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Black Festivals You Should Add To Your Bucket List

By Kayla Morgan

There is truly something special about black festivals and the way they embrace Black culture and strengthen the Black community. In these spaces, Black people are celebrated, entertained, uplifted, and seen.

Black festival fans around the world are gearing up for their favorite artists, unique foods, after-parties, and celebration of culture. There’s no shortage of festivals for Black people, from CurlFest to the American Black Film Festival. Whether you love music festivals focused on a specific genre, food festivals, or art festivals, there’s something for everyone within a Black space. This includes people who solely look forward the adventure of traveling to festivals.

Here are 13 Black festivals you should add to your list.

  • Something in the Water

    This festival was created by producer and artist Pharrell Williams. Something in the Water will have music artists performing beach side for thousands of fans. It’s line up for this year includes Lil Wayne, Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Uzi Vert, Kid Cudi, and more. The festival is scheduled for April 28 through April 30 in Virginia Beach. In 2022, the festival was in Washingtom D.C. and included performances from Ashanti, Ja Rule, Chloe x Halle, Davido, Lil Baby, Snoh Aalegra, Usher and more.

  • Broccoli City Festival

    Broccoli City is a Black-owned festival that takes place in Washington D.C. This year’s lineup will have performances from Lil Uzi Vert, Jazmine Sullivan, Brent Faiyaz, Glorilla, Chloe and the City Girls. The event will have two stages, 40 artists and DJs, 50 brand vendors and 40 healthy food vendors. Broccoli Festival is going down on July 15 and July 16.

  • Afropunk Festival

    Afropunk Festival is all about cultural celebration and aesthetic. Since 2005, has expanded to Minneapolis, Miami and Brazil. Last year, The festivals past lineups included The Roots, Burna Boy, Isaiah Rashad, Lucky Daye, Freddie Gibbs, Adekunle Gold, and others. Dates and music performances for 2023 haven’t been announced yet.

     

  • Afro Nation

    They call themselves “the world’s biggest Afrobeats festival.” Afro Nation festivalgoers usually travel to Ghana every December. This year, the festival is moving to Portimao, Portugal for a three-day festival. Some of the performances include Bruna Boy, Wizkid, 50 Cent, Fireboy DML, Ayra Starr, and more. The festival is slated for June 28 through June 30.

  • ESSENCE Fest

    Hundreds of thousands of Black men and women travel to New Orleans annually to celebrate Black culture. ESSENCE Fest attendees can shop with marketplace exhibitors or participate in free brand activations. They can also try different cuisines at the eats food court with food vendors and watch celebrity chefs cook their favorite dishes. Tickets are available for the event happening June 29 through July 3 this year. 

  • One MusicFest

    This multi-day music festival features hip-hop artists across the country. One Musicfest brings together more than 50,000 people to attend a weekend filled with outdoor concerts in Atlanta’s Central Park. In 2022, the festival saw headlining performances from Lil Baby, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, Jeezy, Jazmine Sullivan and Tems. Dates and artist lineups have yet to be announce for 2023.

  • AfroFuture Fest

    Previously named Afrochella, AfroFuture Fest is one of the largest events to place in Ghana. The two-week event features Black music, art, fashion, and culture. The 2022 lineup included Burna Boy, Asake, King Promise, Stonebwoy, Shatta Wale, Kuami Eugene and many others. The 2023 dates and artist lineup has yet to be announced.

  • Cincinnati Music Festival

    Originally called the Ohio Valley Jazz Festival, the Cincinnati Music Festival has evolved into a three-day event on Cincinnati’s riverfront. In 2022, the festival had performances from Janet Jackson, The O’Jay’s, Tank, Keyshia Cole, Charlie Wilson., and more. This year the event will take place on July 20, 21, and 22. Artists set to perform include Snoop Dogg, Jill Scott, Babyface, and Jodeci.

  • American Black Film Festival (ABFF)

    This annual event showcases black film and television content. The American Black Film Festival’s mission is to introduce and connect newcomers to the film industry. The festival consists of a variety of Black films, television screenings, engaging panels, networking events, activities designed to educate, nurture career development, and inspire attendees. This event is happening in-person June 14 through June 18 and virtually on June 19 through June 25.

  • Black-Owned Wine and Sprits Festival

    The Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival (BOWSFest) is for spirit enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and beer lovers. Festivalgoers can network, sample wine, spirits, and beer created by Black-owned companies. BOWSFest has hosted over 50 vendors and sold more than 6500 bottles of Black-owned wine according to its website. The 7th annual festival is scheduled for Sept. 30 in Washington D.C.

  • Odunde Festival

    The Odunde Festival is one of the largest African-American street festivals in the U.S. Every year, it takes place in Philadelphia with arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and food vendors from not only the U.S. but also African and Caribbean countries. This festival features live music and performances too. The festival concept originated from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, according to their website. It celebrates the coming of another year for African Americans and Africanized people around the world. The event will take place June 4 through June 11.

    Two friends smiling at cellhpone

  • AFRAM Festival

    AFRAM Festival is hosted in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore. The two-day festival celebrates African-American life, music, and culture. The festival features entertainers, children’s activities, arts, history, education, health & wellness, and more. This year, will take place on Juneteenth weekend. Last year, the festival featured Neyo, Rotimi, El Debarge, DJ Quicksilva, and Yung Bleu.

  • Mocha Fest

    Mocha Fest is an Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean destination festival. This festival creates vacation experiences for thousands of people all across the world. It started off as a single festival in Jamaica with two-hundred people, which has now expanded to seven different destinations worldwide with events as large as five-thousands attendees. This year Mocha Fest is set for several destinations including Jamaica, Texas, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Georgia, and D.C.

  • Roots Picnic

    This weekend event takes place in Philadelphia at The Mann in Fairmount Park festival fair grounds.  This year, its artist lineup will feature Lauryn Hill, Dave Chappelle (at a separate venue), Diddy & The Roots, Ari Lennox, Lil Uzi Vert, Isley Brothers, and more. There are two separately ticketed events this June. Dave Chappelle at Wells Fargo Center on June 2 and The Roots Picnic at The Mann at Fairmount Park on June 3 and June 4.

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