History Of Harborfest®

Norfolk Harborfest® began more than a quarter century ago when the Norwegian Tall Ship Christian Radich came to call on Norfolk, a waterfront community that had no city-owned property on which to dock a ship. The ship was docked three blocks from Town Point at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 13,000 people crossed her gangway in just one and a half days. Over the next two years, City planners and leaders created berthing to accommodate more ships, and a waterfront public park was planned. Norfolk Harborfest® was born.

Today, tall ships from all over the world frequently call on the City of Norfolk and nearly half a million visitors gather on the downtown waterfront each year for this annual celebration of our region's rich nautical heritage.

The traditions of the East Coast's Premier Waterfront Festival are celebrated with nautical history, maritime events, visiting vessels, children's activities, local, regional and national entertainment. Festivities stretch from The Waterside Festival Marketplace to the Historic Freemason Harbor.