16th and 18th Streets, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Chalk the Walk takes over the Virginia Beach Boardwalk as hundreds of artists and “wanna-be artists” gather to turn the boardwalk into an impromptu canvas of color! Artist registration will be on the boardwalk at 17th Street. 200 competitors will complete chalk drawings to be evaluated by a panel of judges from the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach. Judges will score the drawings according to criteria such as composition, use of color, adherence to theme, and creativity. There will be three competitive divisions: Amateur, Professional, and Youth. The Youth division will be for ages 12-16. Children 11 and under will be invited to draw for fun in a separate area. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for each division. Winners will be announced at 4:30pm at the registration tent. All participants must register by 1:00pm to qualify for the competition. All drawings must be completed by 3:30pm to be eligible for prizes.
Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm.
July 18-20: 32nd Annual AT&T Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival. Cool Jazz and warm summer nights return once again to Downtown Norfolk at the area’s longest running outdoor Jazz Festival! Jazz enthusiasts will chill to the sounds of smooth jazz in the serene setting of the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront along the Elizabeth River.
Friday and Saturday, July 18 - 19, 5pm-11pm Sunday, July 20, 1pm-6pm To stay connected with Jazz Festival updates https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkJazzFestival
July 25-27: A Midsummer Fantasy Festival - Performance Art/Theater in the Park. Town Point Park, Norfolk. As an encore to last summer’s memorable presentation of “Tempest”, VSC and Norfolk Festevents will present an immersive and participatory community performance arts festival that will re-imagine Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream within in a series of at least 5 temporary public art installations. Over a period of 5 days, commissioned artists, musicians & designers will work with the greater Norfolk and Hampton Roads community to construct 5 unique environments using reapportioned materials from Norfolk’s shipping industries. The Festival will culminate with a 3-day interactive performance series of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This non-linear reinvention of Shakespeare’s classic invites patrons to “choose their own adventure,” interacting with professional performers & installations according to their own imagination. The public art installations will be open for public viewing and interaction before, during and after the performances.
Friday & Saturday: 6pm-10pm
Sunday: 4pm - 8pm
July 26: The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge. On the Beach at 30th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The Crab is King at this one-of-a-kind event that’s fun for the whole family! Preliminary hermit crab races lead to the Crustacean 500, where the winner is awarded the “Order of the Mercury Claw” trophy. Crabs race on a specially-designed circular track, where all the “crabtestants” are placed in the center. At the sound of the starting horn, crabs scurry to the outer ring of the track. Whichever claw crosses the line first wins. It’s the survival of the “crabbiest!” Aside from 1st, 2nd, And 3rd Place winners, special trophies are also awarded for the Friendliest Crab, Biggest Crab, Shyest Crab, Most Unique Crab Display, Prettiest Crab Shell, Most Athletic Crab, and Most Traveled Crab. There are no fees for entering the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge; the event is free for both participants and spectators. Registration begins at 9:30am and all participants must be registered by noon in order to race.
Hours: 10:00am-2:00pm
August 1-3: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
August 2: Happy Birthday Coast Guard. Did you know that Portsmouth is the ninth official Coast Guard City in the nation? Join us as we celebrate the 224th birthday of the United States Coast Guard. On August 4, 1790, The Revenue Cutter Service (the precursor to the Coast Guard) was established to watch over the coast of our young republic. Get your hands on craft activities, your eyes into historic scenery and your ears in to sweet musical sea shanties as we explore the history of the Coast guard from the Federal Period through War World II.
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm. Free admission.
Presented by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth Museum | 757-393-8591 | www.portsmouthnavalshipyardmuseum.com
August 16: 14th Annual Norfolk Latino Music Festival. Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk. Free & Open to the Public.
The sun goes down, the stars come out, and the largest outdoor dance floor in Hampton Roads heats up.
Hours: 5:00pm-10:00pm
August 18-24: 52nd Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championship. Vans Presents The 51st Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships. ECSC is North America's Oldest Running Surfing Competition and the second oldest continuously-run surfing contest in the world. More than 100 of the world's top professional surfers, male and female, and an estimated 300 amateur surfers will travel to Virginia Beach to "ride the curl" at the Oceanfront and compete for combined cash prizes of more than $200,000. Held annually in Virginia Beach, Virginia since 1963, ECSC is more than just surfing. Dozens of people also take part in other competitions including skimboarding, volleyball, an oceanfront 8K run, a swimsuit competition and the extreme sport of skateboarding. Live bands perform for free on an oceanfront stage throughout the weekend. A cost is involved to participate in competitions, but all activities are free and open to the public.
August 22-23: FunkFest. On the beach at 24th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. FunkFest is the heart and soul of this weekend event, featuring music generated over the years by influential legends such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, and The Ohio Players. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid-to late-1960’s when African-American musicians blended soul music, soulful jazz, and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Funk music was a major influence on the development of 1970’s disco music, and has even impacted house music and hip-hop.
