Hampton Roads Annual Festivals & Events: 2026–2027 Dates
Annual festivals, races and seasonal traditions offer another way to explore Hampton Roads. This selected guide covers Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk and Portsmouth, with links to official organizers and city resources.
Dates checked October 14, 2026. The year labels refer to each annual edition. We show exact dates only when an official source publishes them. Many 2026 dates have passed, and several 2027 schedules have not been announced. A holiday season that begins in 2026 and ends in January 2027 remains the 2026 edition.
These are published schedule records, not a claim that every advertised activity took place. Review the organizer’s current programme, admission details, venue and road closures before planning a visit. Burchette Homes is an independent real estate resource and is not an event organizer or sponsor.
Announced 2027 Dates
March 7, 2027: Newport News One City Marathon — Newport News.
March 13, 2027: Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival — Suffolk.
March 19–21, 2027: Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend — Virginia Beach.
April 22–25, 2027: Virginia International Tattoo — Norfolk.
April 24, 2027: Suffolk Earth & Arts Festival — Suffolk.
June 25–27, 2027: Hampton Jazz & Music Festival — Hampton.
Events without an exact 2027 announcement are labeled in their city sections below; annual recurrence is not used to predict dates.
Chesapeake Annual Festivals and Events
Chesapeake Jubilee
Chesapeake’s annual May fair includes carnival rides, food and entertainment at City Park. Review the official festival programme for ticketing, daily hours and any weather adjustments before arranging a visit.
Location: Chesapeake City Park,900 City Park Drive, Chesapeake
2026: May 14–17, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival
This annual wine event at Chesapeake City Park features tastings, vendors and music while raising funds for local charities. Check the organizer’s page for ticket options and updated attendance information.
Location: Chesapeake City Park,900 City Park Drive, Chesapeake
2026: October 10, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Battle of Great Bridge Reenactment and Colonial Market Fair
This annual historical programme offers Revolutionary War living history and reenactment at Battlefield Park South. The museum and City publish dated schedules; check daily activities and the visitor route before traveling.
Location: Battlefield Park South,120 Reservation Road, Chesapeake; nearby museum at 1775 Historic Way
2026: December 5–6, 2026 (announced dates). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade
Chesapeake’s annual Rotary parade follows a Great Bridge route toward City Hall, with holiday performances and community entries. Check the organizer’s route, road closures and staging time before heading to spectator areas.
Location: Great Bridge route: Mount Pleasant Road/Battlefield Boulevard to City Hall on Cedar Road
2026: December 5, 2026 (announced dates). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Hampton Annual Festivals and Events
Blackbeard Pirate Festival
Downtown Hampton’s waterfront becomes a setting for pirate reenactments, period vendors, music and children’s activities. The festival explores stories of Blackbeard and eighteenth-century Hampton beside Mill Point Park.
Location: Mill Point Park and Downtown Hampton
2026: June 13–14, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Summer 2027 announced; exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Hampton Jazz & Music Festival
Three nights of jazz, R&B and gospel bring music fans to Hampton Coliseum. Follow the organizer’s announcements for each year’s performers, tickets and arena information.
Location: Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton
2026: June 26–28, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: June 25–27, 2027 (announced dates). Official date source
Crabtown Seafood Shellabration
Seafood vendors, music, exhibitors and waterfront activities celebrate Hampton’s working seafood heritage. Mill Point Park and the surrounding downtown waterfront provide the setting for this annual summer gathering.
Location: Mill Point Park and Downtown Hampton waterfront
2026: September 5, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Newport News Annual Festivals and Events
Newport News One City Marathon
This point-to-point road race connects Newport News Park with downtown and a finish celebration in The Yard District. The wider race weekend also offers shorter-distance events and spectator activities.
Location: Starts at Newport News Park; finishes in Downtown Newport News / The Yard District
2026: March 1, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: March 7, 2027 (announced dates). Official date source
Fall-O-Ween Festival
Autumn programming at Newport News Park combines seasonal activities, pumpkin art, craft vendors, food and entertainment. Check the City’s event notice for weather updates before arranging a visit.
Location: Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News
2026: October 3, 2026 (advertised date; date has passed; see cancellation notice below). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
October 3 was advertised; Sunday October 4 was explicitly canceled. The event page also carries a general cancellation notice, so this record does not confirm that Saturday took place.
Celebration in Lights
A drive through Newport News Park brings visitors past illuminated holiday scenes and animated displays. This seasonal City tradition offers an evening outing; check current vehicle admission and operating details.
Location: Newport News Park, 13560 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News
2026: November 26, 2026–January 1, 2027 (announced dates; 2026 holiday season). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Norfolk Annual Festivals and Events
Virginia International Tattoo
The Tattoo combines military bands, pipes and drums, dance and ceremonial performance at Scope Arena. Its published April 2027 dates make this a concrete option for planning an arts visit to downtown Norfolk.
Location: Scope Arena, 201 E. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk
2026: April 16–19, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: April 22–25, 2027 (announced dates). Official date source
Norfolk Harborfest
Harborfest brings maritime programming, the Parade of Sail and live music to Norfolk's downtown waterfront. It offers a useful occasion to explore the riverfront; confirm the next published schedule before planning a visit.
Location: Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
2026: June 19–21, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival
Norfolk's recurring jazz festival features smooth-jazz performances across a two-day program. The 2026 edition was scheduled at Scope Arena after a weather-related relocation, making the organizer's current venue notice especially important when planning.
