What Norfolk Festevents does

Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. is a private not-for-profit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered at 120 West Main Street, Norfolk, Virginia, that produces premier concerts, festivals, ship visits, special events, and city celebrations for residents and visitors of the Hampton Roads region. Operating with approximately 16 staff members, the organization runs a 10-month event schedule spanning nearly 100 days of waterfront programming annually across three primary venues: the 8-acre Town Point Park on the Elizabeth River, Ocean View Beach Park on the Chesapeake Bay, and Five Points Civic Plaza Park in the Norview district. Its 2026 portfolio includes 12+ signature events such as Norfolk Harborfest, Bayou Bon Vivant Cajun Music & Food Festival, Fourth of July Great American Picnic, Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival, Virginia Children's Festival, Spring and Fall Wine Festivals, NashFest 757, Juneteenth Norfolk, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park, many free and open to the public with select ticketed festivals.

The organization's underlying operating platform is built on long-standing venue partnerships with the City of Norfolk, standard ticketing infrastructure (Saffire), event management systems, and a Charity Fundraising Program that has channeled over $3.5 million to local nonprofits across more than 40 years. Technology and proprietary IP are not a focus — the moat rests on venue access, 43 years of programming reputation with international acclaim, and a dense community ecosystem of sponsors, vendors, service clubs, and city partners.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: ticket sales for select festivals, vendor booth fees (starting at $100 for retail, $125 plus 15% of sales for food vendors), corporate sponsorships (Carnival Cruise Line, Sentara Health Plans, TowneBank, Southern Auto Group, T-Mobile, Miller Lite, PepsiCo, and others), charitable donations through the Friends of Festevents membership, and commemorative sales (bricks, plaques, benches, trees at $150-$5,000). Distribution reaches end consumers directly at its waterfront venues, while vendors, sponsors, and nonprofit service organizations participate as B2B ecosystem partners. The organization's leadership comprises Executive Chairman Karen Scherberger (also Executive Director of Sail250 Virginia), CEO Ted Baroody, and a 13-person management team spanning programming, marketing, production, sales, development, and operations.

Name

Norfolk Festevents

Legal name

Norfolk Festevents, Ltd.

Website

https://festevents.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Norfolk Festevents is a 43-year-old nonprofit event producer based in Norfolk, Virginia that runs nearly 100 days of waterfront festivals, concerts, and city celebrations annually across Town Point Park, Ocean View Beach Park, and Five Points Park for Hampton Roads residents and visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Event Production and Festival Management

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Food Festivals & Culinary Events (Ticketed Tastings, Pop-ups) (THAJAGAL), National/Seasonal Holiday Festivals (New Year, Harvest, Winter Markets) (MPAGAEAD)

Keywords

• Outdoor festival production
• Waterfront event management
• Live concert series
• Community cultural programming
• Nonprofit event organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Norfolk

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from paid admission to select events and festivals, including wine festivals, jazz festival, and Virginia Children's Festival. Some events are free and open to the public.
2. Vendor Booth Fees: Food and retail vendors pay booth fees starting at $100 for retail and $125 plus 15% of sales after taxes for food vendors. Commercial trailer fees apply at Norfolk Harborfest.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors pay for branding, signage, digital advertising, brand activation, marketing solutions, corporate hospitality, community relations, and social media presence at events.
4. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Donations from Friends of Festevents membership program and general contributions that fund special events programs. Contributions to Town Point Park commemorations (bricks, benches, trees) are tax deductible.
5. Commemorative Sales: Sales of commemorative bricks, bronze plaques, park benches, and park trees at Town Point Park, ranging from $150 for individual bricks to $5,000 for company markers or park benches.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Norfolk Festevents produces premier concerts, festivals, ship visits, special events, and city celebrations for Hampton Roads residents and visitors across an approximately 10-month annual season. The organization operates three primary Norfolk venues—Town Point Park (an 8-acre waterfront park along the Elizabeth River), Ocean View Beach Park (Chesapeake Bay shoreline), and Five Points Civic Plaza Park—where it hosts signature festivals such as Norfolk Harborfest, the Fourth of July Great American Picnic, the Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival, the Virginia Children's Festival, and Spring and Fall Town Point Virginia Wine Festivals, among others. Tickets, food and retail vendor booth space, corporate sponsorships, charitable donations, and commemorative park installations together fund the operation.

