With 30 local vendors, the Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer’s Market has something for everyone! Come shop for seasonal fresh produce; artisan breads, pies, cakes, scones, savory biscuits, brownies, cookies and other baked goods; beef, poultry, eggs, and seafood; jams and jellies, salsas and sauces; plants and flowers; hand-crafted soaps and more. Several farmers specialize in heirloom produce and free-range poultry and eggs, and most products are locally grown/raised without the use of chemicals or hormones. Portsmouth’s Master Gardeners sell potted herbs and are available for free consultation about gardening in the region and special programs and workshops.

Great selection of books, movies and more – you never know what you will find! Enter in the side entrance of the Main Library.

Looking for a fun free event? Like trains, history or art? Join us Saturday, June 1st from 10-4 for a great day in Olde Towne! We have pulled out all the stops with FREE events and tours of interesting museums, galleries, and churches. With live music and more, there is something for everyone in the family!

Enjoy free entry to the following:

City Museums

Lightship Portsmouth Museum: Open 10 am – 5 pm; Free Admission

Visit Portsmouth’s 103-year-old lightship museum. From 10 am – 1 pm, meet volunteer Peter Brunk, who served as a lightship captain from 1970 – 1971 aboard the lightship Nantucket off the coast of Massachusetts. Follow the colorful labels around the ship’s interior to help you learn some nautical terms.

Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center – 420 High Street

This museum houses several changing art exhibits including Horizons:
As Above, So Below, We are the Music Makers: Preserving the Soul of America’s Music and the 2019 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition.

Rhythm Project All-Stars will perform the Steel Drums at 11 am – 1 pm

Cameron Woods – Building a Cigar Box Guitar demonstration and Susan Heely performing traditional music on historic instruments from 1 – 4 pm.

Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum: Extended hours! Open 10am – 5pm; Free Admission

See exhibits about the history of Portsmouth’s African American library, as well as the post-World War II social scene in town. From 10 am – 2 pm, meet members of the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth, learn more about their projects and membership in the society.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum (PNSM): Open 10 am – 5 pm; Free Admission “Wish You Were Here:” Vintage Postcards! See historical views of Portsmouth and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as rendered on antique postcards from the museum collection and the private collection of Marcus W. Robbins, local collector and president of the Friends of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum. Meet Mr. Robbins and members of the Friends of the PNSM and learn more about Friends membership. Purchase exclusive Friends merchandise, including baseball caps and challenge coins commemorating 250 years of Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Private Museums

Hill House Museum – 221 North Street

You will be amazed as you step back in time in this 4-story, 1825 English-basement home. The Hill sisters donated the house, including every piece of furniture, china, crystal, pottery, carpet, and all the window dressings, paintings, ceramics, and household goods that had been collected over a period of 190 years. Mr. Donnie Sadler, Vice President of the Nansemond Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Virginia, will speak in the gardens of the Museum. He will be speaking about artifacts found from the Hill House privy dig, along with showcasing artifacts from his own private collection.

Jewish Museum and Cultural Center – 607 Effingham Street

This museum is a rare surviving example of Eastern European Jewish Orthodoxy. It houses an eighteenth-century Torah Scroll rescued from a synagogue in Trebic, Czechoslovakia – a victim of the Holocaust. Travel back in time to understand the history of the largest wave of immigration to the United States. The Jewish Story of immigration and the contributions that this group of people has brought to the American melting pot explored through an interactive exhibit.

The Railroad Museum of Virginia – Court & Wythe Streets

Volunteer Appreciation Day

This museum-on-the-tracks features a five-car train with a 1910-era steam locomotive, two walk-through gallery mail cars, a dining car, antique Norfolk-Southern caboose, and a depot-style platform. The Railroad Museum of Virginia has exhibits and artifacts from the history of railroads as well as a great model train collection. It’s great fun for “Trainiacs” of all ages.

Galleries

Dave Chance Gallery – 610 High Street

Dave Chance Gallery is an exhibition space for art and photography from places near and far. Enjoy seeing New Works.

Olde Towne Art & Music 606 Court Street

Enjoy live music by the Children’s Chorus and other favorite local musicians all day.

Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Art Gallery – 620 High Street

Skipjack is one of the 10 Best Art Galleries in Virginia by “Best Things Virginia” and the “10 Best Virginia Art Galleries” by TripAdvisor! They specialize in original nautical and marine paintings, sculpture, folk/sailor art, whale & mermaid carvings, prints, tall ships, tugboats, Chesapeake Bay, models, work boats, classic yachts and more!

Churches

St. Paul’s Catholic Church – 522 High Street

St. Paul’s was built of shaved granite in 1905 and is an elaborate example of a compact Gothic Revival cruciform plan church featuring tracery windows of cathedral glass, pointed Gothic arches, flying buttresses and a steep roof with a 200 ft tall copper-clad steeple. As you enter the church you will view twenty-eight stained glass windows which were ordered from Mayer & Co., Munich, Germany from 1900 to 1914.

Trinity Episcopal Church – 500 Court Street

This church combines both art and history. You can see amazing stained-glass, including 6 beautiful windows added to the church in 1894 by Louis Comfort Tiffany. You can also experience local history. The crew of the C.S.S. Virginia (the ironclad Merrimac) was blessed at the church altar, and the historic churchyard is home to the earthly remains of a number of notable individuals. Enjoy their Revolutionary Block Party and tours of the church.

Also on June 1st

The Visual Arts Center will have an Art Sale by students and faculty on the Court Street side of the building.

The Middle Street pedestrian mall beside the Children’s Museum of Virginia will be the location of several events. The Olde Towne Arts & Music Children’s Chorus will sing from 11-11:30 am. Churchland High School Art Scholars will be face painting. The Middle Street Mall is also home to Scoops! which will offer specials to celebrate Museum Day.

Keep your eyes open to see Moose, Portsmouth’s favorite horse as the Portsmouth Mounted Patrol strolls the streets of Olde Towne from 10 am– 12 pm.

Children’s Story Time will be at the Main Library from 11 am – 12 pm

Friends of the Library Book Sale offers a huge selection of books, DVDs and more from 10 am-2 pm in the basement of the Main Library

Olde Towne Portsmouth Antiques to Flea Market has approximately 75 vendors selling antique and flea market items from 10 am-2 pm in the County Street Garage.

The Olde Towne Shuttle will be available to shuttle visitors for free from 10 am-4 pm.

Visit the Olde Towne Portsmouth Antiques to Flea Market the first Saturday of each month and enjoy the eclectic collection of unique and antique wares. With more than 70 vendors, you will discover a great selection of antique and flea market items of all types – priced to sell! Shop for estate furniture, architectural salvage, china, silverware, art, sports gear, musical instruments, books and ephemera, hand-made crafts and toys, as well as decorative accessories and one-of-a-kind items. A favorite of locals and visitors alike, it is a treasure hunter’s dream come true!

The Olde Towne Antiques to Flea Market is conveniently located in the County Street Garage and is held year round, rain or shine on the first Saturday of each month.

Always Free Admission & Free Parking!

Call 757-405-3500 for additional information and vendor space rentals.

Get a $5 Baron’s Burger and enjoy live music with local favorite Kevin Brinson!

Great selection of books, movies and more – you never know what you will find! Enter in the side entrance of the Main Library.

Free admission to the museum will be enhanced with light refreshments and a live concert by musicians “Less Cowbell”.

The Concert in the Courtyard series is sponsored by Towne Bank, Portsmouth Economic Development, PortsEvents, and The Portsmouth Partnership.

Parking is free after 6:00 p.m.

This is Portsmouth’s summer celebration of music along the seawall with free family fun. Enjoy musical performances by local and regional bands at High Street Landing.

Friday Night Line-up:

6 – 7:30 pm Tidewater Drive

7:45 – 9:15 pm Rajazz

9:30 – 11 pm Original Rhondels

Start your weekend with coffee, pastries, and music!

Open mic night at the Coffee Shoppe is all about having fun and giving all local artists a chance to showcase their talent!

Sign up inside The Coffee Shoppe. For more information email thecoffeeshoppeva@gmail.com

Great food and great music with The Shadow Brothers.  Relax, unwind and start your weekend…

Great live music from local favorite NRVS System along with a delicious Baron’s burger will get your weekend offthe a great start!

