Don’t miss out on Norfolk’s best events this October. The city is filled with eclectic festivals, live music events, outdoor activities and more!
ghent farmers market
First and Third Fridays
Blair Middle School
Support sustainability by shopping at the Ghent Farmers Market. Local produce, fewer travel miles, and eco-friendly choices.
Ignite: Lagoon
Oct. 3, 2025
Chrysler Museum of Art
Dance the night away with DJ sets, circus performances, and a monster costume contest for all those who love to dress up and are inspired by the mystery of… what lies beneath. Just in time to celebrate a gifted and versatile maker, Tapio Wirkkala, whose exhibition will be on view at the Museum, Lagoon celebrates his belief that “all materials have their own unwritten laws…” Join this amazing conglomeration of contemporary artists, pop-up installations, creative collaboration, and our community’s wonderful waterways.
Virginia Children’s Festival
Oct. 4, 2025
Town Point Park
The 757’s most exciting family festival, the Virginia Children’s Festival presented by Sentara Health Plans on Saturday, October 4, 2025 features more than 100 fun, creative, and interactive activities, including hands-on workshops, cultural experiences, military demonstrations, costumed characters, storytelling, musical performances, dance lessons, and much more! The festival is designed with children 10 and younger in mind.
UFC 320 Watch Party at Waterside
Oct. 4, 2025
Waterside District
The UFC heads to Las Vegas for UFC 320 as the T-Mobile arena hosts the Ultimate Fighting Championship between Ankalaev and Pereira. Watch live on the Market’s big screen with food, drinks & the crew. No charge, 21+
Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, More
Oct. 4, 2025
Chrysler Hall
Featuring pianist and Navy pilot Alex Beyer, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy is an uplifting and familiar predecessor, in both melody and message, to his Ode to Joy, uniting virtuosic piano writing with chorus, vocal soloists, and orchestra. Sibelius’s heroic Second Symphony has been described as a moving depiction of Finland’s struggle for independence from Russia at the start of the 20th century.
Art at the Attucks: ‘What We Ask of Flesh’
Oct. 10, 2025
Attucks Theatre
In this work, the artists’ bodies become instruments that question, connect, and dismantle the tangible and intangible histories present within a human life. Inspired by Remica Bingham-Risher’s poetry and the caregiver’s journey through Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the navigation of grief, and the redemption of joy, Brown and her company explore the tapestry between our internal and external realities. Set to live music, five movement artists assisted by media projection, lights, and garments of art take the audience on a journey of truth and triumph.
The Addams Family
Oct. 10, 2025
The Historic Wells Theatre
A comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.
Fleet Fest 2025
Oct. 11, 2025
Naval Station Norfolk
Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Naval Station Norfolk, this free and open-to-the-public event is your exclusive opportunity to step aboard U.S. Navy ships, meet Sailors, and experience life in the fleet firsthand. Enjoy live music, savor delicious eats from local food truck, watch thrilling military demonstrations. Celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States Navy, as well.
Jo Koy – Just Being Koy Tour
Oct. 11, 2025
Chartway Arena
As one of today’s premiere stand-up comedians, Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest beginnings performing in a Las Vegas coffee house. Jo’s uniquely relatable comedy pulls inspiration from his colorful family that has reached all kinds of people and has translated into sold-out arenas around the world.
Blues Traveler
Oct. 12, 2025
The NorVa
Over an illustrious career Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy® for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Their movie credits include Blues Brothers 2000, Kingpin, Wildflowers and others. A television favorite, they have been featured on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, VH1’s Behind the Music and they have the record for the most appearances of any artist on The Late Show with David Letterman. Blues Traveler’s latest effort, 2021’s Traveler’s Blues, is nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Traditional Blues Album,” bringing their 35+ year journey full circle.
Nurse John: The Short Staffed Tour
Oct. 12, 2025
Chrysler Hall
John Dela Cruz’s (a.k.a Nurse John’s) comedy is like talking to your work bestie; you trauma dump, cry, scream, and laugh together through all the high and the lows of working in the service industry. It’s the feeling of relatability and instant relief that you are not crazy from experiencing all the roller coaster of emotions working short staffed while being underpaid, undervalued, and underappreciated. His relatable humor helped him garner over 12 million besties & followers across the globe and growing each day in all his social media platforms. John also hosts ‘I Beg Your Pardon’; one of the top comedy podcasts in North America that currently has 3 million downloads and serves as a weekly therapy for many.
Wheatus at the Annex
Oct. 14, 2025
The Annex
The band behind the hit “Teenage Dirtbag” with its catchy chorus will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a show at Norfolk’s The Annex on Church St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30 p.m.
Tenth Annual NEON Festival
Oct. 16-17, 2025
NEON District
Presented by Arts Alliance and PRA Group, this free festival welcomes everyone to experience the NEON District through art exhibitions, local and regional performances, mural tours and programming unique to Norfolk’s first arts neighborhood. The 2025 celebration includes 10 For 10 Public Art Reveal, curated events by 757 producers and art-makers, Glass After Dark, live demos, make and takes, live music and more.
Everclear
Oct. 17, 2025
The NorVa
The Portland, Oregon-based group that saw hits with “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine: and “I Will Buy You a New Life” returns to Norfolk to perform at the NorVa on Oct. 17.
Josh Johnson: the Flowers Tour
Oct. 18, 2025
Chrysler Hall
As a stand-up, Johnson headlines theaters, clubs, colleges, and festivals around the world. He is also a prolific writer and performer who puts out weekly stand up sets on his YouTube channel and is best known for his correspondent gig on “The Daily Show.” This year alone, Josh has released over 24 hours of stand up, and the content on his YouTube channel has been viewed over 140 million times by people all over the world.
Virginia Arts Festival: Attucks Jazz Series with Joel Ross
Oct. 18, 2025
Attucks Theatre
Critically acclaimed vibraphonist Joel Ross brings a sound DownBeat hails as “lush, high-powered and full of luminous energy.” A Blue Note Artist, Ross has changed the conversation around vibes, incorporating the instrument’s unique sound in new ways.
Town point Virginia Fall Wine Festival
Oct. 18-19, 2025
Town Point Park
Year after year, the Fall Town Point Virginia Wine Festival is one of Hampton Roads’ most anticipated wine festivals of the fall season. This year, the Fall Wine Festival takes places on Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19, 2025 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Virginia one of the 10 best wine travel destinations in the world and the Fall Town Point Virginia Wine Festival encapsulates this recognition in grand fashion with more than 25 of the Commonwealth’s top wineries showcasing over 200 fine wines.
Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival
Oct. 18-19, 2025
Stockley Gardens, Ghent
Since 1984 Hope House Foundation has hosted the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival, a two-day event featuring over 125 artists from across the U.S. and overseas to participate and showcase their art in a variety of mediums, including photography, pottery, sculpture, painting, mixed media and jewelry. Stockley Gardens Park offers the festival a distinctive atmosphere with its peaceful garden setting in the heart of the historic district in Ghent, Norfolk. The festival is free and open to the public and attracts thousands of people who enjoy the art, live music, an array of food and the community atmosphere of the event held in the spring and fall each year. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of art, music, and community.
Masquerade in Ghent
Oct. 24, 2025
Colley Ave.
Enjoy a costume contest, live music, kids activities and adult beverages in a street carnival atmosphere on Colley Ave. in Ghent. Prizes awarded for best costumes.
Admirals Hockey Returns!
Oct. 24-25, 2025
Scope Arena
Norfolk’s ECHL hockey team the Norfolk Admirals kick off the 2025-26 season with two games against the Worcester Railers Oct. 24-25 at Scope Arena.
