For additional community events in Newport News, please see the Newport News Community Events Calendar.

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism
2012 Festivals & Special Events

Saturday, May 5; 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
23rd 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. Food vendors ($) on site. $5.00 per car parking fee, all activities are free. Attendance: 10,000.   See here for complete information about the 2012 Newport News Children's Festival of Friends.

Saturday, June 2; 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.  See here for complete information on the 2012 King-Lincoln Park Day.

Wednesday, 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.

Saturday, June 9: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Summer Celebration Wine Festival- Lee Hall Mansion

Saturdays, August 4, 11, 18, 25; 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.

August 4: The Muppets (PG)
August 11: Despicable Me (PG)
August 18: Hook (PG)
August 25: Kung Fu Panda 2 (PG)

Saturday, October 6 & Sunday, October 7; 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. each day
39th 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.  See below for the 2012 Newport News Fall Festival Applications for Juried & Marketplace Crafters, the Heritage Area, and Country Store Vendors (Applications are due April 2, 2012).

Thursday, November 22 Tuesday, 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, November 30; 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: 30,000.

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:

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).

2012 Merchandise Vendor Application (events other than the Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife):
2012 Merchandise Vendor Application (.pdf file)

2012 Food Vendor Applications (all events):

• 2012 Food Vendor Packet Cover Letter 

• 2012 Food Vendor Event Information & Fees Chart

• 2012 Food Vendor Application Form

• 2012 Food Vendor How-to-Apply Guidelines
  

• 2012 Food Vendor Agreement

• 2012 Instructions for Obtaining a Temporay Health Food Permit

• 2012 Food Vendor Electrical Request Form

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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.