Norfolk Harborfest returns for 47th year, bringing music and street closures to downtown waterfront

Colin Warren-Hicks, The Virginian-Pilot
·3 min read

The popularity of Norfolk Harborfest has most certainly withstood the test of time.

The festival, which celebrates the communities of Hampton Roads and the area’s historic maritime and naval importance, is back this weekend for its 47th year.

The three-day festival, with plenty of live music, will also feature a choreographed drone show, thunderous fireworks and the annual Parade of Sail — with tall, rigged-up and ready-to-go schooners and windjammers gliding along the Elizabeth River.

Events will be free and open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Town Point Park and the downtown waterfront.

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The Parade of Sail will begin at noon Friday; the drone show, at 9:30 p.m. The festival’s massive fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Concerts will be on two primary stages: the Main Stage, at Town Point Park, and the Boathouse Stage, at TowneBank Fountain Park next to the Waterside District.

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Friday concert lineup

Main Stage

  • Erin & The Wildfire, 3:15 p.m.

  • Kendall Street Company, 6 p.m.

  • The Allman Betts Band, 8 p.m.

Boathouse Stage

  • JuJu Drum, 2:45 p.m.

  • Nate Sacks & The Lifehacks, 4:45 p.m.

  • The Gold Sauce, 7 p.m.

  • LittKeys, 10 p.m.

Saturday concert lineup

Main Stage

  • “Tribute to the Boathouse with Wonderland” and special appearances by David Middleton and Paul Johnson, 3:15 p.m.

  • Cracker, 6 p.m.

  • Morris Day and The Time, 8:15 p.m.

Boathouse Stage

  • Dustin Furlow, 12:30 p.m.

  • Allen Hudson and The Halfmoons, 2:45 p.m.

  • Big Al Staggs and The JaJas, 4:45 p.m.

  • The Chong Band, 7 p.m.

  • DJ CanRock, 10 p.m.

Sunday concert lineup

Main Stage

  • Cody Christian Band, 2 p.m.

  • Parmalee, 4:30 p.m.

Boathouse Stage

  • Bobby Blackhat Walters, 12:45 p.m.

  • BJ Griffin Band, 3:15 p.m.

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Road closures

According to the city’s website, all road closures run from 10 a.m. Thursday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday unless otherwise noted.

Boush Street

  • Southbound: Brambleton Avenue to City Hall Avenue will remain open. The southbound median turn lane will remain open from City Hall Avenue to Plume Street for garage access.

  • Northbound: Main Street to Brambleton Avenue will remain open.

Waterside Drive

  • Eastbound: Closed from Main Street and Martin’s Lane for event setup. All lanes from Atlantic Street to St. Paul’s Boulevard will remain open.

  • Westbound: Closed from Atlantic Street to Main Street for event setup.

Martin’s Lane

  • Southbound: Main Street to Waterside Drive is closed to through traffic. Southbound access to TowneBank/Prince Books parking lot and the World Trade Center loading dock will be maintained.

Atlantic Street

  • Northbound: Will remain open from Waterside Drive to Main Street.

  • Southbound: Closed to through traffic from Main Street to Waterside Drive.

Commercial Place

  • Will be open to traffic from Waterside Drive to Main Street.

Elizabeth River Trail

  • Users should follow the downtown festival detour from 5 p.m. Thursday until 11 p.m. Sunday. Detour signs will be in place.

Colin Warren-Hicks, 919-818-8139, colin.warrenhicks@virginiamedia.com

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If you go

When: Noon to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: The downtown Norfolk waterfront and Town Point Park at 113 Waterside Drive, Norfolk

Tickets: Free

Details: festevents.org and norfolk.gov