Save the date for the 10th Annual NEON Festival! Celebrate an incredible decade of festivities in the NEON District on October 16 and 17, 2025!
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 previous year’s entertainment, our frequently asked questions, the 2024 public art revealed, and past sponsors.
Click here for a map of the NEON District.
Relive the hype from 2024!
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 16 the festival enlivens the Chrysler Museum of Art campus while on Friday, October 17 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 16, 2025
The first night of NEON Festival highlights the west side of the District, taking place in and around the Chrysler Museum and Glass Studio and the Hague School.
- 6:00pm - 10:00pm Visit the NEON Festival info booth, vendor booths, food trucks and more
- 7:00pm - 8:00pm Norfolk Tour Company Art Tour leaving from Grace Street
Experience the brand-new wing of the Perry Glass Studio expansion at NEON Festival. Hot glass and live music will come together for a memorable festival evening.
Friday, October 17, 2025
The second night of NEON Festival centers around The Plot, Granby Street, d’Art Center and the local businesses on the east side of the District.
- 6:00pm - 10:00pm Beer Garden with food trucks, vendors and sponsor booths
- 6:00pm - 7:00pm Chalk art and body paint with The Governor's School for the Arts visual art students
- 7:00pm - 8:00pm Norfolk Tour Company Art Tour leaving from Cementiscope sculpture at the Plot
- 6:00pm - 10:00pm Festival beer garden
- 6:00pm - 10:00pm Secondary stage entertainment TBA
- 6:30pm - 7:00pm Hurrah Players Present performances
- 6:00pm - 10:00pm Pop-up vendor market in the street
- 5:00pm - 9:00pm Exhibition Opening with live painting, fairy hair, a DJ, beverages and snacks
- 6:00pm Award announcements
- 6:30pm - 9:30pm Free Improv Shows every 30 minutes featuring The Pushers and some of the Push Comedy Theater's funniest improvisers. Totally FREE!
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm Celebrate the 11th Annual Hat-tober
- 6:00pm - 10:00pm Grab a taco or marg from NEON's classic dive bar
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.
Dathan Kane's bold black and white shapes finally make their way into the District with this ground mural commissioned by event producers The Traptastic.
The NEON District and the condo owners of the Gray Building partner on providing a rotating window gallery space for young and emerging artists.
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 17, 2025. We need beer pourers, festival guides and more! Stay tuned for a link to register this fall.
Thursday, October 16 the festival runs from 6pm-10pm at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio. Friday, October 17 the festival runs from 6pm-10pm on Granby Street, Wilson Avenue 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! This year, a few big changes are happening. On Thursday evening, the focus of the festival has shifted almost entirely to the newly reopened Chrysler Museum Glass Studio. This means that the inside of the Museum will not be open to guests so that everyone can spend time exploring all the new inside and outside spaces of the Glass Studio.
On Friday evening, the big change is festivities will now include the street! Granby Street in front of the Plot and W. Wilson Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic so that festival visitors can enjoy activities, shop, wander and drink an adult beverage throughout the street closure. It adds so much more space for vendors, visitors and lots more fun.
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.
You can also try one of the NEON businesses staying open late like Zeke's NFK, Commune or Sanctuary.
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.
2024 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