Product overview

Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. is a private not-for-profit organization that produces premier concerts, festivals, special events, and city celebrations for the Hampton Roads community. The organization operates primarily from two waterfront venues: Town Point Park in Downtown Norfolk on the Elizabeth River and Ocean View Beach Park on the Chesapeake Bay. The product portfolio consists of signature annual festivals including Norfolk Harborfest, Bayou Bon Vivant Cajun Music & Food Festival, Fourth of July Great American Picnic, Norfolk Latino Music Festival, Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival, Virginia Children's Festival, Spring and Fall Wine Festivals, NashFest 757, Holiday Yule Log Bonfire, Juneteenth Norfolk, and Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park. Additional offerings include Five Points Park community events, boater packages for waterfront access, Town Point Park commemorations (bricks, plaques, benches, trees), a Charity Fundraising Program for service organizations, and a Community Development Program supporting local small businesses. The organization has produced events since 1982 and operates an approximate 10-month event schedule annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Norfolk Harborfest America's largest, longest-running free maritime festival celebrating Norfolk's historic waterfront with tall ship visits, Parade of Sail, fireworks, live entertainment, and Navy exhibits.
• Bayou Bon Vivant Cajun Music & Food Festival Three-day celebration of New Orleans culture featuring Cajun cuisine, live jazz music, arts market, and Louisiana traditions along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront.
• Fourth of July Great American Picnic Annual Independence Day celebration featuring patriotic music, family activities, All-American food, and a spectacular fireworks display over the Elizabeth River.
• Norfolk Latino Music Festival Annual celebration of Hampton Roads' Latin community featuring live Latin music, authentic cuisine, dance performances, and family-friendly activities.
• Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival The area's longest-running outdoor jazz festival featuring smooth jazz artists, with ticketed admission for two days of performances.
• Virginia Children's Festival Family festival designed for children 10 and younger featuring over 100 interactive activities, hands-on workshops, cultural experiences, and costumed characters.
• Spring Town Point Virginia Wine Festival Annual spring wine festival showcasing over 25 Virginia wineries with wine sampling, bottle sales, gourmet foods, and live entertainment.
• Fall Town Point Virginia Wine Festival Hampton Roads' most anticipated fall wine festival featuring over 25 Virginia wineries, wine sampling, bottle purchases, and artisan foods.
• NashFest 757 One-day Nashville-inspired music and food festival featuring hot chicken, barbecue, craft beer and whiskey tastings, and country music entertainment.
• Holiday Yule Log Bonfire and Holiday Marketplace Outdoor winter holiday celebration featuring a towering Yule Log Bonfire, local artisan market, Christmas caroling, and Santa visits.
• Juneteenth Norfolk Three-day celebration of Juneteenth featuring live music, educational exhibits, family activities, and a fireworks finale commemorating African American freedom and achievement.
• Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park Annual outdoor symphony concert featuring the Virginia Symphony Orchestra performing classical works along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront.
• Town Point Park Venue Eight-acre premier waterfront park along the Elizabeth River in Downtown Norfolk serving as the primary venue for Norfolk Festevents' outdoor festivals and concerts.
• Ocean View Beach Park Venue Waterfront venue situated on the Chesapeake Bay shoreline in Norfolk's Ocean View section, hosting seasonal concerts and beach events.
• Five Points Park Events Civic plaza park in Norfolk's Norview district hosting five seasonal community events featuring live music, food trucks, and family activities.
• Boater Packages Waterfront docking packages allowing boaters to enjoy Town Point Park events from their vessels, with advance reservation options for various festival weekends.
• Town Point Park Commemorations Commemorative brick, plaque, bench, and tree programs allowing individuals and organizations to honor loved ones or commemorate milestones within Town Point Park.
• Charity Fundraising Program Program enabling service organizations to raise funds through beverage sales at Festevents festivals, with participating organizations receiving 20% of net proceeds.
• Community Development Program Program supporting local small businesses through kickstart grants, booth space, marketing exposure, and guidance in acquiring event-related documentation.
• Friends of Festevents Membership Membership organization providing tax-deductible contributions that directly fund Festevents' special events programs, with member benefits for the 43rd season.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $3.5 million donated to local charities over 40+ years, including $50,000+ in 2025 alone
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miller Lite (Chesapeake Bay Distributing)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor providing Miller Lite products at events. Listed on the Festevents Sponsor Wall as a key supporter of community events.
• PepsiCocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor providing Pepsi products at events. Listed on the Festevents Sponsor Wall as a key supporter of community events.
• Customer MagnetismminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital marketing partner providing website and marketing services. Listed on the Festevents Sponsor Wall.
• Virginia is for Lovers (Virginia Tourism Corporation)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tourism partner promoting Virginia and Norfolk as a travel destination. Virginia is for Lovers is a nationally recognized tourism brand.
• Southern Auto GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial travel sponsor providing automotive transportation support for events. Major sponsor across multiple events including Fourth of July, Latino Music Festival, and Bayou Bon Vivant.