August 23-24: 44th Annual Seawall Art Show. This juried fine arts and crafts show on Portsmouth’s waterfront in Historic Olde Towne draws large crowds of buyers to the event. It features works of nearly 100 talented artists working in oil painting, woodcarving, hand woven clothing, art glass, fine jewelry, pottery and more. Includes a student art show, food and entertainment.
http://www.seawallartshow.org | 757-393-8983 Ext. 13
August 29-31: American Music Fest. 5th Street Stage, and 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks. The sounds of rock, jazz, country, R&B, and more flood the Virginia Beach oceanfront for three sun-filled days over Labor Day Weekend at the American Music Festival. One of the largest outdoor music events on the East Coast, the American Music Festival brings together national, regional, and local acts to play on a gigantic stage erected on the beach at 5th Street, as well as stages in all the parks along the boardwalk. Just about every music genre is included, proving that there truly is “something for everyone.” Performers in 2013 included Daughtry, Barenaked Ladies, Third Eye Blind, Three Dog Night, Edgar Winter, Modern English, Sugar Ray, WAR, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
August 29-31: Rock & Roll Half Marathon and Health and Fitness Expo. Virginia Beach Oceanfront and Convention Center. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is the ‘World’s Largest Running Series’ with more than 500,000 people taking part in 26 North American cities each year. The series enjoys great appeal for the destination athlete, tremendous local support and has firmly established itself as a dynamic running platform.
August 30: 10th Annual Labor Day Sidewalk Sale. All along the High Street Corner Featuring: Sales, bargains, specialty gifts, antiques, arts & crafts and more.
Hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm
September 5-7: Hampton Bay Days. Downtown Hampton Waterfront. The 31st Annual Hampton Bay Days Festival continues its tradition of attracting over 200,000 visitors to the city's downtown waterfront the first weekend of September. The 2013 festival features family fun and entertainment with a lineup of the region's best and diversely talented local musicians, entertaining events, exhibits and popular vendors peddling unique arts & crafts and a wide variety of tasty foods and drink.
September 5-6: Blues at the Beach. 17th Street Park, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Celebrating one of the most cherished musical genres of all time, Blues at the Beach features two days of concerts on an outdoor stage. Local, regional, and nationally-recognized Blues acts share the stage for a riveting and heartfelt tribute to the sights, sounds, and soul of the American experience. National headliners have brought their intensity and knockout live performances to Virginia Beach.
September 5-7: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
September 6: 6th Annual Opera in the Park. Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk. In Partnership with Virginia Opera. Free & Open to the Public.
Join us in Town Point Park as the sun sparkles over the waterfront and the stars of the Virginia Opera fill the air with beautiful music. The 6th Annual Opera in the Park Concert is free and everyone is welcome! So wear your Bermudas and flip flops to this family friendly day, and don't forget the lawn chairs and blankets to picnic as the sun sets over the Elizabeth River. Coolers, food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. No alcohol or glass is permitted. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Proceeds from beer and wine sales will benefit the Virginia Opera.
Time: TBD
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April 11-13: Mid-Atlantic Home and Garden Show, Virginia Beach Convention Center. Join the Tidewater Builders Association for this fantastic event, featuring an exciting line-up of celebrities and home and garden experts, offering gardening activities that offer something for everyone in the family. Refresh and renew the inside and outside of your home with ideas and inspiration from more than 200 exhibitors offering everything from flooring to roofing to everything in between – plus ways to save energy and improve your indoor air quality.
Hours: Fri-Sat 10am - 8pm, Sun 10am - 6pm.
April 12: "Aerodrome Wine Classic" - Downton Without the Abbey. In anticipation of the centenary of the Great War, the Military Aviation Museum will celebrate an occasion we hope embodies the spirit of a bygone age, paying homage to the early aeronauts, the joie de vivre of a generation, and the inseparable link between motoring and aviation. You are invited to savour the varietal bouquets of regional wines, the romance of primitive aeroplanes, and the elegance of artisanal automobiles, at the first annual "Aerodrome Wine Classic”.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Visit www.VBwineclassic.com today or telephone 757-721-7767 for tickets.
April 12: Dismal Swamp Stomp - Half-Marathon & Children's 1/2-Mile Cub Run (ages 12 and under). Chesapeake invites you on a spectacular 13.1 mile journey through lush, mysterious landscape and rich history. Alongside and parallel to the trail is the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, part of the famed Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, which offers runners forested wetlands and a peaceful paved pathway through the wilderness. Join the foot stompin' crowd for the race; enjoy the legendary scenery and entertainment that will be anything but dismal. Each registered participant receives a finisher's medal when they cross the finish line. The Dismal Swamp Stomp Half-Marathon and Children's 1/2 Mile Cub Run (ages 12 and under) bring outdoor sports to a new level.
For more information check out www.dismalswampstomp.mettleevents.com or call 757-382-6411.
April 12: The Great American Clean-up. Seawall in Downtown Portsmouth near City Hall. The Great American Cleanup is a city-wide beautification initiative that is intended to create and instill pride in neighborhoods and foster a sustainable and livable community agenda.
Hours: 9am - Noon.
In addition, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Electronics Recycling and Document Shredding will take place in Cradock at Afton Square.
For more information or to volunteer, call Donna Corbus, Recycling Coordinator at 757-393-8663, Ext. 7369
April 12: Walk Hampton Clean Day. Hamptonians and friends of Hampton will select sites throughout the city to clean. Sign up today to get the spot of your choice! Cleanup supplies will be provided.
Hours: 6:00am-1:00pm
http://www.hampton.gov
April 16-19: The 62nd Annual Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT). Each year the basketball world focuses on Portsmouth as 64 of the nation’s best college seniors participate in a four-day, twelve-game tournament. Scouts from every National Basketball Association team are on-site to evaluate the talent on the court. Past players include NBA greats such as Rick Barry, Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, John Stockton and Scottie Pippen.
www.portsmouthinvitational.com | 757-393-8481
April 19: Hampton International Children's Festival. Mill Point Park, and Downtown Hampton. Travel around the world during the International Children's Festival. Enjoy the rich array of sights, sounds, and tastes of distant lands that will captivate the senses of children and adults alike. Experience the beauty and wonder of exotic places as over thirty-five countries and cultures showcase their unique heritages. Free admission, food & beverages available for purchase.
