After years of planning, Sail250 Virginia docks in Norfolk this weekend as the largest public event in the Commonwealth for the nation's 250th, running June 19–23 at Town Point Park alongside an expanded Juneteenth celebration and the 50th anniversary of Harborfest. Rip it.
Warships from 20 nations will train together off Hampton Roads starting June 22 in the Atlantic's first Fleet Exercise, FLEETEX 250, before sailing to New York for an International Naval Review on the Fourth of July. Rip it.
Crews are floating in three spud barges along the Norfolk waterfront to handle the 350-foot-plus tall ships arriving for the combined Sail250, Juneteenth, and 50th Harborfest weekend. Rip it.
Norfolk's Juneteenth commemoration expands to three days at Town Point Park this weekend with added educational programming, fireworks, and national headliners, even as it shares the waterfront with Harborfest and Sail250. Rip it.
Historians at Slover Library's Sargeant Memorial Collection say Harborfest was never a celebration of the slave trade, though Norfolk's waterfront did play a role in that history. Rip it.
The Norfolk-based USS Mitscher returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a 327-day deployment, with several sailors meeting their newborns for the first time. Rip it.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a year and a half of maintenance, and Rear Adm. P. Scott Miller took command of Carrier Strike Group Two. Rip it.
More than a dozen congressional Democrats, including Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, are pressing the Defense Secretary to reinstate a climate-resilience coordinator at Naval Station Norfolk, a position left vacant under the Trump administration. Rip it.
Norfolk held its inaugural Women Veterans Day event at the Slover, with retired Adm. Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, giving the keynote. Rip it.
A new Virginia law taking effect July 1 lets localities use AI-powered cameras to ticket drivers who run stop signs or fail to yield at crosswalks, a measure Norfolk Sen. Angelia Williams Graves says will help curb pedestrian deaths. Rip it.
Hampton Roads Transit will overhaul its bus network in May 2027 — its first major redesign since 1999 — adding frequency on popular lines while discontinuing 14 routes amid an operator shortage. Rip it.
Norfolk lifted swimming advisories at North Community Beach, Ocean View Park, and 13th View after enterococci bacteria levels returned to within state standards. Rip it.
A Virginia Tech researcher says ticks in Virginia may be spreading three little-known viruses — Powassan, Heartland, and Bourbon — that cause flu-like symptoms and, in rare cases, neurological problems or death. Rip it.
Meeting the Trump administration's SNAP changes will likely cost Virginia hundreds of millions of dollars, as the federal government shifts more administrative costs to states and demands the commonwealth cut its 11% error rate to 6%. Rip it.
Virginia and Colorado legislators are urging Congress to strike an amendment in a federal transportation bill that they say would weaken state rideshare safety laws, including Virginia's new driver-vetting requirements for Uber and Lyft. Rip it.
Gov. Spanberger signed a law creating a state internship coordinator to centralize and expand paid and credit-bearing internships across Virginia agencies. Rip it.
Norfolk artist Ryan Jones painted the 50th-anniversary Harborfest poster, continuing a family tradition — his father painted the 1997 poster and his grandfather painted it three years running in the 1990s. Rip it.
“EXODUS” — a curated art gallery celebrating movement, memory, freedom, and expression will be at Selden Market for Juneteenth. Rip it.
The Attucks Theatre hosts a Black Music & Art Celebration on Saturday with jazz, gospel, hip-hop, and poetry, including the Bobby Blackhat Band and a conversation with Grammys' Black Music Collective co-chair Torae. Rip it.
Handwork at the Hermitage is a new exhibit showcasing the relevance of handmade work, both historic and contemporary. Rip it.
Second Saturdays and Sundays are FREE at the Hermitage all summer. Rip it.
Coming in July to the Chrysler Museum of Art: Constellations: Contemporary Jewelry from the Dallas Museum of Art. Rip it.
A Downtown Norfolk Council public art initiative is adding more color and creativity to downtown streets. Rip it.
The Barry Art Museum has announced their 6th Annual Public Arts Festival will be “Helios” with a new work from Luke Jerram. Rip it.
Josh Groban will perform with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on August 16. Rip it.
All summer, the Naro Cinema is screening kids movies at daytime hours. Rip it.
