Saturday, May 11, 2024 Portsmouth Cultural Arts District in Olde Towne Portsmouth
Join us Saturday May 11 from 10 am – 7 pm for an amazing day in Olde Towne showcasing our Portsmouth Cultural Arts District. We have pulled out all the stops with FREE admission to 4 exciting museums*, live mural painting, demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, live music, and more!
*Children’s Museum of Virginia – All tickets $5 and must be reserved in advance online, including member tickets.
Wall Street Mural Festival
12 – 7 pm High & Hatton Streets.
Celebrate the artists and subcultures that have made street art what it is today. Watch local muralists meet the challenge to paint 10 walls in the alleyway of Portsmouth’s “Wall Street” as they compete for cash awards. You can also watch a breakdance competition, skateboard competition, and shop local artists, creators, makers and vendors at their pop-up booths onsite at the Wall Street Marketplace. To make the fun complete, enjoy a DJ, food trucks, beer, wine, and refreshments that are available for purchase. Free parking available across the street in the lot at 1117 High Street. Other happenings around Olde Towne:
Mural Fest Schedule of Events
12:00 Festival begins, Artists at Work, Opening Announcements from Mayor Glover and Brian Swets
12:30 DJ begins, Paint by Number Mural and Arcade open for guests
1:00 Breakdancing competition
3:30 Skateboarding competition
6:30 Awards
Portsmouth Museums
10 am – 4 pm
Lightship Portsmouth Museum – London & Water Streets
This ship was built in 1915 and served for 48 years off the coasts of Virginia, Delaware and Massachusetts. Board the vessel and see how the men of the Lightship Service lived during the many months at sea. The ship’s quarters are fitted out realistically and filled with fascinating artifacts, uniforms, photographs, models, and more. Free parking available in the Middle Street Garage, 441 Middle St.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum – 2 High St.
Portsmouth’s navy yard is the nation’s oldest, dating back to Colonial times. The giant wooden ship models, military weaponry, artifacts and Ironclad displays tell the story of the huge role it played in building the U.S. Navy. Free parking available in the Middle Street Garage, 441 Middle St.
Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum – 904 Elm Ave.
This museum is a nationally recognized historic site that served Portsmouth’s African American community from 1945-1963. Today it showcases African-American heritage through photographs, journals, books and other memorabilia. The current exhibit is Art is Revolutionary showcasing the areas most successful Black artists, filmmakers, musicians and change makers. Free parking available behind the museum.
Hill House Museum – 10 am – 3 pm 221 North St.
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. Free parking available beside the museum.
Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market – 9 am – 2 pm High & Court Streets. Enjoy shopping at this traditional farmers market and friendly community gathering place with a focus on fresh local food, farm-related products, and artisan goods. With 65 vendors, live music, yoga in the courtyard, and vintage cars along Court Street, there’s something for everyone in the family! Start your morning with fresh coffee, teas, pastries, and other ready-to-eat food items. In addition to produce and heirloom meats, you will find plants, soaps, candles, jewelry, fiber arts, and unique gifts.
MIXING THE RAINBOW 11 am – 2 pm Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Courtyard High & Court St.
Sit among the trees in this historic courtyard and enjoy MIXING THE RAINBOW which includes colorful painting demonstrations by two local artists as well as a make-n-take painting art activity.
Portsmouth Welcome Center
Information Table 206 High St 10 am – 3 pm
Stop by the Portsmouth Welcome Center for all the information, maps, and brochures you need to ensure you Celebrate the District! Portsmouth Cultural Arts District Walking Tour Stroll the tree lined streets for a guided tour along 5 blocks of the High Street Corridor passing 18 pieces of public art.
Middle Street Spring Market sponsored by That Art Store
10 am – 3 pm, 510 Middle St.
Shop a variety of vendors offering vintage home goods, jewelry, stickers, canvas paintings, Scottish products, soaps, bags, t-shirts, hoodies, and much more.
5th Annual Portsmouth Palooza
During the Middle Street Spring Market you can relax and enjoy the 5th Annual Portsmouth Palooza sponsored by Olde Towne Arts & Music. This free event brings together local favorites – the Southside Community Band, Big Sarge, Chris Cushna, and others. Donations will be accepted for the Men of St. Joseph who support local homeless residents.
