The 8th Annual NEON Festival will take place on Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20, 2023 from 6-10pm in Norfolk’s first official arts district, the NEON District. The NEON Festival is a free two evening event that encourages visitors to explore and discover the NEON District. The festival celebrates the energy in NEON and draws from the passion and creativity in Downtown and the region. Anchored by the Chrysler Museum of Art and Harrison Opera House and extending to The Plot on Granby Street, the NEON District includes many creative small businesses and arts partners that contribute to the festivities. Have a look at the entertainment planned for the festival, our frequently asked questions, the new public art on display, and our sponsors.
Click here for a map of the NEON District.
ENTERTAINMENT
Some of Norfolk’s brightest musicians, comedians and performance artists will converge on the NEON to energize streets and stages throughout the district. Thursday, October 19 the festival enlivens the Chrysler Museum of Art campus while on Friday, October 20 the activities center around The Plot and Granby Street businesses. Make sure to swing by d’Art Center, Commune and the Copeland Center for pop-up art galleries, The Plot for main stage entertainment, Push Comedy for belly laughs and the Cofer Lot for DJ sets and interactive art.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
- 5:30pm - 6:30pm The Rhythm Project
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6pm - 8:30pm The Human Library
- 5pm - 9pm Visit the NEON Festival info booth, VisitNorfolk's mobile visitors center, Arts @ ODU and more
- 7pm - 8pm Bhav Brigade Glow Yoga class
- 6:30pm - 7:30pm Norfolk Tour Company Art Tour leaving from the Glass Studio steps
- 7pm - 8pm Pre-show entertainment on the Glass Studio steps
- 8pm - 9pm Norfolk Tour Company Art Tour leaving from the Glass Studio steps
- 8pm - 10pm Glass After Dark with music performed by Testimony
Friday, October 20, 2023
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6:05pm - 6:30pm Virginia Opera
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6:35pm - 6:55pm The Governor's School for the Arts Jazz Band
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6pm - 10pm Beer Garden with Smartmouth Brewing Company, Arts @ ODU and VisitNorfolk
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6pm - 7pm Face painting with The Governor's School for the Arts visual art students
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6pm - 8pm Balloon twisting with Clown Boy
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6pm - 10pm Lil Truck of Tools
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6:30pm Norfolk Tour Company Art Tour leaving from Cementiscope
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8pm Norfolk Tour Company Art Tour leaving from Cementiscope
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6pm - 8pm Hat-tober, Stark & Legum
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6pm - 10pm NEON Walls, Magazine Lane
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6pm-9:30pm Free Improv Shows at Push Comedy Theater
- 6-10pm Night Shift Collective Presents Full Disclosure Exhibition Opening
- 6pm - 10pm Community Gallery
- 6pm - 10pm 757 Makerspace presents ILLUMINATE art exhibition, Diner en Coleur, live music and beer garden
- 6pm - 10pm Music showcase presented by Kelo
- 6pm - 10pm WHRO's Emerging Leaders Board interactive activity
- 5pm - 9pm Dynamic Exhibition Opening, Fairy Hair, Interactive Botanical Art Installation, Community Art Project and Raffle Table Opens
- 5:20pm - 6:20pm Round One of Musical Chair Canvas - Main Gallery
- 5:45pm - 6:10pm Demo with Vivian Davis - Classroom
- 6:30pm Exhibition Awards - Main Gallery
- 6:50pm - 7:50pm Round Two of Musical Chair Canvas - Main Gallery
- 7pm - 7:25pm Painting Demo with Ken Wright - Classroom
- 7:30pm - 7:55pm Ceramic Demo with Deb Anderson and Sharla Cotton - Classroom
- 8:15pm Raffle Winner Announcements - Main Gallery
PUBLIC ART
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 international artists and local heroes.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got a question about the NEON Festival? We’ve got answers! From parking to programming, expand the questions below for insights to make your NEON Festival experience a memorable one! For anything not covered or more information, you can contact us here.
NEON is an acronym for New Energy of Norfolk, which represents the energetic and creative community of Norfolk’s arts district.
Please contact info@neonnfk.com for more information about the NEON District and the NEON Festival.
Yes! We will need volunteers on Friday, October 20, 2023. We need beer pourers, festival guides and more! Register for a shift this September.
Thursday, October 19 the festival runs from 5pm-10pm. The Chrysler Museum is open late 5pm-9pm and the Chrysler Glass Studio is open 8pm-10pm for Glass After Dark. Friday, October 20 the festival runs from 6pm-10pm on Granby Street and at The Plot.
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 kids and families.
Yes, the NEON Festival’s events are all free and open to the public.
Great question! There is one large new murals and many small art projects on view throughout the district. You can find all of the new art here and a complete listing of the schedule here.
OUR SPONSORS
The NEON Festival could not be possible every year without the generosity of our amazing sponsors:
PRESENTING SPONSORS
MEDIA PARTNERS
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
BEVERAGE SPONSOR
FRIEND
PRODUCING PARTNERS
