Building on 50 years of street festival success, Harrison Phoebus Day is a vibrant all-day block party and street festival that celebrates the town’s namesake as well as the town’s other founding figures, on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 from 11am to 6pm. Visitors will pack Historic Downtown Phoebus for a full day of live music, entertainment, family-friendly activities, a special one-day pop-up history museum, delicious local street food, and a beer garden featuring exclusive releases from coastal Virginia breweries. The day will close with a captivating performance by blues-rock headliner Anthony Rosano & the Conqueroos on the main stage.
Harrison Phoebus Day is a free, open-to-the-public festival that will attract thousands from all over Southeastern Virginia. The event is presented by the Phoebus Partnership, a Virginia Main Street member organization and non-profit, with all net proceeds going toward the continued revitalization of Phoebus’ National Historic District.
EVENT DETAILS
Harrison Phoebus Day is a free, public event.
If you’d like to take part in our beer garden, we use special event tokens as currency. Token presale packages are available while supplies last. Visit TicketSpice now to purchase.
Token packages are available to AGES 21+ ONLY. You will not be issued tokens if you do not present a valid ID at the event. There are no refunds, so do not forget your ID.
In addition to a fast pass at our normal beer stations, VIPs will have first access to our exclusive releases from 12-1pm. These limited run beers will be open to the public at 1pm when the VIP access ends and will be available until they are kicked.
This festival is outdoors in Downtown Phoebus, please plan accordingly.
One token equals one pour (or one can).
Those who wish to dress in Victorian clothing will find themselves welcome during this celebration of early Phoebus (although it is definitely not required!).
Live entertainment from talented local musicians all day long.
One-day-only Phoebus Pop-Up Museum.
The Harrison Phoebus Look-a-Like Contest
Rollout of the Phoebus National Historic District’s new self-guided mobile tour app.
Phoebus Scavenger Hunt Passport (limited to the first 1000 guests).
Horse & Carriage rides (one token equals one ride for one person).
Family-friendly games and free face painting.
Foodies and Phoebus history fans will not want to miss the Phoebus Dog: an all-beef hot dog on a steamed bun topped with the ORIGINAL FULLER’S MUSTARD and balanced with a delicious tangy pepper slaw made from an old Civil War-era recipe!
Free street parking anywhere in Phoebus!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Allowed:
Well-behaved pups on leashes
Strollers
Personal umbrellas
Prohibited:
Outside food and drink
Bicycles, scooters, and skateboards
Professional camera equipment
Drones
Soliciting of any kind
We highly value the safety of our guests. Violators will be asked by security to leave the festival.
FAQ
Who’s Harrison Phoebus?
Harrison Phoebus (1840-1886) was proprietor of the famous Hygeia Hotel at Old Point Comfort and was instrumental in extending the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad tracks to our town. He served as postmaster, notary public, commissioner, insurance agent, and representative of Adams Express Company.
Mr. Phoebus was said to have a chivalrous nature about him. His memorial mentioned that "the number of his kindnesses and manner of them may never be known". Few things made him more unhappy than the sight of other peoples' misery -- he would often hire those who had no other options for work. Mr. Phoebus' Hygeia Hotel ultimately employed thousands and brought great wealth into the community.
By improving tourism and transportation infrastructure, and investing in local businesses, Harrison Phoebus was responsible directly or indirectly for much of the region's economic development in the 1870s, 1880s, and beyond. He was a beloved member of the local community. In 1900, the town of Chesapeake City was incorporated as "Phoebus" in his honor.
What are presales?
While tickets are not needed to attend Harrison Phoebus Day, we are using a token system for attendees to purchase draft beers, ciders, canned beers, and cocktails. You can purchase tokens on event day, but we are offering presale packages (aka tickets, as TicketSpice calls them) at a discount if purchased prior to the event. One token equals one drink. Tokens are NOT accepted at food trucks or inside Phoebus businesses.
Do I have to purchase a token package?
No, enjoying the festival is free and open to everyone. Guests are welcome to stroll through the historic district and enjoy our all-day live music, walk through our pop-up museum, get the kids’ faces painted, or visit our community partner booths. Delicious food will be available for purchase from an array of local food trucks and our amazing Phoebus restaurants. For one token per passenger, guests will also be able to take a charming tour of Historic Downtown Phoebus in Victorian-style horse-drawn carriages which will be operating from 12-4pm.
Are there any refunds?
No. All sales are final.
Is there live entertainment?
Phoebus will be vibin’ all day with live music from the main stage. The talented Billy Joe Daniel starts the festival off at 11AM followed by Patrick Ryan at 12:45PM. The festival is capped by a 3-hour headlining performance by national touring artist and blues-rock aficionados Anthony Rosano and the Conqueroos.
How much is parking?
FREE! Street parking in Phoebus is always free (just please mind our residents’ driveways). There are also several city-owned public lots in the downtown area. A parking map will be posted closer to the event date.
Can you tell me more about the volunteer work in Phoebus?
The Phoebus Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a Virginia Main Street member. Harrison Phoebus Day is organized and run entirely by resident and business volunteers in Phoebus. All net proceeds from Harrison Phoebus Day go towards the organization’s Community Enhancement branch, which undertakes several neighborhood projects in Phoebus each year, including historic structure renovation, shoreline restoration, food drives, underserved youth programs, art installations, and town-wide litter cleanups.
Buy presale packages at TicketSpice!
We like to think that what separates us from other festivals is the passion for our neighborhood. We love Phoebus and want you to feel at home here when you visit. Your support of our continued mission to make Phoebus the pride of Hampton Roads is so appreciated. See you on Harrison Phoebus Day, November 4th!
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Interested in being a volunteer on event day anytime between the hours of 8:00am - 7:30pm? Please fill out the Volunteer Form and we’ll be in contact with you ASAP.
SPONSORSHIP
Sponsorship opportunities will be announced very shortly.