NORFOLK — The 29th edition of the Virginia International Tattoo, with hundreds of performers from five countries, will have an emphasis on the 250th anniversary of American independence, Virginia Arts Festival organizers said.
The annual event, scheduled this year at Scope arena for April 16-19, features military pageantry and bands, pipes and drums, and a variety of performers from across the country and around the world. It is the largest event of its kind in North America and ranks among the largest tattoo events worldwide.
When choosing the cast of this year’s event, Virginia International Tattoo producer and director Scott Jackson said, “To paraphrase ‘Hamilton,’ we wanted to have those who were ‘in the room where it happened.’”
That meant having representatives from France and the United Kingdom — a nod to the countries involved in the American Revolution 250 years ago. The band of the French navy, which celebrates its 400th anniversary this year, and the King’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force are among those scheduled to perform.
Also joining America’s 250th celebration at the tattoo will be groups that carry on traditions from 1776, including Tidewater Pipes and Drums, and the Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and “groups whose traditions have woven a new thread into the fabric of America” like the Kilgore College Rangerettes, Jackson said.
Jackson said they “fit perfectly with our signature style,” which has a heavy lineup of U.S. military bands including the Air Force Heritage of America Band, Navy Fleet Forces Band and the Marine Corps 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.
Members of Tidewater Pipes & Drums perform during Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, morning’s announcement of the line-up for the 2026 Virginia International Tattoo at Norfolk’s Scope in April. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)
A highlight of the show every year, he added, is the singing of service songs in the finale, which will be led by the Old Dominion University concert choir and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
Tattoo is a tradition of drummers and buglers calling soldiers back to their barracks or bases for evening roll call. Gen. George Washington first relied on the tattoo in America to maintain discipline among his troops and make sure they returned to camp, Jackson said. And “we’re proud to be carrying on this tradition in Virginia.”
The lineup includes, for the first time, the Republic of Korea Army military band and honor guard battalion. Their performance will feature a mix of music, taekwondo, dancers and K-pop performers.
“We really wanted to share different sides of Korean culture,” Maj. Joonsang Yang said.
Jackson said the event typically is teeming with Celtic groups. One of the biggest tattoos is held in Edinburgh, Scotland. This year, the Virginia International Tattoo’s Celtic performers include the Rhodes Academy of Irish Dance, Kiltie Band of York, Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums.
“We’re excited to help celebrate America’s 250 by bringing the soundtrack to the American story to the event,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Halderman, who is a drum major in the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
The tattoo is slated for the same weekend as the Norfolk NATO Festival. A Parade of Nations is scheduled for noon April 18 with the NATO Festival International Village in Town Point Park after.
Mayor Kenneth Alexander said the events’ economic impact is more than $20 million for the city.
The week will start with a free NATO Festival joint concert with the French navy and U.S. Fleet Forces bands at 3 p.m. April 12 at Harrison Opera House.
“Each of the 2026 Tattoo’s seven performances will be just under two hours long, but the staff, cast, crew, and volunteers of the Tattoo will collectively spend more than 60,000 hours in order to make those two-hour performances happen,” Jackson said.
The Tattoo Hullabaloo party starts on the Scope Plaza about three hours before showtime with food, drinks, competitions and featured performances.
“Tattoo will always share with you something that you’ve never seen before and something you’ll never forget,” Jackson said.
Members of the United States Fleet Forces Band entertain those attending Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, morning’s announcement of the line-up for the 2026 Virginia International Tattoo at Norfolk’s Scope. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)
If you go
When: 7:30 p.m. April 16-18; 2:30 p.m. April 19
Where: Scope, 201 E. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
Tickets: Start at $29.50
Details: 757-282-2822, vafest.org
