Virginia International Tattoo 2025 
A Salute to 250 Years of Service & Sacrifice Happy 250th Birthday to the US Army, Navy, and Marine Corps 

April 24 – 27  Scope Arena, Norfolk 

(NORFOLK, VA.) The 2025 Virginia International Tattoo will feature an incredible international cast of more than 800 civilian and military performers from six nations. Returning favorites include Norway’s spectacular Band and Drill Team of His Majesty the King’s Guard, the rousing Massed Pipes and Drums from four nations and the nimble OzScot Australia Highland Dancers. Exciting new performers include the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Central Band in their first trip to the United States. 

At the heart of every performance will be an emotional and grateful tribute to our Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines. With stirring music, heartfelt tributes to those who have served, and appearances by some very special guests, this Tattoo will remind us that as Americans, we enjoy freedoms made possible by 250 years of Service and Sacrifice. 

“Prior to the opening notes of this year’s Tattoo, the floor of Scope Arena will be totally empty, and dark,” said Scott Jackson, Producer/Director of the Virginia International Tattoo since 2002. “Our countdown clocks will tick down, and the audience will hear from the Tattoo Drum Major about the ceremony and etiquette that we ask them to observe during the performance. And when the clocks hit “0”, the Tattoo Production team will fire 350 intelligent, infinitely color-variable spot-and-wash lighting fixtures flooding the floor of the arena – suddenly filled with hundreds of performers - with intense color saturated light. We’ll start the show with a world premiere Victory at Sea Fanfare performed by Herald Trumpets, 5 Military Bands, Symphonic Chorus, and even bagpipes. On the final notes of the overture, 30 students from the Naval JROTC will open an enormous American flag, and the audience will be asked to rise for the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner.  We will be just one minute into our 2025 Tattoo, Celebrating and Honoring the 250th anniversaries of the U.S Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and the 60,000 hours it took to prepare will have already been worth it!”  

 New this year, the Virginia International Tattoo is a signature event of Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250).  Established by the General Assembly to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, VA250 will mark the nation’s semiquincentennial by bringing Virginians together to learn more about Virginia’s key role in shaping the nation, these signature events are bringing together Virginians, travelers, history lovers and special guests from the state and nation to join events that celebrate and commemorate major moments of 250 years ago leading up to July 4, 1776. 

 
Don’t miss the Virginia International Tattoo – A Scottish Tradition with an American Soul! 

Tickets are available and on sale now at www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office located at 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.  

 

What is the Tattoo?  

The centuries-old tradition of Tattoo originated as a signal from drummers instructing Dutch innkeepers near military garrisons to “Doe den Tap-too” or “turn off the tap”. Hearing the call “Tap-too” soldiers would return to their barracks for an evening roll call. The ensuing parade of soldiers evolved into a military marching band performance now known worldwide as “Tattoo.” 

The Tattoos seen across the world today are ceremonial performances of military music by massed bands. Each Tattoo is influenced by the culture of the country they represent.  Fans of these massed spectacles of music and might flock to the world's great Tattoos including Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, Basel Tattoo in Switzerland, and Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada. But the greatest Tattoo in the United States, and rivaling the largest in the world, is the Virginia International Tattoo.  

Attending the Virginia International Tattoo:  

When:  Thursday, April 24, 7:30 pm  

 Friday, April 25, 7:30 pm  

Saturday, April 26, 7:30 pm 

Sunday, April 27, 2:30 pm 

 Where: Scope Arena, 201 E. Brambleton Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 

Tickets and Information: www.vafest.org, by phone at 757-282-2822, or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office located at 440 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.  

Stay up to date: Follow the Virginia International Tattoo on social media platforms @VaTatt and subscribe to our Virginia International Tattoo YouTube page for the latest and greatest exclusive content, behind-the-scenes, cast takeovers, and more!  

Virginia International Tattoo 2025 Participating Nations 

 AUSTRALIA 

OzScot Australia Highland Dancers 

Pipes & Drums of the Royal Caledonian Society of South Australia 

CANADA 

Delta Police Pipe Band 

Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums 

JAPAN 

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band 

NORWAY 

His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team 

UNITED KINGDOM 

Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band of Northern Ireland 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums 

Granby High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps 

Hampton Roads Police Honor Guards 

Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band 

Norfolk Fire-Rescue Honor Guard 

Old Dominion University Concert Choir 

Tidewater Pipes and Drums 

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band 

U.S. Navy Drill Team 

U.S. Marine Corps Band, Quantico 

U.S. Marine Corps FAST Company 

U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band 

Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus 

*Subject to changes and additions.   As of 12.10.2024 

About VA250 Established in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) aims to form a more perfect union by educating Virginians about their history and civic duty and sharing diverse narratives that capture Virginia’s complete story and role in shaping the nation.  

About Virginia International Tattoo 

As it has been since 1997, one of the anchor events of the Virginia Arts Festival is the Virginia International Tattoo.  Led by J. Scott Jackson, the Virginia International Tattoo has become the largest such event in North America and numbers among the largest Tattoos in the world.  Selected by the American Bus Association—the nation's premier travel organization—as the top event in the United States in 2016, the Virginia International Tattoo has drawn visitors from across the country and around the world and has welcomed performers from 31 nations.  There simply is no comparable experience in the United States and no greater voice for expressing our nation's gratitude to those who serve.  Some of the most memorable of the 25 past Virginia International Tattoos have saluted the Tuskegee Airmen, Vietnam Veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, and women in the military.  Each show is a moving lesson in history and patriotism for every generation, including the more than 20,000 students who attend the Tattoo every year.  

About Virginia Arts Festival  
The Virginia Arts Festival celebrates its 28th Anniversary in 2025. The largest and most prestigious performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, Virginia Arts Festival has transformed the region's cultural scene, presenting great performers from around the world and making this historic region a cultural destination for visitors from across the United States and around the world. Over the past 26 years, the Festival has welcomed visitors from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 25 foreign countries. The Festival has presented over 1,438 performances, free community events, and student matinees and workshops with a reach of over 1.2 million attendees. Each season, millions more are reached through international broadcasts of Festival performances on American Public Radio's Performance Today, nationally on PBS TV, and regionally on WHRO TV. Over 32% of ticket sales come from outside the region, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to local museums and attractions and filling regional hotels and restaurants. The estimated annual economic impact of the Festival exceeds $25 million.  

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