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm
April 19: Chesapeake Eggstravaganza. Chesapeake City Park. Children 8 and under can join us for fun and egg-citement. Children should bring a basket for the egg hunt. Children may join Peter Cottontail for a picture. Parents, don't forget your camera!
This event is FREE.
INFO: 757-382-6411.
April 24-27: Virginia Arts Festival 18th Annual International Tattoo. Norfolk Scope Arena. The Virginia International Tattoo, long regarded as the most patriotic of the world's great military tattoos, has just been designated as the Signature Event of the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration in 2014. The 2014 Tattoo will honor Vietnam veterans and their families and also recognize the contributions made by our Vietnam allies. The Tattoo is a massive performance featuring a cast of 900+ from around the world. Performing groups include military bands, bagpipers, drill teams, dancers, choirs and more. The Virginia International Tattoo is the largest tattoo in the United States and thrills and inspires audiences young and old each spring.
Hours: Thu-Sat 5:30 and 7:30pm, Sun 12:30 and 2:30pm
April 26: 61st Annual NATOFest. Norfolk’s Town Point Park. Norfolk NATO Festival is the longest continuously running Festival in the Hampton Roads region, and the only one of its kind in the United States which honors the NATO Alliance and its member nations. The NATO Festival recognizes and celebrates the international influence the NATO Command in Norfolk, VA, and its 28 member nations, brings to our city. Festival events include education programs for our children, cultural events to engage all citizens, and opportunities to empower our industries.
Come celebrate with the whole family in a European Street Fair Atmosphere at NATOFest! Immediately following the Parade of Nations through Downtown Norfolk at 10:00am, join in a celebration and appreciation of our local NATO Headquarters. Interact with NATO Representatives and visit their 28 Member Nation Tents in the “NATO Village”. Explore International Heritage in the NATO Town Square with Cultural Performances, Visual Art Displays and International Merchandise. Enjoy Cuisine from the NATO Nations and enjoy Craft Beers under the Festhaus Tent.
Hours: 11:30am - 5:00pm
April 26: 6th Annual East Coast She Crab Soup Classic. 24th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. An open competition among over 15 participating restaurants, the She Crab Soup Classic focuses on one of the region’s most-loved seafood delicacies. The highly identifiable cuisine has been a staple of area menus for decades. Restaurants serve their individual recipes and compete for People’s Choice Awards, determined by ballots of those attending. Critic’s Choice Awards also are given by a panel of six leading regional cuisine experts.
A limited number of tickets are available for The East Coast She Crab Soup Classic. Advance tickets are on sale for $14 (plus service fees) through all Ticketmaster outlets, and at the Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center (2100 Parks Avenue) , hours are 9:00am-5:00pm.
Tickets are $18 day-of-show, if available. Children 12 and younger who are not sampling and are accompanied by an adult are free.
Dogs and beach/lawn chairs are not permitted in the tasting area. For more information, please call 757-491-SUNN (7866).
April 26: 2014 Hampton Roads Rubber Duck Race. Intracoastal Waterway at Great Bridge, 116 Reservation Road, Chesapeake, VA. All proceeds from the Hampton Roads Rubber Duck Race benefit CHIP of South Hampton Roads. CHIP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency that provides a continuum of services to families with young children to ensure they have a happy, healthy start in life and enter school ready to learn and succeed.
For more information, visit www.chesapeakeduckrace.org
April 27: Taste of India. Ted Constant Center. This is one of the largest Asian Indian Festivals in the Commonwealth of Virginia celebrated annually. There will be exciting opportunities to experience Indian food, dances, shopping and art. Each year the event has attracted over 7,000 to 10,000 people. This will be the eight year for the Taste of India Event to be celebrated in our area. So join us on April 27th, 2014 at 11 am at Ted Constant Convocation Center, Old Dominion University.
May 2-4: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
May 2-4: The Bodacious Boardwalk Bazaar & Spring Festival. Fort Monroe, Hampton. This is an amazing three day shopping experience happening at the historic Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. This festival includes talented artists, crafters, local businesses, and a car show at an extraordinary venue. Our show donates a percentage of its net to several chosen non-profits each show.
Hours: 10:00am - 6:00pm Daily
May 3: Town Center Craft Beer Festival. Town Center, Virginia Beach. Something’s brewing at the first-ever craft beer festival at Town Center in Virginia Beach! Featuring local Virginia beers and national and regional craft beers and ciders. Over 50 craft beers from over 25 breweries will be available for sampling at the Virginia Beach Craft Beer Festival. Tickets include sampling and live entertainment.
Hours: 1:00pm - 6:00pm
May 3-4: 8th Annual AT&T Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world! Norfolk Festevents is bringing 25 of the best wineries from across the Commonwealth right to Hampton Roads' premier waterfront venue! Save those frequent flyer miles and enjoy a blissful afternoon of sampling a wide selection of Virginia Wines in Town Point Park.
Hours: 11am - 6pm daily in Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk, VA Waterfront.
For questions regarding Private Chalets contact vellinesj@festevents.org
May 3-4: Atlantic Coast Kite Festival - Portsmouth City Park. This two-day event brings performance kite flyers to Virginia Beach on Saturday and Portsmouth on Sunday. Co-sponsored by the Portsmouth Art and Cultural Center and Beach Events. Free and open to the public.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
For more information, please call 757-393-8543 or visit www.PortsmouthArtCenter.com
May 3: 10th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival. 17th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Kite fliers and spectators of all ages will experience a visual feast at the 10th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival. Held in Virginia Beach and Portsmouth, this popular event features a variety of activities appropriate for all ages and all levels of kite aficionados. “Colors in the Sky” is the theme that participants will explore in the Atlantic Coast Kite Festival’s “Best Kite Contest.” The Best Kite Contest is free to enter, and takes place from 1:30-3:00pm.