Hot glass classes are the hottest thing to do this summer. Take one at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
The seasonal butterfly exhibit is back at Norfolk Botanical Garden. Rip it.
Currently on Display:
Imperial Colors: Chinese Glass at the Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Rafael Soldi: Soft Boy at Chrysler Museum. Rip it.
Wilderness Photography Foundation’s Traveling Exhibit, Nature’s Generosity at d’Art Center. Rip it.
Metal Transformed: A National Exhibit Featuring Fine Art Metalsmithing at d’Art Center. Rip it.
Handwork at the Hermitage at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. Rip it.
The Sloane Collection at the Hermitage Museum & Gardens. Rip it.
The CAN Collection at Assembly. Rip it.
Perry Glass Art Collection at Glass Light. Rip it.
We The People, A Series of Collages by Jay Brown Jr. of Still Jaybird Photography on display at The Gallery at Elation. Rip it.
Old Dominion University launched a National Security Institute to coordinate research across its labs on AI, cyber, and maritime threats, aiming to boost student career readiness and the region's defense economy. Rip it.
ODU's Board of Visitors extended President Brian Hemphill's contract through 2032, citing "unwavering confidence" despite a faculty senate no-confidence vote in March. Rip it.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger and legislators announced a retail marijuana compromise with sales set to begin July 1, 2027, taxed at 6% (rising to 8% in 2029) and capped at 350 licenses, some reserved for an equity program for those harmed by past enforcement. Rip it.
The Historic Cavalier Hotel and resort complex sold to Connecticut firm Wheelock Street Capital, with HEI Hotels & Resorts taking over management; the price wasn't disclosed. Rip it.
Environmental lawyer Josephus Allmond, 33, is Virginia's first-ever Chief Energy Officer, a new cabinet post created by Gov. Spanberger to steer energy policy amid rising costs and surging demand. Rip it.
Dominion Energy is launching a state-mandated pilot that would pay customers to let the utility tap home devices like smart thermostats and EV chargers — a "virtual power plant" meant to add grid capacity and lower bills. Rip it.
Dominion Energy secured an option to buy about 30 acres for onshore infrastructure tied to a possible future offshore wind project off the Outer Banks. Rip it.
Jefferson Lab broke ground on a High Performance Data Facility that will use AI to process scientific data from Department of Energy centers nationwide. Rip it.
Downtown Norfolk restaurants like Granby Street Pizza and Grace O'Malley's are staffing up and sprucing up patios for what they expect to be an off-the-charts Harborfest, Sail250, and Juneteenth weekend. Rip it.
Gas prices are falling across Virginia as a potential U.S.-Iran deal eases oil-market fears. Rip it.
Norfolk International Airport will add two local eateries later this year — The Stockpot, serving bowls and ramen in the A Gates, and Ghost Kitchen, with burgers and street food in the B Gates. Rip it.
Grab free coffee and make business connects at Collision Coffee, a Work From Downtown event on July 8th. Rip it.
Sunset Sessions are coming to Waterside in this summer. Rip it.
This October at the Annex: Saxsqauatch live in concert. Rip it.
Good Society is hosting Summer Service Community Cookout at the Plot on July 4th. Rip it.
This summer, the fairy tales you grew up with return the way they were always meant to be: strange, violent, a little weird… and, for one night only, very funny at Push Comedy. Rip it.
Fri June 19
Norfolk Run Club Meetup at Yorgo's Bageldashery. 6:00 am. Rip it.
Juneteenth Vendor Celebration at Kroc Center Hampton Roads. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Fill-A-Bag Weekend at The Big Free Bookstore. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Sail250 Creatives Market at For Creatives Content Spaces. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Juneteenth & America 250 Community Festival at New Hope Church of God in Christ. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Juneteenth Opening Ceremony at Town Point Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Sail250 Mass Creators Market at In The Sky Norfolk. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Tots on the Trail at Lakewood Ranger Station. 11:30 am. Rip it.
2026 Norfolk Harborfest Music, Food & Maritime Festival at Town Point Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Selden Market Juneteenth at Selden Arcade and Market. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Harborfest 50 at Town Point Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Sail250 at Town Point Park, Freemason, & Front Street. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
African Story Time at Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin. 1:45 pm. Rip it.
