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Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism's Festivals and Special Events
Phone: (757) 926-1400, Fax: (757) 926-1460
E-mail: festivals@nngov.com
Office: Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Fountain Plaza Two, 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 320, Newport News, VA 23606
See our current Tabloid Page on Festivals & Special Events (page 48)
The Special Events section plans, manages, and promotes city-wide festivals and special events held in the City of Newport News. Individuals, community groups, and businesses can be part of these events as Vendors, Exhibitors, Entertainers, and Corporate Sponsors.
For additional community events in Newport News, please see the Newport News Community Events Calendar.
2010 Newport News Special Events:
May 1; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
21st Newport News Children's Festival of Friends
- Newport News Park
Kids ages 2 -12 will enjoy over 100 free hands-on activities, costumed characters, and free children's rides. $5.00 per car parking fee, all activities are free. Food vendors ($) on site. Attendance: 10,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA. See here for complete information about the 2010 Newport News Children's Festival of Friends.
June 5; 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.
King-Lincoln Music Festival
- King-Lincoln Park
Music, free children's activities, and community exhibits. Free admission, free parking. Food vendors ($) on site. Attendance: 2,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA. See here for complete information about the 2010 King-Lincoln Music Festival.
July 4; 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
4th of July Stars in the Sky
- Victory Landing Park
Celebrate the 4th of July with entertainment, free children's activities, food vendors ($), and fireworks over the James River . Free admission; Attendance: 20,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA. See here for complete information about the 2010 4th of July Stars in the Sky.
August 7, 14, 21 & 28; 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Family Films by the Fountain
- City Center at Oyster Point
Free “film-themed fun” starts the evening with pre-show entertainment and hands-on activities based on the theme of the film. Schedule: August 7: Open Season (PG), August 14: Speed Racer (PG), August 21: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatball (PG), and August 28: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (PG). Food vendor ($) on site. Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 1,000 per week. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA. See here for complete information about the 2010 Family Films by the Fountain series.
September 3; 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Virginia Symphony Concert
- City Center at Oyster Point
Enjpy a free sunset concert by the Virginia Symphony. Free admission, free parking. Food vendors ($) on site. Attendance: 2,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA. Updated Friday, September 3 at 11:30 a.m.: The Virginia Symphony Concert scheduled for Friday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. at City Center at Oyster Point HAS BEEN MOVED TO WOODSIDE HIGH SCHOOL (concert time 7:30 p.m.) due to weather conditions. See here fom complete concert information/program for the Virginia Symphony Concert.
October 2 & 3; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day
37th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife
-Newport News Park
Southeast Virginia's biggest traditional craft show features over 200 vendors, traditional crafts and trades, folk entertainment, food ($), and children's activities. $10.00 per car parking fee; Attendance: 70,000. NO PETS PERMITTED IN THE EVENT AREA. We are no longer accepting Crafter application (the deadline was April 2, 2010.
November 25 - January 1; 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. each night
Celebration in Lights
- Newport News Park
Drive through two miles of holiday light displays. $10.00 per car, $50.00 per bus; Attendance: 100,000.
December 3; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Hollydazzle
-City Center at Oyster Point Fountain Plaza
This unique holiday event combines fireworks, special effects, and music in a spectacular show presented “in the round” on the Fountain Plaza . Free children's activities, holiday performances, and food vendors ($). Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 25,000.
See here for Hollydazzle 2009 Slideshow.
Event details subject to change. Check on-line for updates or call (757) 926-1400.
Vendor, Exhibitor, Entertainer, and Sponsor information for Newport News Special Events:
Vendors (selling on site at events):
Commercial vendors interested in selling food, crafts, or other merchandise at Newport News Special Events should contact Sunny Demming at (757) 926-1400. The deadline for craft and merchandise vendors for the Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife is April 1st of each year (the festival is always the first full weekend in October).
2010 Merchandise Vendor Application (events other than the Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife):
2010 Merchandise Vendor Application (.pdf file)
2010 Merchandise Vendor Application (Word Document)
2010 Food Vendor Applications (all events):
2010 Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife applications:
Crafter/Vendor application deadline April 2, 2010.
Exhibitors:
Non-profit and community groups can apply to be exhibitors at Newport News Special Events by calling (757) 926-1400. Check here for updates on events that accept non-profit and community group exhibitors.
Entertainers:
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism accepts local, regional, and national entertainer submissions for booking consideration. Please forward a press packe with a demo CD and a list of your most recent performances to:
Ms. Liz Spence
Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Fountain Plaza Two, Suite 320
700 Town Center Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.
lspence@nngov.com
Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are available for all events. Sponsorship rates are based on benefits requested by each sponsor and benefits can be customized to meet individual sponsor needs. In-kind (trade of services) contributions may be accepted in combination with/in place of cash contributions. Please call Renee Popernack at (757) 926-1400 for additional information.
