Join us for a delightful afternoon September 12th from 2pm to 4pm in the gardens for a preview of our upcoming performances of Nevermore by Half Light Theatre. Bring your favorite picnic treats, blankets, and chairs and enjoy light music and reading selections from Half Light Theatre’s Poe Players.
Free to the public, but donations are appreciated.
Bringing shopping, small businesses, art, and live creativity to Norfolk’s NEON District; shop, explore, and experience art in the making!
Presented by The d’Art Center and The City of Norfolk’s Economic Development Department.
Celebrate the beauty of the season at The Fall Bazaar at The PLOT; an exciting fall marketplace showcasing local artisans and makers alongside fine art artists painting live and participating in a district wide plein air painting competition!
(Interested artists and vendors: scroll to the bottom for detail information)
The Fall Bazaar (10am – 5pm) will feature a diverse selection of artisan and fine art vendors offering handcrafted goods, original artwork, jewelry, ceramics, and unique gifts. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet local creators, support small businesses, and discover one-of-a-kind pieces just in time for the fall season.
Join acclaimed photographer Sally Mann for the inaugural Robert E. and Bennett D. Wagner Memorial Photography Lecture. Mann will discuss and explore the power of image-making to shape how we see ourselves, our histories, and one another. Known for her evocative and often intimate work, Mann will reflect on her artistic practice, the stories embedded in the Southern landscape, and the role of photography in confronting memory, identity, and public life.
Through conversation with Erik H. Neil, Macon and Joan Brock Director, and audience Q&A, this program invites participants to consider how visual culture influences the ways we understand community, belonging, and shared experience.
Free for Museum members, $20 for non-members. Registration required.
Experience a dynamic lineup of films that explore African American history, culture, and storytelling during the 111th Annual ASALH Conference. Screenings will take place Thursday through Saturday at various times, offering attendees and community members the opportunity to engage with powerful cinematic works that inspire learning, reflection, and dialogue. Free and open to the public.
Free and open to the public! View the agenda below to see all of our showings!
Thursday, September 24th
Friday, September 25th
Saturday, September 26th
The Hermitage Museum & Gardens’ annual Hermitage Handmade Festival returns! Join us on Saturday, September 19 from 11-4pm to shop for arts and crafts handmade by 100+ artists. Plus, enjoy free admission to Handwork at the Hermitage exhibition, food and dessert vendors, children’s activities, museum scavenger hunts, and more!
The Hermitage Handmade Festival is free and open to the public. Donations at the door are encouraged to support the mission of the Hermitage Museum.
📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 11 AM–4 PM
📍 Hermitage Museum & Gardens | Norfolk, VA
🎟️ FREE EVENT
Join us for a celebration of DIY publishing and grassroots creativity! Norfolk Zinefest ’26 takes over the Chrysler Museum for a day of buying, selling, and trading handmade publications.
NorfolkZineFest supports and cultivates the local, independent, and personal expression of experience and ideas in the printed form. We are a place for people from all areas, but especially Tidewater/Hampton Roads, to share.
Join us on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026, for a vibrant weekend celebrating the opening of our new Garden of Tomorrow space! Explore a bustling market featuring 30 local artisan vendors, and enjoy delicious options from regional food trucks. The weekend will be packed with live entertainment, family activities, and interactive NBG education stations for all ages. Don’t miss spectacular live glassblowing demonstrations presented by the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio mobile hot shop. The festival opens at 10:00 AM each day.
CousinzCon is a community activation that bridges local, national, and global topics and panelists that are geared toward the multigenerational Cousinz Festival audience. This dynamic event creates a supportive environment where individuals can network, learn, and celebrate the spirit of togetherness before the festival festivities commence.
Schedule:
2:00 p.m.: The Power of Loose Change
Panelists: Executive Vice President, Townebank, Yvonne Toms Allmond, CEO, What’s Your Revolution?, Dr. Charles Corpew, CEO + Insurance and Financial Executive, Granger Financial, Jeff Granger, CEO + Founder, Ardx, Dr. Angela Reddix, and moderated by Journalist, Kiahanna Patterson
3:00 p.m.: A Plate to Go?
Panelists: PA-C, DSL, The Mount Chesapeake, Dr. Keshia Brown, Secretary of Health + Human Resources, Office of Governor Abigal Spanberger, Marvin Figueroa, TedX Speaker + Social Content Manager, Black Men Heal, Justin Little, and moderated by Clinical Psychologist, Remind U Wellness + Outreach, Dr. Kristie Norwood.
4:00 p.m.: Empower to Engage
Panelists: Former Norfolk City Councilwoman and Wealth Consultants Frist Genesis of Virginia LLC, Danica J. Royster, Community Advocate and Digital Strategist, Brenten Sims, Founder, Between The Lines, Lamont ‘Troy’ Stapleton, and moderated by Cabinet Official, Office of Governor Abigial Spanberger, Hon. Dr. Sesha Joi Moon.
5:00 p.m.: Defying the Diploma
Panelists: Educator, Author, and Activist, Dr. Wes Bellamy, Fashion Designer and Creative Consultant, Tina Brehon, CO-CEO, Big Picture Learning, Carlos Moreno, Founder + CEO, Prevail Group, Reginald Prevail, and moderated by TV Personality + Producer, Stephanie L. Sutton.
6:00 p.m.: Resilience + Reward
Panelists: Emmy Award Winning Actress, Vocalist, and TV Host, Patrice Covington, Grammy Award Winning Songwriter + Producer, Bryan-Michael Cox, Co-Founder + CEO, Global Music Touring + Cousinz Festival, Antonio Dowe, Co-Founder, Global Music Touring + Cousinz Festival, Nathaniel ‘Famlay’ Johnson, CEO, 3 Diamonds Entertainment, Phil Thornton, and moderated by National Radio + Media Personality, Dominique Da Diva.
Hosted by Henry Zebrowski and Ed Larson. It’s scary, it’s silly, it’s slimy. It’s SIDE STORIES. Dig into the latest true crime news and paranormal happenings, breaking down ooky-spooky stories. ONE night only!