August in Norfolk is heating up, and we’ve got an incredible lineup to help you make the most of the rest of the season. Catch music legends Barry Manilow at Chartway Arena on August 8 and Josh Groban on August 16, then head to the waterfront for the 43rd Annual Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival on August 21–22. Celebrate 125 years of the Virginia Zoo on Aug. 29. From outdoor festivals to high-energy arena shows, dive into our guide below for the best ways to soak up the final weeks of summer in the 757.
The Worcester Red Sox Pay the Tides a Visit
Harbor Park
July 28-Aug. 2, 2026
In a matchup that typically only happens once a year, the Worcester Red Sox (affiliates of the Boston Red Sox) will come to Harbor Park for a satisfying six-game homestand against the Tides to close out July and open August.
End Of Summer Bash at Va. Zoo
Virginia Zoo
Aug. 1, 2026
The sun may be setting on summer, but the Zoo is squeezing in one last hurrah at its End of Summer Bash on Saturday, Aug. 1st from noon to 4 p.m. Free with general zoo admission; rain or shine.
Mixtape: Rendezvous à Paris
Chrysler Museum of Art
Aug. 6, 2026
Your chance to wine and unwind during an evening of live music, community connections, and art. Film Break Society offers curated screenings of classic restorations and under-the-radar contemporaries. This month: Wild Style (1983). Tickets available at the door. $5 for museum members, (with valid member ID card)$10 for non-members.
Tidewater Pipes and Drums
Attucks Theatre
Aug. 7, 2026
Tidewater Pipes & Drums’ Summer Recital will feature solo and band performances, as well as guest musicians Cameron MacDougall on bagpipes and Hannah Skinner on drums.
Sunsets on the River: The Band Monarch
Hermitage Museum and Gardens
Aug. 6, 2026
This edition of Sunsets on the River features performance by The Band Monarch, a ‘70s-inspired classic rock band. Food trucks include Deutscher Imbiss, Locots and Kona Ice (rain date: Aug. 13).
SECRETS OF THE HERMITAGE – SPECIAL MUSEUM TOUR
Hermitage Museum and Gardens
Aug. 7, 2026
Take an exclusive, behind-the-scenes journey into hidden corners and untold stories of the museum. Led by expert docents, this immersive experience will take you beyond the gallery walls and into the heart of the Hermitage’s most intriguing spaces.
Barry Manilow
Chartway Arena
Aug. 8, 2026
Rescheduled from March 2, 2026. Music icon Barry Manilow has announced six new arena shows in March 2026. The GRAMMY®, TONY®, and EMMY® Award winner is set to bring his high-energy, hit-packed concert to Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va on Monday, March 2. This announcement kicks off what promises to be an exciting year ahead for Manilow, with new music on the horizon in 2026.
WWE Monday Night Raw at Scope
Scope Arena
Aug. 10, 2026
Monday Night RAW returns to Norfolk 8/10 for the first time in 3 years! Don’t miss CM Punk, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, The Usos, Intercontinental Champion Penta, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, World Tag Team Champions The Vision, Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, Oba Femi, Jacob Fatu and Je’Von Evans.
The Princess Concert at Chartway
Chartway Arena
Aug. 11, 2026
Prepare for a show stopping performance as we pay tribute to the iconic, heartwarming and nostalgic songs from animations including; Frozen, Wicked, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Moana, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty & The Beast, Anastasia, Pocahontas, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and more! As well as a few from our favourite popstars like Taylor Swift, Coldplay and Rachel Platte.
The RnB Block Party presents Sounds of Summer featuring Jacquees
Waterside District
Aug. 14, 2026
Get ready for the concert series of the Sumner featuring live performances from K Camp, Keri Hilson, and Jacquees, also featuring the hottest R&B hits spun by your favorite DJ’s, hosted exclusively at Waterside District!
For the ultimate Summer experience for the music lovers crowd, this is where you need to be!
Fairy & Gnome Summer Homes
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Aug. 13, 2026
Make the perfect miniature summer home for the fairies and gnomes in your garden! Each fairy garden includes an air plant! Recommended for ages 5+ with some chaperone assistance. Due to the use of small decorative items for the fairy gardens, it is recommended that no children under 5 years old participate. All attending adults and children are required to have a registered ticket.
Josh Groban
Chartway Arena
Aug. 16, 2026
“Stage, Screen & Symphony” is a spectacular concert experience that brings together the magic of Broadway, the power of film, and the grandeur of the orchestra. Featuring unforgettable music from beloved stage productions and iconic movie scores,” Stage, Screen & Symphony” celebrates the music that has defined some of the most memorable stories ever told. These shows will bring to life selections from Josh’s new album “Cinematic.”
Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival
Town Point Park
Aug. 21-22, 2026
The Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival is the area’s longest-running outdoor jazz festival and for the 43rd annual edition, the festival features a star-studded cast of some of the biggest names on the international smooth jazz scene. The two-day festival will be held Friday & Saturday, August 21 & 22, 2026 in a beautiful summertime setting at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. 2026 performers include Jonathan Butler, Kim Scott, Gerald Albright, Spyro Gyra and more.
The Mountain Goats at NorVa
NorVa
Aug. 21, 2026
The Mountain Goats are bringing their signature blend of narrative-driven indie rock to The NorVa for a performance that promises both intimate storytelling and bold, orchestral ambition. Known for pushing creative boundaries, the band will draw from their latest, most conceptually elaborate work, Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan—a project that functions as a full-scale musical centered on themes of survival and shipwrecked isolation. Fans can expect a mix of the band’s characteristic poignant lyricism and powerful, arrangement-heavy compositions, all set within the electric atmosphere of one of Norfolk’s premier live music venues.
Nitro Circus 2.0
Harbor Park
Aug. 25, 2026
Nitro Circus 2.0 is set to bring an adrenaline-fueled experience to Norfolk’s Harbor Park on August 25, 2026, starting at 7:00 p.m. This high-octane event showcases a world-class team of daredevils and elite athletes pushing the limits of action sports in disciplines including FMX, BMX, skate, and scooter. Founded by action sports icon Travis Pastrana, the touring phenomenon continues to build on its global reputation for electrifying live performances, offering fans an opportunity to witness cutting-edge stunts and gravity-defying tricks in a premier local setting.
Virginia Zoo 125th Anniversary Event
Virginia Zoo
Aug. 29, 2026
The Virginia Zoo is celebrating its 125th anniversary on August 29, 2026, with a special event held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at its location on Granby Street in Norfolk. This milestone celebration is open to the public and included with general zoo admission or a valid zoo membership, offering a wonderful opportunity for visitors to commemorate more than a century of local conservation and wildlife education.
