May might be the perfect month in Norfolk, as the weather turns pleasant, offering a hint of summer, but without all that humidity. Outdoor events kick into overdrive, as concerts, festivals and outdoor activities dominate the calendar. It’s also Bike Month, making it the perfect time to hop on two wheels and explore the city. Enjoy the scenery and the fun around town this month with this list of our favorite May 2026 Norfolk events.
Two Norfolk Tides Homestands
Harbor Park
Various Dates
The Norfolk Tides, Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles, take on the Gwinnett Stripers May 5-10 at Harbor Park. They hit the road for two weeks then return home to face the Durham Bulls May 26-31.
An Evening with Jocelyn Gould at Attucks Theatre
Attucks Theatre
May 1, 2026
JUNO Award-winning guitarist Jocelyn Gould “has quickly become an international favorite with her hard swinging, imaginative approach and technical mastery” (Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz Magazine). Her joyful energy has captivated music fans around the world, and her passion for music is as infectious as her unique ability to connect with audiences. Jocelyn has absorbed the influences of the jazz guitar greats and has woven them into an exciting personal sound, citing Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Joe Pass, and Kenny Burrell as primary influences on the guitar.
Step Up & Step Out
Harbor Park
May 1, 2026
Step Up & Step Out is more than a race—it’s a movement. Join us for The Up Center’s annual fundraising event as we climb, run, and walk together to strengthen families, protect children, and empower individuals across Hampton Roads. Whether you’re taking on the stair climb challenge inside Harbor Park or hitting the course for the 2-mile run/walk, you’ll be part of something bigger: hope, healing, and community.
Fiesta De Mayo feat. BONNIE X CLYDE
Waterside District
May 2, 2026
Join us for an extra special Fiesta De Mayo weekend with games and giveaways including a taco eating contest for cash and prizes, themed food specials including a one day only churro bar, tequila and margarita bar, and top it all off with BONNIE X CLYDE!
Spring Town Point Virginia Wine FEstival
Town Point Park
May 2-3, 2026
Spend a spring weekend on the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront in Town Point Park, sampling a variety of over 200 wines from Virginia’s premier wineries! Named one of the top food and drink festivals in the nation by Business Insider, the 18th Annual Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival is one of Hampton Roads’ most anticipated wine festivals. Held on Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3, 2026 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, the festival showcases more than 25 of the Commonwealth’s top wineries in a picturesque setting along the Elizabeth River, to go along with gourmet foods, specialty merchants, live music, and much more! All wines presented during the festival are available for purchase by the bottle or case throughout the day.
Boombox Rides
MacArthur Mall Green Space
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2026
Join every Saturday, weather permitting, for the LIVE.LIFE.FRESH Boom Box Bike Ride. Meet us at the MacArthur Mall Green Space, at the intersection of Freemason St. and Monticello Ave. at 10 AM. We’ll ride out at 10:30 AM for our casual cruise around Norfolk, Virginia via bike lanes and the Elizabeth River Trail.
Silversun Pickups
The NorVa
May 2, 2026
Alt-rock veterans Silversun Pickups are set to bring their signature fuzzy distortion and soaring melodies to The NorVa on Saturday, May 2. Known for their explosive live energy and hits like “Lazy Eye” and “Panic Switch,” the band is touring in support of their latest material, with the indie-rock outfit Giant Waste of Man providing support for the evening. Doors are scheduled to open at 6:30 PM with the show kicking off at 7:30 PM, offering a perfect opportunity to catch one of the genre’s most enduring acts in an intimate, world-class venue right in the heart of downtown.
May Day at Hermitage
Hermitage Museum and Gardens
May 3, 2026
Join the Hermitage Collective to welcome the warm weather and enjoy an afternoon of spring-inspired activities! Featuring:
Activities from the Norfolk Master Gardeners, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk Botanical Garden, Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation, and other partners, a May Pole, tunes by DJ lilshshn and guitarist Liam Ritter, friendship bracelets + bubble station + chalk art, spring-themed art activities and more.
Lee Greenwood
Perry Pavilion
May 3, 2026
Making his Virginia Arts Festival debut, international country music icon Lee Greenwood brings a celebrated career marked by chart-topping hits, industry honors, and enduring patriotism. A Grammy Award winner and recipient of multiple CMA and ACM Awards, Greenwood has released twenty-two studio albums, earned seven No. 1 hits, and charted thirty-eight singles.