American Kite Association members from throughout the East Coast will present kite demonstrations, perform kite routines to music, and fly giant kites (up to 80 feet long) that include an octopus kite! Kite vendors will be on site to sell various kinds of kites.
Awards will also be given each day for oldest and youngest kite fliers, funniest kite, most unusual kite, and biggest kite.
Admission to the kite festival is free.
May 9: PANorama Caribbean Music Fest. 24th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The PANorama Caribbean Music Fest is a musical adventure set to the soothing sounds of steel pan music. The festival’s casual atmosphere appeals to the island community and people of all ages who are intrigued by the unique sounds and style of steel drum music! Fusing together the rhythm of steel bands, ocean breezes, and great Caribbean food, the breathtaking Virginia Beach oceanfront becomes an “island paradise” for the weekend.
Co-produced with the Virginia Arts Festival, the PANorama Caribbean Music Festival at its core is a steel drum band competition featuring over 20 high school, college, and community bands from throughout the United States. Bands attend workshops on Friday at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. These workshops are led by nationally-known steel drum artists and educators.
Friday evening features a concert in the 24th Street Park. On Saturday bands compete for ratings and the coveted Grand Champion Award. In the evening, steel drum headliners play on the main stage. All performances are free to the public.
May 9-11: SonRise Music Festival. On the Beach at 30th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The oceanfront will come alive with the sounds of “positive/alternative” music presented on the beach and in the sand. This completely family-friendly event will be held on the beach at 30th Street and feature positive/alternative artists offering a myriad of musical genres such as cutting edge top 40, hip hop, indie, and inspirational. Many of the featured artists can be found on Billboard’s Top 100 in the Positive Music genre. In addition, family activities comprised of comedians, children’s fun tent, speakers, contests, and more round out a weekend sure to entertain, motivate, and inspire.
Acts include: Switchfoot, Francesca Battistelli, Sonic Flood, and KJ 52.
http://www.sonrisefestival.com
May 10: Town Center Art & Wine Festival. Town Center, Virginia Beach. A unique opportunity to enjoy visual and gastronomic arts in the same setting. While the late spring sun bathes the Fountain Plaza, artists of all types display their creations at the festival. At the same time, international wine favorites sit side-by-side with the best of Virginia wineries in a sampling of new and classic vintages. The Town Center Art & Wine Festival is the perfect event to leisurely examine cutting-edge art while sampling the very latest in the vintner’s art.
Admission tickets will be sold for the wine portion of the event. Each ticket includes a commemorative wine-tasting glass and tastings throughout the day.
Hours: 12:00n - 5:00pm
May 10-11: 44th Gosport Arts Festival - Historic Olde Town Portsmouth. This major Hampton Roads event features 150 juried artists and artisans displaying two- and three-dimensional works. Held on the High Street corridor in Historic Olde Towne, the event includes arts demonstrations, live music, food vendors, a children’s area and a silent auction.
Hours: Sat - 10am - 6pm / Sun - 10am - 5pm www.gosportartsfestival.com | 757-488-6908
May 15-18: Chesapeake Jubilee. Chesapeake City Park. This year's event features music from Uncle Kracker, Colt Ford and the fun and exciting Roots & Boots Tour by country music superstars Aaron Tippin, Joe Diffie and Sammy Kershaw. As always, don’t miss our Annual Fireworks Extravaganza produced by the world famous Zambelli Fireworks! The Jubilee will again host the Annual Chesapeake Kiwanis Club Shrimp Feast and the Annual BBQ Cook-off Competition, sanctioned by the world famous Kansas City Barbeque Society. In addition to great Music and Food, Amusements of America, one of the nation’s premier carnival operators will be on site with thrilling rides and game. Bring the kids out for what is sure to be a memorable occasion.
May 16-18: Beach Music Cruise-In. On the Beach at 30th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Combining bands on the beach and cars on the boardwalk, blends the best of the “oldies” with dancing under the stars in a jam-packed blast to the past! Settle into the sand as the top Beach Music bands from up and down the East Coast descend on the Virginia Beach oceanfront in a nostalgic salute to the “good old days” of cool cars and hot tunes. Stroll the boardwalk to view classic cars, hot rods, antiques, and more. A three-day series of free concerts is presented on a stage built right on the beach at 30th Street. Evening concerts on Friday give way to a full day of entertainment on Saturday and more daytime concerts on Sunday.
The car show feature turns the boardwalk into a local version of “Route 66,” with cars and trucks from yesterday and today competing for trophies and Best in Show cash prizes. The car show will be on Saturday, May 17, from 10:00am-4:00pm.
May 17-18: The 13th Annual Virginia Beer Festival. own Point Park, Norfolk. This is one of the most popular Beer Festivals in the mid-Atlantic Region and promises to be a day full of good beer, good friends, and good fun. Spend the afternoon sampling beer from all over the world. International premium beers, hand crafted domestics and local brews comprise a selection of over 125 tap handles. The event features live music, great food and, of course, great beer.
Hours: 2pm-6pm Daily
Virginia Beer Festival is produced in partnership with Virginia Arts Festival
May 17: 5th Annual Elizabeth River Nautical Yard Sale. Ocean Marine Parking Lot on Wavy Street.
