Your Ultimate Holiday Bucket List

here’s many ways to get in the spirit of the season, whether watching colorful sparkles bounce on the water from a historic battleship, nostalgically gazing at decorations from cobblestone streets or getting cozy by a fire. 

CHART YOUR COURSE

Our city is your city. Use the menu below to customize your Norfolk experience.

How Do You Say Norfolk?

Nor-FOLK? NOR-fik? NAW-fik? NOR-FUK? Here’s the verdict.

Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, Virginia is a city on the water, but never watered down. Built on character, by characters, we’re a melting pot of people, cultures, and ideas.

Downtown

Norfolk’s walkable, waterfront downtown is the urban hub of the city full of shopping, entertainment, restaurants and excitement!

Historic Freemason District

The city’s oldest standing neighborhood, Historic Freemason features beautiful tree-lined cobblestone streets, manicured gardens, historic homes and water views.

NEON DISTRICT

The creative center of the city, NEON’s 80+ pieces of public art, live performances and eclectic restaurants are destined to inspire.

GHENT

Ghent is filled with character, culture and delicious cuisine — not to mention tons of eclectic eateries, unique shops, art galleries and antique stores.

Chelsea

Chelsea is one of the most walkable and bikeable neighborhoods in the city, with the celebrated Elizabeth River Trail (ERT) passing through the center.

park place / Railroad district

Lined with local breweries, eateries and street murals, the industrial neighborhoods of Park Place/Railroad District are sure to get any visit on the right track.

Riverview

From zoo animals to wildly delicious restaurants, the LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhood of Riverview truly has something for everyone.

Larchmont / lochhaven

Next door to Old Dominion University, Larchmont and Lochhaven are home to history, local restaurants, outdoor fun and perfect water views.

Oceanview

The relaxing beachside communities of Ocean View and East Beach are the perfect place to unwind with fresh seafood, sand and sun!

Military Highway

Ideal for people on the move, Military Highway plays host to Norfolk International Airport and an abundance of shopping options.

What’s happening

Events This Week

The holidays kick into high gear, check out live performances, see concerts and discover much more happening this week in Norfolk, Va.
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Cruises: Everything You Need to Know

Looking for up-to-date cruise schedules, parking information, lost luggage contacts, maps, deals and related tips on cruising in and out of Norfolk, VA.? Here’s your complete guide.
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December 2025 Events Guide

Holiday magic, concerts, Garden of Lights and Winterfest on the Wisconsin. Learn more in our December events guide.
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Events

Every season is event season in Norfolk. See what’s on deck.

Nov222025
Dec312025

Miracle on Waterside Dr. Holiday Pop Up Bar

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Dec122025

Reading Royals @ Norfolk Admirals

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Dec112025
Dec132025

A Sherlock Carol

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Nov142025
Dec312025

Nauticus Winterfest: Kingdom of the Snow Queen

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Dec122025

MacArthur the Engineer Live Q&A

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Dec122025

Krampusnacht

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Dec122025

Perry Glass Studio Holiday Sale

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Jun132025
Jun122026

Secrets of the Sea

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Dec122025

Champions Of Magic: Holiday Spectacular

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Dec122025

Killers of Kill Tony

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Nov082025
Jan042026

Dominion Energy Garden of Lights

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Dec122025

The Best Christmas Pageant

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Dec122025

Nothing, Nowhere, Now Here , Hippie Love Party, Cosmic Strain

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Dec132025

A Storyland Christmas

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Dec132025
Dec142025

2-Day Ceramic Holiday Sale @ d’Art’s Main Gallery

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Dec132025

A Victorian Holiday Market

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Dec132025
Dec142025

Perry Glass Studio Holiday Sale

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Dec132025

A Merry Little Christmas Carol

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Aug232025
Dec272025

Crazy DJ Music Bingo @ Hank’s

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Dec132025

Krampus Market

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Dec132025

Pictures with Santa @ COVA Brewing Co

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Dec132025

Mele Kalikimaka Bash: COVA’s Great Holiday Escape

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Dec132025

Holiday POPs!

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Dec132025

Visit with Santa at the MacArthur Memorial Visitors Center

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Dec132025

The Last Bison

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Dec062025
Dec272025

Norfolk Signature Mimosa Brunch Cruise

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Dec132025

Matt Holloman at Just Birdies Sports Bar & Simulators

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Dec132025

NEON Holiday Market 2025

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Dec132025
Dec142025

The Best Christmas Pageant

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Dec132025

Winter Wonderland at Slover

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Dec132025

Zoso (The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience)

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Dec142025

A Merry Little Christmas Carol

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Dec142025

A Charlie Brown Christmas

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Dec142025

Late Night Drive Home @ The NorVa

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Dec072025
Dec282025

Norfolk Signature Mimosa Brunch Cruise

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Jun162025
Dec222025

Monday’s are a joke at Maker’s Craft Brewery

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Dec152025

Little Zoo

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Dec162025

Jingle and Mingle at the Wells: Ella Fitzgerald Christmas

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Dec162025

VOCES8

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Dec172025

A Merry Little Christmas Carol

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Dec182025

Music Bingo at COVA Brewing Co.

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Dec182025
Dec212025

Disney On Ice

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Dec182025

Glass After Dark: December

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Dec182025

Candlelight Yoga With Live Music

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Apr102025
Dec182025

Trivia Thursdays at the Bold Mariner Brewing Company

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Dec182025
Dec202025

A Sherlock Carol

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Dec192025

Handel’s Messiah with Eric Jacobsen

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Dec192025

Live from the Music Room: Jason Arce

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Dec192025

Norfolk Signature Lunch Cruise

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Dec202025

Adam Hawley – What Christmas Means at The Annex

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Dec202025

HEY MA! A Night At The Annex

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Dec202025

Grey Matter at Just Birdies Sports Bar & Simulators

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Dec202025
Dec212025

A Merry Little Christmas Carol

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Dec202025

Sins of A Father

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Dec202025
Dec212025

Victorian Christmas Tea

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Dec212025

Christmas Fest

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Dec222025

World Ballet Company The Nutcracker

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Dec222025
Dec232025

The Nutcracker

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Dec232025

A Merry Little Christmas Carol

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Dec232025

A Sherlock Carol

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Dec262025

A Sherlock Carol

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Dec272025

FROSTED FETE – Soca Parang Edition

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Dec272025

Anime Bazaar: Holiday Edition

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Dec272025

Fortune Feimster Takin’ Care of Biscuits Comedy Tour

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Dec272025

A Sherlock Carol

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The Latest

Read our blog for the latest — and greatest — happenings in the city.

January 2026 Events in Norfolk, VA

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Here Comes ‘26: Ring in the New Year in Norfolk  

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Cold Out? Best Things to Do Indoors in Norfolk, VA

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Make 2026 Your Best YEt With These Norfolk Goals

As we prepare to enter the new year of 2026, we consider how we want to…
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Your Complete Norfolk, VA Winter Bucket List

Winter can mean cold, gray days hunkered down indoors waiting for warm weather to…
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Norfolk Restaurants Serving Mocktails

Many of Norfolk’s restaurants are celebrated for their phenomenal cocktail programs. But…
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Breweries in Norfolk

Breweries have become beloved neighborhood pubs, and lucky for us, Norfolk’s brewery scene has taken off! With multiple…
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Free Things to Do in Norfolk During the Holidays 

Who says the holidays have to come with a price tag? Norfolk shines…
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