Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism
2013 Festivals & Special Events

Friday, March 15; 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Shamrock Party on O'Plaza- City Center at Oyster Point
It's back! Enjoy an evening of Irish themed fun with entertainment, food ($), and beverages($). Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 2,000.  See here for complete information on the 2013 Shamrock Party on O'Plaza.

Saturday, May 4; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
24th 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.  This year's festival is a special celebration of our Storybook Friends.  Food vendors ($) on site. $5.00 per car parking fee, all activities are free. Attendance: 10,000.  See here for complete information on the 2013 Newport News Children's Festival of Storybook Friends.

Wednesday, May 16 - Saturday, May 18; times vary by event
Virginia Senior Games - locations vary by event
Athletes age 50 & up compete in eighteen sports. Entry fee for athletes, free admission for spectators, free parking.

Saturday, June 1; 12:00 noon - 5:00 p.m.
King-Lincoln Park Day- King-Lincoln Park
Music, free children’s activities, and community exhibits. Food vendors ($) on site. Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 2,000. 

Saturday, June 8: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Summer Celebration Wine Festival- Lee Hall Mansion
The finest vintages from Virginia's best wineries combine with live music, food and unique vendors. Tasting tickets $20.00 in advance and $2.005 at the gate. Non-tasting tickets are $10. Food vendors ($) on site. Free parking.

Thursday, July 4; 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
4th of July Stars in the Sky Victory Landing Park
The Virginia Peninsula's biggest July 4th event features live music, food vendors ($), and fireworks over the James River. Free admission, free parking. Attendance: 20,000.

Saturdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24; 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. Enjoy family films under the stars on the beautiful City Center Fountain Plaza (film starts at 8:30 p.m.). Attendance: 1,000 each week.  

Saturday, October 5 & Sunday, October 6; 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. each day
40th 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 vendors ($), and children's activities. $10.00 per car parking fee. Attendance: 70,000.    (We are no longer accepting vendors for the 2013 festival, the application deadline was April 1, 2013).

Thursday, November 28 through Wednesday, 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, $60.00 per bus. Attendance: 112,000. 

Friday, December 6; 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: 35,000.

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:

The 40th Annual Fall Festival of Folklife  will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 5 & 6, 2013, in Newport News Park. Crafter information and application forms are now online (see below), and are also being mailed to those on our permanent mailing. To receive an application, please forward your mailing address to festivals@nngov.com, and specify “Crafter Mailing Request” in the subject line. So that we will know which application to send to you, please also include a brief description in the body of the e-mail about the type of craft you make or the service you provide (“I make jellies & jams,” “I demonstrate wood carving,” “I make hand-made jewelry”). We are no longer accepting vendors for the 2013 festival, the application deadline was April 1, 2013.

Note: franchise/"home party" businesses are NOT accepted

2013 Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife Juried & Marketplace Application- for traditional hand-made crafts

2013 Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife Heritage Area Application- traditional craft & trade demonstrations, heritage displays

2013 Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife Country Store- "farmer's market" items including jams, fresh produce, and packaged food items

2013 Food Vendor Applications (download both files below):
2013 Food Vendor Applications (all events)
2013 Food Vendor Deadlines and Fees Chart (all events)

To receive a Food Vending Package via U. S. Mail, please send your mailing address to festivals@nngov.com. Please specify “Food Vendor Mailing List” in the subject line.

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 packet 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.