Hours: 9am - 2pm
For more information call (757) 321-7433 or email adm1@oceanmarinellc.com
May 17: Town Center Corvette Showcase. Town Center, Virginia Beach. The Town Center Corvette Showcase is a premier classic car show featuring one of the most impressive collections of Corvettes of yesterday and today ever assembled. Participants showcase their vehicles and compete for cash prizes and trophies in various categories. The Town Center Corvette Showcase is open to both individual car owners as well as car clubs. There will be a nominal registration fee for participants but will be free for spectators. The Pre-Registration fee is $20 per vehicle/$25 per vehicle day of the Showcase. A portion of the entry fees will benefit local Virginia Beach charities.
Hours: 10:00am-4:00pm
May 17-18: Pirate Party on the Beach. 17th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This family-friendly event features two days of activities designed to bring out the “pirate” in everyone! Costume contests, games, a treasure hunt, pirate re-enactors, and movie on the beach all combine to celebrate those scallywags we all wish we could be: pirates!
On Saturday dress like a pirate and enter the costume contest! Also on Saturday, participate in Cap’n Pete’s Treasure Hunt at 5:30pm and then settle in the sand at 7:45pm for the animated film “Pirates: Band of Misfits” – to be shown on a giant screen, right on the beach!
On both days, enjoy arts and crafts and displays by participating museum organizations like the Old Coast Guard Station and Mariner's Museum.
Other activities throughout the weekend include bandana-making, face-painting, storytelling, weapons demonstrations, and strolling entertainers.
On Sunday, enter your team in the Pirates Challenge, which will test your skill in several physical challenges, all pirate-themed. Winning teams receive cash prizes and trophies! There is an entry fee for teams in the Pirates Challenge.
May 23-25: 24th Annual Umoja Festival. Come celebrate Portsmouth's Annual African-American Culture and Heritage Festival promoting cultural diversity and unity. Live music, vendors, food and much, much more. www.UmojaFestPortsmouth.com | 757-393-8481
May 23-25: Salute to Summer. 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks, on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Salute to Summer is an unabashed “Star-Spangled” salute to great music, fun in the sun, and the military men and women who have sacrificed their lives throughout our history. Live, free entertainment on three outdoor stages includes music presented by local and regional bands.
Friday, May 23
17th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Rare Mixx; 24th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, TRADOC Concert Band; 31st Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, The Fuzz Band Saturday, May 24 17th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Nature’s Child; 24th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Jesse Chong Band; 31st Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, DEJA Sunday, May 25 17th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, The River Boyz; 24th Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, Seth Stainback & Roosterfoot; 31st Street Park: 8:00pm-10:45pm, The Deloreans
May 24: 35th Annual Elizabeth River Run. ERR will be held on the exciting and scenic course in Portsmouth, Virginia. With magnificent views of the Elizabeth River, participants will traverse through Olde Towne with its towering monuments, museums, historical homes and the Portsmouth sea wall. Following the race will be a post-race celebration at the spectacular nTelos Pavilion.
Three fun events for all age groups:
· CSX Elizabeth River Run 10k - Running and Walking divisions - 8:00 am; · Crawford Street Mile - 7:45 am; · Children’s Museum Fun Run - 9:45 am.
For more information, please visit www.tidewaterstriders.com
May 24-25: 2014 Langley Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show. Hampton Roads Convention Center, Hampton. Hosted by the Gloucester and Langley Kennel Clubs, this highly anticipated event is expected to draw over 4,000 spectators and 1,500 dogs. This year’s highlights will include four days of obedience trials, four days' worth of AKC Rally®, and a free Junior Showmanship clinic. The event will feature over 30 vendors offering unique pet merchandise not generally available in the Hampton Roads region.
May 26: 130th Portsmouth Memorial Day Parade. A Portsmouth tradition since 1884. Annually, the Memorial Day Parade salutes the service and sacrifices of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and celebrates Portsmouth’s proud military heritage. This year’s parade will include floats, marching band units, armed forces units, lots of excitement and much more.
For more information call Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services at (757) 393-8481.
May 31-June 1: The 15th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival. Downtown Hampton and Mill Point Park. Festivities kick off Friday, May 30, from 7-11 p.m. with the Grand Pirates Ball at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel. It will include a bounty of food, adult beverages and live music. The festival is free but tickets for the ball, available starting April 15, are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.
June 6-8: 38th Annual AT&T Norfolk HarborFest. Free and Open to the Public! Launch your summer with the area's biggest dock party!!
The Festival continues through the weekend with 3 full days of FREE, fresh, family-friendly FUN! For four memorable days, the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront transforms into an exciting playground for people of all ages. The historic waterfront festival offers a weekend packed with exciting activities on land and sea! Harborfest® includes tall ships and the Parade of Sail, the largest fireworks show on the East Coast, local, regional and national entertainment, family activities, unique and unusual performances, water activities and much more.
Friday, June 6: Noon - 11pm (Parade of Sail) Saturday, June 7: Noon - 11 pm (Fireworks) Sunday , June 8: 10 am- 6 pm
June 6-8: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
June 6-7: Seawall Music Festival. This is Portsmouth's summer celebration of music along the seawall with free family fun. Daily musical performances by local and regional bands, children's activities and the East Coast's largest pyrotechnical show. Check back for a complete list of musical acts, time and activities or call 757-393-8481 as the date gets closer.
June 12-15: Boardwalk Art Show & Festival. 17th-32nd Streets Boardwalk, Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Enjoy 300 artists and a fun festival atmosphere at the oceanfront during Father's Day Weekend. The Boardwalk Art Show and Festival is one of the oldest and best outdoor fine art shows on the Eastern Seaboard. Produced by the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, it is ranked as one of the top 15 fine art shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine. This four-day festival features fine art, great shopping, and live entertainment for the entire family.
