NEW! Festival Escape Room

The Escape Room experience is provided by Neon Entertainment of Buffalo, New York.  The multiple, simultaneously happening games will be wildly fun, completely immserive, and the ultimate team building activity.  The Escape Rooms bring together family and friends to challenge their creative problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills to triumph over conundrums and escape together!

NEW! Body Marbling

This new festival trend utilizes Hydrodynamics to transform skin and apparel into glowing works of art!  

NEW! Air Force Performance Lab

A one-of-a-kind interactive experience, the U.S. Air Force Performance Lab is packed with mental and physical challenges that put skill and determination to the test.

The Shadow Players

The Shadow Players Stage Combat Group portrays and recreates the Golden Age of Piracy. Their show combines comedy and hi-jinks with rousing sword-fights and educational information. What could be better than being a pirate!? They like to make friends wherever we go. Come up after the show and introduce yourself and say hello. They would love to meet you.

The Colours Junkanoo Street Party

Twenty-five members of the world famous parade unit from Nassau, Bahamas will travel to Norfolk to perform “rushouts” throughout the weekend.  Making music from goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles, horns and conch shells and wearing beautiful and vibrant handmade costumes – this is a performance NOT to be missed! 

Real Mermaids

Watch as the curtains open to reveal an ancient spirit of the deep, a creature thought to exist only in the shimmering mirage of the open ocean – a mermaid! Spotted by sailors for thousands of years in the breaking waves of their ships, one of these illusive beauties will be brought to you from the far corners of the earth. Hear about their stories of bravery and courage, learn about protecting their oceans, and witness for yourself a real mermaid! Photo opportunities will be available throughout the day.

Harborfest Virginia Wine, Spirits, and Craft Beer Garden

The Made in Virginia Wine Tasting will feature wine sampling from Virginia Wineries, Distilleries, as well as craft beers from Virginia and more!  Wines will be available by the glass, bottle, and case.  Craft beers will be available to purchase in sample sizes or by the pint.  Join us for a unique experience sampling some of Virginia's finest wine and craft beer with live music from The Back Deck Stage located along the Elizabeth River in TowneBank Fountain Park next to Waterside Live!

The Defiant Crew Pirate School

Craft yourself the appropriate swashbuckling attire at the Pirate Bandana Tent and then set sail into a class at the Defiant Crew Pirate School where you will learn how to live the shipshape pirate’s life … Yo Ho Yo Ho a pirate’s life for me.

Dining at Harborfest... Fresh & Fun

The Harborfest®, food and beverage theme is fresh and fun! Outdoor dining on the waterfront includes over 50 food and beverage scenes, serving fill-your-tummy delicacies including fresh crab cakes, hand breaded shrimp, fried oysters, scallops, shrimp fried rice, mouth-watering open pit beef barbeque, North Carolina barbeque, Italian sausage, Polish sausage, Philly style cheese steaks, burgers and dogs, souvlaki, pitas, gyros, chicken on a stick, chicken tenders, Grecian chicken, chicken lo mein, Greek salad, buttery roasted corn, fresh cut French fries, onion rings, fresh wraps, corn dogs, blooming onions and smoked savory turkey legs. Top off your lunch or dinner with ice cold lemonade and sweet desserts like hand dipped ice cream, fresh and hot funnel cakes, cool Italian ices, melt-in-your-mouth Kettle Korn, fresh fruit smoothies and soft serve ice cream with all the toppings. Lounge with family and friends at one of our shaded seating areas and relax while enjoying your favorite festival fare. In addition to traditional beverage selections like smoothies and lemonade, adult beverages may be found throughout the festival grounds in various locations.