Mother's Day 2027 is May 9. Norfolk's free city Mother's Day luncheon and socials, the botanical garden, the Saturday market at East Beach and brunch.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Mother’s Day 2027 events had not been announced when we checked; we list last year’s city events and say which year they are from. Facts come from Norfolk Parks and Recreation’s Winter-Spring 2026 course guide, Norfolk Botanical Garden, the Chrysler Museum of Art and our farmers markets guide.

Mother’s Day 2027 is Sunday, May 9. Norfolk Parks and Recreation holds free Mother’s Day events at its community centers each spring, and the city’s gardens, museums and Saturday market make for an easy weekend. Restaurant brunches are added here only when restaurants post them.

Who to call

  • City recreation events: Norfolk Parks and Recreation, 757-823-4291
  • Norfolk Botanical Garden: 757-441-5830, ext. 0
  • Virginia Zoo: 757-441-2374

City Mother’s Day events

The city’s Winter-Spring 2026 guide listed these free events in 2026. Look for 2027 dates on NorfolkFun in the spring:

  • Mother’s Day Luncheon at Titustown Recreation Center, 7545 Diven St., for mothers, grandmothers and mother figures.
  • Mother’s Day Social at Berkley Community Center, 121 W. Liberty St., with refreshments, crafts and family fun.
  • Mother’s Day Celebration, a paint session and dinner with prizes.
  • His and Her Day for adults 55 and older, honoring mothers and fathers with music, food, games and gift giveaways.

Gardens, the zoo and museums

  • Virginia Zoo, 3500 Granby St.: on Mother’s Day 2026 (May 10) the zoo gave free rides on the Virginia Zoo Express train to moms, grandmothers and mother figures (zoo). Watch its calendar for 2027.

  • Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Road: open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; the Perry Conservatory is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Tuesdays; garden tours return April 1 (visit).

  • Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place: free admission and free parking, open noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Zinnia Cafe is on site (visit).
  • Hermitage Museum and Gardens, 7637 North Shore Road: free admission and free parking, waterfront gardens on the Lafayette River, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (visit).

Gift markets

  • East Beach Farmers Market, 2413 E. Ocean View Ave., runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, May through November, so it is open the day before Mother’s Day. Details are in our farmers markets guide.
  • The Ghent Farmers Market returns in 2027; check the guide for its season.

Brunch

No Norfolk restaurant had posted a 2027 Mother’s Day menu when we checked. We will list them here, from each restaurant’s own website, as they appear. Restaurants that serve brunch every weekend are in our brunch in Norfolk guide.

What this means for you

  • Mother’s Day is a Sunday, when the Chrysler opens at noon and the garden at 9 a.m.
  • Watch the city’s spring course guide for the free luncheon and socials.

Related guides: Father’s Day in Norfolk, Memorial Day in Norfolk and date night in Norfolk.

Frequently asked questions

When is Mother’s Day 2027?

Sunday, May 9, 2027, the second Sunday in May.

Does Norfolk hold Mother’s Day events?

Yes. In 2026 Norfolk Parks and Recreation listed a free Mother’s Day Luncheon at Titustown Recreation Center, a Mother’s Day Social at Berkley Community Center and a Mother’s Day paint-and-dinner celebration. 2027 dates come out in the spring course guide.

Is Norfolk Botanical Garden open on Mother’s Day?

The garden lists daily hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the WOW Children’s Garden is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Garden tours return each April 1.