2023 promises to be a big year for black music with a variety of festivals featuring some of the biggest names in the industry. What were some of your favorite Black Music Festivals in 2022? Here is a current list of all the Black Music Festivals for 2023 around the world that we could find! Have a group of people you want to travel with to a Black music Festival? We have a Group Travel Department that can help you plan your trip together. Click Plan My Group trip today or call 1-866-475-7023 and join Black Travel the movement.
Afrochella will be known as Afro future in 2023
End of December 2023
Afro future is a festival designed to highlight & elevate thrilling and thriving millennial talent from and within Africa. Last year’s Afrochella took place at El Wak Stadium in Accra on December 28 and 29. The two-day music festival featured Kidi, Medikal, Ayra Starr, DJ Juls, and DJ Loft. Thousands of people came to the country in celebration of Afrochella. The festival is an interactive event that encourages collaboration, explains and explores culture with a pioneering approach.
Afropunk Festival
The Afropunk Festival is one of the world’s largest and most popular black music festivals. There are several festivals around the country including Brooklyn New York which takes place in September and Miami Florida which takes place in May. This year’s lineup includes headliners such as Janelle Monáe, Tyler the Creator, and Solange. The festival takes place in Brooklyn, New York and will feature performances by artists from a variety of genres, including hip-hop, R&B, and rock.
Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival
Montego Bay, Jamaica
March 2023
The annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Montego Bay takes place at Cinnamon Hill Golf Crouse. More than 30,000 attend to watch jazz & blues artists along with Jamaica’s most popular bands. 2020 performers included Norah Jones, Dione Warwick, Roseanne Cash, Roberta Flack, Boyz II Men, Toots and Azucar Negra.
Jazz in the Gardens Music Fest
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
March 11-12, 2023
This 2 day festival salutes the contributions of African-Americans in Art, Culture and Music. This includes new and old school artists. 2023 performers include Jill Scott, Jodeci, Ari Lennox, Adam Blackstone, Erykah Badu and El DeBarge to name a few of the performances.
Coachella
Coachella Valley, CA
April 14-23, 2023
This festival includes many genres of music including rock, indie and hip hop. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an annual festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Way too many acts to mention (over 175,) this year big names are Bad Bunny, Gorillaz, Blackpink, Rosalia, Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris just to name a few. Past performers include Beyonce, Eminem, Billy Eilish, The Weekend, Cardi B, SZA, Kygo, St. Vincent, War on Drugs, Vince Staples, the Man, Migoes, HAIM and more. Coachella is one of the biggest, most well-known, and most gainful music celebration in the United States and everywhere throughout the world and it happens every year.
Something In The Water
Virginia Beach, Virginia
April 28-30, 2023
A Music festival and cultural experience in Virginia Beach. This Oceanfront event was started in 2019, by Beach native and Grammy-winning music producer Pharrell Williams and was a huge success. No doubt, it is expected to grow into one of the best Black music festivals on the East Coast. The festival features hip hop culture from the West, East, and South of the US. Paste artists that performed were Wale, Trey Songz, Chance the Rapper, H.E.R., Migos and Tyler the Creator just to name a few.
SunFest 2023
West Palm Beach, Fl
May 5-7, 2023
Founded in 1982, SunFest is Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival. Held annually in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida the first week in May, SunFest attracts more than 175,000 visitors. Artists cover a range of music genres. Popular performers in 2019 included Diplo, Pitbull, Rae Sremmurd, Nick Jonas, PartyNextDoor, Billy Idol, Toots & the Maytals, Living Colour & Dafeaunito.
The Roots Picnic
Philadelphia, Pa
May 30-31, 2023
Two-day festival that happening May 30-31, 2023 at Philadelphia’s the Mann at Fairmont Park. It is named after its founders and hip hip legends the Roots. Last year’s artists included Mary J Blige with the Roots, Wizkid, Summer Walker, Jazmine Sullivan, Kamasi Washington and many more. The festival features a diverse lineup of R&B, rap, and indie alternatives.
Broccoli City Festival 2023
Washington, D.C.