Free parking available in city garages at 441 Middle St, 1 & 550 Water St, 1117 High Street, and on street parking.
Steeple to Steeple Tour
9 am – 3 pm
You will be amazed at the beauty and history that you will enjoy as you tour seven historic churches and one synagogue in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Explore the architecture, stained glass, and memorabilia of these historic structures. You’ll hear stories of the Yellow Fever epidemic, the Underground Railroad, the Irish immigrants who built a masterpiece, the Jewish community who began settling in Portsmouth as early as 1916, and so much more.
The tour includes stops at Chevre T’helim, St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Trinity Episcopal, St. John’s Episcopal, Monumental Methodist, Emanuel A.M.E., First Presbyterian, and Court Street Baptist. Tour starts at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on the corner of Washington and High. Lunch is available for the first 60 ticket purchasers. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance. Tour is rain or shine. Where comfortable walking shoes.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
10 am – 2 pm
So many books await in the basement of the Main Branch Library at 601 Court Street. There is free parking in the city lot/garages located at 200 County Street, 550 Water Street, or 441 Middle Street. There is also parking beside The Colored Community Library Museum, the Hill House Museum, and in the lot at 1117 High Street for the Mural Festival. There will be a free shuttle available from noon – 4 pm.
The Bier Garden’s MayFest (Maifest)
Noon- 8 pm
We are so excited to bring our First Annual MayFest (Maifest) to the Bier Garden. We will have live music and fun events through out the weekend. It all starts Friday evening with Live music, Beer & wine specials and other festivities. Saturday and Sunday the festivities continue with more Live Music and Steinholding competitions on both days. Featured Beer is Ayinger’s Maibock – including a ceremonial keg tapping.
Friday
Dan Smith 6 pm – 8 pm
Steinholder Competition 7 pm
Saturday
Dan Smith 11 am – 3 pm
Allen Hudson 5 pm – 9 pm
Steinholder Competition 2 pm and 7 pm
Please note: Not all locations are handicapped accessible. Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association, Portsmouth Department of Museums & Tourism, Support Portsmouth Public Art, and the Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market (more to come for the mural festival)
Celebrate the District in Portsmouth, VA
March 8, 2024
Celebrate the District in Portsmouth, VA- 2024
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Portsmouth Cultural Arts District
in Olde Towne Portsmouth
Join us Saturday May 11 from 10 am – 7 pm for an amazing day in Olde Towne showcasing our Portsmouth Cultural Arts District. We have pulled out all the stops with FREE admission to 4 exciting museums*, live mural painting, demonstrations, vendors, food trucks, live music, and more!
*Children’s Museum of Virginia – All tickets $5 and must be reserved in advance online, including member tickets.
Wall Street Mural Festival
12 – 7 pm High & Hatton Streets.
Mural Fest Schedule of Events
12:00 Festival begins, Artists at Work, Opening Announcements from Mayor Glover and Brian Swets
12:30 DJ begins, Paint by Number Mural and Arcade open for guests
1:00 Breakdancing competition
3:30 Skateboarding competition
6:30 Awards
Portsmouth Museums
10 am – 4 pm
Lightship Portsmouth Museum – London & Water Streets
This ship was built in 1915 and served for 48 years off the coasts of Virginia, Delaware and Massachusetts. Board the vessel and see how the men of the Lightship Service lived during the many months at sea. The ship’s quarters are fitted out realistically and filled with fascinating artifacts, uniforms, photographs, models, and more. Free parking available in the Middle Street Garage, 441 Middle St.
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum – 2 High St.
Portsmouth’s navy yard is the nation’s oldest, dating back to Colonial times. The giant wooden ship models, military weaponry, artifacts and Ironclad displays tell the story of the huge role it played in building the U.S. Navy. Free parking available in the Middle Street Garage, 441 Middle St.
This museum is a nationally recognized historic site that served Portsmouth’s African American community from 1945-1963. Today it showcases African-American heritage through photographs, journals, books and other memorabilia. The current exhibit is Art is Revolutionary showcasing the areas most successful Black artists, filmmakers, musicians and change makers. Free parking available behind the museum.
