Mars Fest at ODU (Free Event)

Don’t miss the family-friendly festival, Mars Fest, hosted by ODU this October! After illuminating campus with a giant model of the moon last year, ODU is blasting off to Mars this year, suspending the red planet over 43rd Street for three days.

Where: 43rd Street between Hampton Boulevard and Monarch Way outside the Barry Art Museum, Norfolk VA

When: October 14 – 16, 2022 from 6-10pm

Cost: The festival is free and open to the public and the “Mars” exhibition will be lit from dusk to dawn each day.

Description: Mars Fest, hosted by the Barry Art Museum, is a collaboration of more than 60 campus and community partners featuring programmed performances, activities and “Mars,” a 23-foot large-scale sculpture of the red planet created by British artist Luke Jerram.

Like last year’s “Museum of the Moon” exhibition (also by Jerram), “Mars” will serve as a meeting point on 43rd Street between Hampton Boulevard and Monarch Way outside the Barry Art Museum. With activities from 6 to 10 p.m. each day, attendees can sip on the “Red Planet Red Lager” from COVA Brewing Co., shop the “Martian Market” curated by the Selden Market, visit the Arts@ODU Supernova Stage for live music and observe the actual red planet through telescopes with Back Bay Amateur Astronomers. NASA Langley will also host hands-on activities inside the Barry Art Museum.

Visit https://barryartmuseum.odu.edu/art/marsfest/ for a full list of programs for all ages.