The 2025 Virginia International Tattoo will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps starting April 24.
The Tattoo debuted at the Norfolk Scope in 1997 with one show. It now fills an entire weekend with performances, and attracts fans of military bands and music.
This year’s event, a part of the Virginia Arts Festival, has four performances featuring more than 800 military and civilian performers from seven nations. It brings a unique mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance from a range of cultures to create an unforgettable spectacle, said the Tattoo’s director and producer, Scott Jackson.
“The heartbeat of the 2025 Tattoo will be our incredible performers, our international cast,” Jackson said. “We’ll do it with our friends, and we’ll also do it as only the Tattoo can — with music, historic photos, video, tributes from the bands, and appearances by special guests.”
The musical Tattoo comes from the Dutch phrase “Doe den Tap-too,” which referred to the parade of soldiers and drummers returning to their barracks for roll call after the beer taps were turned off. Over centuries, it’s come to symbolize music and merriment in the music world.
Jackson urges locals to save themselves “from the fate of one day realizing that you've lived here all your lives and you've missed out from an event in your own backyard that people travel all over the world to be part of.”
More than half of attendees are visitors, coming from across the globe to join in the revelry. It creates a diverse atmosphere and an economic boost to the region, bringing visitors to local hotels, restaurants and any of Norfolk’s museums, shops and landmarks.
As for locals who have yet to experience the grand display, “they’re really missing out,” Jackson said.
For the anniversary celebration, the Tattoo has special elements, like the inclusion of a Japanese military band for the first time, and the first of a two-part series on the years leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
While the show’s run time is two hours, it is preceded by a variety of free events for the public, like the Drumming Showcase, the Hullabaloo, a Flag Raising Ceremony, NATO’s Parade of Nations and more.
“You can come to the Tattoo up to three hours early, listen to music, have a beer or a sparkling water, buy yourself your own kilt, have some great food and enjoy the experience,” Jackson said. “By the time you sit down, you’ll already feel like you’ve had a great time.”
The family-friendly performance is accessible for all. A Special Audience Night opens the Tattoo’s dress rehearsal to audience members with special needs and their families.
More than 12,000 children will be included between the two full student matinees — and an additional 7,000 students are able to experience elements of the Tattoo through its outreach program.
The Virginia International Tattoo runs April 24-27 at the Norfolk Scope, with other events throughout the weekend around Norfolk. A full schedule and tickets are available online at the Virginia Arts Festival’s website.
WHRO’s CEO and President Bert Schmidt and Vice President of News Maurice Jones are members of the Virginia Arts Festival Board of Directors. Schmidt and Jones are not involved with editorial decisions.
