Norfolk NATO Festival is the longest continuously running Festival in the Hampton Roads region, and the only one of its kind in the United States which honors the NATO Alliance and its member nations.

Festival History

In 1951, the Women’s Club of Norfolk and a number of Norfolk’s garden clubs embraced an idea espoused by Fred Heutte, the city’s Superintendent of Parks and Forestry, to promote the city’s floral beauty through an annual Festival. Named the Norfolk Crape Myrtle Festival, it took place in Stone Park, located at the north end of The Hague, in the heat of the August sun. However, after the 1952 Festival, city business leaders from the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, the 21st Street Business Area Association, and the Retail Merchants Association revised the Festival’s theme and season, choosing a springtime Azalea Festival to highlight the beauty of the one-hundred acre Norfolk Azalea Gardens (now called Norfolk Botanical Gardens). The Festival was operated and financed as a Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the City of Norfolk, from 1953 to 1998.

In 1953, NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) established its first and only Command in North America, Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic, in Norfolk, Virginia. Aligning the city’s Azalea Festival with the newly formed NATO command helped it to stand out from the multitude of other azalea festivals in nearly every state south of Mason-Dixon line. One year after NATO’s arrival, Norfolk city leaders renamed this event the International Azalea Festival, which served the dual purposes of a salute to the allied forces and celebrating the beauty of the city’s gardens.

Today, Norfolk is home to two different NATO commands, including Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Joint Force Command Norfolk, and one NATO Center of Excellence, the Combined Joint Operations from the Sea. In 2009, NATO celebrated its 60th Anniversary, with 28 full member nations and 22 Partnership for Peace nations as part of the Alliance, providing an ever-increasing and dynamic international community here in Hampton Roads. In 2021, NATO boasts member nations and 19 Partnership for Peace nations, demonstrating the strength of the world’s oldest Alliance.

In the more than 50 years since its inception, the Festival has developed into a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation, which produces numerous cultural and educational events that are attended annually by thousands of people.

The Norfolk NATO Festival is produced by the Virginia Arts Festival. In 2009, the Festival changed its name again to the Norfolk NATO Festival. Its goals include creating new friendships, providing a basis for cultural exchange, recognizing the military’s role in maintaining peace in the world, and pursuing new lines of trade between Norfolk and the world.

Since then, NATO has welcomed two more nations, Finland and Sweden, now making the alliance 32 nations strong.

Norfolk NATO Festival Flag RaisingDate: Thursday, April 24, 2025 (about 6:30pm — immediately prior to the start of the International Tattoo at 7:30pm)Location: Scope Plaza, NorfolkPrice: Free and open to the publicRun Time: 1 hour

Celebrate the bond between the city of Norfolk and NATO at this colorful display of NATO Member Nation flags that includes representation from all NATO Nations and performances by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band.

In case of inclement weather, the Flag Raising will be moved into Scope Arena.

The NATO Flag Raising Ceremony is presented by NATO — Allied Command Transformation and the Norfolk NATO Festival, in partnership with the Virginia International Tattoo.

72nd Annual Parade of NationsDate: Saturday, April 26, 2025 10:00 AMLocation: Downtown NorfolkPrice: Free and open to the publicRun Time: 90 minutes

The only parade in the U.S. to honor NATO features over 100 parade units including U.S. and international bands, military units, community groups and floats representing ever NATO Member Nation!

The Parade is free and open to the public, but reserved seating is available for purchase online at https://www.vafest.org/norfolk-nato-festival/norfolk-nato-festival-events/72nd-annual-parade-of-nations/.

Important Information

Clear bags are strongly encouraged. Bag checks will be conducted at random.Grab your lawn chairs and come to downtown NorfolkFind a seat near the announcers stands on Waterside drive and on Granby Street so you don’t miss any of the featuresFloats from each of the NATO Member NationsVisiting International bands from the Virginia International TattooLocal and Visiting High School Marching Bands participating in the Virginia International Music FestivalSpecial celebrity Grand Marshal

The Norfolk NATO Festival’s Parade of Nations is presented in cooperation with the Virginia International Tattoo.

Norfolk NATO Festival International VillageDate: Saturday, April 26, 2025 11:30 AMLocation: Town Point Park, NorfolkPrice: Free and open to the publicRun Time: event ends at 3PM

Join in a celebration and appreciation of our local NATO Headquarters. Interact with NATO Representatives and explore international heritage with cultural performances, international art, cuisine, and craft beers. Come celebrate with the whole family in a European Street fair atmosphere in Downtown Norfolk.

Important Information

Clear bags are strongly encouraged. Bag checks will be conducted.

Things to Do

Explore the International VillageDownload the NATO Explorer Passport online and visit each country to travel ‘Around the NATO World!’ Meet representatives from each of the NATO Member Nations from Norfolk’s Allied Command Transformation and Joint Forces Command Norfolk.Learn all about NATO and its activities at Allied Command Transformation — visit each nation’s tent!Music and Performances on the Market StageCultural dancers and performers will entertain guests throughout the event on the NATO Market Stages!Take transit!

Let Hampton Roads Transit get you to the show without the worry of traffic and parking. The Tide light rail stops at Monticello Station, just a short walk to the Scope Arena and Scope Plaza. Park for free at three HRT park-and-ride lots at Newtown Road Station, Military Highway Station and Ballentine/Broad Creek Station. Then hop on board for just $2 each way. Kids ride free with a paying adult. Plan your trip for hassle-free travel to the Virginia International Tattoo!

For more information

For a complete schedule of events visit https://www.vafest.org/norfolk-nato-festival/ or call 757-282-2800.