Make a positive impact in your local community by volunteering with the Virginia Zoo to keep our environment and city parks beautiful. Participating in one of these clean-ups will grant free entry to the Virginia Zoo on May 16, 2026 for our Party for the Planet event.
When: April 4 from 10am – 12pm
Where: Northside Park
April 18 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm EDT
Make a positive impact in your local community by volunteering with the Virginia Zoo to keep our environment and city parks beautiful. Participating in one of these clean-ups will grant free entry to the Virginia Zoo on May 16, 2026 for our Party for the Planet event.
When: April 18 from 10am – 12pm
Where: Lambert’s Point Park
Adult Game Night – Battle of the DJs
Scheduled to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Friendship Doll exchange, Dolls and Diplomacy is intended as a rigorous scholarly assessment of this extraordinary initiative within the frameworks of Japanese craft and international diplomacy. Organized through the Committee on World Friendship Among Children, in partnership with Dr. Sidney Gulick and the Federal Council of Churches in America, the Friendship Doll program responded to rising tensions between the United States and Japan in the wake of the restrictive Johnson-Reed Act of 1924, which banned immigration from East Asia. Believing that children were instrumental to the cultivation of world peace, Dr. Gulick invited American children to purchase and send dolls to Japanese children as an act of friendship, with more than 12,000 dolls shipped to Japan in the spring of 1927. Japan reciprocated in November 1927 with 58 large dolls made by specialized craftsmen from Tokyo and Kyoto. Each doll represented a prefecture or major city in Japan, as well as the Imperial family, and more than 40 Friendship Dolls are known to still exist. A century later, the Japanese Friendship Doll exchange and its message of international peace remains as relevant as ever. Dolls and Diplomacy is a historically significant exhibition that will represent the largest concentration of extant Japanese Friendship Dolls since their arrival in the United States in 1927, with 34 dolls currently planned to appear in the exhibition. To document the exhibition and the Friendship Doll initiative, the Museum will produce an illustrated catalog with scholarly essays. Alan Scott Pate, the lead curator, is the foremost scholar on the history and culture of ningyô (Japanese dolls) outside of Japan, producing numerous publications and exhibitions on Japanese dolls over his 30-year career.
At Life Surge, you will learn why and how to create and multiply financial resources for Kingdom impact. Life Surge believes that God’s people are often over-inspired and under-equipped—and that true transformation requires the equipping of His people. As an inspirational and educational company, Life Surge is passionate about helping you achieve the mission God has placed on your heart and offering additional products and services to assist you on your journey.
Life Surge Norfolk will be featuring Two-Time National Football Champion, Tim Tebow; Bestselling Author, Speaker, Coach, and Leader, John C. Maxwell; Christian Music Icon, Natalie Grant; Entrepreneur, Author, and Top-Ranked Podcast Host, Ed Mylett; Navy SEAL, Speaker, Author, Coach & Entrepreneur, Jason Redman; Host of The Sage Steele Show, Sage Steele; Motivational Speakers, Authors, and many more!
Norfolk Historical Society Monthly Lecture Series: TBD
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
The MacArthur Memorial is proud to host the Norfolk Historical Society’s Louis Guy Lecture Series every second Wednesday of each month. These lectures are free and open to the public!
Join the Norfolk Historical Society every second Wednesday of the month for a free, public lecture on Norfolk and Hampton Roads’ history.
More details to come.
For more information, please visit the Norfolk Historical Society’s website: https://norfolkhistoricalsociety.wildapricot.org/
Month of the Military Child Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 9AM
In honor of Month of the Military Child, Nauticus proudly celebrates the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of military children and their families throughout our community.
Throughout April, we invite military families to enjoy a special opportunity to explore, learn, and discover together.
From April 1–30, receive free admission for one military child with the purchase of a military adult ticket. It’s our way of saying thank you to the children who stand strong in support of their parents’ service every day.
Spend the day experiencing hands-on exhibits, exploring the decks of the historic USS Wisconsin, and discovering the maritime connections that shape our Navy, our region, and our nation.
This special offer is presented by Chase, whose support helps Nauticus honor and give back to military families across Hampton Roads.
Offer Details:
Valid April 1–30
One free child admission per paid military adult admission
Available for military families with a valid military ID at check-in. Without ID, tickets will be refunded, and standard admission will apply.
Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions
Reflexes Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 2PM
Crane operators are skilled maritime professionals that are able to complete heavy lifting projects through communication and an understanding of physics. Crane operators must also have great reflexes. In this activity, participants will put their reflexes and coordination to the test.
This daily program is included in Nauticus’ general admission.