With 30 local vendors, the Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer’s Market has something for everyone! Come shop for seasonal fresh produce; artisan breads, pies, cakes, scones, savory biscuits, brownies, cookies and other baked goods; beef, poultry, eggs, and seafood; jams and jellies, salsas and sauces; plants and flowers; hand-crafted soaps and more. Several farmers specialize in heirloom produce and free-range poultry and eggs, and most products are locally grown/raised without the use of chemicals or hormones. Portsmouth’s Master Gardeners sell potted herbs and are available for free consultation about gardening in the region and special programs and workshops.

Every first Saturday of each month through October, the museum exhibits are free and open to the public with programming that highlights exhibits.

Enjoy a live concert from 11 am – 1 pm by local act M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio and a free gallery presentation by photographer, Tim Duffy at 1:30 pm.

Please call 757 393-8543 for more information.

Great selection of books, movies and more – you never know what you will find! Enter in the side entrance of the Main Library.

Bike the Arts District

Guided Community Bicycle Ride through the Portsmouth Cultural Arts District

10:30 am High Street Landing

Celebrate art and culture in Olde Towne Portsmouth on a 3 mile guided bicycle tour visiting new and historic art landmarks, points of interest, and murals along the way. Free (ages 12 and up). Bring your own bicycle and helmet. Please call 757 405-3500 or visit Ecocycling to register.

Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association, Ecocycling, and the Portsmouth Museums.

Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Guided Gallery Tours:

Horizons: As Above So Below with Art Curator Gayle Paul

Join Curator Gayle Paul for a guided gallery tour. Learn about the artists and the creation of the exhibit.

Guided Galley Tour Free with $3 admission fee to the museum

Great food, local and national entertainment, and Saturday night fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Children’s Activities 2 – 6 pm face painting, bounce houses, games and more

Saturday Musical Line-up:

2 – 3 pm Soul Intent

3:15 – 4:15 pm Stan Howard

4:30 -5:30 pm Cool’ In Out

5:45 – 6:45 pm The Fuzz Band

7 – 8 pm Hotcakes

8:15 – 9:15 pm National Artist The Blue Notes

9:30 pm  Fireworks over the Elizabeth River

Walk the Arts

Guided Art Walk (1.25 miles)

4-5 pm Middle Street Mall

Enjoy strolling through the new Portsmouth Cultural Arts District to view more than a dozen examples of public art that are scattered throughout Olde Towne. On this free guided walking tour, you will see whimsical murals like a two-story tall speckled trout as well as unique art that honors historic Portsmouth citizens and events.

Please call 757 405-3500 for more information.

Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association, the Portsmouth Museum and Fine Arts Commission, and the Portsmouth Museums.

Enjoy the hottest sound in town on Roger Brown’s new stage!

Tre Smith will amaze you with old hits, new hits, and original music from alternative to reggae and country to pop!

Add that to the crowd-pleasing fare from stone fired pizza to crabcakes & filet mignon. Enjoy a selection of classic American appetizers, entrees, and southern platters inspired by coastal cuisines from New Orleans to Hampton Roads. Twenty taps, a curated craft beer list, and a wall of premium whiskey and spirits. Not into our collection of top-shelf whiskey and bourbon? Don’t worry, they’ve got Fireball and a PBR with your name on it.

End the weekend with some great live jazz music, delicious food and tasty cocktails.

I love Portsmouth presents:

Caribbean Tuesdays with So Poz! Come enjoy some great music, great food, great vibes all with the goal of “Bringing Unity to the Community”.

Great live music from local favorite Derek Smith who at eight years old with a John Lennon cassette in his walkman,  first understood how a song could influence a life. Enjoy his pop, rock, folk and acoustic sounds to get you through the week!

Great live music from local favorite Aaron Fulcher!

Crowd-pleasing fare from stone fired pizza to crabcakes & filet mignon. Enjoy a selection of classic American appetizers, entrees, and southern platters inspired by coastal cuisines from New Orleans to Hampton Roads. Twenty taps, a curated craft beer list, and a wall of premium whiskey and spirits. Not into our collection of top-shelf whiskey and bourbon? Don’t worry. We’ve got Fireball and a PBR with your name on it.

