EPMD at Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival 2013- Author; Simon Abrams- Wikimedia

15 Best Black Festivals Worldwide


 

Ever heard the phrase that if you’re looking for the life of the party just head to where balck folks are hanging out? I guess whoever came up with that saying knew what they were talking about because for sure black people love music, food and just something that is celebrating and appreciating their identity and culture.

Could be because of the painful history of their culture being stripped away, but slowly the tardition of havong festivals just to celebrate them, has now caught on. With that said, here is a list of the 15 best black festivals in the world.

1. South African Jazz Festival

South African Jazz Festival in 2017- Author; JCPBFerreira- Wikimedia

Commonly known as the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, South African Jazz Festival is one of the greatest music festivals celebrated in the world. This music festival usually takes place annually in the heart of Africa, none other than Cape Town. People from all around the world get an opportunity to enjoy pure African cultural music. 

The foundation of this event dates back to 2000 when it made its debut as part of the North Sea Jazz Festival. It has been two decades since this music festival started bringing people from around the globe to witness the marvels and uniqueness of African music with their own eyes. This year, people celebrated this festival in June. A three-day event took place starting on Friday, June 17, 2022. 

The South African Jazz Music festival is an event that jazz enthusiasts worldwide definitely keep marked on their calendars. The fusion of local and international jazz is why attendance grows each year. 

It takes two days for this event to allow more than 40 musicians and artists worldwide to perform on 5 different stages. You will find various sources of entertainment in the event, including cultural cuisines and enjoying full house performances.

2. AfroNation

AfroNation Event Tickets- Author; Chemu002- Wikimedia



It is time for the world to recognize and celebrate the uniqueness of African cultural music. Obi Asika, a Nigerian tycoon conceptualized AfroNation in 2019 to the world in collaboration with Aesegun Adeos Jr., a Nigerian music proponent. 

During the outbreak of Coronavirus globally, the festival ceased to take place for two years, but 2022 is the year that welcomes this festival with open arms. This music festival is currently one of the world’s most popular music festivals. 

The specialty of this festival is due to the genre that plays in this three-day event. Initially, it was a four-day event but ever since the pandemic entered our lives, though unwelcomingly, the event now takes place for a period of three days. 

The goal of this festival was to bring together the best African artists from all around on a single platform. Although Obi Asika founded it in collaboration with SMADE and Asegun Adeos, organizations like Event Horizon, Live Nation, and Memories of Tomorrow also contributed to bringing this festival to life. 

You will get to enjoy genres including Afro beats, Hip Hop, RnB, Dancehall, Amapiano, Afro House, and many other significant African music genres. Get set and ready to enjoy this festival in July 2023. Mark the date in your calendars since this opportunity should not be missed at all costs.

3. Afropunk Festival

Afropunk Festival- Author; Subsocietal Inc- Wikimedia

Another iconic music festival that black travellers must never miss is the Afropunk Festival. It is an art festival that takes place annually and their main objective is to recognize the essence of art, music, food, culture, film, and fashion brought to life by black artists. 

This festival plays a vital role in promoting black cultural art and music while also displaying black fashion sense to the attendees. Although the event takes place to promote and celebrate the cultures and styles of Africans, however, people from all around the world join this event to witness and enjoy cultural diversity.

Cities such as Atlanta, Paris, and London also are cities that host this musical event. Since the festival is named Afropunk, therefore all you will get to notice is African culture, music, and art. 

4. Yam Carnival

Black Heritage Festival – Author; Heathart- Wikimedia

The founders of AfroNation never ceases to amaze us by giving us a festival solely meant to celebrate food, music, and fusion of cultures. This festival takes place with an intention of bringing London music specialties from all around the world. Mainly, the genres that remain the backbone of the event include sounds from Africa, the Caribbean, America, and the UK. 

It is a one-day event that allows attendees to enjoy cuisines from all around the world. Originally, its launch was planned for 2020, and the global pandemic affected the launch. The carnival took place in London in 2021, making its debut. It celebrates cultural music and food mainly from Latin America and especially from the regions of Africa, including Ghana and Nigeria. 

This event is all set to take place on August 27, 2022, in London. Music genres such as Hip Hop, RnB, Afro-swing, and Dancehall are played by various world-famous musicians and artists. This year’s line-up mentions the names of C-Kay, Naira Marley, DJ Maphorisa, Flavour, Gabzy, and many more popular artists.

5. Trinidad And Tobago Carnival

Nadjé Leslie performing at Carifesta IX, Trinidad and Tobago festival- Author; Andrew Brown Detroit- Wikimedia

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an event that takes place annually. It is celebrated not only in Trinidad and parts of Africa but also in various cities all across the world. Cities including Miami, Toronto, Houston, London, and many more celebrate this carnival. It takes place every year on Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. 

This carnival associates its significance with an event that occurred in the early 18th century. The French plantation owners organized masquerades and ball, which was forbidden for the enslaved Africans to attend. The enslaved people came up with their celebration parallel to the one that French plantation owners did. 

