Holiday shopping in Norfolk 2026: Black Friday Nov. 27, Small Business Saturday Nov. 28, the Yule Log holiday market Dec. 5 and the zoo's market Dec. 13.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Hours come from each shopping center’s own site and change for the holidays; check before you go. We do not list prices or deals.
Black Friday is Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, and Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28. Norfolk’s holiday shopping looks different this year: MacArthur Center closed at the end of June, so the city’s big downtown mall is gone. The largest shopping center left in the city is Norfolk Premium Outlets, and the season’s outdoor markets start downtown on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Who to call
- City services, parking questions: Norfolk Cares, 757-664-6510
- Police, not an emergency (parking lot theft, shoplifting): 757-441-5610
- Emergency: 911
Shopping centers
| Center | Where | Regular hours | Holiday hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk Premium Outlets | 1600 Premium Outlets Blvd. | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday | Not posted yet |
| Waterside District | Downtown waterfront, Waterside Drive | Restaurants and bars; hours vary by venue | See each venue |
Simon, which runs the outlets, lists upcoming days and any holiday changes on its hours page. We will add Thanksgiving and Black Friday hours here when they are posted.
MacArthur Center
The city scheduled the downtown mall to close by June 30, 2026, to make way for redevelopment, its announcement said. Stores that were in the mall may have moved; check each store’s own website.
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28. Independent shops in Ghent, downtown along Granby Street, the NEON District and Ocean View set their own hours for the weekend. Many shops post their holiday hours on their own websites and social pages in November. Our new businesses guide lists recent openings.
Holiday markets
- Holiday Yule Log Bonfire and Holiday Marketplace, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Town Point Park on the downtown waterfront: local artisans, a Yule log bonfire, caroling and Santa. Free and open to the public, Norfolk Festevents says.
- Holidays in the Wild: Holiday Market at the Virginia Zoo, 3500 Granby St.: local artisans, carolers and festive animal enrichment, free with zoo admission and held rain or shine. The zoo’s calendar lists it for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, though the event text still says Dec. 6; check the zoo’s page before you go.
- Miracle on Waterside Drive, a holiday pop-up cocktail bar at Waterside District from Nov. 21 to Dec. 27, opening at 5 p.m., with community trees decorated by local nonprofits (Waterside).
Parking and getting there
- Downtown: the city runs public parking garages near Granby Street and the waterfront; see the garage map linked from our getting around guide. The Tide light rail stops downtown.
- Parade night: downtown streets begin closing around 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, for the Grand Illumination Parade. Plan shopping trips around it; see Christmas parade and tree lighting.
- Trash the week of Thanksgiving: Thursday routes move to Saturday, Nov. 28, and Christmas Day’s Friday routes move to Saturday, Dec. 26. See trash and recycling.
What this means for you
- Check the outlets’ hours page the week of Thanksgiving for Black Friday opening times.
- Mark Saturday, Dec. 5, for the free waterfront market and bonfire.
- Keep packages out of sight in your car; report theft to police at 757-441-5610.
Related guides: Thanksgiving in Norfolk, holiday lights and Christmas events and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28.
What are Norfolk Premium Outlets’ hours?
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours had not been posted when we checked on Oct. 19.
Is MacArthur Center open for the holidays?
No. The downtown mall closed at the end of June 2026; the city had scheduled the closing by June 30 so the site can be redeveloped.
Where are holiday markets in Norfolk?
The free Holiday Yule Log Bonfire and Holiday Marketplace is noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Town Point Park. The Virginia Zoo’s Holidays in the Wild market is listed for Sunday, Dec. 13.
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