Norfolk Patriotic Festival celebrates the military for several days at the Scope Arena Complex in Downtown Norfolk. Previously held at Virginia Beach, the festival features live concerts, military expos and displays and is usually held around Memorial Day weekend. With the aim of celebrating patriotism and the Armed Forces of the United States, the event draws in approximately 30,000 visitors, making it one of the biggest Memorial Day celebrations in the area.
Music Concerts
The festival has featured many popular performers of country, rock, blues and other music genres. Previous lineups included stars like Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen, Old Dominion, Lynard Skynard, Gary Allen, Miranda Lambert, Michael McDonald, Travis Tritt, Cole Swindell, Steele Pulse, Robin Meade, Chris Young, Zac Brown Band, and many others. Now, Patriotic Festival is known for its Country Weekend concerts, performed by the iconic artists of the country's genre.
Country Weekend Performances
As part of the Country Weekend, this year's festival features HARDY, Zac Brown Band, Bailey Zimmerman, and Warren Zeiders. The rest of the lineup includes up-and-coming artists Alana Springsteen, Nate Smith, Josh Ross, Ella Langley, John Morgan, and Megan Moroney. While most of them will perform on the stage of Norfolk Scope Arena, Warren Zeiders' concert will take place at Chrysler Hall.
Pre-Show Entertainment
If you plan to visit any of the concerts, consider checking out the festivities at Scope Arena Plaza and Upper Concourse. This outdoor bash right near the arena draws in the public with beer, tequila, and bourbon tastings, dog meet-ups, games with prizes, and merchandise vendors. If you're up for a challenge, try your hand at military exercises and demonstrate your skills at a pull-up bar.
Schedule
The pre-show festivities at the Plaza take place on May 24-26 from 3 to 6 pm and continue at Upper Concourse from 6 to 10 pm. All Country Weekend concerts begin at 7 pm.
Tickets
The cost of admission tickets for Country Weekend concerts differs depending on the concert. It generally ranges between $73 and $120, with better seats costing $151 and $208. You can also purchase a three-day pass, which ranges from $208 to $374. The pre-show activities are completely free to attend, but vendor services, food, and beverages are subject to a fee.
Location
For a long time, the festival was held in Virginia Beach, but the location moved to Norfolk in the recent years. One of the biggest military bases in the USA is located 7 miles (11 km) north of Norfolk at Hampton Roads. That's why the city was chosen as a location for the Patriotic Festival, honoring military personnel and their families. The festivities all unfold either at the Scope Arena Complex and Plaza, or at the Chrysler Hall and Upper Concourse.
