The 22nd annual Patriotic Festival takes place Friday through Sunday and features a trifecta of headliners: Zach Top on Friday, Brooks & Dunn on Saturday and the Red Clay Strays on Sunday.
The festival, which took place in Virginia Beach when it kicked off more than two decades ago, has been held in Norfolk since 2022. It will return to the Oceanfront next year, but will be at Scope this weekend.
The Patriotic Festival celebrates the Armed Forces and is put on with the support of the U.S. Navy and corporate sponsors. On Friday, Top performs with opening acts, Ty Street, Celeste Kellogg and Ashley Anne. On Saturday, Street, Alec Edmonds and Lanie Gardner open for Brooks & Dunn; on Sunday, Street, Anthony Rosano and the Castellows open for the Red Clay Strays.
Top put his patriotism on display in January when he performed the National Anthem at the NFC Championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks; Brooks & Dunn have topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart 20 times since releasing their debut single, “Brand New Man,” in 1991, most recently with 2005’s “Play Something Country.”
The Red Clay Strays have spent the past few years making a name for themselves. In addition to scoring a Top 5 hit in 2022 with their platinum-selling single “Wondering Why” and a Top 20 in 2024 with “Wanna Be Loved,” they won the CMA Award for Vocal Group of the Year in 2025.
The festival includes military and other activities each day, 3 to 9 p.m., at Scope and the plaza, including samplings and giveaways from various sponsors and a military working dog demo.
“The Patriotic Festival has always been about honoring our service members in the most meaningful way possible, by bringing people together in a shared celebration of patriotism and community,” festival co-founder Ira Agricola said in a news statement. “We are grateful for Norfolk’s partnership and excited for the festival’s next chapter as we return to our roots in Virginia Beach.”
Visit patrioticfestival.com for tickets and more information.