Downtown Norfolk: Interactive Wayfinding Entertainers in Downtown Norfolk. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Reading of the play Sally & Tom by Suzan-Lori Parks at Wells Theatre. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
African Cultural Dance & Drumming at Town Point Park. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
World Cup USA v Australia at Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant. 2:30 pm. Rip it.
USA vs. Australia Watch Party at The Dirty Buffalo East Beach Norfolk. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
World Cup Watch Party: USA vs Australia at Benchtop Brewing Company. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Ghent Farmers Market at Blair Middle School. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Pride At The Virginia Zoo. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Norfolk Flea After Dark at Afterglow Brewing. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Humanities Behind Bars Presents Juneteenth 2026 Jubilee at Eleanor's NFK. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
Vince Kornegay Performing Live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Live Music at COVA Brewing Company. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Art Rowe Live at VFW Post 4809. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Derek Smith Live at Elation Brewing. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Friday Night Live: Artist Showcase & Hot Mic at The Annex. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Goth Night at 37th & Zen. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Viewing Party at The Wave. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
The Jam Presents Y'all Means All: The Pride and Juneteenth Comedy Jam at Push Comedy Theater. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Sing To Me at Baxter's Sports Lounge. 8:30 pm. Rip it.
Grant Austin Taylor Performing Live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
She's Gotta Have It at Chicho's Backstage. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Teacher's Pet - Improv Comedy Show at Push Comedy Theater. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Twerkpalooza - Rodeo "Daisy Dukes & Boots" at Venom Lounge. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sat Jun 20
Morning Group Bicycle Ride at East Coast Bicycles. 7:00 am. Rip it.
Ocean View Run Club Weekend Long Run at Vessel Craft Coffee. 6:30 am. Rip it.
Men of Legacy Conference at Second Calvary Baptist Church. 9:00 am. Rip it.
East Beach/EOV Farmers Market at Bay Oaks Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
757 Beach Bootcamp at Sarah Constant Beach Park. 9:00 am. Rip it.
Garden Artists: Pollinator Baths at Norfolk Botanical Garden. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Celebrating the Wave Towards Freedom at First Baptist Church. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Juneteenth Freedom Block Party at ACDC Campus. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Fifth Annual Juneteenth Celebration at Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Intro Cake Decorating Class at Wine & Cake Hobbies. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Lakewood Park Pop-Up Disc Golf Course at Lakewood Park. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Live Life Fresh Boom Box Bike Ride at Freshtopia. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Marty C Moore Performing Live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
WERK of Art Pride Brunch at d'Art Center. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Sail250 Creatives Market at For Creatives Content Spaces. 11:00 am. Rip it.
A Juke Joint Juneteenth Celebration at Granby St. Glow Juice Bar. 3:00 pm. Rip it.
Neighborhood Juneteenth Celebration at Coronado School Grounds. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Poplar Hall Juneteenth Reunion at Poplar Hall Park. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Lotus & Lantern Market at Pagoda Norfolk at Pagoda & Oriental Garden. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Harborfest 50 at Town Point Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Sail250 at Town Point Park, Freemason, & Front Street. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Resource Inc: A Juneteenth Community Festival & Norfolk 250 Celebration at Transformed Salon. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Selden Market Juneteenth at Selden Arcade and Market. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Free Black Music & Art Celebration at Attucks Theatre. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Dads of Autistic Individuals Support Group at AOC Salon. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Kids Flicks: Pee-Wee's Big Adventure at Naro Cinema. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
MTG x Marvel Super Heroes Prerelease at Atlantis Games & Comics. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
African Cultural Dance & Drumming at Town Point Park. 1:30 pm. Rip it.
Downtown Norfolk: Interactive Wayfinding Entertainers in Downtown Norfolk. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Go Sk8 Day at Northside Park. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
The Unity Tip-Off Basketball Tournament at Booker T. Washington High School. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
African Story Time at Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin. 3:30 pm. Rip it.
Summer Solstice Market: Celebrating COVA's 6th Trip Around the Sun at COVA Brewing Company. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Crazy DJ Music Bingo at Hank's Filling Station. 4:30 pm. Rip it.