June 13-14: 27th Annual Cock Island Race. Known as the largest sailing event on the East Coast. Several classes of sailboats race up and down the Elizabeth River, but the race is not just for professionals. Causal boaters hit the water, too. The race kicks off with concerts and food Friday night and ends Saturday evening with an awards ceremony and more live music.
For more information, call 757-393-8481.
June 14: Life's a Beach Triathlon. Buckroe Beach and Park, Hampton. Life’s A Beach encourages people to “catch the new wave of triathlon,” with its unique take on a sport most people often associate with grueling training regimes and expensive, high-tech equipment. The Life’s A Beach swim is 200 yards of “Almost Anything Goes,” with racers allowed to use boogie boards, swim fins, mask and snorkels, water wings, and almost anything else to help them feel comfortable and have fun. The bike portion of the race is only five miles and is for fat tire bikes only—beach cruisers and mountain bikes—as some courses may actually involve stretches of beach riding. The two-mile beach run is laid back and includes some of the Life’s A Beach challenges—obstacles to break up the run in a fun way. Awards will be given to the Top Dudes and Dudettes, Top Slackers, Most Bodacious Bike Decorating, and Coolest Costume. There will be an Awards Ceremony and Bodacious Beach Bash After-Party following the event.
Hours: 8:00am - 2:00pm
June 20-22: The 25th Annual AT&T Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival delivers the heart and soul of Louisiana to visitors of Town Point Park in true Cajun style. From New Orleans to Norfolk, two stages featuring national recording artists provide musical entertainment for the weekend. Also on hand will be many local New Orleans musicians and artists who are sure to get your hands clapping, feet two-steppin' and heart pumping throughout the weekend.
The Arts Market of New Orleans returns for its 9th season and brings with it talent, unique artistry and the culture of Louisiana! The Arts Council of New Orleans and Norfolk Festevents hand-pick the most unique and one-of-a-kind artists from Louisiana to share their stories, culture and craft. This year, over 24 artists in various mediums including art, jewelry and sculpture will be on site displaying their works.
No Bayou celebration would be complete without the mouthwatering Cajun delicacies prepared by authentic Louisiana inspired chefs. Festival guests are in for a real treat as they feast on fresh crawfish straight from Louisiana, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, alligator, muffuletta, andouille, and beignets. Guests will also find festival favorites like sno balls (discovered in New Orleans, by the way!), root beer floats, smoothies, Italian water ice, glazed nuts, kettle korn and funnel cake. Wash it all down with a variety of cold beverages including a fine selection of beers straight from New Orleans' own Abita Brewing Company as well as New Orleans-born Southern Comfort Hurricanes.
Friday: Noon - 4pm (free & open to the public) 5pm-10pm (ticketed)
Saturday: Noon - 10 pm (ticketed)
Sunday: Noon - 6pm (ticketed)
June 20-22: Sandstock – A Tribute to Rock & Roll. 24th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. This is a beach-inspired variation on “Woodstock.” National and regional tribute artists who cover performers from Elton John to the Allman Brothers to the Grateful Dead will crank out hit after hit on two beach stages at the Virginia Beach oceanfront! All performances, which are free to the public, will be held on “dueling” stages on the beach at 24th Street, adjacent to the 24th Street Park. Merchandise vendors will be featured in the park itself.
June 27-28: Hampton Jazz Festival. Hampton Coliseum, Hampton.
Friday’s show at 7:30pm features the incomparable Charlie Wilson. Since storming back onto the music scene after his departure from the Gap Band, Charlie has turned out one hit after another and is currently one of the finest entertainers working today. Making his festival debut this year will be Jaheim - billed as possibly the next Luther - fans will come to appreciate the true greatness of his voice. Also appearing on Friday will be a super jazz package featuring Jonathan Butler, Norman Brown and Alex Bugnon. This is probably smooth jazz at its best. Friday’s show will open with Jackie Scott & The Housewreckers with special guest William ‘Mobetta’ Ledbetter.
Saturday’s show at 7:00pm features Hampton Jazz Festival’s favorite - The O’Jays - paired with another icon of R&B music - Chaka Khan. Together they are sure to give Festival patrons a once in a lifetime experience. Also appearing will be Morris Day & The Time - a great throwback to music from the 70's and 80's. Rounding out Saturday will be one of the true icons of the smooth jazz genre - Spyro Gyra.
Sunday’s show at 2:00pm will feature something truly special. Toni Braxton and Babyface will both appear and perform complete shows - but what will be really exciting for Festival patrons will be that they will perform songs together from their brand new smash album “Love, Marriage & Divorce”. This will surely be one of the highlights of the Festival. Also appearing will be Dave Koz and Friends - and in this case his friends are Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliott. Local Hampton Jazz fans will also delight in this year’s Sunday opener The Now & Then Trio + One, well-known throughout the Tidewater area.
June 27-28: Hardee's Latin Fest. On the Beach at 24th Street, on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. For two days, Virginia Beach celebrates the sights and sounds of the Latin experience. Hardee’s Latin Fest, Friday-Saturday, June 27-28, possesses the key ingredients of good food, family participation, and first-rate Latin music. National performers electrify the diverse audience with high-energy tunes that move the crowd to dance under the stars. Local and regional Latin acts (each with their own loyal fan base) take the stage and unite festival-goers with the rhythms of Salsa, Merengue, and Jazz. All performances will take place on a giant stage on the beach at 24th Street.
