Black folks will still be outside this summer, but we’re taking things even further. Beyond the cookouts and the outdoor concerts, which are still at the top of our warm-weather lists, we’re building our calendars around culture, community and travel with purpose.
One weekend might be at an arts festival. The next? Hitting up a financial forum. And topping it off — literally — a food or wine festival that nourishes our souls and bellies.
Whether your plan is losing your voice singing along to your favorite artist, networking and learning tips of your trade or getting your grub on, there’s nothing but time, space and opportunity standing in between you and the festival you just have to go to. And there are a lot to choose from depending on the vibe, crowd and good time you need.
We’ve curated a list of the summer’s go-to festivals that will get you and your crew right for the summer and keep you outside.
Music & Culture Festivals
Blue Note Jazz Festival, New York City and Los Angeles — June 2026
If you don’t go to Blue Note any other time, go sometime between now and the end of June. The historic venue treats music lovers to a slate of heavy-hitters throughout the month at its intimate club in New York City. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, this year’s concerts also extend to Sony Hall and SummerStage in Central Park. Shows you won’t want to miss include Ledisi, Durand Bernarr, Destin Conrad, Slum Village and Harlem Gospel Choir. Blue Note is also showing love to Los Angeles with a two-day event featuring performances from Grace Jones, The Isley Brothers, Willow, De La Soul and more. The experience extends to Los Angeles with two shows at the Hollywood Bowl on June 13 and 14.
See the full Blue Note Jazz Festival schedule.
50th Annual AFRAM Festival, Baltimore — June 19 – 21
Need Juneteenth plans? Pull up to Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park for the 50th Annual AFRAM Festival. This free event is one of the largest long-running Black American festivals on the East Coast. With live performances, local vendors, art showcases and children’s activities, AFRAM is both family-friendly and culturally iconic. This year’s headliners include Charlie Wilson, SWV, The Lox and Mario.
Check out the full 50th Annual AFRAM lineup.
Essence Festival of Culture, New Orleans — July 3 – 6
Grab your girls and head down to New Orleans for the premier music and cultural festival celebrating Black women. This year continues the festival’s efforts to appeal to a multigenerational audience with a 3-night lineup of performances from Brandy and Monica, Cardi B, Latto, Patti Labelle, and George Clinton, among others. Attendees can also enjoy activations, author talks, giveaways and more with free admission to the Convention Center during the day.
Get more information on the Essence Festival of Culture.
Afro Nation, Portugal — July 3 – 5
As the world’s largest Afrobeats and Amapiano festival, Afro Nation is something you must experience in your lifetime. Upon stepping onto Praia da Rocha Beach, music, fashion, food and heritage sweep you away into an oasis of diasporic joy. This year’s headliners include Burna Boy, Tyla, Asake and WizKid with special performances from Gunna and Kehlani. This is a trip that activates the group chat to turn those iMessages into booked flights. And an international festival is the perfect excuse to extend your vacation to enjoy all that Portugal has to offer. Bonus reason to go: there’s a large, welcoming Black expat community in the country.
Tickets to Afro Nation are available now.
Dream Con, Houston — July 10 – July 12
There’s no event that celebrates Black fandom like Dream Con. Founded by creator collective RDCWorld, the three-day event returns to Houston for a weekend of cosplay, gaming, sports competitions and live tournaments. Dream Con isn’t just for anime fans and dweebs. With a film festival, a car show and panels featuring some of your faves — including Issa Rae, Cree Summer, and KevOnStage — Dream Con is a source of inspiration for diverse talent to lean more deeply into their creative expression.
Get tickets to Dream Con.
Broccoli City Festival, Washington, D.C. — July 18 – 19
Broccoli City Festival returns to the district this year for three days of music, community and impact. Launched in 2013 to highlight environmental injustice plaguing Black communities, the festival evolved from a block party to a highly anticipated cultural event in Chocolate City. After trying out new formats in 2025, Broccoli City is returning to its roots with a dynamic weekend lineup this summer. Expect live music, immersive art installations, food from DMV restaurants and a marketplace to support Black-owned businesses.
Follow Broccoli City Festival on Instagram for updates.
Reggae SumFest, Jamaica — July 18
This year’s SumFest is a little different but still iconic. While Jamaica continues to rebuild after Hurricane Melissa, the festival has taken a different approach to their typical weeklong activities with “A Taste of Sumfest.” In this one-night affair, dancehall legends Vybz Kartel and Mavado will take the stage and give good reason to wuk up yuh waist. A night of reggae is just what you’ll need to set your Caribbean vacation off.
Get tickets to Reggae Sumfest.
Cincinnati Music Festival, Cincinnati — July 23-25
Formerly known as the Ohio Valley Jazz Festival, the Cincinnati Music Festival has a long history dating back to 1962. Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis and other legendary musicians have graced the stage in the past. The previously all-jazz event eventually evolved into a three-day festival celebrating soul, R&B and hip-hop as well. This year’s performers include Mary J. Blige, Charlie Wilson, SWV and Tyrese.
Get tickets to the Cincinnati Music Festival.