This exhibition by Cate Currier and Clay McGlamory (Portsmouth, VA) features collaborative and solo works in neon and printmaking. Cate Currier focuses on color interactions that convey movement, optical effects, and resonances in luminous tubing and on paper. Clay Mc Glamory creates screenprint installations using photographic images rooted in formal concerns, often printing on alternative materials including glass and acrylic.

The opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 13th. at 7 p.m. An informal gallery talk will precede the event at 6:30 p.m.

Galleries are free and open to the public.

Stampin’ Up! Independent Demonstrator Margaret Spencer offers a card making class using bold, attractive nautical papers and embellishments. All materials furnished with the $20
class fee. Great for all levels of experience, even no experience!
Call for reservations: 757 – 377- 9373.

Come out and hear some great live music with Jacob Vanko!

Crowd-pleasing fare from stone fired pizza to crabcakes & filet mignon. Enjoy a selection of classic American appetizers, entrees, and southern platters inspired by coastal cuisines from New Orleans to Hampton Roads. Twenty taps, a curated craft beer list, and a wall of premium whiskey and spirits. Not into our collection of top-shelf whiskey and bourbon? Don’t worry. We’ve got Fireball and a PBR with your name on it.

Come out and have some great food and enjoy the smooth, easy listening sounds of Calden & Company.

Start your weekend with a delicious Baron’s Burger and enjoy live music with local favorite Kevin Brinson!

With 30 local vendors, the Olde Towne Portsmouth Farmer’s Market has something for everyone! Come shop for seasonal fresh produce; artisan breads, pies, cakes, scones, savory biscuits, brownies, cookies and other baked goods; beef, poultry, eggs, and seafood; jams and jellies, salsas and sauces; plants and flowers; hand-crafted soaps and more. Several farmers specialize in heirloom produce and free-range poultry and eggs, and most products are locally grown/raised without the use of chemicals or hormones. Portsmouth’s Master Gardeners sell potted herbs and are available for free consultation about gardening in the region and special programs and workshops.

Considered one the largest sailing events on the East Coast, the Cock Island Race boasts approximately 150 boats at Milepost Zero on the Elizabeth River with spectator viewing of the race starting on the seawall. There will be food and music by the HM Johnson Band from 5 – 9 pm. Awards presentation at 6 pm.

Great selection of books, movies and more – you never know what you will find! Enter in the side entrance of the Main Library.

Join Mariette in learning how to do a Pour Painting. Pour paintings are fluid and unpredictable artistic expressions that are very fun to create. Mariette will walk you through the process of creating your own piece of beautiful abstract art. She provides all the supplies and paint. This class is great for all levels of painting experience, even those with no experience. Let’s pour paint!

The RSVP by date: June 12. Class sizes are limited (maximum 12). Walk-ins are welcomed if the class is not full, but if the class is sold out, please visit or call Twisted Art to be put on the waiting list. You will be contacted when classes are available.

Class host: Mariette Joly

For any questions about the class, Mariette can be reached at 757-553-8831 or mtm5@cox.net.

Enjoy some great live music with local favorite Kevin Brinson!

Crowd-pleasing fare from stone fired pizza to crabcakes & filet mignon. Enjoy a selection of classic American appetizers, entrees, and southern platters inspired by coastal cuisines from New Orleans to Hampton Roads. Twenty taps, a curated craft beer list, and a wall of premium whiskey and spirits. Not into our collection of top-shelf whiskey and bourbon? Don’t worry. We’ve got Fireball and a PBR with your name on it.

Put on your dancing shoes and come enjoy some great beach music! Roger Brown has the best dance floor in Olde Towne!

End the weekend with some great live jazz music, delicious food and tasty cocktails.

I love Portsmouth presents:

Caribbean Tuesdays with So Poz! Come enjoy some great music, great food, great vibes all with the goal of “Bringing Unity to the Community”.

Great live music from local favorite Derek Smith who at eight years old with a John Lennon cassette in his walkman,  first understood how a song could influence a life. Enjoy his pop, rock, folk and acoustic sounds to get you through the week!