The NEON Festival is a celebration of energy and light in Norfolk’s Arts District. From public art to live performances, come experience the neighborhood’s transformation into a true arts destination. Check out the schedule below for a listing of all the events set to spark, and don’t miss a mural, morsel or mic drop!
Wander through the neighborhood and discover tiny art happenings, large-scale murals and pops of neon color and light. See works on walls by celebrated national artists like Esteban del Valle and Cedric Douglas, and local heroes like Clayton Singleton and Nicole Harp.
See The Art MapThere’ll be plenty to eat and drink on hand for the festival, including signature fare from NEON staples like CommuneXCROP, Zeke’s Beans and Bowls and Sanctuary, as well as from numerous food trucks throughout the district. And be sure to head over to the Plot’s Beer Garden or Neon House for a cold one.
Some of Norfolk’s brightest musicians, comedians and performance artists will converge on the NEON to energize streets and stages throughout the district. Make sure to swing by The Plot for live DJ sets, the Push Comedy Theater for belly laughs, and the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio for live glassblowing performances!
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8:00AM - 8:00PMZeke’s Beans & Bowls800 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
The one and only destination in the NEON for gourmet coffee, acai bowls and Zeke’s famous poke bowls! Also serving up smoothies, fresh juices and baked goods.
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8:00AM - 10:00PMZeke’s Beans & Bowls800 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
The one and only destination in the NEON for gourmet coffee, acai bowls and Zeke’s famous poke bowls! Also serving up smoothies, fresh juices and baked goods.
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11:00AM - 11:00PMSanctuary Norfolk109 Addison Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
If you find yourself lingering in front of paintings at museums, love the sound of a motorcycle engine, take great lengths to intake tacos, or enjoy a cold beer on a hot day, Sanctuary is your saving grace. Sanctuary supports local artists and the things they love: good wine, beer, and cocktails, and a place to share them with friends. Whatever your MO, you can be sure of one thing: all of the tacos are made to order. Whatever you want–nothing more, nothing less.
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4:00PMJhane’s Sweet Lounge731 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Jhane’s is a full service restaurant, bakery, and entertainment lounge in the NEON District. Come for the amazing house-made desserts and stay for the fun and diverse atmosphere.
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5:00PM - 10:00PMCommune759 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Commune is a sustainable eatery, bakery and cafe featuring local ingredients. Commune Norfolk also hosts live music and rotating art exhibitions with the Rutter Family Art Foundation.
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5:00PMCulture814 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
NEON’s newest restaurant and bar, Culture is an eclectic and fun lounge with live music, dj’s and local artworks on display.
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AnytimeNEON Squared Sidewalk Murals by Governor’s School for the ArtsThroughout the NEON District
As a continuation of their work painting benches and streets in the NEON, Governor’s School for the Arts students are back, painting six new concrete squares of sidewalks in the neighborhood. The City of Norfolk generously agreed to loan the sidewalks as a canvas for the student artists.
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5:00AM - 8:00PMGlow Flow YogaChrysler Museum of Art One Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
Join the Bhav Brigade for the most colorful night of the year! Bring your friends, family, and your mat/blanket and let your light shine bright under the stars on the lawn of the Chrysler Museum. Glow in the dark paint, neon clothes and glow sticks are encouraged! All experience levels welcome.
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5:00PM - 9:00PMNEON Festival Kick Off at the MuseumChrysler Museum of Art One Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
At the Chrysler Museum of Art, enjoy live music, lawn games, and hands on NEON fun! Join Bhav Brigade for Glow Yoga on the lawn, listen to the Rhythm Project and grab a bite from one of the many food trucks. And don’t forget to stop by the cash bar! All FREE!
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5:30PM - 9:00PMFree Improv Shows at the Push Comedy TheaterPush Comedy Theater 763 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
In honor of this amazing celebration, the Push will be hosting free improv shows all night long. Starting at 5:30 there will be free improv shows every half hour featuring The Pushers and some of the Push Comedy Theater’s funniest improvisers.
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5:30PM - 6:30PMThe Rhythm ProjectChrysler Museum of Art One Memorial Place, Norfolk, VA 23510
A community engagement program of the Virginia Arts Festival, The Rhythm Project is a world percussion ensemble. They are bringing their steel drums back to NEON for the fifth year to kick off the festival at the Chrysler Museum of Art outside in Mary’s Garden.
