Virginia International Tattoo to Celebrate America's 250th Anniversary

The annual military pageant and performance event will feature bands, pipes and drums, and more from five countries.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The 29th edition of the Virginia International Tattoo, scheduled for April 16-19 at Scope arena in Norfolk, will have a strong emphasis on celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The event will feature military pageantry, bands, pipes and drums, and a variety of performers from across the U.S. and around the world, including groups representing the countries involved in the American Revolution.

Why it matters

The Virginia International Tattoo is the largest event of its kind in North America and ranks among the largest tattoo events worldwide. Celebrating America's 250th anniversary at this prestigious event will bring national and international attention to the milestone and the city of Norfolk.

The details

The lineup for this year's tattoo includes the band of the French navy, which celebrates its 400th anniversary, the King's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force, the Tidewater Pipes and Drums, the Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the Kilgore College Rangerettes, and military bands from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. For the first time, the Republic of Korea Army military band and honor guard battalion will also perform, featuring a mix of music, taekwondo, dancers, and K-pop.

  • The Virginia International Tattoo is scheduled for April 16-19, 2026.
  • The event will take place during the same weekend as the Norfolk NATO Festival, with a Parade of Nations scheduled for noon on April 18.

The players

Scott Jackson

Producer and director of the Virginia International Tattoo.

Maj. Joonsang Yang

Representative of the Republic of Korea Army military band and honor guard battalion.

Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Halderman

Drum major in the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

Kenneth Alexander

Mayor of Norfolk.

French Navy Band

Celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, the French navy band is scheduled to perform at the tattoo.

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What they’re saying

“To paraphrase 'Hamilton,' we wanted to have those who were 'in the room where it happened.'”

— Scott Jackson, Producer and director of the Virginia International Tattoo (pilotonline.com)

“We really wanted to share different sides of Korean culture.”

— Maj. Joonsang Yang, Representative of the Republic of Korea Army military band and honor guard battalion (pilotonline.com)

“We're excited to help celebrate America's 250 by bringing the soundtrack to the American story to the event.”

— Sgt. 1st Class Tyler Halderman, Drum major in the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (pilotonline.com)

What’s next

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. on April 12 at Harrison Opera House.

The takeaway

The Virginia International Tattoo's celebration of America's 250th anniversary will bring together military pageantry, musical performances, and cultural traditions from around the world, showcasing the rich history and diversity that have shaped the United States over the past two and a half centuries.