#BlackLove, #BlackLivesMatter, #BlackGirlsRock… Black Americans on social media have gathered around their shared joys and challenges in an incredible way. But there’s nothing like unplugging the computer, going outside and experiencing Black culture in real life. This summer and fall, be sure to check out these Black festivals to have a real life #beingblackislit experience.
Houston’s Texas Greek Picnic Weekend: August 4–7
Described as the “krunkest Greek picnic in the country”, the Texas Greek Picnic is a celebration of Black Greek culture.
Miami Broward Carnival: October 9
If you are a Caribbean gyal who is far from home, or a Black American interested in experiencing the magic of Caribbean Carnival, this is the event for you!
Concord’s The Kinfolks Soul Food Festival: May 7 in Evans, Georgia, May 14 in Charlotte, North Carolina and June 4 in Buffalo New York, with additional dates to be added
Described as one big family reunion, this festival is a celebration of Black American soul food and multi-generational families.
San Francisco’s Juneteenth Festival and Parade: June 18
The largest annual gathering of African Americans in northern California, the Juneteenth festival includes a parade, health fair, classic car and motorcycle show, petting zoo, pony rides, 3 on 3 basketball, live entertainment, arts & craft vendors and community information booths.
Atlanta’s Malcolm X Festival: May 21–22
The Malcolm X festival promotes self-determination and the defense of human rights in the black community.
New York’s DanceAfrica: May 27–30
DanceAfrica is the nation’s largest festival dedicated to African dance.
LA’s JazzReggae Festival: May 30
The JazzReggae Festival showcases jazz, reggae and live art, while promoting environmentally sustainable initiatives. Past performers include Snoop Lion and Erykah Badu.
Seattle’s Festival Sundiata: June 11–12
Festival Sundiata is the Pacific Northwest’s longest-running Black American festival. It is dedicated to showcasing art, education, culture, history and entertainment of the African diaspora.
Baltimore’s African American Festival: July 2–3
Held right before the Fourth of July and presented by Black Enterprise Magazine, the African American Festival is a family-oriented celebration of black life, music and culture. The event features celebrity entertainers, children’s activities and information on financial literacy and health & wellness.
Afropunk Fest in Atlanta: October 1
With the tagline “.…the other black experience” Afropunk is a live music festival dedicated to exploring unconventional and non-mainstream black music, including punk, electro-pop and metal. Afropunk is an inclusive space, with banners that state “No Sexism, No Racism, No Ableism, No Ageism, No Homophobia, No Fatphobia, No Transphobia, No Hatefulness.”
Ladies, will you be attending any of these events? Do you have any to add to the list?
Philadelphia “Odunde”
I went last year and had a blast 🙂
We are having an art event in DC in a week for a great cause!
Wow! Thanks for the list!
Caribana in Toronto is beyond lit!
It’s on my “to-do” list!
Will there not be an Afropunk in NYC this summer? Does anyone know? 🙂
There will be. It’s the original so I think that’s the one city they’re going to do every year. They haven’t even announced afropunk atlanta for this year, just NYC and Paris.
fantastic post! Thank you for the information.