• TFC RecyclingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecycling partner for environmental sustainability at events. Partnership between City of Norfolk, Norfolk Festevents, Anheuser Busch, Virginia Green, and Tidewater Fibre Corp for recycling initiatives.
• City of NorfolkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner providing support for waterfront events and park operations. Co-produces events with Festevents and provides city services and permits.
• Sentara Health PlanscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Virginia Children's Festival and sponsor of Holiday Yule Log Bonfire. Healthcare sponsor providing health and wellness programming at events.
• TowneBankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park and sponsor of Fountain Park. Financial services partner with naming rights to TowneBank Fountain Park.
• Waterside DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner supporting waterfront events and district promotions. Waterside Festival Marketplace is adjacent to Town Point Park.
• City CruisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHarbor cruise partner providing boat tours and water experiences. Partners with Festevents for maritime events.
• CFE EquipmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment sponsor providing support for events. Listed on Festevents Sponsor Wall.
• T-MobileminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology and telecommunications sponsor supporting events. Listed on Festevents Sponsor Wall.
• Louisiana TourismminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism partner promoting Louisiana culture at Bayou Bon Vivant Cajun Music & Food Festival.
• The Perry Family FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Virginia Symphony Orchestra Concert in the Park. Foundation supporting arts and cultural programming.
• More Music GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEntertainment booking agency contracted to book national and regional entertainment for Festevents events and festivals.
• Carnival Cruise LinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of fireworks display at 43rd Annual 4th of July Great American Picnic & Fireworks.
• Kiwanis Club of NorfolkcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerService club participating in Charity Fundraising Program, raising funds through beverage sales at events. One of approximately 20 participating organizations.
• Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia & Eastern ShorecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit organization benefiting from Charity Fundraising Program. Has raised significant funds through beverage sales at events.
• Hispanic Chamber of Coastal VirginiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness organization benefiting from Charity Fundraising Program and supporting Latino Music Festival.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Three Rivers Arts Festival (Pittsburgh Cultural Trust): Produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, this multi-day free outdoor arts festival along the Allegheny River features music, art markets, and family activities. Comparable as a nonprofit-produced, waterfront/outdoor, multi-format festival relying on corporate sponsors and city partnerships.
• Festival of Arts Laguna Beach: Long-running community arts festival in Laguna Beach produced by a nonprofit, featuring art exhibits, live music, and family programming. Comparable in long-standing nonprofit festival model, diversified on-site programming, and dependence on sponsorships and ticket/commemorative sales.
• Virginia Arts Festival: Norfolk/Virginia Beach-based nonprofit producing an annual multi-week arts festival with concerts, family events, and community programming. Directly comparable as a regional nonprofit festival organizer sharing the same Hampton Roads market and overlapping sponsor and audience base.
• City Parks Foundation: NYC-based nonprofit that produces free outdoor concerts, theater, and festivals in city parks. Comparable as a nonprofit producer of community outdoor cultural events with strong municipal partnership, corporate sponsorship, and donor-supported programming model.
• French Quarter Festivals, Inc. New Orleans-based 501(c)(3) that produces the French Quarter Festival, one of the largest free outdoor music festivals in the U.S. Comparable in nonprofit model, free ticketed-adjacent outdoor programming, heavy local government partnership, and reliance on corporate sponsors and beverage/vendor revenue.
• Seattle Center Festál: Seattle Center's year-round series of ethnic and cultural festivals produced with community partners, featuring music, food, and family programming. Comparable as a municipally-supported, nonprofit-coordinated cultural festival series with free outdoor programming and vendor/sponsor revenue.
• Savannah Music Festival: Nonprofit that produces an annual multi-week spring music festival in Savannah, GA, featuring jazz, classical, and world music. Comparable as a nonprofit ticketed outdoor/indoor music festival with corporate sponsorships, donations, and city/tourism partnerships.
• National Cherry Festival: Long-running community festival in Traverse City, MI, organized by a nonprofit that produces a multi-day schedule of concerts, food events, parades, and family programming. Comparable in mission, scale (roughly similar attendance windows), and dependence on sponsors, vendors, and seasonal tourism.
• Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF): Nonprofit that produces a multi-week outdoor summer festival in Ann Arbor featuring music, film, and family programming. Comparable in producing a recurring community outdoor festival series, mix of ticketed and free events, and reliance on presenting sponsors and donations.
• Memphis in May International Festival: 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces a month-long series of themed festival weekends (music, food, cultural heritage) in Memphis, drawing tens of thousands of attendees. Closely comparable to Norfolk Festevents in nonprofit structure, multi-festival annual programming, and reliance on sponsorships, vendors, and city partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Festevents
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPp_5D_XKIQWgOqsGZ0pPyw
• Facebookfacebook.com/Festevents
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/norfolk-festevents
• Instagraminstagram.com/festevents
• Pinterestpinterest.com/festevents

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Norfolk Festevents