
11 festivals to attend this summer
As the weather warms up, there are so many exciting adventures for family and friends in Hampton. Outdoor activities such as festivals, cultural and historical events are perfect for fun days off! Check out some of our upcoming spring and summer events below:
Blackbeard Pirate Festival, June 2-4
Downtown Hampton Waterfront comes alive with dozens of pirate reenactors, costumed in historically accurate garb. The festival offers a variety of children’s activities, live musical entertainment, fireworks, period vendors, arts and crafts,food, and much more!
Bodacious Bazaar Wine & Spring Festival, June 2-4
With over 250 vendors, artists, crafters and several of Virginia’s finest wineries; there is something for everyone!
Bluegrass and Brew Festival, June 9-11
The American Theatre will host Jaimie Dailey & Darrin Vincent, as they seamlessly blend bluegrass, traditional country and gospel music. Their harmonies offer an instinctive blend that has earned them deserved praise and recognition!
12th Annual Day of Remembrance, June 10
Join The Sankofa Projects at Fort Monroe as they educate and celebrate the richness and diversity of the African diaspora and bring awareness to this tragic chapter in American and global history. The program includes African drumming, songs, dance, poetry, historical presentations, and traditional African libation.
Pride on the Peninsula: Phabulous Phoebus Street Festival, June 17
Party with pride during our Phabulous Phoebus Street Festival. Celebrate on historic Mellen Street with live music, beer and food vendors, and community enrichment.
2nd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Fest, June 18
Guests can enjoy this free festival that will include worship service, cultural arts and entertainment, a job and community resource fair, a book author’s corner and more. Special guest entertainment will include Washington D.C. go-go band EU featuring Sugar Bear.
Hampton African American Heritage Festival, June 23-24
This popular festival returns to Mill Point Park celebrating Hampton’s rich African American history and featuring over 60 arts and crafts and food vendors, live entertainment, and a children’s area. It’s the same weekend of the Hampton Jazz Festival. Free admission. Sponsored by Project 1619 Inc. and Newport News Shipbuilding.
Hampton Jazz Festival, June 23-25
The Hampton Coliseum will enjoy a soulful weekend of unforgettable entertainment. This highly anticipated event will feature the top jazz, pop, R&B, and blues performers in the nation. Some notable performers are Charlie Wilson, Avery Sunshine, Fantasia, Babyface, Kenny G, Peter White and many more!
757 Extravaganza and Marketplace, June 22-25
The Hampton Jazz Festival retail and after-party experience. Where music meets art, The 757 Extravaganza Marketplace is alive with our creative culture and jazzy energy! The Hampton Roads Convention Center is perfect to explore an array of local artisans’ traditional and modern crafts, along with retail items and other amazing finds.
1619 Commemoration of the First Enslaved African Landing, Aug. 25-27
Join the Fort Monroe Authority, National Park Service, Project 1619, and the City of Hampton for the 2023 Commemoration of the First Enslaved African Landing special program. The events reflect on the significance of the 1619 landing of enslaved Africans and the contributions of Africans and their descendants to American society.
Supernova Ska Festival, Sept. 15-17
The largest ska event in the United States is taking Fort Monroe by storm! The Supernova Ska Festival began in 2014 and this year’s festival will be the biggest yet, bringing in 36 bands from 9 different countries. This culturally-rich event was recently acclaimed by the Grammy Awards as one of the top 10 indie festivals for 2023.