Get Ready for the Hottest Black Music Festivals of 2024
For lovers of hip-hop, R&B, soul, funk, jazz, and more, 2024 is shaping up to be an incredible year for Black music festivals around the country. From long-running favorites to brand-new celebrations of African American musical traditions, mark your calendars now for these can’t-miss events. 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.
Afrofuture Fest 2024
December 28-January 1, 2024
Location: El Wak Stadium & Accra Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana
Afrofuture Fest 2024, referred to as Afrochella, is an epic celebration of African music, art, and culture in Accra, Ghana. Building on the success of the previous Afrochella festivals held around New Year’s, the 2024 edition is poised to be the biggest incarnation yet.
The weeklong extravaganza will take over two massive venue spaces in downtown Accra, bringing together tens of thousands of revelers to close out 2023 in stunning fashion. Afrochella 2024 has already announced headliners like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Mr Eazi, and SZA for the multiple stages at El Wak Stadium. Meanwhile, legendary DJs and soundsystem crews will set up an massive outdoor dancehall for all-night reggae-dancehall sessions at Accra Sports Stadium. Beyond the big-name music acts across afrobeats, hiplife, dancehall, hip hop, and more, Afrofuture Fest will also highlight fashion with a major Afrocentric fashion show and marketplace. The 2024 theme is “Reconnect” – calling all members of the African diaspora globally to come together and celebrate the culture. Numerous art installations and pop-up events will be curated to bring this theme to life. Attendees can expect nonstop parties from dusk till dawn, the best of Ghanaian and pan-African cuisine, eye-catching style, and a pervasive atmosphere of #BlackJoy. With affordable ticket options and travel packages available from all major cities, Afrofuture Fest 2024 is the African cultural homecoming you don’t want to miss!
AFROPUNK – Atlanta, GA August 23-25, 2024
AFROPUNK Atlanta is scheduled for August 23-25, 2024 at Central Park in downtown’s Old Fourth Ward. Staying true to its rebellious origin story, the festival upholds punk/DIY ethics meshed with activism and honoring Black roots. The lineup typically features genres like punk, hip-hop, avant-garde R&B, Afrofuturism, funk, and soul – mostly spotlighting up-and-coming Black alternative artists. However, AFROPUNK has also hosted arena-filling giants like Lauryn Hill, Fishbone, Janelle Monae, and more for surprise performances over the years. Besides 60+ bands across four live music stages, past AFROPUNK festivals have activated the space with fashion shows, skateboarding demos, graffiti installations, technology workshops, TED Talk-style panels, DJ showcases, mouth-watering food vendors, and revolution-themed art vendors. Notable is that AFROPUNK Atlanta makes all vendor participation highly inclusive for LGBTQIA+, minority-owned, and woman-owned businesses and organizations. The fest upholds a strict commitment to platforming and supporting marginalized groups through music, activism, and enterprise. AFROPUNK’s Events Group Manager Akim updates that the 2024 social justice programming will focus on environmental racism, housing inequality, discrimination in healthcare and more layered issues that disproportionately impact Black communities across America year-round.
Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival
Montego Bay, Jamaica
January 2024
The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is an iconic music festival held annually in Trelawny, Jamaica. Since its inception in 1996, the weeklong festival has become well-renowned for showcasing top international jazz, blues, soul, and R&B talent against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. The 2024 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival is scheduled for January 22nd through 28th in Rose Hall, Montego Bay. Fans flying into nearby Sangster International Airport can expect a short 15-minute drive west to reach the festival grounds. The open-air venue features multiple stages with state-of-the-art sound systems set up on the manicured lawns of the Rose Hall Great House estate. Here, attendees can lay out beach towels or snag a seat at one of the few thousand chairs peppered around the performance stages that host talent well into the night. Food stalls dishing up local jerk chicken, oxtail stew, and tropical fruit abound in the designated dining tent. Bars serve up the event’s signature cocktail, the Jamaica Jazz Smoothie, featuring Appleton Estate rum and Tia Maria coffee liqueur. A pop-up Jamaican marketplace allows guests to stock up on artisanal products from around the island to bring home too. With world-famous talent against tranquil oceanic vistas, the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival promises to be a world-class cultural celebration displaying Jamaica’s vibrant music heritage for global music lovers far and wide.
Jazz in the Gardens Music Fest
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
March 9-10, 2024
This 2 day festival salutes the contributions of African-Americans in Art, Culture and Music. This includes new and old school artists. Jazz in the Gardens Music Fest is known as the premier jazz and R&B music festival held annually in the lush Sunshine State. Taking place March 7-11, 2024 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Jazz in the Gardens gathers top talent across soul, funk, hip hop and of course jazz under south Florida’s sunny skies. Renowned as the fastest-growing jazz and R&B festival with 40,000 attendees expected in 2024, this event puts a decided spotlight on celebrating African American culture, cuisine, and scholarship through multiple creative avenues. Along with performances by dozens more acts across four stages, festival-goers will be able to indulge from dozens of Floridian soul food vendors scattered throughout the festival grounds. Collaborating Miami restaurants and caterers will provide comfort cuisine like jerk chicken waffles, fried catfish sandwiches, peach cobbler waffles, oyster po’boys, and more to keep the crowd well-fed between sets. For any lover of soulful beats, Jazz in the Gardens provides the perfect cultural experience this March in Miami.