July 15-16th, 2023
Broccoli City Festival is a two-day hip-hop event at RFK Stadium and Festival Grounds a historic sports and concert venue in Washington, DC. Each year around 30,000 people attend this festival and it is open to all ages. Last years artists were :Lil Baby, Snoh Aalegra, Moneybagg Yo, Lucky Daye, Justine Skye, Rubi Rose, ESTA, Andre Power, Sasha Marie, 30HBlack and many more. Broccoli Fest is considered the largest festival in the US for young people of color.
Soul Beach Music Festival
Aruba May 24-29, 2023
The 21st Annual Soul Beach Music Festival offers a unique combination of excitement and sophistication nestled in an intimate setting. Three nights of Concerts, 5 Nights of Club Parties and 5 Days of Beach Parties. Ride the waves of the Soul Beach Music Festival, which was voted one of the “Top Five Caribbean Celebrations by USA TODAY”, as well as #1 “Caribbean Summer Festival” by Jetsetter Magazine. Be part of the action, because this festival is sure to amaze you with sultry day and night events, the hottest internationally renowned performing artists in music and comedy, all in one jam packed weekend of music, fun and sun! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any hotter, loyal followers and newcomers alike are sure to enjoy the sexy, smoldering beaches and entertainment! Past performers include Usher, Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Faith Evans, DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Chubb Rock.
St. Kitts Music Festival
June 22-24, 2023
By blending exciting music with exhilarating performances, The St Kitts Music Festival is now the most diversified musical show in the Caribbean. The Festival includes R&B, Gospel, Zouk, Cadence, Reggae, Blues, Dancehall, Meringue, Soul, Jazz. Performers include Davido, Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah, Nadia Baton, Popcaan, French Montana, Buju Banton, Smokey Robinson, Farmer Nappy & more.
Afro Nation Festival
June 28th-30th, 2023
The Algarve, Portimao, Portugal
The world’s biggest Afrobeats festival. Afro Nation is a Portuguese Afrobeats, hip-hop, dancehall, basement, and R&B three-day festival held each summer on the beautiful Praia da Rocha beach, just south of Portimão. Afro Nation is raring to go year after year in the sunny shores of Portugal for another weekend in the company of some of urban music’s biggest artists. 2023 lineup includes Burna Boy, 50 Cent, Booba, Asake, Aya Nakamura, Scorpion Kings, Uncle Waffles and many more artists.
Essence Festival of Culture 2023
New Orleans, La
June 29th – July 3rd, 2023
For the past 29 years Essence without a doubt is one of the top black music festivals. It celebrates the culture, cuisine, entertainment, and style of the African-American community in the beautiful city of New Orleans. This annual mega event is filled with concerts, seminars and celebrities, all sponsored by Essence Magazine. Past Performs include Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Miguel as well as Loni Love, Missy Elliott, Mary J Blige, H.E.R. & RBRM just to name a few. The festival features genres including R&B, Soul, Funk, Gospel, Blues, hip-hop, jazz, and much more.
NN North Sea Jazz Festival
Rotterdam, Holland
July 7-9, 2023
Three days of jazz, blues, soul, funk, hip hop, r&b and more. The largest indoor music festival in the world, known globally as the event where the past, present and future of jazz are featured within three days. Performers include Alabaster Deplume, Anna Webber Simple Trio, Benny Sings, Andrew Cyrille Quartet, Dewolff & Dawn Brothers, Branford Marsalis Quartet and so many more.
Curlfest
July 2023
New York, New York
The World’s largest Black Owned natural beauty festival celebrating natural black women. This event is geared towards empowering and creating a uniquely magical experience where women and girls of every shade, shape and size can come and be celebrated for who they are, unconditionally. Redefining what the world’s standards of beauty look like. The festival takes over Randall’s Island Park in New York for a full day of beauty, music, food, and Black culture.
Rolling Loud
March 3-5, 2023 in California
World’s Largest Hip-Hop Festival. 2023 performers include Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Future, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Polo G and so many more. Past performers included Travis Scott, Post Malone, Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, Migos, Lil Baby, Roddy Rich, Young Thug, Tyga…and many more .
Reggae SumFest
Montego Bay, Jamaica
July 16-22, 2023
Sumfest has earned a reputation as the Caribbean’s premier music festival, showcasing Jamaica’s indigenous music, as well as other popular global genres of music. A week of events held in Montego Bay, Jamaica during the 3rd week in July every year. It features the best in reggae and dancehall music over 2 main festival nights and 5 lead up events.
