Here are 10 dynamic festivals to consider attending this summer. These events celebrate culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, food, music, and the global influence of the African diaspora:
Juneteenth ATL Parade & Music Festival – Atlanta, GA
June 14–15, 2025
One of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the South, with parades, live music, wellness villages, vendors, and activities for all ages in Piedmont Park.
American Black Film Festival (ABFF) – Miami Beach, FL
June 16–24, 2025
A premier destination for Black creatives and cinephiles. ABFF showcases emerging and established Black filmmakers, hosts industry panels, and offers major networking events.
Essence Festival of Culture – New Orleans, LA
July 3–6, 2025
NoLa is the birthplace of jazz and a melting pot of diverse cultures. This city provides the perfect backdrop for the festival’s celebration of Black music, fashion, and entrepreneurship. An iconic Fourth of July weekend celebration of highly-anticipated empowerment events featuring star-studded concerts, wellness events, and thought leadership panels. This year’s theme is “We Are “Made Like This.”
The Essence Festival of Culture has a rich history of over 30 years. It started in 1995 as a one-time event to celebrate Essence magazine’s 25th anniversary and has blossomed into an annual festival
It is nicknamed “the party with a purpose” because it “promotes, celebrates, and explores health & wellness, spirituality, beauty & style, food, community & culture, entertainment, entrepreneurship, and much more within the African American community.”
Broccoli City Festival – Washington, DC
July 12–13, 2025
This festival combines music, wellness, sustainability, and community impact with a focus on empowering Black communities. Expect top music acts and vibrant cultural panels.
Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame & Festival – Cincinnati, OH
July 26, 2025 (INDUCTION CEREMONY)
This fast-growing Midwest event is a celebration of legendary Black music artists from Ohio and beyond. With a Walk of Fame unveiling and a music festival, it’s a time to take pride in and feel connected to the rich history of Black music.
Woman Evolve Conference – Atlanta, GA
July 31 – August 2, 2025
Join Sarah Jakes Roberts and guests for a powerful three-day event featuring “speakers, life-changing worship, and a global community of sisters ready to evolve.”
Harlem Week 2025 – New York, NY
August 1–17, 2025
A multi-day celebration of Harlem’s rich cultural, political, and economic legacy, featuring parades, expos, and performances in the heart of Uptown Manhattan.\
Black Is Tech Conference – Houston, TX
August 11–16, 2025
A live experience featuring a whole week of tech activations throughout Houston, including Summits (AI, Career, Dev+, Web3, Founders), A Career Fair, Workshops, a Hackathon, Training & Certification Classes, Company/Organization Hosted Special Events, Networking events, a musical concert and so much more.
AfroFuture Festival – Detroit, MI (USA debut)
August 16–17, 2025
Organizers write in a press release the local fest will fuse “the rhythms of Afrobeats and Amapiano with the iconic sounds of Motown and Techno, creating a one-of-a-kind celebration.”
The Afro Nation, which is hosted in Portugal and Ghana, will not be returning this year.
CultureCon – Brooklyn, NY
October 4-5, 2025
A massive celebration that hosts national conferences and industry-specific events to celebrate a positive organizational culture, featuring renowned speakers. It is a unique opportunity to network.
The 2025 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans stands out with its unparalleled music lineup, featuring a blend of legendary artists and contemporary stars across R&B, hip-hop, and soul genres. This year’s festival boasts performances by icons such as Babyface, Jill Scott, Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu, and Jazmine Sullivan, alongside emerging talents like Ari Lennox and GloRilla. Additionally, the event will host Master P’s final performance, adding a historic touch to the festivities.
While other festivals like AfroFuture Detroit and the Cincinnati Music Festival offer impressive lineups—featuring artists such as Davido, Kaytranada, Earth, Wind & Fire, and LL Cool J—the ESSENCE Festival’s diverse and star-studded roster makes it a premier destination for music enthusiasts this summer