Location: 2026: Scope Arena, 201 E. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk; 2027 venue not announced on reviewed sources
2026: August 21–22, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Town Point Virginia Fall Wine Festival
This autumn festival gathers Virginia wineries at Town Point Park beside the Elizabeth River. The waterfront setting offers an event-focused way to explore downtown Norfolk; check the organizer's ticket options and tasting rules.
Location: Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
2026: October 17–18, 2026 (announced dates). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Portsmouth Annual Festivals and Events
Umoja Festival
Umoja celebrates African-American culture with music, food and an arts-and-crafts marketplace on Portsmouth's downtown waterfront. Its program brings several musical traditions together; use the official festival page for the next announced schedule.
Location: Festival Park, Downtown Portsmouth waterfront
2026: May 22–24, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Seawall Art Show
The Seawall Art Show turns a stretch of High Street into an outdoor art display with works for sale, student artwork, entertainment and food. Check the organizer's next announcement before planning a Portsmouth visit.
Location: High Street between Crawford and Court Streets, Olde Towne Portsmouth
2026: August 22–23, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Olde Towne Ghost Walk
Costumed storytellers lead this annual walk through Olde Towne, presenting local ghost legends as theatrical tales. It offers an evening view of Portsmouth's historic streets; check timed-ticket details and walking instructions with the Civic League.
Location: Olde Towne Portsmouth; tours begin and end at Trinity Episcopal Church, 500 Court Street
2026: October 30, 2026 (announced dates). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival
Holiday music fills Olde Towne with strolling carolers, performance stops and seasonal activities. The city has published its December 2026 date, providing a timely reason to explore High Street while checking the final program.
Location: Olde Towne Portsmouth, including High Street and the Middle Street Mall area
2026: December 12, 2026 (announced dates). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Suffolk Annual Festivals and Events
Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival
Readers and writers gather for author conversations, book signings, readings and moderated panels. The indoor festival at Suffolk’s riverfront conference center provides a literary outing across multiple genres.
Location: Suffolk Conference Center at Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront, 100 East Constance Road, Suffolk
2026: March 14, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: March 13, 2027 (announced dates). Official date source
Suffolk Earth & Arts Festival
Artists, crafters, growers and environmental groups join music and food in downtown Suffolk. Keep Suffolk Beautiful and Suffolk Art League organize a spring festival focused on creative work and environmental stewardship.
Location: Historic Downtown Suffolk / North Main Street
2026: April 25, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: April 24, 2027 (announced dates). Official date source
Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival
Downtown restaurants share food alongside street vendors, live music and children’s activities around Main and Washington streets. The annual festival offers a way to sample Suffolk’s dining scene in one outing.
Location: Downtown Suffolk, Main Street and Washington Street
2026: September 12, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Suffolk Peanut Fest
Suffolk’s peanut-themed festival combines concerts, amusement rides, contests and vendor browsing at the executive airport grounds. Review the organizer’s annual program for the activities, entry details and weather updates.
Location: Suffolk Executive Airport, 1410 Airport Road, Suffolk
2026: October 8–11, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Virginia Beach Annual Festivals and Events
Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend
An Oceanfront running weekend combines a marathon, half marathon and 8K with an expo and finish-line celebrations. Use the official schedule for race start points and expo hours before planning a visit.
Location: Virginia Beach Oceanfront; expo at Virginia Beach Convention Center
2026: March 20–22, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: March 19–21, 2027 (announced dates). Official date source
Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party
A two-evening funk music festival brings stage performances to the beach, with general admission and optional preferred viewing. Check the official lineup, venue and entry rules for the year you plan to attend.
Location: On the beach at 32nd Street, Virginia Beach
2026: August 28–29, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Neptune Festival Boardwalk Weekend
Neptune’s annual Boardwalk Weekend centers on live music, art and special events at the Oceanfront. Review organizer updates closely: the 2026 programme changed for weather, moving selected activities to the Convention Center.
Location: Virginia Beach Oceanfront parks and Virginia Beach Convention Center; 2026 weather-modified programme
2026: September 26–27, 2026 (date has passed). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
The organizer revised the 2026 programme for weather. Friday Boardwalk activities were canceled or changed, and selected activities moved to the Convention Center; the dates above follow the newer schedule.
Holiday Parade at the Beach
The annual Oceanfront parade combines lighted floats, performing groups and marching bands along Atlantic Avenue. Consult the organizer’s route and timing information, and plan parking before joining the holiday crowds.
Location: Atlantic Avenue between 15th and 25th Streets, Virginia Beach
2026: December 5, 2026 (announced dates). Official date source
2027: Exact dates not announced on the reviewed official page. Official event resource
Planning Questions
Are all of next year’s dates confirmed?
No. Only exact 2027 dates supported by an official announcement appear in the announced list. The remaining events link to the reviewed official resource and are labeled as not yet announced.
Does a past 2026 date mean the event took place exactly as scheduled?
No. “Date has passed” identifies a published date that is earlier than this review. Weather or other organizer changes can alter the programme; specific changes found in the reviewed sources are noted.
How can I combine a visit with a home tour?
Send us the home link or exact address and two possible tour times. Event traffic can affect travel time. A tour request remains pending until the team and listing side or seller confirm.
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