NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Planning to travel to Harborfest this year? You may want to consider your transportation and parking options.
The 48th annual Norfolk Harborfest, the nation’s largest and longest-running free maritime festival, takes place at Town Point Park along the waterfront from noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 7, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 9.
Hampton Roads Transit
Hampton Roads Transit is encouraging attendees to take transit to and from Downtown Norfolk on June 7-9. The public can utilize the Tide light rail and Elizabeth River Ferry service to transport people. Buying passes ahead of the event can help save time.
“We’re proud of our role to transport people safely and efficiently for the region’s biggest events, including this cherished celebration of our maritime and naval heritage,” said William E. Harrell, HRT’s President and CEO. “Harborfest is the perfect time to try transit to avoid the hassles of driving and parking.”
One-day, round-trip tickets are $4 per person and can be purchases on the Ticketleap app or online by clicking here. These daily tickets are good for two, one-way trips on both the light rail and ferry.
For convenient access to the light rail, HRT riders can park for free at any of four Tide park-and-ride lots:
- Newtown Road Station, Newtown Road and Kempsville Road.
- Military Highway Station, Curlew Drive and Corporate Boulevard.
- Ballentine/Broad Creek Station, Ballentine Boulevard at I-264.
- EVMC/Fort Norfolk Station, Brambleton and Colley Avenues. This location is available only for Saturday and Sunday – parking is not allowed on Friday
The ferry connects Waterside in Norfolk, where Harborfest is underway, with both North Landing and High Street in Portsmouth. The 45th Annual Seawall Festival is taking place in Portsmouth this weekend.
On Friday, June 7, two additional ferries will be operating, one from 11:45 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., the other from 3:30 to 10:45 p.m.
On Saturday, up to four ferries will shuttle back and forth during peak times and after fireworks. On Sunday, Hampton Roads Transit said the regular schedule of 10 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. will be supplemented by a second boat operating from 11:40 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and a third boat from noon until 6 p.m. Ending times could vary depending on demand.
Road Closures
The City of Norfolk released information on road closures and parking for Harborfest 2024.
Text “HARBORFEST” to 888-777 for Norfolk Harborfest street closures, parking, inclement weather updates and emergency alerts.
All closures are from 10 a.m. Thursday, June 6, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 9, unless otherwise noted.
Boush Street
* Southbound – Brambleton Avenue to City Hall Avenue will remain open. The southbound median turn lane will remain open from City Hall Avenue to Plume Street for garage access.
* Northbound – Main Street to Brambleton Avenue will remain open.
Waterside Drive
* Eastbound – Closed from Main Street to Martin’s Lane for event set-up. All lanes from Atlantic Street to St. Paul’s Boulevard will remain open.
* Westbound – Will be closed from Atlantic Street to Main Street for event set-up.
Martin’s Lane
* Southbound – Main Street to Waterside Drive will be closed to through traffic. Southbound access to TowneBank/Prince Books parking lot and the World Trade Center loading dock will be maintained at all times.
Atlantic Street
* Southbound – Main Street to Waterside Drive will be closed to through traffic. Southbound access to TowneBank/Prince Books parking lot and the World Trade Center loading dock will be maintained at all times.
Elizabeth River Trail
* Users of the Elizabeth River Trail should follow the Downtown festival detour from Thursday, June 6, at 5 p.m. until Sunday, June 9, at 11 p.m. Detour signage will be in place. Below is a map of the detour:
Parking Garages
City of Norfolk parking garages will be available for Harborfest. Cash, debit, credit cards and digital payments accepted.
MacArthur South and North Garages: 500 City Hall Ave. $5 parking fee.
Fountain Park: 130 Bank St. $10 parking fee.
Waterside Garage: 50 Martin’s Lane. $10 parking fee.
Main Street: 230 E. Main St. $10 parking fee.
Town Point: 110 W. Main St. $10 parking fee.
Boush Street: 112 W. City Hall Ave. $10 parking fee.
W. Plume Street: 135 W. Plume St. $10 parking fee
Parking Removal
Waterside Drive
* Eastbound – Martin’s Lane to Atlantic Street from 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 9.
* Westbound – Atlantic Street to Martin’s Lane from 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 9.
Atlantic Street
* Parking will be removed northbound from Waterside Drive to Main Street from 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6 to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 9.
Commercial Place
* All parking will be removed from Waterside Drive to Main Street to be utilized for taxi and rideshare staging from 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 9.
Main Street
* Parking will be removed from eastbound and westbound Main Street between Boush Street and Granby Streets from 6 a.m. Friday, June 6, to 11 p.m. Sunday, June 9.
* Parking will remain on eastbound Main Street between Granby Street and Martin’s Lane.
* Parking will be removed from eastbound Main Street from Atlantic Street to Commercial Place for tour bus drop-off/pick-up.
* Parking will be removed from eastbound Main Street from Martin’s Lane to St. Paul’s Boulevard from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, June 8. This includes the taxi zone in front of the Marriott, which may be relocated to southbound Atlantic Street.
Plume Street
* Parking will be removed westbound from Granby Street to Boush Street for festival support parking from 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6, to 9 a.m. Monday, June 10.
Boush Street
* Parking will be removed northbound between Main Street and Brambleton Avenue from 10 a.m. Friday, June 6, to 6 a.m. Sunday, June 9, to support police and fire access.
Brooke Avenue
* Parking will be removed eastbound and westbound between Granby Street and Boush Street 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 9, to support police and fire access.
Randolph Street
* Parking will be removed from Plume Street to City Hall Avenue from 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 9, for festival support vehicle parking.
Rader Street
* Parking will be removed southbound south of Front Street from 5 p.m. Thursday, June 6, to 11 p.m. Sunday, June 9, for Norfolk Police Harbor Patrol access.
Lime Scooters
If you are planning to take a Lime scooter to Harborfest, be aware that Lime has created a no operation zone from Freemason Street to the north, Duke Street to the west, and St. Paul’s Blvd. to the east.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.