JANUARY

Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration
Celebration of the civil rights leader's life; various Virginia locations; http://www.king-raleigh.org/natlevent/body.cfm

FEBRUARY

Black History Month
Various events celebrating African American culture; Hampton Coliseum; http://www.hamptoncoliseum.org

Heritage Hall Jazz Band and Jewel Brown
American Theatre; http://www.heritagehallband.com

Sisters in Spirit
Annual event that has in the past, featured Shirley Caesar, Kelly Price, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Angie Stone; Hampton Coliseum; http://www.hamptoncoliseum.org

MAY

Panorama Caribbean Music Fest
Annual festival featuring steel band competition, island cuisine and music performances; 24th Street Park, Virginia Beach Oceanfront; http://www.vbfun.com

JUNE

Latin Festival
Annual festival featuring food, music and dancing; Virginia Beach; http://www.vbfun.com

AFRAM FEST
African American cultural celebration featuring soulful cuisine, arts & crafts vendors; past performers include Carl Thomas, Musiq, Chuck Brown and ConFunkShun; Town Point Park, Norfolk; http://www.afram-fest.info

Norfolk Harborfest
Hampton Road's summertime event featuring visits from tall ships, children's activities, and concerts; Town Point Park, Norfolk; http://www.norfolkdowntown.com/events

Juneteenth
Celebration of the African American tradition; various Virginia locations; http://www.juneteenth.com

Bayou Boogaloo and Cajun Food Festival
Norfolk's waterfront sizzles with the sights, sounds and smells of the Bayou during this flavorful New Orleans style food and music festival, Town Point Park, Norfolk; http://www.norfolkdowntown.com/events

Hampton Jazz Festival
One of the nation's finest jazz festivals; past performers include Anita Baker, India.Arie, Gladys Knight, Maze, George Benson, Isley Brothers, Randy Crawford, Ray, Goodman & Brown, and Earth, Wind & Fire; Hampton Coliseum; http://www.hamptonva.gov/coliseum/jazz

JULY

Fourth of July Fireworks
Town Point Park, Norfolk; http://www.norfolkdowntown.com/events

AUGUST

Norfolk Jazz Festival
Town Point Park, Norfolk; http://www.norfolkdowntown.com/events

Soul Music Beach Fest
Enjoy music, food, ethnic arts and crafts; bring your beach chair to this free event; Virginia Beach; http://www.beachstreetusa.com/events/soul-music-beachfest

Verizon Wireless American Music Festival
Featuring 50 concerts along the Virginia Beach oceanfront; past performers include Isaac Hayes and the Commodores; Virginia Beach Oceanfront; website

SEPTEMBER

Blues at the Beach 
Annual concert featuring Blues music from local and national entertainers; Virginia Beach Oceanfront; website

OCTOBER

Virginia Children's Festival
Town Point Park, Norfolk; http://www.norfolkdowntown.com/events

DECEMBER

Holiday Parade on the Beach
Annual parade with balloons once featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York along with marching bands, lighted floats, antique autos, decorated fire trucks, and Santa; parade attracts over 20,000 spectators; Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach; http://www.vbfun.com

Kwanzaa Celebration
Begins 12/26; annual 7-day celebration of African American culture at Hunton YMCA, 1139 East Charlotte Street in Norfolk and Jumping Jellybean of 4600 Village Ave, Norfolk; http://www.imanifoundation.com

Family Travel

Family Attractions by U.S. Cities, Top Black Museums and more