As it is a carnival, therefore there is a lot you can do to commemorate these two days. Food, dance, and many fun activities take place that allows not just Africans but others to commemorate African music, culture, art, and food. 

People usually dress up in costumes and musicians and artists display their art in the form of iconic performances. There is food from varying cultures that satisfy the taste buds of the attendees as they attend the music festival. 

6. Broccoli Festival 

Performing at the Broccoli City Festival- Author; fuseboxradio- Wikimedia

Broccoli festival prides itself as one of the most iconic and culturally significant music festivals that highlight black cultural music and genres in the eyes of the world. 

It is usually a two-day music festival that takes place every year in May. The festival features the hip-hop genre, and many black artists line up to display their astounding talent. Artists including 21 Savage, Ari Lennox, Lil Durk, Wale, Rico Nasty, Jeezy, and many more set the stage on fire with their music. 

This festival was founded by Brandon McEachern, Marcus Allen, Darryl Perkins, and Jermon Williams. The festival aims to promote African-American music culture and fusion. Every year the event takes place in either April or May. 

7. Something In The Water

Performing- Photo by Dave Mock on Unsplash

Something In The Water is another music and art festival that serves to celebrate music from the regions where black people reside. 

This festival was conceptualized by Pharrel Williams in 2019, and since then, it has taken place annually. Virginia Beach Oceanfront hosts this festival where genres such as RnB, hip hop, rock, indie, and elect are featured.  

8. Afrochella

Afrochella Festival in 2019- Author; Fquasie- Wikimedia

The world can witness another remarkable music festival that commemorates African music in the name of Afrochella. There are several reasons for its significance, but the primary one is that it aims to make Ghana a key travel destination for tourists. 

This festival displays and features Africa’s- American most respected diaspora. This festival began when former president Barack Obama visited Cape Coast in 2009. 

9. Essence Festival

Keyshia Cole performing at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans- Author; Khonarh- Wikimedia

Essence is also known as “the party with a purpose.” The festival dates back to 1995. It was started to commemorate the 25th anniversary of a magazine called Essence which was aimed mainly at African-American women, their fashion styles, culture, art, and music. 

With time, many producers changed. However, their goal still remained the same, and with each passing era, it became one of the world’s most celebrated festivals. 

The festival features genres including RnB, Soul, Funk, Gospel, Blues, hip hop, jazz, and much more. 

10. CurlFest Festival

World Music Festival 2014- Author; S Pakhrin- Wikimedia

Curlfest festival is a festival that celebrates black natural curly hair and natural black skin tone too. This festival aims to allow people to commemorate the natural look and its beauty and it has given thousands of black women a chance to embrace their natural beauty and take pride in it.

Women usually dress up as naturally as they can, while displaying their natural skin complexion and naturally styling their hair.

11. Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

EPMD at Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival 2013- Author; Simon Abrams- Wikimedia

The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival is actually New York City’s largest Hip-Hop cultural event that showcases the positivity of Hip-Hop culture.

It was established in 2005 and works towards celebrating and preserving Hip-Hop’s legacy of promoting artistic progression, community building and social change by bringing together everyone who loves the Hip-Hop culture.

The festival consists of a variety of culture-based educational and entertainment events, including music performances, panel lectures, exhibitions, movie screenings and a family-friendly block party.

12. American Black Film Festival

Producer, Avril Speaks, at the 2018 American Black Film- Author; SilvioPozatto- Wikimedia

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event solely dedicated to showcasing quality film and television content for us, by us, and about us. That is, people of African descent.

The ABFF is committed to the belief that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts and their mission is to introduce and connect talented newcomers to the industry.

The festival consists of a wide range of films, television screenings, engaging panels, networking events, activities designed to educate, nurture career development, and inspire attendees, and more.

The festival also attracts people from around the world, including artists, entertainment executives and upscale film enthusiasts.

13. Black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival

Image by Aline Ponce from Pixabay

This black Owned Wine & Spirits Festival is the perfect festival for spirit enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and beer lovers.

The festival attendees are usually able to engage with others, network, and sample wine, spirits, and beer created by Black-owned companies.

The purpose of the festival is to one, increase visibility and awareness of Black-owned Spirit, Wine and Beer companies; Two, provide an organized platform for consumer interaction and education by sampling opportunities and tasting demos; Three, to encourage both inter and intra-community partnerships and industry alliances; and four, redirect the economic contributions of Afro- American communities in the US Wine & Spirits Industry. 

14. Odunde Festival

Odunde Festival 2013 in Philadelphia- Author; 4t4grfgz- Wikimedia

The Odunde Festival is one of the largest African-American street festivals in the USA. 

Every year, it takes place in Philadelphia, and it is centred around interests of the African diaspora.

There are various arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry, and food vendors from the USA, and African and Caribbean countries as well. There is also live music and performances  so obviously, it’s one to look forward to.

15. Afram Festival

Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash

The AFRAM Festival celebrates African-American life, music, and culture. It takes place in Baltimore, MD.

The festival is a two-day, family-oriented event that is filled with entertainers, children’s activities, arts, history, education, health & wellness, and more.