The video above is from the 2024 Parade of Nations through Downtown Norfolk.

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – The annual NATO Festival Parade of Nations returns to Downtown Norfolk this weekend.

If you have plans downtown Saturday, here’s what you need to know.

The NATO Festival Parade of Nations will impact traffic from 6 a.m. until approximately 1 p.m. If you’re going to the parade, keep an eye out for the WAVY truck and give us a wave!

Parade Route

The parade begins at 10 a.m. from Water Street, turns left onto the eastbound lanes of Waterside Drive and continues north in the southbound lanes of Boush Street to Plume Street. It then turns right onto Plume Street and proceeds east to Granby Street. From there, it turns left on Granby Street and travels north to Freemason Street.

Click here for a map of the parade route.

Parking

On-street parking will be removed from 6 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 along the Parade Route.

This includes:

  • Both sides of Granby Street between Plume Street and Charlotte Street
  • Plume Street between Boush Street and Granby Street
  • Eastbound and Westbound Waterside Drive between St. Paul’s Boulevard and Main Street
  • Freemason Street between Boush Street and Monticello Avenue
  • Bank Street between Main Street and Plume Street

Street Closures

  • 7:30 a.m. – Water Street between Park Avenue and just east of Dominion Tower Parking Garage along with E. Main St. between Union St. and Park Avenue will be closed.
  • 8:30 a.m. – Parade units line up on Water Street between Park Avenue and St. Paul’s Boulevard.
  • 9:40 a.m. – Pre-parade performances on eastbound Waterside Drive.
  • 10 a.m. – Parade step-off onto Waterside Drive.

Hampton Roads Transit

Routes 6 and 45 will be affected by the parade road closures on Saturday, April 26 and will not service the MacArthur Light Rail Station bus stop on City Hall Avenue during this event. All MacArthur Station passengers must board/disembark at the Route 8 bus stop at 6094 Bank and Plume, in front of the Fountain Park Garage. The routes will detour as follows:

Routes 6 and 45

Outbound
Via St. Paul’s Boulevard
R – Main St.
R – Bank St.
Service stop at Bank & Plume
R – City Hall Ave.
Regular Route

Inbound
Via Market Street to Norfolk Transit
L – St. Paul’s Blvd.
R – Main St.
R – Bank St.
Service stop at Bank & Plume
R – City Hall Ave.
Regular Route

Stops Missed
0008 Waterside and Commercial
6052 City Hall and Bank

The parade is part of the Norfolk NATO Festival, which is the longest continuously running festival in Hampton Roads. The weekend also includes the Virginia International Tattoo. More than 1,000 performers will converge on the Scope Arena between April 24-27, 2025, including fife and drum corps, bagpipers, military bands and more. Purchase tickets.

For information regarding all NATO Festival activities click here.