Hill House Museum – 10 am – 3 pm 221 North St.
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. Free parking available beside the museum.
Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market – 9 am – 2 pm High & Court Streets. Enjoy shopping at this traditional farmers market and friendly community gathering place with a focus on fresh local food, farm-related products, and artisan goods. With 65 vendors, live music, yoga in the courtyard, and vintage cars along Court Street, there’s something for everyone in the family! Start your morning with fresh coffee, teas, pastries, and other ready-to-eat food items. In addition to produce and heirloom meats, you will find plants, soaps, candles, jewelry, fiber arts, and unique gifts.
MIXING THE RAINBOW 11 am – 2 pm Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center Courtyard High & Court St.
Sit among the trees in this historic courtyard and enjoy MIXING THE RAINBOW which includes colorful painting demonstrations by two local artists as well as a make-n-take painting art activity.
Portsmouth Welcome Center
Information Table 206 High St 10 am – 3 pm
Stop by the Portsmouth Welcome Center for all the information, maps, and brochures you need to ensure you Celebrate the District! Portsmouth Cultural Arts District Walking Tour Stroll the tree lined streets for a guided tour along 5 blocks of the High Street Corridor passing 18 pieces of public art.
Middle Street Spring Market sponsored by That Art Store
10 am – 3 pm, 510 Middle St.
Shop a variety of vendors offering vintage home goods, jewelry, stickers, canvas paintings, Scottish products, soaps, bags, t-shirts, hoodies, and much more.
5th Annual Portsmouth Palooza
During the Middle Street Spring Market you can relax and enjoy the 5th Annual Portsmouth Palooza sponsored by Olde Towne Arts & Music. This free event brings together local favorites – the Southside Community Band, Big Sarge, Chris Cushna, and others. Donations will be accepted for the Men of St. Joseph who support local homeless residents.
Free parking available in city garages at 441 Middle St, 1 & 550 Water St, 1117 High Street, and on street parking.
9 am – 3 pm
You will be amazed at the beauty and history that you will enjoy as you tour seven historic churches and one synagogue in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Explore the architecture, stained glass, and memorabilia of these historic structures. You’ll hear stories of the Yellow Fever epidemic, the Underground Railroad, the Irish immigrants who built a masterpiece, the Jewish community who began settling in Portsmouth as early as 1916, and so much more.
The tour includes stops at Chevre T’helim, St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Trinity Episcopal, St. John’s Episcopal, Monumental Methodist, Emanuel A.M.E., First Presbyterian, and Court Street Baptist. Tour starts at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on the corner of Washington and High. Lunch is available for the first 60 ticket purchasers. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance. Tour is rain or shine. Where comfortable walking shoes.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
10 am – 2 pm
So many books await in the basement of the Main Branch Library at 601 Court Street. There is free parking in the city lot/garages located at 200 County Street, 550 Water Street, or 441 Middle Street. There is also parking beside The Colored Community Library Museum, the Hill House Museum, and in the lot at 1117 High Street for the Mural Festival. There will be a free shuttle available from noon – 4 pm.
Noon- 8 pm
We are so excited to bring our First Annual MayFest (Maifest) to the Bier Garden. We will have live music and fun events through out the weekend. It all starts Friday evening with Live music, Beer & wine specials and other festivities. Saturday and Sunday the festivities continue with more Live Music and Steinholding competitions on both days. Featured Beer is Ayinger’s Maibock – including a ceremonial keg tapping.
Friday
Dan Smith 6 pm – 8 pm
Steinholder Competition 7 pm
Saturday
Dan Smith 11 am – 3 pm
Allen Hudson 5 pm – 9 pm
Steinholder Competition 2 pm and 7 pm
Sunday
Paul Jarman 12 pm – 4 pm
Steinholders Competition 2 pm
Please note: Not all locations are handicapped accessible.
Sponsored by the Olde Towne Business Association, Portsmouth Department of Museums & Tourism, Support Portsmouth Public Art, and the Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market (more to come for the mural festival)