Family events in Norfolk, VA

At Portsmouth Children’s Museum in Portsmouth, a Coast Guard Day celebration pairs with a relaxed show and shine welcoming customs and classics, including imports and domestics. Vehicle entry is free, and each entered car receives one lunch voucher, with additional food available for purchase. The showcase is not judged and there are no formal awards, though crowd favorites may receive gift cards and there may be prizes for top cars. Entertainment includes a free concert by the Deloreans. The event expands its footprint this year and offers activities for both kids and adults. Sponsors, advertising, and vendors are not permitted.

Explore downtown Norfolk’s eerie past on a guided walk that traces ghost lore, real-life tragedies, and tales of strange experiments. The route covers about 1.7 miles over roughly 1.5 hours and begins in front of the USS Battleship Wisconsin, with parking available in downtown garages. Comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Tickets are available on the organizer’s website and cost $25 for adults and $20 for children. Content leans toward mature themes, so parents can decide if it is suitable for their children. Tours may be canceled for rain or low turnout, in which case ticket holders will be notified by email and receive a full refund. Missed tours are not refundable, and spots tend to sell out.

Start the morning with a guided birding walk that offers access to Hoffler Creek before regular hours. Led by experienced local birders, participants will explore Lake Ballard and surrounding areas with many chances to spot and listen for a variety of local species. The outing is free and welcomes all experience levels, from first timers to seasoned observers. Binoculars are recommended.

Back for its sixth year, the Breastfeeding Bash returns once again at this time of year.

Children can decorate a pair of 7-inch ceramic plates to take along on summer picnics at Norfolk Botanical Garden. The activity is recommended for ages 4 and up and benefits from a chaperone’s help. Every adult and child who attends must have a registered ticket. Members pay $14 per child, and adult members may attend at no cost when accompanying a registered child. Not-yet members pay $22 per child and $20 per adult, and tickets are required for both children and adults. Tickets for not-yet members include daytime admission to the garden. All participants ages 3 and older need a registered ticket to take part, and any child under 3 who will participate must have a registered child ticket.

This community jamboree at Blue Ribbon Results Academy celebrates the start of the school year with a focus on students and the excitement of learning. Registered students can receive free backpacks and school supplies. Music, food, and live entertainment set the tone, and local businesses and community resource providers will be on hand. The environment is fun and high energy with an emphasis on celebrating education. Pre-registration is required to ensure a backpack and supplies, as quantities are limited.

Norfolk Public Schools and the City of Norfolk are partnering with community organizations to present Unity in the Community: Back 2 School Celebration at Norfolk Scope. The event welcomes Norfolk elementary, middle, and high school students and their families and features backpack and school supply distribution along with community resources and other offerings to support the start of a new school year. Registration is available.

Enjoy a family-friendly big-screen screening of Lilo & Stitch at Nauticus as part of the Little Mariners Movie Series. Access to the film is included with Nauticus admission, and Nauticus members attend at no additional cost. While there, explore Nauticus and tour the Battleship Wisconsin for an added dose of adventure.

Explore the ice tie dye technique and create a custom bandana or pillowcase, with materials prepared and provided. Those who prefer to dye a T-shirt can bring one in any size. Finished pieces go home in a plastic bag along with clear instructions for the next steps. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Cost is $5 for members or a $15 add-on for non-members, and a Nauticus general admission ticket is required.

Families and students can gear up for school with a free supplies giveaway at The Great Awakening United Church of Christ. Backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and folders will be available at no cost, underscoring community support for education. The event also offers opportunities to connect with local organizations and celebrate the start of a new school year. Registration is required.

In honor of Happiness Happens Day, the OV Sea Hags lead a Unity Witch Walk from Norfolk to Portsmouth to share kindness, build connection, and spark happiness. The procession starts at the Pagoda, passes through Town Point Park and Waterside, crosses the Elizabeth River by ferry, and continues along High Street to the Bier Garden. Look for dancing witches, friendly waves, and photo worthy moments along the waterfront as the group continues its mission of spreading joy throughout Coastal Virginia.

TT&M Community Services LLC presents a Portsmouth Back to School Bash at Portside, bringing together families, community resources, school supplies, food, and entertainment to help students begin the new school year with confidence. Local businesses and organizations can showcase their work, connect with Portsmouth families, and share products and services in support of the community. The organizers are welcoming vendors, community resource partners, event sponsors, and school supply donations. Vendor and sponsorship details are available on the event flyer.

Set within the serene Pagoda & Oriental Garden, this market celebrates intentional living and meaningful community connection. Local makers, artists, and small businesses come together amid water and lush greenery, creating an easygoing setting for unhurried exploration. Visitors can browse handcrafted goods, plants, wellness and self-care offerings, vintage and unique finds, and enjoy food and drinks. The experience encourages time to wander, discover, and meet the people behind each piece, all within a warm, community focused atmosphere.