His signature anthem, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” reached the Top Five on the country charts three times—an unprecedented achievement—and rose to the Billboard Hot 100 following September 11, 2001. Honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s National Patriot’s Award, Greenwood has also entertained U.S. troops on more than 30 USO Tours.
11th Annual Suds and Buds
Norfolk Botanical Garden
May 7, 2026
Each year the Rotary Club of Norfolk and Norfolk Botanical Garden team up with a different non-profit partner to produce one of Hampton Roads’ Premier Spring Charity Events. Suds & Buds features local restaurants, craft beer, wine and live music. Suds & Buds has raised nearly $300,000 for local charities since its inception. Event proceeds will support Rotary Club of Norfolk, Norfolk Botanical Garden and The Sarah Michelle Peterson Foundation.
Bike Night at the Virginia Zoo
The Virginia Zoo
May 8, 2026
Tire-d of your same-old cycling route? Put those pedals to the metal and gear up for a wild, after-hours ride at the Virginia Zoo! Cruise through the Zoo on designated paths, listen to our DJ spin dance-worthy tracks, take a break to walk the animal trails, and meet local bike vendors that can help you repair or trick out your ride with wheel-y cool accessories. Electric scooters are not permitted for this event.
The Lone Bellow
Perry Pavilion
May 8, 2026
It’s a sound like no other: born in the South, transplanted to Brooklyn, cooked in a Kentucky farmhouse and distilled in a Muscle Shoals studio—true to its roots in country, blues, gospel and indie rock. Fans flock to share this band live, craving concerts of raw, ecstatic energy, with lush harmonies driving songs that pulse with honesty and human connection.
In The Heights
Little Theatre of Norfolk
May 8-31, 2026
Over the course of the Tony award-winning musical, In the Heights, we encounter the many colorful residents of Washington Heights — a New York City neighborhood on the brink of change. Usnavi, a first generation Dominican-American corner bodega owner, and his friends and family are dealing with the pressures of rising rents and closing neighborhood businesses. As one family struggles to figure out how to pay for an Ivy League tuition for their brilliant and hard-working daughter, a young woman is trying to put a down payment on a new apartment, and Usnavi himself is trying to get back to the Dominican Republic to reconnect with his roots after the death of his parents.
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Miles Davis & John Coltrane: Giants of Modern Jazz
Virginia Arts Festival
May 9, 2026
The Attucks Jazz Orchestra, a virtuoso ensemble of some of the country’s finest jazz artists, comes together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the births of jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The night will pay tribute to their inspirational legacy that shaped the artform through innovation, collaboration and fearless creativity.
Spring Bazaar at The PLOT
The PLOT in NEON District
May 9, 2026
Get ready for a fun-filled day at the Spring Bazaar happening at The PLOT right in The NEON District! On May 9th, from 11am-3pm, we’ll have a lineup featuring local artists, artisans, free activities, food trucks and more! We invite you to come explore unique finds and tasty treats. This is the perfect chance to hang out, shop, and soak up the spring vibes.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Sail
American Rover
May 10, 2026
Join us for a two-hour Cruise aboard the elegant sailing ship American Rover. Enjoy a gourmet snack box as you cruise the smooth waters of the Elizabeth River and Hampton Roads Harbor. Our top deck provides ample comfortable seating with plenty of shade. Relax with Mom and be entertained by our ship’s musician.
Includes: one complimentary mimosa or champagne for Mom plus a charcuterie snack box by Gourmet Gang.
Black Veil Brides
The NorVa
May 12, 2026
Committed to uncompromising expression, with a foundation in hard rock tradition and rule-breaking iconoclasm, Black Veil Brides is a transcendent celebration of life-affirming power and anthemic catharsis. A gothic vision first summoned in a small town by an isolated kid fascinated with death, rock, theatricality, and monsters (both real and imagined), Black Veil Brides is now a postmodern heavy metal institution with a legion of like-minded fans and supporters worldwide.
SUNSETS ON THE RIVER
Hermitage Museum & Gardens
May 14, 28, 2026
Relax on the shoreline and enjoy live music from across the musical spectrum. This year’s lineup includes Alternative Rock, Funk Fusion, Country, Classic Rock, and more! Drinks from our bar featuring craft beer and wine available for purchase. Eats and treats from a variety of regional food trucks.
Norfolk Greek Festival 2026
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
May 14-17, 2026
For generations, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral and the Norfolk Greek Festival have been pillars of faith, culture, and service in the Hampton Roads community. More than a celebration of Hellenic heritage, our festival embodies the Orthodox Christian values of philanthropy, hospitality, and love for our neighbor. Enjoy music, food, vendors and entertainment at this ever-popular festival.