Additional activities, in the 24th Street Park, include the Zumba fitness marathon on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 8:00am. Zumba fitness is the Latin-inspired, easy-to-follow calorie-burning party! Meet some of the area’s best instructors. Participate for one hour or all four! Vendors and cultural activities in the park will round out the festival.
July 4-6: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
July 4: The 32nd Annual AT&T Fourth of July Great American Picnic and Fireworks Spectacular. Town Point Park, Norfolk. Free & Open to the Public. Leave the grilling to us on the 4th of July and bring your family and friends down to Town Point Park from 5pm-10pm! Guests can feast on traditional All American Fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, buttered corn on the cob, juicy watermelon, lemonade... with all the fixin's and much more! Relax on the lawn and enjoy patriotic sounds by United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Band. Then watch as the sky lights up with the fireworks display at 9:30pm!
July 4: Independence Day Fireworks - Olde Town Portsmouth.
9:30 PM - View the fireworks from the Seawall or along Crawford Parkway.
757-393-5111
July 4: Stars & Stripes Explosion. On the Beach between 16th and 18thy Streets, at 20th Street, and 24th and 31st Street Parks, and the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Multiple live performances on oceanfront stages attract tens of thousands of visitors and residents of Hampton Roads to a “star-spangled” salute to this great country of ours at Stars & Stripes Explosion! Musical acts offer something for everyone with tribute bands saluting some of the biggest names in music. From 8:00pm-9:30pm, a stage erected right on the beach at 20th Street becomes the focal point for performances by Symphonicity (the symphony orchestra of Virginia Beach) together with the Virginia Beach Chorale. This musical program encompasses patriotic songs, Broadway standards, movie themes, and folk music. The show segues into a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30pm that explodes over the ocean in a burst of colors and patterns!
July 5: Patriots Day. Spend some time on the Fourth of July weekend and continue the celebration of America's independence at our seventh annual Patriots Day event. Take a journey with us back in time through living history to the eve of revolution, as the Town of Portsmouth prepared for the clouds of war. Will you sign up as a patriot or loyalist?? Be part of the revolutionary event and enjoy crafts, music, games and drills. This event is sponsored by Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum in collaboration with the Portsmouth Museums. Admission is free as part of our First Weekend, First Saturday programming series.
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Presented by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth Museum | 757-393-8591 | www.portsmouthnavalshipyardmuseum.com
July 11: AT&T Summer BrewFest. TowneBank Fountain Park, Town Point Park, Norfolk. Free & Open to the Public.
Kick off Friday night right with AT&T Summer BrewFest. Loosen the tie or take off the heels and meet your friends in TowneBank Fountain Park at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk, Virginia Waterfront where you can sample a wide variety of summer beers from a selection of local, regional, national international breweries. AT&T Summer BrewFest is the perfect way to celebrate the end of the work week with an extended happy hour and great music at the Fountain. Admission to AT&T Summer BrewFest is free while beer sampling tickets will be available for purchase.
Hours: 5pm-9pm
July 12. Chalk the Walk ARTsplosion. On the Boardwalk between 16th and 18th Streets, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Chalk the Walk takes over the Virginia Beach Boardwalk as hundreds of artists and “wanna-be artists” gather to turn the boardwalk into an impromptu canvas of color! Artist registration will be on the boardwalk at 17th Street. 200 competitors will complete chalk drawings to be evaluated by a panel of judges from the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach. Judges will score the drawings according to criteria such as composition, use of color, adherence to theme, and creativity. There will be three competitive divisions: Amateur, Professional, and Youth. The Youth division will be for ages 12-16. Children 11 and under will be invited to draw for fun in a separate area. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for each division. Winners will be announced at 4:30pm at the registration tent. All participants must register by 1:00pm to qualify for the competition. All drawings must be completed by 3:30pm to be eligible for prizes.
Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm.
July 18-20: 32nd Annual AT&T Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival. Cool Jazz and warm summer nights return once again to Downtown Norfolk at the area’s longest running outdoor Jazz Festival! Jazz enthusiasts will chill to the sounds of smooth jazz in the serene setting of the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront along the Elizabeth River.
Friday and Saturday, July 18 - 19, 5pm-11pm Sunday, July 20, 1pm-6pm To stay connected with Jazz Festival updates https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkJazzFestival
July 25-27: A Midsummer Fantasy Festival - Performance Art/Theater in the Park. Town Point Park, Norfolk. As an encore to last summer’s memorable presentation of “Tempest”, VSC and Norfolk Festevents will present an immersive and participatory community performance arts festival that will re-imagine Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream within in a series of at least 5 temporary public art installations. Over a period of 5 days, commissioned artists, musicians & designers will work with the greater Norfolk and Hampton Roads community to construct 5 unique environments using reapportioned materials from Norfolk’s shipping industries. The Festival will culminate with a 3-day interactive performance series of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This non-linear reinvention of Shakespeare’s classic invites patrons to “choose their own adventure,” interacting with professional performers & installations according to their own imagination. The public art installations will be open for public viewing and interaction before, during and after the performances.
Friday & Saturday: 6pm-10pm
Sunday: 4pm - 8pm
July 26: The Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge. On the Beach at 30th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The Crab is King at this one-of-a-kind event that’s fun for the whole family! Preliminary hermit crab races lead to the Crustacean 500, where the winner is awarded the “Order of the Mercury Claw” trophy. Crabs race on a specially-designed circular track, where all the “crabtestants” are placed in the center. At the sound of the starting horn, crabs scurry to the outer ring of the track. Whichever claw crosses the line first wins. It’s the survival of the “crabbiest!” Aside from 1st, 2nd, And 3rd Place winners, special trophies are also awarded for the Friendliest Crab, Biggest Crab, Shyest Crab, Most Unique Crab Display, Prettiest Crab Shell, Most Athletic Crab, and Most Traveled Crab. There are no fees for entering the Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge; the event is free for both participants and spectators. Registration begins at 9:30am and all participants must be registered by noon in order to race.
