July is special because it marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, leading to America’s eventual freedom from England several years later. But it’s also special because VisitNorfolk has a brand new events calendar, which now highlights the city’s marquee events, featured happenings and all the great everyday events that make this city so much fun. Check it out here. And then enjoy this list of our favorite July events — and yes, that includes plenty of fireworks!
Two Norfolk Tides Homestands
Harbor Park
July 3, 2026
The Norfolk Tides, Triple-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles, take on the Syracuse Mets July 7-12 and the Worcester Red Sox July 28-Aug. 2.
Shore Thing Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Display
Ocean View Beach Park
July 3, 2026
Summer brings the return of the popular Friday after-work Ocean View event series. The Friday Night Themed Parties and Family Fun Nights are a great way to start the weekend with Live Music, children’s activities, food, beverages and more! Events begins Friday, July 3, 2026, with the Shore Thing Concert and Independence Day Celebration and runs select evenings through September 5.
Celebrate the Fourth in Norfolk
Town Point Park
July 4, 2026
The 43rd Annual Fourth of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks on Saturday, July 4, at Town Point Park begins at 5 pm with live patriotic music, food, and family-friendly activities, followed by one of Hampton Roads’ most spectacular fireworks displays at 9:30 pm high above the Elizabeth River. A wide variety of All-American fare, including hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, seafood, cotton candy, and more.
RnB Block Party
Scope Arena
July 4, 2026
The RnB Block Party returns to Scope Arena, featuring headlining DJ, Power 99 FM’s DJ Diamond Kuts, the official DJ for the Philadelphia Eagles. Plus, sets by iPower92 Richmond’s Lonnie B; celebrity tour DJ, DJ AONE; Trey Songz’s DJ, DJ AWALL; RnB Block Party’s resident DJ, Izzy The DJ; and Hampton Roads DJ’s, DJ Sonic, Mike Benny, Nazzerati, and SUGARBEARZ.
GLEN BOSWICK and THE SOUNDS OF SWING in OV
Ocean View Beach Park
July 5, 2026
Relax into the new week on select Sunday nights, 6pm-8pm with live music and sunsets on the Chesapeake Bay with the Big Bands on the Bay Concert Series at Ocean View Beach Park. Enjoy an evening full of dancing and music to round out exciting summer weekends. Remember to bring your blankets/chairs for these family friendly concerts!
A Tribute to the Grateful Dead in OV
Ocean View Beach Park
July 10, 2026
Summer brings the return of the popular Friday after-work Ocean View event series. The Friday Night Themed Parties and Family Fun & Movie Nights are a great way to start the weekend with Live Music, children’s activities, food, beverages and more! Events begin Friday, July 3, 2026, with the Shore Thing Concert and Independence Day Celebration and run select evenings through September 5.
2026 ERT + NKR Group Paddles
Elizabeth River Trail
July 11, 2026
ERT + Norfolk Kayak Rentals are excited to offer a FREE kayak experience on the Elizabeth River. Join us for a 90-minute group paddle, launching from the Plum Point Park kayak launch. Previous kayak experience is REQUIRED. Arrive: 8:30-8:45 AM; Launch: 9 AM; Return: 10:30 AM; Distance: 3-5 miles.
Jazz at The Wells presents: An Evening with the Tidewater Winds Jazz Big Band
Wells Theatre
July 11, 2026
For the first time, Jazz at The Wells moves from the Tazewell Lounge to the Wells Theatre main stage for a full-scale Big Band concert featuring the Tidewater Winds Jazz Big Band. This 25-member ensemble brings the golden age of swing to life with bold brass, tight rhythms, and timeless favorites from the Great American Songbook. Under the direction of Maestro John Brewington, the Big Band delivers music made famous by legends like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, and Nat King Cole, along with Broadway hits, film music, and fresh arrangements that keep the sound vibrant and alive.
Norfolk Taco Festival
Waterside District
July 11-12, 2026
At the event, you’ll find over 28 of Virginia’s best restaurants, food trucks & carts serving up an amazing variety of mouth-watering tacos & related food items for $4 each! Get ready for an action-packed weekend filled with a large variety of tacos, margaritas, games, and taco-themed fun all while being entertained by live bands, authentic Mariachi music & entertainment, awesome activities, and more.
Book & Look: The Devil Wears Prada
Chrysler Museum of Art
July 12, 2026
Join the party in the Jean Outland Chrysler Reading Room for the next installment of Book & Look as organizers explore the exhibition Constellations: Contemporary Jewelry at the Dallas Museum of Art alongside a book discussion of The Devil Wears Prada: A Novel by Lauren Weisberger. Light refreshments served beforehand in the Reading Room. Free; registration not required.