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6:00PM - 8:00PMCardinal Skate Shop Balance TrialsStarke Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Balance Trials is an open competition for skateboarders to exhibit their talents and up the ante. Dig in your bag of tricks to get prizes from Nike SB, Theories and more! The goal for Balance Trials is to merge the worlds of skateboarding and art together to recognize skateboarding’s impact in culture today.
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6:00PM - 7:00PMChalk Art and Face Painting with GSAThe Plot 776 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Students from the Visual Arts Department at Governor’s School for the Arts will be creating artwork with the community using chalk on the Plot ground area and painting faces for children and families.
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6:00PM - 10:00PMCopeland Center Pop Up GalleryHurrah Players' Copeland Center 112 W. Wilson Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510
The Hurrah Players’ Copeland Center features a pop up gallery for NEON in the front lobby space, featuring artwork by local artists.
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6:00PM - 10:00PMiSheepthroughout the NEON District
iSheep is an interactive art project from the Tidewater Burners that focuses on the issue of consent. They love to play, you just have to ask the right way!
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6:00PM - 10:00PMPrince Ink NEON T-Shirt Pop UpThe Plot 776 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Famed printers and all-around good guys Prince Ink will be popping up at The Plot to serve up fresh screen-printed T-shirts with NEON logo designs. Watch the guys print on site and then buy your very own NEON shirt to sport around the Festival.
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6:00PM - 10:00PMTCC @ NEONGlass Wheel Studio 128 W. Olney Road, Norfolk, VA 23510
Tidewater Community College joins the festival to celebrate their future in the NEON District. Future home to TCC’s visual and culinary arts programs, TCC Perry Glass Wheel Arts Center will feature music by the Blue Moon Jazz Ensemble, culinary treats, displays of student artwork and demos of glassblowing and ceramics in the parking lot beer garden.
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6:00PM - 10:00PMThe Plot Beer GardenThe Plot 776 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Meet up in the hub of the festival for games, food trucks, cold brews from O’Connor Brewing Company, live music and cultural performances on the main stage from NEON District arts partners.
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6:00PM - 10:00PMUDM Pop Up GalleryUrban Discovery Ministries 121 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23510
Urban Discovery Ministries features a pop up gallery for NEON in their community room, featuring artwork by local artists.
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7:30PM - 8:30PMTeens with a PurposeThe Plot 776 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
Catch the glow up at the NEON Festival as Teens with a Purpose takes the stage for an original and electrifying musical, poetic and dance performance, backed by local musicians.
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8:00PM - 10:00PMThird Thursday at the Glass StudioChrysler Museum Glass Studio 745 Duke St, Norfolk, VA 23510
At the Chrysler’s Perry Glass Studio, don’t miss a performance by New York-based artist Esteban de Valle accompanied by live music. Esteban returns to the NEON for the first time since creating the iconic “We Can Create” mural for the first ever NEON Festival. FREE admission however advance tickets are required for the performance. Reserve tickets at www.chrysler.org.
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What does NEON stand for?NEON is an acronym for New Energy Of Norfolk, which represents the energetic and creative community of Norfolk’s Arts District.
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Who can I contact for more information?Please contact info@neonnfk.com for more information about the NEON District and the NEON Festival.
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Can I volunteer?Yes! Please click here to sign up for volunteering or contact the festival’s volunteer coordinator, Noel Gramlich at ngramlich@downtownnorfolk.org.
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What are the festival hours?Thursday night the festival runs from 5 to 10 pm at the Chrysler Museum of Art and Glass Studio. Friday at d’Art Center, the Plot and along Granby Street the festival is 6 to 10 pm.
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Is the festival family-friendly?The NEON Festival is a great place to bring kids for early evening festivities. There will be live music, arts and crafts, and other fun activities for children.
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Is the the festival free and open to the public?Yes, the NEON Festival’s events are free and open to all.
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Where is the best place to park?Parking is available at the Harrison Opera House lot, at the Chrysler Museum of Art and at the Cedar Grove lot on Monticello Avenue.
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