Hours: 10:00am-2:00pm
August 1-3: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
August 2: Happy Birthday Coast Guard. Did you know that Portsmouth is the ninth official Coast Guard City in the nation? Join us as we celebrate the 224th birthday of the United States Coast Guard. On August 4, 1790, The Revenue Cutter Service (the precursor to the Coast Guard) was established to watch over the coast of our young republic. Get your hands on craft activities, your eyes into historic scenery and your ears in to sweet musical sea shanties as we explore the history of the Coast guard from the Federal Period through War World II.
Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm. Free admission.
Presented by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum and Lightship Portsmouth Museum | 757-393-8591 | www.portsmouthnavalshipyardmuseum.com
August 16: 14th Annual Norfolk Latino Music Festival. Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk. Free & Open to the Public.
The sun goes down, the stars come out, and the largest outdoor dance floor in Hampton Roads heats up.
Hours: 5:00pm-10:00pm
August 18-24: 52nd Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championship. Vans Presents The 51st Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships. ECSC is North America's Oldest Running Surfing Competition and the second oldest continuously-run surfing contest in the world. More than 100 of the world's top professional surfers, male and female, and an estimated 300 amateur surfers will travel to Virginia Beach to "ride the curl" at the Oceanfront and compete for combined cash prizes of more than $200,000. Held annually in Virginia Beach, Virginia since 1963, ECSC is more than just surfing. Dozens of people also take part in other competitions including skimboarding, volleyball, an oceanfront 8K run, a swimsuit competition and the extreme sport of skateboarding. Live bands perform for free on an oceanfront stage throughout the weekend. A cost is involved to participate in competitions, but all activities are free and open to the public.
August 22-23: FunkFest. On the beach at 24th Street, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. FunkFest is the heart and soul of this weekend event, featuring music generated over the years by influential legends such as James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, George Clinton, and The Ohio Players. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid-to late-1960’s when African-American musicians blended soul music, soulful jazz, and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground. Funk music was a major influence on the development of 1970’s disco music, and has even impacted house music and hip-hop.
August 23-24: 44th Annual Seawall Art Show. This juried fine arts and crafts show on Portsmouth’s waterfront in Historic Olde Towne draws large crowds of buyers to the event. It features works of nearly 100 talented artists working in oil painting, woodcarving, hand woven clothing, art glass, fine jewelry, pottery and more. Includes a student art show, food and entertainment.
http://www.seawallartshow.org | 757-393-8983 Ext. 13
August 29-31: American Music Fest. 5th Street Stage, and 17th, 24th, and 31st Street Parks. The sounds of rock, jazz, country, R&B, and more flood the Virginia Beach oceanfront for three sun-filled days over Labor Day Weekend at the American Music Festival. One of the largest outdoor music events on the East Coast, the American Music Festival brings together national, regional, and local acts to play on a gigantic stage erected on the beach at 5th Street, as well as stages in all the parks along the boardwalk. Just about every music genre is included, proving that there truly is “something for everyone.” Performers in 2013 included Daughtry, Barenaked Ladies, Third Eye Blind, Three Dog Night, Edgar Winter, Modern English, Sugar Ray, WAR, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
August 29-31: Rock & Roll Half Marathon and Health and Fitness Expo. Virginia Beach Oceanfront and Convention Center. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is the ‘World’s Largest Running Series’ with more than 500,000 people taking part in 26 North American cities each year. The series enjoys great appeal for the destination athlete, tremendous local support and has firmly established itself as a dynamic running platform.
August 30: 10th Annual Labor Day Sidewalk Sale. All along the High Street Corner Featuring: Sales, bargains, specialty gifts, antiques, arts & crafts and more.
Hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm
September 5-7: Hampton Bay Days. Downtown Hampton Waterfront. The 31st Annual Hampton Bay Days Festival continues its tradition of attracting over 200,000 visitors to the city's downtown waterfront the first weekend of September. The 2013 festival features family fun and entertainment with a lineup of the region's best and diversely talented local musicians, entertaining events, exhibits and popular vendors peddling unique arts & crafts and a wide variety of tasty foods and drink.
September 5-6: Blues at the Beach. 17th Street Park, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Celebrating one of the most cherished musical genres of all time, Blues at the Beach features two days of concerts on an outdoor stage. Local, regional, and nationally-recognized Blues acts share the stage for a riveting and heartfelt tribute to the sights, sounds, and soul of the American experience. National headliners have brought their intensity and knockout live performances to Virginia Beach.
September 5-7: FirstEvents - Olde Towne Portsmouth. Held the first Friday through Sunday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's business community opens its doors along High Street between Effingham Street and the riverfront. Events and activities include Arts to Antiques Flea Market, free museum admission, exhibit openings and art afternoons, and a lot more.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association | 757-397-7173
September 6: 6th Annual Opera in the Park. Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk. In Partnership with Virginia Opera. Free & Open to the Public.
Join us in Town Point Park as the sun sparkles over the waterfront and the stars of the Virginia Opera fill the air with beautiful music. The 6th Annual Opera in the Park Concert is free and everyone is welcome! So wear your Bermudas and flip flops to this family friendly day, and don't forget the lawn chairs and blankets to picnic as the sun sets over the Elizabeth River. Coolers, food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. No alcohol or glass is permitted. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Proceeds from beer and wine sales will benefit the Virginia Opera.
Time: TBD
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