NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk's 47th annual Harborfest kicked off Friday and will continue through the weekend. It's hailed as America's largest, longest-running, and free maritime festival.
Norfolk
Norfolk's Harborfest returns for 47th year, true history of origins explored
It runs from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Friday included the popular Parade of Sail on the Elizabeth River in addition to an evening full of events.
Norfolk's Harborfest is bringing back fan-favorite activities, like body marbling, festival roller skating rink, and the Harborfest Virginia Wine, Spirits, and Craft Beer Garden.
Friday night's drone show had to be postponed due to an issue with GPS positioning. Organizers were hoping to have the show ready to go for Saturday night prior to the fireworks show.
Entertainment
Harborfest Drone Show postponed due to GPS issue, organizers say
Here are this weekend's hours:
Saturday, June 10 – Noon-11 p.m. (Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.)
Sunday, June 11 – 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Norfolk
Pictures from Harborfest 2023 at Town Point Park
The festival is free and open to the public.
Here's a full list of events planned for the weekend.
Saturday, June 10
12:00pm – Harborfest Opens
10:00am-5:00pm – Nauticus open for tours
11:00am-2:00am – Waterside District open
12:00pm-6:00pm – Public Visitation aboard Tall Ships & Character Vessels
12:00pm-8:00pm – Chip & Sip in partnership with Splash City Golf
12:00pm-8:00pm – Face Painting by Nika
12:00pm-8:00pm – The Immersive Butterfly & Ladybug Experience
12:00pm-8:00pm – Pirate Bandana Make & Take with Chrystal
12:00pm-9:00pm – Meet the Loose Cannon Pirate Company
12:00pm-11:00pm – Meet the Real Magical Back Bay Norfolk Mermaids
12:00pm-11:00pm – Sensory Comfort Zone in partnership with KultureCity
12:00pm – Sail Nauticus Middle School Academy Graduation Celebration Sail
12:30pm – Dustin Furlow, Boathouse Stage
12:30pm - The Red Trouser Show, The Anchor Stage
1:00pm – The Loose Cannon Interactive Pirate School
1:30pm – USCG Search & Rescue Demo, Elizabeth River
2:30pm - The Mighty Mike Performance, The Anchor Stage
2:45pm – Allen Hudson & the Halfmoons, Boathouse Stage
3:00pm – The Loose Cannon Interactive Pirate School
3:00pm - Aqua Performance by Real Magical Back Bay Norfolk Mermaids
3:15pm – Boathouse 40th Anniversary Tribute Band, Main Stage
3:30pm - The Red Trouser Show, The Anchor Stage
4:00pm – The Boathouse Silent Disco Experience
4:00pm – Aqua Performance by Real Magical Back Bay Norfolk Mermaids
4:30pm – Tug Muster, Elizabeth River
4:45pm – Big Al Staggs & the Ja Jas, Boathouse Stage
5:00pm – The Loose Cannon Interactive Pirate School
5:30pm - The Mighty Mike Performance, The Anchor Stage
6:00pm – Cracker, Main Stage
6:00pm – Aqua Performance by Real Magical Back Bay Norfolk Mermaids
6:30pm - The Red Trouser Show, The Anchor Stage
7:00pm – Chong Band, Boathouse Stage
7:15pm – The Loose Cannon Interactive Pirate School
7:45pm - The Mighty Mike Performance, The Anchor Stage
8:15pm – Morris Day & the Time, Main Stage
9:30pm – Fireworks Show, Elizabeth River
10:00pm – DJ CanRock, Boathouse Stage
11:00pm – Harborfest Closes
Sunday, June 11
12:00pm-Harborfest Opens
12:00pm-6:00pm – Sensory Comfort Zone in partnership with KultureCity
12:00am-6:00pm – Chip & Sip in partnership with Splash City
11:00am-11:00pm – Waterside District open
12:00pm-6:00pm – Meet the Real Magical Back Bay Norfolk Mermaids
12:00pm-5:00pm – Nauticus open for tours
12:00pm-6:00pm – Public Visitation aboard Tall Ships & Character Vessels
12:00pm-6:00pm – Face Painting by Nika
12:00pm-6:00pm – Pirate Bandana Make & Take with Chrystal
12:00pm-6:00pm – The Immersive Butterfly & Ladybug Experience
12:00pm-6:00pm – Meet the Loose Cannon Pirate Company
12:00pm – The Loose Cannon Pirates Interactive School
12:00pm - The Red Trouser Show, The Anchor Stage
12:30pm – Sail Nauticus Membership Sail About, Elizabeth River
12:30pm – Aqua Performance by Real Magical Back Bay Norfolk Mermaids
12:45pm – Bobby Blackhat Walters, Boathouse Stage
1:00pm - The Mighty Mike Performance, The Anchor Stage
1:00pm – The Loose Cannon Pirates Interactive School
2:00pm – Cody Christian Band, Main Stage
2:00pm – The Boathouse Silent Disco Experience
2:00pm – Parade of Build-A-Boats (on land)