Rolling Loud
March 15-17, 2024 in California
World’s Largest Hip-Hop Festival – Rolling Loud Festival is one of the largest and most acclaimed celebrations of hip hop music globally.. 2024 performers include Nicki Minaj, YG & TYGA, Post Malone, Future X Metro Boomin, Lil Tecca, Big Sean, Don Toliver and many more. Past performers included Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Future, Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, Tyga, 2 Chainz, Polo G and so many more.…and many more .
Coachella
Coachella Valley, CA
April 12-21, 2024
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 Valley Music and Arts Festival is one of the largest and most famous music festivals held annually in Indio, California. Originally launched in 1999, Coachella has developed a reputation for delivering unforgettable performances from genres like alternative, indie rock and pop in a stunning location in the Colorado desert. The 2024 edition of Coachella is scheduled for two weekends, April 12-14 and April 19-21 at the Empire Polo Club. Beyond the concerts occurring from noon until 2am across seven magical stages, Coachella offers eye-catching installation art, pop-up shop vendors, mouthwatering food stands and craft cocktail bars scattered about the polo field venue. Glittery festival fashion and good vibes abound at every turn for a one-of-a-kind party in the palm trees celebration that kicks off every summer with a splash.
Capital City Black Music Festival – Austin, TX April 2024
Austin keeps things funky with the inaugural Capital City Black Music Festival next spring. The four-day event will shine a spotlight on emerging and influential local Black artists across genres like blues, country, gospel and, of course, classic Austin weirdness. Spread out over clubs and venues in the legendary Red River Cultural District, CCBLK will feature daytime panels about Black music history and opportunities for Austin youth to hone their creative skills. After the sun goes down, powerhouse performances will keep the crowds moving all night.
Something In The Water
Virginia Beach, Virginia April 2024
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. Past artists that performed were Wale, Trey Songz, Chance the Rapper, H.E.R., Migos, and Tyler the Creator, just to name a few.
Soul Beach Music Festival
Aruba May 22-27, 2024
The 22nd Annual Soul Beach Music Festival offers a unique combination of excitement and sophistication nestled in an intimate setting on the gorgeous island of Aruba. 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” and #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.
Beachin’ and Beatboxin’ at Seatown Funk & Soul Fest – Virginia Beach, VA (May 23-26)
Over Memorial Day weekend, Virginia Beach transforms into a beachside soul and funk mecca. The Seatown Funk & Soul Fest takes over the legendary Virginia Beach oceanfront for four days of genre-blurring music, mouthwatering food, and pops of African inspired fashion. Legendary groups like Graham Central Station and The Internet promise to bring the funk, while local DJs will keep the party going all day with classic soul on the boardwalk stage. Guests can also indulge in a “Soul Food Feast on the Beach” with dishes like fried catfish, mac & cheese and collard greens. Don’t forget to hit up the dozens of Black-owned vendors selling their latest fashion, art and accessories.
Capital Jazz Fest – Columbia, MD (June 7-9)
Just outside Washington D.C., Capital Jazz Fest offers a more intimate and upscale celebration of smooth jazz, soulful R&B and funk. Capital Jazz Fest is Washington, D.C.’s long-running premiere jazz, soul, and funk outdoor music festival happening June 7-9, 2024, for its 31st-anniversary edition. Taking place at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in the scenic Columbia area, Capital Jazz Fest is an intimate venue experience welcoming genre icons and emerging talents alike across multiple stages, including a Jazz Café stage and a huge outdoor main amphitheater stage. This year’s lineup features soul legends Gladys Knight and Gerald Albright alongside contemporary jazz and neo-soul stars like Ledisi, Brian Culbertson, and Lindsey Webster Band. Beyond world-class concerts happening into the night, Capital Jazz also offers inspiring jazz talks and Q&As at their Jazz Tent. Fans can gain wisdom directly from participating musicians through candid discussions and even one-on-one lessons for a truly immersive musical encounter. The festival experience also includes a fine wine garden for connoisseur tastings between sets and indulgent southern-inspired cuisine vendors serving up classics like shrimp po’ boys, crab cakes, and peach cobbler crepes so guests never go hungry as they dance the weekend away.
St. Kitts Music Festival
June 2024
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.
The Roots Picnic
Los Angeles, California
June 29, 2024
The Roots Picnic will happen at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for the first time. The legendary Roots crew invites their musical heroes and peers to celebrate the first five decades of hip-hop at the Bowl. The festival features a diverse lineup of R&B, rap, and indie alternatives. This year’s lineup will feature a star-studded list of performers. Queen Latifah, Common, Digable Plants, Arrested Development, Dres from Black Sheep, and more will all take the stage in the inaugural West Coast event.
