Welcome to a celebration of one of Virginia’s most theater-rich cities: Norfolk! Throughout the year, the city is home to vibrant, creative, engaged and engaging theater, produced by great local companies—performing in beautiful venues that include some of Norfolk’s architecturally and historically significant spaces--as well as spectacular touring Broadway companies.
 

Serving up all of what theater does so well, the 2025 Norfolk Theatre Festival brings moving, funny, thought-provoking, entertaining works to stages throughout Norfolk, including Norfolk State University Theatre Company’s Topdog/Underdog, a darkly comic exploration of brotherly love and family identity; Virginia Stage Company and Norfolk State University Theatre Company’s moving, intimate celebration of hope, Every Brilliant Thing; CORE Theatre Ensemble’s intriguing adaptation of the classic tale of transformation, Frankenstein; Virginia Arts Festival’s mind-bogglingly entertaining show of magic and illusion, Glitches in Reality; plus Virginia Stage Company’s swinging salute to the Rat Pack, Mister Showtime, featuring acclaimed actor/vocalist Scott Wichmann.
 

Rediscover how theater thrills, transports and moves us—get your tickets now!