Each June, the city of Norfolk hosts one of the East Coast’s favorite festivals, the annual Norfolk Harborfest. This event is the largest, longest-running, free maritime festival in the nation. This year’s Harborfest is happening adjacent to Norfolk’s Sail250® Virginia and Juneteenth celebrations in Town Point Park and across the city.
For three memorable days along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront, Harborfest celebrates all of the elements that make Norfolk and Hampton Roads a historic maritime and naval community. On both land and sea, thrilling activities and live music take center stage at Harborfest, including the annual Parade of Sail featuring international tall ships, one of the largest fireworks shows on the East Coast, a mesmerizing drone show, interactive family games and activities, Navy exhibits and demonstrations, artisan foods and beverages, national and regional live entertainment and much more.
Friday: Noon – 11pm (Parade of Sail – Noon; Juneteenth fireworks at 9:30 p.m.)
Saturday: Noon – 11pm (Fireworks 9:30pm)
Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
Come aboard City Cruises Norfolk or the Victory Rover Naval Base Cruise for the spectacular Parade of Sail event. Watch tall ships sail down the Elizabeth River in a spectacular two-hour parade. You’ll have the best view of the harbor, with tall ships and over 200 boats and vessels to see.
Explore Norfolk’s marine discovery center, Nauticus, with interactive maritime history and exhibits for all. You’ll find the Hampton Roads Naval Museum inside Nauticus, which introduces over 200 years of naval history in Coastal Virginia. Located next to Nauticus is the Battleship Wisconsin, the largest and last battleship ever built by the U.S. Navy. Walk her teak decks, explore interior rooms, and discover the vast history of this great ship.
Check out Norfolk’s Waterside District, adjacent to Town Point Park. Waterside District features the national, local and regional restaurants and offers live music, waterside dining and more.
On Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the public will have the opportunity to meet sailors from around the world, step aboard and explore an extraordinary lineup of U.S. Navy and international military ships docked at the world’s largest naval installation.
Featured vessels* during Fleet Week Norfolk are expected to include:
USS Iwo Jima
USS San Antonio
USS Bainbridge
FGS Sachsen (Germany)
BNS Leopold I (Belgium)
Base Access & Transportation
Access onto Naval Station Norfolk for public ship tours will only be by shuttle buses. No individual cars will be permitted to access the base for these tours. Shuttle buses will depart from the Sail 250 Virginia shuttle bus lot at the foot of Colley Avenue and Front Street. Visitors must board the shuttle bus to access the ship tours.
Security Regulations and Tour Information
The following security regulations will be strictly enforced. All guests and their belongings are subject to search before boarding the shuttle bus.
BASE ACCESS/IDENTIFICATION
For U.S. Citizens: A REAL ID is required for participants ages 18 and over.
For Non-U.S. Citizens: A passport is required and non-U.S. citizens are subject to additional screening.
BAGS
Purses and small bags are permitted but are subject to search.
Bookbags and large totes are not permitted.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The following items are prohibited on Naval Station Norfolk:
Weapons and Ammunition: Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, pyrotechnics, club-type weapons (e.g., brass knuckles, blackjacks, nunchucks), mace, pepper spray, laser pointers, knives, and Leathermans.
Illegal and Controlled Substances: Illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and alcohol.
Other Restrictions: Drones, motorized scooters, professional cameras, and professional recording (photo, video, audio) equipment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Guests must wear closed-toed shoes.
The ship is an industrial environment. Guests must be able to climb up and down steep ladder wells and be able to move about the ship unassisted.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the public to experience naval history and international maritime cooperation up close,” said Karen Scherberger, president and CEO of Sail250® Virginia. “As we celebrate 250 years of the United States Navy and America’s Semiquincentennial, Norfolk will once again demonstrate why our region is recognized around the world as a global harbor of friendship and goodwill.”
The FleetEx 250 naval base public tours are one of many signature experiences planned as part of Sail250® Virginia, the largest event in the Commonwealth commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
For more information, maps, and schedules about Sail250® Virginia, visit www.sail250virginia.com.
For more information about the U.S. Navy and International Warship tours, contact 757-438-4245.
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To love CLUTCH is to feel a sense of ownership, membership, and belonging.
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LineUp
Select Discography
Patrick Miranda – Vocals
Ira George – Guitar
Spencer York – Drums
Austin Cressey – Bass
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