Summerween Pop-Up at Locals Marketplace. 5:00 pm. Rip it.
The B.Michelle Band Performing Live at Varia. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Dan Pellegrino performs live at Afterglow Brewing. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Anime Night: Live In Concert at The Annex. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
A Fashion Story | Fashion Show at Locals Marketplace. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Public House After Dark: Adult Prom 2026 at Public House. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Artist Show and Tell at Pure Lagos African Art Gallery & Boutique. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Sail 250® Patio Party at Grain at Grain. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Pushing Dragons: An Improvised Dungeons and Dragons Adventure at Push Comedy Theater. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
Zack Fox at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Death Harvest w/ Song of Praise & Priya's Hammer at Chicho's Pizza Backstage. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
Celeste Kellogg Full Band at Waterside Blue Moon Stage. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Tell It Performing Live at Tap It Local. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ Saint James Performing Live at Grain. 9:00 pm. Rip it.
DJ SoundStar Performing Live at Baxter's. 9:30 pm. Rip it.
DJSupLadies' Birthday Jump Off at 80/20 Burger Bar. 10:00 pm. Rip it.
Sun Jun 21
Birding with a Ranger at Lafayette Park Basketball Court. 9:00 am. Rip it.
The Gathering Breakfast at Calvary Presbyterian Church. 9:45 am. Rip it.
Swing Yoga - Donation Based at Ocean View Yoga. 10:00 am. Rip it.
Slow and Steady Sunday Group Ride at Slow & Steady Bike Goods. 10:30 am. Rip it.
Tim Bakner Performing Live at Grain. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Sail250 Creatives Market at For Creatives Content Spaces. 11:00 am. Rip it.
FIFA World Cup Watch Party presented by Hoffman Beverage at Cogans Pizza North. 11:00 am. Rip it.
Let's make a Sun-Catcher at Saltwater Studio. 11:30 am. Rip it.
Harborfest 50 at Town Point Park. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Sail250 at Town Point Park, Freemason, & Front Street. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Selden Market Juneteenth at Selden Arcade and Market. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Father's Day Bacon & Rib Fest at Hank's Filling Station. 12:00 pm. Rip it.
Lipgloss & Lashes Drag Brunch at 37th and Zen. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Commander Games at Afterglow Brewery at Afterglow Brewing. 1:00 pm. Rip it.
Downtown Norfolk: Interactive Wayfinding Entertainers in Downtown Norfolk. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Yoga With A Yogi In Training at STL Yoga Co NFK Sun Studio. 2:00 pm. Rip it.
Blessed Sacrament Choir Concert (Free) at Blessed Sacrament Church. 4:00 pm. Rip it.
Merci Football Club Pickup Soccer at Lafayette Park. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Father's Day Comedy Roast (6th Annual) at The Granby Theater. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Summer Solstice CLASS+ [Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, & Sound Healing] at GUD Yoga. 6:00 pm. Rip it.
Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos at Harborfest at Town Point Park. 6:15 pm. Rip it.
of Montreal, Cormae, Karacell at The Annex. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Subhumans, Roses, Bato at Norfolk Taphouse. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Good Talk: A Momma's Boy from God's Country, Portsmouth at Push Comedy Theater. 7:00 pm. Rip it.
Felicia Hoyos Performing Live At Grain at Grain. 7:30 pm. Rip it.
42 Dugg and Babyface Ray at The NorVA. 8:00 pm. Rip it.
You can try the famous Crab Norfolk at the Pagoda during Harborfest50 this weekend. Rip it.
All weekend at Todd Jurich’s you can get Norfolk snap dawgs, soft shell po’boys, tuna bites, and more. Rip it.
It’s time for Austrian wines with a whole lineup of Vino Culture classes. Rip it.
Espresso meets blueberry and mint in this summer special at Vessel. Rip it.
Three beers just dropped at The Veil: Spider, Bone, and IdonteverwanttoBU. Rip it.
If you can only eat one thing for the rest of your life would it be cannoli donuts? Rip it.
Orapax has new summer cocktails including Bloom & Barrel, a burbon, elderflower, blackberry delight. Rip it.
Omar’s has another wine dinner on the calendar, this time with selections form the Benziger Family Winery. Rip it.