Live music in Norfolk, VA

This event features live music performed in real time.

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.

The 4th Annual Boss Babe Market returns with a lively mix of shopping and summer vibes. More than 30 local vendors are featured alongside food truck fare and live music, creating a setting to discover unique finds. Offerings include permanent jewelry, handmade creations, and sweet treats, all showcasing small businesses and women-owned brands. It is a relaxed outing for friends and families with plenty of ways to support local entrepreneurs.

Ease into the evening at MP Ultra Lounge with a casual Meet and Greet happy hour focused on conversation and new connections. Expect a laid-back vibe with music, plenty of chances to chat, and tasty happy hour specials. It offers a welcoming moment to catch up and reminisce before the rest of the festivities get underway.

COVA marks the start of the weekend with live music every Friday evening. A different local artist or band performs on the patio each week, creating a rotating showcase of local talent.

This recurring backyard concert highlights a different local performer at each show. Performances are planned for Fridays and Saturdays and will take place only if the weather cooperates.

At Attucks Theatre, enjoy a piping and drumming recital showcasing members of Tidewater Pipes & Drums alongside guest artists Cameron MacDougall and Hannah Skinner. Supported by a grant from Norfolk Arts, this event is free and open to the public.

Part of The Charmer Tour, this all ages concert features Toadies alongside Local H. Toadies rose to national attention with Rubberneck, the platinum 1994 debut that includes Possum Kingdom, Away, and the fan favorite Tyler, and they have revisited that release with a 20th anniversary reissue. Onstage, the band leans into a raw edge, with Vaden Todd Lewis’s intense vocals, the twin guitars of Lewis and Clark Vogeler, and the relentless rhythm of drummer Mark Reznicek and bassist Doni Blair, who joined in 2008.

The backyard concert series returns with live performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. Each event showcases a different local artist, weather permitting. The music happens out back as part of a continuing series that highlights local talent.

Barry Manilow takes the stage at Chartway Arena for a memorable evening of classics, including Mandy, Copacabana, and more.

A five dollar, at-the-door live music night featuring performances by Max Redding & the Dogwood Gospel, Tornado Bait, and Lori Creek & the Dapper Damned. With a nod to Elvis Week and a take care of business spirit, this affordable show keeps the spotlight on the music and an easygoing vibe.

At the Wells Theatre, the stage becomes the setting for a rare, close-up jazz experience, with audiences seated among the performers for a performance that feels personal and immediate. For a single evening, acclaimed artists John Toomey and Justin Kauflin appear just a few feet away, turning the venue into an intimate listening room. Toomey, a cornerstone of the Hampton Roads jazz community, brings decades as a performer, composer, and educator, recognition as a University Professor for Excellence in Teaching at Old Dominion University, longtime leadership in the Virginia Arts Festival’s Attucks Jazz Series, international touring, and collaborations with Randy Brecker and Maynard Ferguson. Kauflin, an internationally celebrated pianist and composer mentored by Clark Terry, is noted for an expressive touch that blends post-bop and gospel influences, collaborations with Quincy Jones, performances around the world, and acknowledgment from The New York Times, DownBeat, and The New Yorker. After losing his sight at age 11, he has continued to shape a career grounded in artistry, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Together they craft a program that pairs technical command with humanity. Seating is on the stage and extremely limited.

Joe and Stokley bring an R&B concert to Portsmouth Pavilion. Both artists appear on the same stage for a night devoted to the genre.

Guests can dress to impress in stylish, comfortable sneakers for an upscale yet playful celebration at Music Theory Studios. This BYOB gathering features buffet-style hors d'oeuvres and lively music that keeps the dance floor moving. It is a chance to enjoy time with friends, create memories, and soak in an atmosphere filled with laughter, style, and good energy. The evening blends refined elegance with the creativity of sneaker culture.

Candlelight brings an evening of 90s hip-hop reimagined for strings to St. John's Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, with the Listeso String Quartet performing by candlelight for an immersive live music experience. Hear medleys that honor Fugees and Lauryn Hill with Ready or Not, Doo-Wop, Fu-Gee-La, and Killing Me Softly, alongside tributes to Jay-Z, Nas, Outkast, Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac, and The Notorious B.I.G. Selections from Dr. Dre such as Still D.R.E., Forgot About Dre, and Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang are featured as well, and Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice caps the program. The performance lasts 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the music begins and late entry is not permitted once the show starts. Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis within each zone. The venue is ADA compliant. Guests must be at least 8 years old, and anyone under 16 must attend with an adult.

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.

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.

Mikey leads music bingo at Afterglow on Mondays. Sing along to favorite hits as you mark your bingo board and play for a chance to win prizes.

A summer preview series offers a behind the curtain look at the path to becoming a professional music artist in Hampton Roads, featuring a local vocal ensemble. This program pairs classic songs from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s with a story about two couples finding love as they come of age through the 1960s. Space is limited and an RSVP is requested. Doors open 15 minutes before the performance. Presented in part by First Lutheran Church of Norfolk.

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.

Edward Brash brings a week of live acoustic sets to Grace O'Malley's Irish Pub & Restaurant. Known from the local band Glasgow Kiss, he showcases both contemporary and traditional Celtic music across multiple evenings, carrying the run from midweek into the weekend.

Presented by LAVA, this all-ages show at Chicho's Backstage features performances by Foreign Hand, Church Tongue, and False Cape.

Loe Shimmy is performing at The NorVa in Norfolk. Doors open at 7:00 PM, with the show starting at 8:00 PM.

The lobby of the Renaissance Portsmouth- Norfolk Waterfront Hotel hosts live music from Pancho, delivering familiar hits that keep the energy high. Whether you are there to stay or simply unwind, the setting offers a comfortable place to relax while the performance brings a festive, party feel.