The 9th Annual NEON Festival will take place on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18, 2024 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.
Interested in sponsoring the 2024 NEON Festival? See a full list of benefits and sponsorship opportunities here.
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 17 the festival enlivens the Chrysler Museum of Art campus while on Friday, October 18 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 17, 2024
Coming soon
Friday, October 18, 2024
Coming soon
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.
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.
You can also reach festival organizers at the Downtown Norfolk Council at 757-623-1757.
Yes! We will need volunteers on Friday, October 18, 2024. We need beer pourers, festival guides and more! Register for a shift this September.
Thursday, October 17 the festival runs from 6pm-10pm. The Chrysler Museum is open late 5pm-9pm and the Chrysler Glass Studio is open 8pm-10pm for Glass After Dark. Friday, October 18 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! The NEON Festival Committee is hard at work on new programming and artworks for 2024. Please check back with us soon!
A LOT! Festival attendees can visit one of the NEON District eateries or find a snack at one of the food trucks or vendors around the festival.
Thursday evening at Chrysler try Avocargo for healthy and delicious fare or stop by the Youth Earn & Learn booth for produce and prepared snacks.
Friday evening over on Granby Street, Avocargo will be in front of the Plot. Lamia's Crepes and Youth Earn & Learn will be stationed at Retail Alliance. Local favorite La Cucina di Sophia will be at the Cofer Lot on Olney Road. Lastly, J&K Style Grill will be serving up burgers & fries in d'Art Center's parking lot.
You can also try one of the NEON businesses staying open late: La Brioche, Zeke's NFK, Hummingbird Dessert Boutique and Commune will all be open with dining options.
Yes! Both evenings of the festival offer many indoor activities in a variety of venues. In the advent of serious inclement weather, some outdoor programming may be moved indoors. Please follow @neonnfk or visit the festival page for updates.
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