At Atlantis Games & Comics - Portsmouth, this relaxed LEGO meetup invites fans to launch a fresh build, advance a work in progress, or simply connect with other enthusiasts. Featuring HardLUG, a Hampton Roads LEGO User Group, it provides a welcoming spot to share ideas and enjoy creative time together.

Ease into the week with Jazz in the Park, a laid-back afternoon of live jazz in a scenic outdoor setting. Attendees may bring a grill, charcoal, lighter fluid, and trash bags, then enjoy cooking and sharing food with family and friends while the music flows. Expect smooth sounds, good eats, and warm fellowship that leave everyone refreshed and ready for the work week, with memories to carry into the days ahead and a sense of peace and joy.

Children’s Harbor Olde Towne presents a seafaring summer camp where kids chart a course for adventure through ocean discovery and playful pirate quests. Weekly themes are designed to spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and build confidence in a caring, engaging setting. Themes range from All Hands on Deck to welcome the crew and Pirates of the Caribbean with a treasure quest to Ocean Conservation, Safe Harbors, Shark Week, Marine Biologist in Training, Sailing the Seven Seas, a Coastal Carnival beach celebration, Deep Sea Explorers, Coast Guard in Training, and a Captain’s Farewell. Campers take part in hands-on activities and imaginative play, all within a structured, supportive environment that encourages social growth and teamwork.

Children’s Harbor Ghent offers a nautical-themed summer experience where Anchors Aweigh brings the wonders of the ocean to life through weekly discovery. Children engage in hands-on projects and creative learning in a safe, structured setting that fosters confidence, curiosity, and teamwork. Each week introduces a fresh focus, beginning with welcoming new crew members and pirate treasure adventures, then moving into ocean care and safe harbor concepts. Additional highlights include shark exploration, beginner marine biology, voyages across the seven seas, a beach carnival atmosphere, deep sea discovery, an introduction to Coast Guard skills, and a captain’s farewell to close the program. Families can expect engaging themes, interactive learning, and meaningful social growth throughout the summer. Enrollment is open and space may be limited. For registration information, call (757) 622-0900.

Virginia Children's Chorus is holding auditions for new students to begin singing in the fall. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are welcome, from first-time singers to experienced high school vocalists. The program offers weekly rehearsals, and ensembles at every level perform during the school year. Auditions are free, tuition is affordable, and scholarships are available. Rehearsals for all ages take place in Norfolk, and there is a Training Choir option for grades K-4 in Virginia Beach. Auditions are by appointment.

A WWE edition of RAW takes place at Scope Arena, offering an in-person arena experience for fans of the show.

Main Library hosts a storytime featuring reading, songs, dancing, and a craft. It is intended for children ages 0 to 5. For more information, or if you plan to bring a group larger than eight children, call 757-393-8501.

Join Zoo Tales for a weekly story-time featuring two new stories and an animal encounter with a zoo animal ambassador. Each visit ties into a monthly theme, and the location is set up in the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza. This program is free with general admission.

An enchanting concert at Chartway Arena in Norfolk celebrates the magical music of beloved films and musicals. Enjoy songs from Frozen, Wicked, Moana, KPOP Demon Hunters, Taylor Swift, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Anastasia, Pocahontas and more. West End performers deliver breathtaking vocals alongside aerial artistry and energetic dance, shaping a theatrical experience filled with uplifting, inspiring messages. Presented during summer recess, this family-friendly event is suitable for all ages.

Settle in for a free kids’ movie at Churchland Branch Library. Screenings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information, call 757-686-2538.

Catch the Gwinnett Stripers live at Harbor Park Stadium for a Norfolk Tides game night. Tickets are available through AXS Marketplace resale, and all sales are final with no refunds for postponed events.

Mrs. Fay leads a story time filled with read-alouds, simple crafts, and songs. For more information, call 757-393-8759. If attending with a group of more than eight children, please call ahead.

Manor Branch Library hosts a playful story time for little ones, featuring stories, songs, movement, and a simple craft. This program is designed for children from birth to age five. For details, or if bringing a group of more than eight children, call 757-465-2916.

A messy play session for babies ages 0 to 2 years. For more information, call 757-393-8501.

This baby-centered story time features short stories, songs, gentle bounces, and playtime. It is designed for ages 0 to 18 months and takes place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. For more information, call 757-393-8501.

Enjoy Zoo Tales, a weekly story-time program featuring two new stories plus an animal encounter with a zoo animal ambassador. Each session ties into a monthly theme. Location for the day’s program is posted at the Zoo’s Fountain Plaza, and Zoo Tales is free with general admission.