Newport Jazz Festival, Rhode Island — July 31 – August 2
There’s a reason the Newport Jazz Festival has been sold out for the past three years. Heavy hitters consistently grace the stage at Rhode Island’s Fort Adams State Park, and with Grammy-winning composer Nate Smith at the helm as artistic director, this year will be no different. Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Thundercat and Gary Clark Jr. are this year’s headliners, but attendees will also be treated to performances from Bilal, Ari Lennox, Robert Glasper and more for this three-day musical event. This year also features a special anniversary honoring John Coltrane and Miles Davis.
There’s currently a waitlist for the Newport Jazz Festival, but you can still find tickets via resale on Dice.
Afropunk Festival, Brooklyn — August 22–23
After taking a hiatus from its annual Brooklyn festival in 2025, Afropunk is officially returning home. Since 2005, Afropunk has been a staple for celebrating Black alternative youth culture, particularly punk. In more recent years, it has expanded both globally and musically, embracing funk, soul and genre blends. Previous performers include Grace Jones, D’angelo, Tyler, the Creator, Erykah Badu and Solange. Though Afropunk has yet to announce this year’s lineup, we’re anticipating that their return will make quite the splash.
Keep up to date with Afropunk’s Instagram.
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, New York City — through September 19
BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn has already launched its highly anticipated line-up of music and culture. The concert series, with a theme of “Radical Joy,” is offering up its most female-forward lineup in its 47-year history. That includes performances by Cleo Reed, the Cindy Blackman Santana group, and a benefit show with Lady Wray and Patti LaBelle on June 26. Most of the lineups are free to the public.
Get more information on BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn.
Film and Theatre Festivals
International Black Theatre Festival, Winston-Salem, North Carolina — July 27 – August 1
Thespians, rejoice! The biggest event in Black theatre is back in Winston-Salem for six days of highlighting the power of storytelling, performance arts and community. Created by the North Carolina Black Repertory Company, this biennial celebration is known as the holy ground of Black theatre. It features stage productions, readings, workshops, panels, and more, showcasing artistry across the diaspora. Actors Angela Robinson and Peter Parros serve as this year’s celebrity co-chairs. IBTF will be revealing programming soon, but in the meantime, you can follow the company on Instagram for updates.
Tickets to the International Black Theatre Festival are available.
Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, Massachusetts — August 6 – 14
August in Martha’s Vineyard exudes Black joy on a different level. Especially during the annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. Attendees can enjoy intimate talks with filmmakers and industry heavy hitters and exclusive screenings at the “Summer’s Finest Festival.” Whether you want to catch the newest shorts and full-length features on the festival circuit, make connections or just enjoy a fun and lively time on the vineyard, MVAFF is undoubtedly a summer highlight. Accommodations book up fast, but it’s not too late to make plans for a truly remarkable week in Oak Bluffs.
Get passes and more to MVAAFF.
Food Festivals
Black Food & Wine Experience, Napa Valley — June 18 – 21
Aminah “Chef Mimi” Robinson-Briscoe’s Black Food and Wine Experience will elevate the way you see culinary artistry. This festival connects Black chefs, wine makers, mixologists and more with foodies looking for flavor and flair. Savor four days of celebrating diversity in the culinary world while indulging in food and wine pairings, delicious cooking demonstrations and intentional wellness moments.
Get tickets for Black Food & Wine Experience.
Harlem Summer Nights, New York City — July 10 – August 21
The Uptown Food Market has officially morphed into the Harlem Food Market! Starting July 10, its founders promise a summer series that brings food, music, culture and entrepreneurship to Harlem. Those with a hearty appetite can expect more than 50 rotating food vendors and restaurants to be featured weekly, and many of the participating vendors will be minority- and women-owned businesses. The festival will also spotlight legacy Harlem restaurants in a new venture called “OGs of Harlem.” And yes, it’s still a free experience.
Get more information on Harlem Summer Nights.
Arts, Books & Creativity Festivals
Bronx Book Festival, Bronx, New York — June 20
From romance to mystery to nonfiction, the Bronx Book Festival is a small but mighty book event that shines a light on a community that often gets left out of literary consideration. Now in its ninth year, the festival and its founder, Saraciea J. Fennell, have already made a huge impact in shifting the narrative around literary culture through readings, book signings and conversations. This year’s featured event is an intimate conversation between best-selling authors Kennedy Ryan and S.A. Crosby. This festival is a great opportunity to support the local book community and engage with your favorite authors.
Get tickets for the Bronx Book Festival.
Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Cannes, France — June 22 – 26
Cannes Lions is the place to be. While at Cannes Lions, you get a direct line to what the marketing, creative and media industries will be talking about way before anyone else. Expect the creator economy to show up in a big way at this year’s Cannes Lions Festival. The French Riviera is a stunningly gorgeous place to make new connections, get critical insights and find new ways to grow your business. At Cannes Lions, inspiration meets you at every turn, making it one of the top festivals for creators and corporate folks alike.
Get passes for the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity.
Invest Fest, Atlanta — August 7 – 9
This festival is for those looking to level up in their career. This is a three-day information event featuring discussions, workshops and lessons on finance and business. It’s a great space for those hoping to gain more insight into stocks, AI, real estate and financial planning. No matter what level of experience you come in with, you’re bound to walk away from Invest Fest with a clearer understanding of how to execute your business plans. Previous speakers include Magic Johnson, Rich Paul, Steve Harvey and Flau’Jae Johnson.
Get tickets to Invest Fest 2026.