Afro Nation Festival
June 26th-28th, 2024
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. 2024 lineup includes Rema, Asake, Ninho, J Hus, Omah Lay, Flavour, Diamond Platnumz, Tyla, Major League DJZ, Uncle Waffles, Focalistic, Tyler ICU and many more.
Essence Festival of Culture 2023
New Orleans, La
End of June – July, 2024
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.
Essence Festival – New Orleans, LA (July 4-7)
The massive Essence Festival returns to New Orleans over the July 4th weekend in 2024 for its 25th anniversary. Expect the biggest names in R&B, soul, and hip hop to take over multiple stages at the Superdome and spill out into club shows all over the Big Easy. Besides the scores of concerts that go down each night, Essence Fest also hosts empowering talks, comedy shows, art exhibits, and more during the daytime. The festival regularly draws over 500,000 attendees for the ultimate party with a purpose.
Curlfest
July 2024
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.
Broccoli City Festival 2024
Washington, D.C.
July 2024
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 Summit Block Party – Harlem, NY (July 2024)
For one glorious day next July, the heart of iconic Harlem will be closed off for a massive block party showcasing homegrown musical talent and Black culture. Local artists like jazz saxophonist Marquis Hill and neo-soul queen Kiandra Richardson will take over multiple outdoor stages at the Soul Summit Block Party. Besides the concert performances, guests can also browse local Black-owned businesses selling art, fashion, crafts and more. The event will also host dance battles for neighborhood youth, poetry slams, a classic car show, summertime cookouts in front of the brownstones and much more. July 2024 will undoubtedly be Harlem’s biggest soul and R&B takeover in recent history.
Reggae Sumfest 2024
July 16-22, 2024 Montego Bay Jamaica
Reggae Sumfest 2024 is gearing up to be the hottest bash, celebrating dancehall, reggae, and Caribbean culture at large in Montego Bay this summer. The annual weeklong festival is slated for July 16-22, with the main festival nights happening July 20 and 21 at Catherine Hall Entertainment Center. For over 25 years running, Reggae Sumfest has attracted the biggest names in reggae and dancehall year after year. This year’s lineup has already confirmed heavy hitters like Buju Banton, Capleton, Beenie Man, Sean Paul, Spragga Benz, Bounty Killer, and Elephant Man so far. The bill also includes fast-rising talents like Koffee, Masicka, and Skillibeng to fire up the party with more contemporary sounds. Reggae Sumfest is also known for surprise cameos, with the likes of Rihanna, Chris Brown, and Usher taking the festival stage last minute in past years. Beyond the vibrant concert series that stretches into the dawn, Sumfest offers attendees a full itinerary of events to submerge in Jamaican music culture. Popular daytime events include their annual Beach Party Bashment on July 21st featuring dancehall selectors clashing on the turntables while partygoers guzzle rum and enjoy culinary festivities. Guests also flock to the Street Dance Party on July 19th to see soundsystem showdowns as speakers turn all the way up with dancers flooding Jamaica’s Hip Strip under the stars. From start to finish, Reggae Sumfest provides a pulsating weekend celebrating Kingston’s global musical influence.
The Legacy Lives On at John Coltrane Jazz Fest – Huntington, WV (September 1-2)
Much like the pioneering saxophonist himself, the John Coltrane Jazz Festival marches to the beat of its own drum. Held in the unlikely location of Huntington, West Virginia, this fest commemorates Coltrane’s little known childhood home in coal country. Against the backdrop of local historic jazz sites, fans will celebrate Trane’s enduring musical legacy through vibrant performances from modern jazz luminaries like Ravi Coltrane along with gospel choirs, local youth musicians and more. Besides the concerts, guests can participate in late night jazz jams, watch screenings of rare Coltrane performances, and learn about plans for a John Coltrane museum soon to open in Huntington to fully honor one of the genre’s great innovators where it all began.
The Nina Simone Street Festival – Tryon, NC (June)
On the first day of summer, the small town of Tryon, North Carolina where Nina Simone grew up will honor her civil rights activism and incomparable musical gifts. Local Black musicians, choirs and dancers will reinterpret Simone’s songbook against the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge mountains. There will also be spoken word performances and plays about Simone’s life, panel talks on carrying her legacy forward, and even some cinematic screenings. Guests can also tour Simone’s childhood home where she first learned to play piano at a young age before leaving Tryon to ultimately become a legendary High Priestess of Soul.
Smooth Jazz Weekend Getaway – San Diego, CA (September)
Grab your lover for a romantic weekend escaping to the combination smooth jazz and Pacific breezes at San Diego’s Smooth Jazz Weekend. Held at multiple oceanfront venues including Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, the Sapphire Tower Sky Lounge and the pooldeck at Catamaran Resort, smooth jazz lovers can mix and mingle with first-class acts like Norman Brown, Paul Brown and Lindsey Webster interspersed with reggae bands and sunset happy hours. Guests can also book lavish hotel room packages that include couple massages, jazz brunch cruises through San Diego harbor, happy hour sailboat excursions and more for a truly decadent weekend.