OVO Fest (Drakes Event)
Toronto, Canada
July 29th – August 1, 2023
Every summer, hip-hop megastar Drake curates, hosts, and performs at the OVO Fest, hands-down the biggest rap festival north of the border. This summer’s lineup includes Chris Brown and Lil Baby, who will share the stage on July 29th. Aubrey will headline things with Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj on August 1st. Past headlining acts like Snoop Dogg, B2K, Mario, Ying Yang Twins, Chingy, Wiz Khalifa, Machel Montano, Future, and Beenie Man, it’s no wonder it has become one of the top music festivals to attend.
Baltimore AFRAM Festival
Juneteenth Weekend 2023
The AFRAM Festival is a celebration of African American life, music and culture. AFRAM is FREE to the public. It takes place in Druid Hill Park Baltimore. The 2021 festival provided Baltimore residents and festival-goers a week-long hybrid format with both in-person and virtual experiences. Last years performers included: Busta Rhymes, Wale, Mooski, Chaka Khan, Marsha Ambrosius, and Smokie Norful. AFRAM is a family-friendly event there is something for everyone. Don’t miss one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast! This 745-acre urban oasis draws crowds of over 100,000 each year, be a part of it!
Dream Weekend: Jamaica’s Premier Independence Music Festival
Negril, Jamaica
July 28 to August 1, 2023
Dream Weekend is Jamaica’s #1 and most anticipated music festival held on the white sand beaches of Negril, Jamaica. Enjoy 5 days of parties with high energy with popular high-energy genres of music, and performances from local and international artistes, inclusive or liquor and food. This year’s 5-day extravaganza promises to be the ultimate party and celebration of everything Jamaican.
Music Midtown
Piedmont Park Atlanta, Ga
September 15-26, 2023
Known as Atlanta’s premier music festival since 1994, Music Midtown features a diverse lineup of over 30 artists across 4 stages. Hip hop, electronic, pop and indie rock festival held in downtown Atlanta. Don’t miss this amazing music festival.
Made in America
Ben Franklin Parkway in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Labor Day Weekend 2023
The two-day event, now in its eighth year features a superstar roster with everything from hip-hop to rock to pop to electronic. Created & curated by Jay-Z and sponsored by Anheuser-Busch, this annual music festival is a massive musical celebration. Rihanna, ColleGrove, Chance the Rapper, FKA twigs, DJ Khaled, Travi$ Scott, Coldplay and several other acts have performed in past years.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
April 28-May 7, 2023
New Orleans, La
Headlining this year’s festival are such classic rock legends as Santana, the Steve Miller Band, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. Performers and guests alike come from all over the world to be a part of this great event. Jazz and Dixieland are the focal points, but many different kinds of music are performed. At the Jazz Fest site, there are about 10 stages and show areas and the included admission ticket allows the guest to roam between each venue at their own pace on an open-seating basis. The new orleans Fairgrounds site is a short distance from the French Quarter. New Orleans is always a fun city to visit.
Hot 97 Summer Jam
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
June 11, 2023
This single day Sunday Hip-hop Dance Music festival brings the jams to New York City! Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Pusha T, City Girls, Burna Boy, Young Thug and Gunna 2023 Summer Jam headliners. Past performers include Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Trey Songz, Fat Joe & Remy Ma, Migos, Joey BADA$$ and more on the main stadium stage. On the festival stage, they also feature emerging artists such as Young M.A, A Boogie, Don Q and Lil Yachty.
Coming in 2024….
Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival
Tampa Bay, FL January 2024
This two-day celebration includes live entertainment, exciting cultural events, food vendors, craft vendors, a music fest with national recording artists and more. Tampa Bay’s annual family-friendly festival commemorates the many contributions and influences African Americans have made in our society.
20th Cape Town Jazz Festival
Februrary 23-24, 2024
Cape Town, South Africa
This annual Jazz Festival at the convention center brings Jazz legends from around the world. In 2019, over 40 artists play on 5 stages over the 2 day event. 2018 performers include Alistair Izobell, Amanda Black, Corinne Bailey Rae, Nicholas Payton, and Miles Mosley. 2022 information coming soon.
Are there some Black Music Festivals in 2023 that we missed? Let us know
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