2:00pm - The Red Trouser Show, The Anchor Stage
2:30pm – Aqua Performance by Real Magical Norfolk Mermaids
2:30pm – Ultimate Build-A-Boat Race, Elizabeth River
3:00pm – The Loose Cannon Pirates Interactive School
3:15pm – BJ Griffin Band, Boathouse Stage
3:30pm - The Mighty Mike Performance, The Anchor Stage
4:00pm – Aqua Performance by Real Magical Norfolk Back Bay Mermaids
4:30pm – Parmalee, Main Stage
4:30pm - The Red Trouser Show, The Anchor Stage
5:15pm - The Mighty Mike Performance, The Anchor Stage
6:00pm – Harborfest Closes
PARKING INFO:
City of Norfolk Parking Facilities
Garages and lots will be collect on entry. Cash and Credit Cards. Please visit Norfolk.gov [go.ctycs.com] for special event parking rate information.
MacArthur Center Garages
Cash only. Collect on entry.
Waterside District valet parking will be suspended for the duration of Harborfest.
Friday and Saturday evenings please follow City of Norfolk Police Department direction exiting garages.
STREET CLOSURES:
All closures are from 10am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11 unless otherwise noted.
Boush Street
- Southbound - Brambleton Avenue to City Hall Avenue will remain open. The southbound median turn lane will remain open from City Hall Avenue to Plume Street for garage access.
- Northbound - Main Street to Brambleton Avenue will remain open.
Waterside Drive
- Eastbound - Will be closed from Main Street and Martin’s Lane. All lanes from Atlantic Street to St. Paul’s Boulevard will remain open.
- Westbound - Will be closed from Atlantic Street to Main Street.
Martin’s Lane
- Southbound - Main Street to Waterside Drive will be closed to through traffic. Southbound access to TowneBank/Prince Books parking lot and the World Trade Center loading dock will be maintained at all times.
Atlantic Street
- Northbound - Will remain open from Waterside Drive to Main Street.
- Southbound - Will be closed to through traffic from Main Street to Waterside Drive. Access to the Waterside Garage will be maintained.
Commercial Place
- Open to traffic from Waterside Drive to Main Street for the duration of the event closures.
Elizabeth River Trail
Users of the Elizabeth River Trail should follow the Downtown festival detour from Thursday, June 8 at 5pm until Sunday, June 11 at 11pm. Detour signage will be in place. Please click here [go.ctycs.com] for a map of the detour.
PARKING REMOVALS:
Waterside Drive
- All on street parking will be removed from 9:00am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11
Boush Street
Parking will be removed southbound from Brooke Avenue to Main Street from 9:00am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11 and northbound from Main Street to Brambleton Avenue from 6:00am Friday, June 9 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11.
Atlantic Street
Parking will be removed northbound from Waterside Drive to Main Street from 9:00am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11.
Main Street
Parking will be removed from east and westbound Main Street between Boush and Granby Streets from 9:00am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11.
Parking will be removed from east and westbound Main Street from Granby Street to St. Paul's Boulevard from 6:00am Friday, June 9 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11. This includes the taxi zone in front of the Marriott, which may be relocated to southbound Atlantic Street.
Plume Street
Parking will be removed westbound from Granby Street to Boush Street for festival support parking from 9:00am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 12.
Brooke Avenue
Parking will be removed eastbound and westbound between Granby Street and Boush Street from 9:00am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11 to support police and fire access.
Harbor Park
Oversized festival support vehicles will be in Harbor Park Lot F, which will be gated and monitored by Norfolk Festevents.
Rader Street
Parking will be removed southbound south of Front Street at vacant lot (111 Radar Street) from 9:00am Thursday, June 8 to 11:30pm Sunday, June 11 for Norfolk Police Harbor Patrol access.
For a map of no parking zones, click here [go.ctycs.com].
To stay up to date on street closures, parking and inclement weather, the city recommends you text HARBORFEST to 888-777.
Click or tap here for a full list of events.
