Norfolk's Jazz Festival

3 Days/ 2 Nights

A 12-hour summertime smooth jazz experience awaits you for two days in July at the regions longest running outdoor Jazz Festival. Musical starlets have included the Superstars of Jazz Fusion featuring Roy Ayers, Tom Browne, Lonnie Liston Smith, Wayne Henderson and Ronnie Lawson. In addition to an impressive national lineup, the Norfolk Jazz Festival also features local and regional jazz favorites.

DAY 1

P.M. - Take pleasure in the wonders of nature at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The Garden encompasses 155 beautiful acres intertwined by bridges, coastal waterways and 12 miles of pedestrian trails. Enjoy a tram tour through the garden where countless African-Americans helped construct the garden during the Great Depression with the Progress Administration.

Evening - Head over to Town Point Park for Norfolk’s Annual Jazz Festival, the area’s longest running outdoor Jazz Festival. Enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz complete with larger than life live performances including national smooth jazz recording artists and local jazz favorites, all along the setting of the downtown Norfolk skyline and Elizabeth River. Gates open at 5pm and the last performance starts at 9pm.

P.M. - End the evening with a seafood feast at one of many Norfolk’s local seafood restaurants along Granby street or inside MacArthur Center Mall.

DAY 2

A.M. - Head over to the Chrysler Museum of Art, home to Walter Chrysler Jr.'s world-class collection of more than 30,000 pieces of art and stroll through 5,000 years of art history. The museum features a world-renowned Tiffany-glass collection, Art Nouveau furniture, and works of art from African, Egyptian, Pre-Columbian, Islamic and Asian cultures, along with an extensive European and American collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. Learn through a guided tour the important role of African American’s in Art History. Take part in “The Friends of African American Art” guided tour, which includes private African-American artwork collections. Programs are approximately 30 minutes in length and can accommodate up to 50 people.

Brunch - Enjoy the smooth sounds of Jazz, delicious food, and the Elizabeth River Harbor. Cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk for their annual Jazz Brunch Cruise complete with live entertainment as you sail down the Elizabeth River.

P.M. - Head over to Town Point Park for Norfolk’s Annual Jazz Festival, the area’s longest running outdoor Jazz Festival. Enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz complete with larger than life live performances including national smooth jazz recording artists and local jazz favorites along the setting of the downtown Norfolk skyline and Elizabeth River. Gates open at 5pm and the last performance starts at 9pm.

DAY 3

A.M. - Before you head home, shop till you drop at MacArthur Center. Over 70 retailers anchored by Nordstrom and Dillard’s. While there, take part in one of MacArthur Center's special packages including a cooking class at Williams-Sonoma or at Harry and David. (Coupons are available to groups).