Bayou Bon Vivant
Town Point Park
May 15-17 ,2026
Indulge in the flavors of New Orleans at the Bayou Bon Vivant, a three-day celebration of the tastes, tunes, and traditions of the Crescent City. From juicy handfuls of crawfish to world-renowned N’awlins jazz musicians, the Bayou Bon Vivant captures the vibrant spirit of Louisiana and transforms it into a weekend-long party Friday-Sunday, May 15 – 17, 2026 at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront! A wide-ranging and fun experience for the entire family, the Bayou Bon Vivant also features an Arts Market featuring 30+ New Orleans crafters, mouth-watering Cajun dishes such as beignets, gumbo, etouffees, and jambalaya.
Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival
Stockley Gardens
May 16-17, 2026
Mark Your Calendar for the 42nd Annual Stockley Gardens Spring Arts Festival, presented by TowneBank! Get ready for a weekend packed with creativity, great music, and fun for all ages in Norfolk’s charming Ghent neighborhood. Browse artwork from over 130 talented artists from across the U.S. Enjoy live music, kids’ activities, and tasty bites from a variety of food vendors.
Keyshawn-Albright II at Scope
Scope Arena
May 16, 2026
Boxer Keyshawn Davis will face Philadelphia’s Nahir Albright in a 12-round super lightweight rematch on Saturday, May 16, at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. In the 10-round welterweight co-feature, former world champion Brian Norman Jr. returns against Canada’s Josh Wagner.
Party for the Planet
The Virginia Zoo
May 16, 2026
Celebrate Earth Day the WILD way by joining our Party for the Planet! Get inspired to take environmental action not just on Earth Day, but every day. Greet Animal Ambassadors, purchase stunning plants from our horticulture staff, prepare browse enrichment for our animals, hear from community partners about how they make a difference for our planet, and much more.
Beenie Man at NorVa
The NorVa
May 22, 2026
Beenie Man was born in the tough Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica in 1973. Regarded as one of Jamaica’s biggest exports, the artist’s recording career stretches back to 1981. Getting his big breakthrough with ‘Matie’ in 1993, the trailblazing single went to number one in Jamaica and led to the artist winning the DJ of the Year Award in that same year.
PAtriotic Festival + Memorial Day
Scope Arena + Downtown
May 22-25, 2026
Memorial Day means so much more than a three-day weekend, and here in Norfolk, there are several important ways to observe the holiday and honor the men and women who have died serving in the U.S. armed forces. The key event this weekend is the Patriotic Festival held at Scope Arena May 22-24 featuring performances from Zach Top, Brooks & Dunn and Red Clay Strays.
Panties in a Twist : The All-Female Comedy Show
Push Comedy Theater
May 30-31, 2026
This is not just a comedy show. It is a full-blown comedy event. A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud mix of sketch, characters, and chaos, written, directed, and starring Hampton Roads’ funniest women.
Yes, it is a show by women, but it is for everyone. Big, bold, smart, ridiculous comedy that hits from every angle and does not hold back. For over a decade, this show has become a can’t-miss tradition, selling out theaters, packing houses, and leaving audiences buzzing long after the curtain call. Now it returns to one of the biggest stages in Norfolk. If you have seen it before, you already know. This is the show people talk about all year.If you have not, this is the one you do not want to hear about secondhand.
John Mulaney
Chrysler Hall
May 31, 2026
John Mulaney is a four-time Emmy Award, Critics Choice award and WGA award-winning writer, comedian and actor. Most recently, Mulaney can be seen as the host, writer and executive producer of his Netflix talk show EVERYBODY’S LIVE WITH JOHN MULANEY. The show serves as the continuation of the series EVERYBODY’S IN LA. The series features monologues, guests, pre-taped sketches, musical segments and more. EVERYBODY’S IN LA, was a six-night live comedy series that explored Los Angeles during the Netflix Is A Joke Festival in 2024. In December 2024, Mulaney starred in the Broadway play “All In: Comedy About Love,” alongside a cast including Fred Armisen, Richard Kind and Renee Elise Goldsberry. Mulaney is currently on the first leg of his newest stand-up tour, JOHN MULANEY: MISTER WHATEVER, performing across North America. Mulaney can next be seen in the Amazon MGM Studios film, MADDEN, an upcoming American biographical sports drama directed by David O. Russell.