The Fixx at NorVa
The NorVa
July 13, 2026
The FIXX has been heralded as one of the most innovative bands to come out of the “MTV” era. For four decades, the style and substance of the band has always created a special connection with its audience. The FIXX’s themes are often complex, introspective and thought-provoking, but not without widespread mass appeal. The band has garnered three #1 hits, five more in the Top 5 and a dozen which reached the Top 10. With millions of albums sold worldwide, songs such as “One Thing Leads To Another,” “Red Skies” and “Saved By Zero” remain everyday staples on the playlists of the Rock, AAA and Alternative radio stations that continue to break new acts inspired by the era that The FIXX helped to define. Remarkably, the original lineup remains intact.
Earl Sweatshirt + Mike
The NorVa
July 14, 2026
Earl Sweatshirt is the virtuosic byproduct of Los Angeles’ fertile ground where hip hop sowed its seeds and historic cultural movements were born. The prodigiously-gifted writer, lyricist and producer grew from a zeitgeist of which contemporary collectives in hip hop today are predicated.
Glass After Dark: July
Chrysler Museum of Art
July 16, 2026
Hot glass and live music come together for memorable evenings during Glass After Dark. Each month, watch the Perry Glass Studio team take the molten material to exciting places and enjoy entertainment by local musicians.Doors open at 7 p.m. The event begins at 8 p.m. $10 for Museum members, $20 for non-members (prices $10 more at the door), Cash bar.
80s/90s Decades Party in OV
Ocean View Beach Park
July 17, 2026
Summer brings the return of the popular Friday after-work Ocean View event series. The Friday Night Themed Parties and Family Fun & Movie Nights are a great way to start the weekend with Live Music, children’s activities, food, beverages and more! Events begin Friday, July 3, 2026, with the Shore Thing Concert and Independence Day Celebration and run select evenings through September 5.
25th Annual Norfolk Latino Music Festival
Town Point Park
July 18, 2026
Eat, drink, and salsa the night away at the Norfolk Latino Music & Food Festival on Saturday, July 18, 2026 from 2pm to 11pm at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront! Featuring explosive live music performances, an eclectic offering of Latin cuisine including tacos and empanadas, fun family-friendly activities, authentic dance lessons and performances, and much more, the festival celebrates Hampton Roads’ vibrant Latin community.
Christmas in July at the Wells!
Wells Theatre
July 25, 2026
We’re turning downtown Norfolk into a mid-summer holiday wonderland filled with local artists, handmade gifts, festive fun, and more vendors than ever before. Whether you’re hunting for one-of-a-kind presents, treating yourself, or just looking for a fun family outing, this is your chance to shop small and skip the December stress. Expect more local vendors and handmade goods than ever before, new holiday storytime readings for children, kids activities and family-friendly fun throughout the day, guided tours of the historic Wells Theatre, concessions and more.
DJ/Band on Blue Moon Outdoor Stage
Waterside District
July 24 and 31, 2026
Enjoy the Downtown Norfolk waterfront with live music, a variety of food options and drink features all summer long. Interested in a reserved table? Contact info@watersidedistrict.com.
Symphony Under the Stars at Town Point Park
Town Point Park
July 26, 2026
The ninth annual Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park presented by The Perry Family Foundation and TowneBank is Sunday, July 19, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (show starts at 8:30 p.m.) at Town Point Park along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront. Produced by Norfolk Festevents, admission to the concert is free and open to the public. The evening will include gourmet artisan foods and beverages for purchase. Town Point Park will open at 6 p.m. for pre-concert picnics.
Breakfast with the Animals
Virginia Zoo
July 27, 2026
Flock to the Zoo with your fellow early birds and catch exclusive access to the trails before we open to the general public. Gobble down some grab-and-go breakfast foods, migrate to your favorite animals’ habitat, and get a bird’s eye view of how morning meals are made on the wild side. Gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 9:30 a.m. The Zoo will open to the public at 10am.
Beach Party in OV
Ocean View Beach Park
July 31, 2026
Summer brings the return of the popular Friday after-work Ocean View event series. The Friday Night Themed Parties and Family Fun & Movie Nights are a great way to start the weekend with Live Music, children’s activities, food, beverages and more! Events begin Friday, July 3, 2026, with the Shore Thing Concert and Independence Day Celebration and run select evenings through September 5.23.
