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Black history, art, food and culture converge in Philadelphia.
From African Americans fleeing slavery on the Underground Railroad to African and Caribbean immigrants, Black communities have long settled here in search of freedom and opportunity.
Music legends — Marian Anderson, Patti Labelle, The Roots, Jill Scott, Tierra Wack and many more — got their start in Philadelphia.
Basketball phenomenon Allen Iverson changed the game on and off the court. Where? In Philly, of course.
Innovative, multi-dimensional and just plain cool: Black culture in Philadelphia runs deep.
And that deserves to be celebrated — all summer long.
Cue For the Culture, Visit Philadelphia’s round-up of some of the biggest celebrations of Black culture, community and joy happening in Philly in summer 2024.
Discover new African, Caribbean and soul food favorites from across the city during Black Restaurant Week.
Kick off Black Music Month (co-founded in Philly by radio royalty Dyana Williams) with genre-spanning performances curated by hip-hop legends at The Roots Picnic in Fairmount Park.
And commemorate the anniversary of Black emancipation from slavery with the Juneteenth Parade and Festival.
Read on for a lineup of events celebrating Black culture this summer.
For here or to go? Aiming to highlight and support Philadelphia’s community of Black restaurateurs and chefs, Philly’s two-week-long celebration of Black culinary talent kicks off this May. Black Restaurant Week invites foodies to spend two weeks tasting their way through the city’s wide variety of tasty African American, African and Caribbean cuisine. Check out the official website for the full list of participating restaurants, bakeries and food trucks.
Where: Various restaurants including Cloud Cups Gelato, 3525 I Street, Philadelphia, PA
This annual music festival — curated by and named for Philly hip-hop band The Roots — highlights both groundbreaking up-and-comers and legendary acts alike. For the 2024 festival, attendees can look forward to performances from Philly’s own Jill Scott, the incomparable Lil Wayne and ’90s rap royalty Nas. Did we mention 2024 Grammy Award-winner Victoria Monét, André 3000 (and his flute), Gunna, Fantasia and Babyface? Whew.
Where: The Mann Center, 5201 Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
The country’s largest Black and African cultural festival — now in its 49th year and drawing nearly 500,000 attendees — brings an authentic taste of Africa to South Philadelphia. ODUNDE begins with a week of events and culminates on Sunday, June 9, 2024 with an outdoor festival featuring dozens of vendors, live music and performances, and pay-as-you-go African, Caribbean and soul food dishes. A variety of performances hit the two festival stages, from traditional African dance to ballet, and the day closes with a soulful performance by R&B crooners Dru Hill.
Where: Various locations including South Street & South 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia marks the anniversary of African Americans’ emancipation from enslavement with a fun, family-friendly parade and festival. One of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in the nation, Philadelphia’s one-and-a-half-mile parade draws over 25,000 attendees, 2,000 participants and more than 20 festive floats. The celebration continues in Malcolm X Park with 250-plus festival vendors; tons of food; live music featuring radio royalty Lady B, the talented DJ Touchtone and funk band Urban Guerilla Orchestra; and so much more.
Where: Various locations including Malcolm X Memorial Park, 5100 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA
Showcasing films by Black, Brown and Indigenous artists from around the world, the BlackStar Film Festival brings features, shorts, documentaries, panel discussions and parties to multiple venues in the city. Now in its 13th year, the Oscar-qualifying fest celebrates some of the most influential voices in filmmaking and visual arts. Stay tuned to the official website for more details about the 2024 festival programming, including the full slate of genre-defying films.
The Philadelphia Polo Classic brings one of the world’s oldest team sports to Fairmount Park as a final hurrah for the summer season. The day-long ticketed event draws thousands of attendees and features a carriage parade, pay-as-you-go food and drink, and two action-packed matches showcasing some of the sport’s most celebrated and ground-breaking athletes, like Nic Roldan and Work to Ride alumni Shariah Harris and Kareem Rosser. Proceeds benefit the Chamounix Equestrian Center, a local non-profit empowering young Philadelphians through horsemanship, equine sports and education programs, and its Work to Ride program.
Where: Edgely Field, Reservoir Drive, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA
Dates vary by event
Summer wouldn’t be complete without a turn-up or two! As the temperatures rise, Philly’s event scene heats up, too. Black Soul Summer supports Black and Brown entrepreneurs throughout Philadelphia, connecting the city’s hottest events with eventgoers like you. Keep an eye on Black Soul Summer’s schedule of brunches, block parties, festivals and more all season long — and beyond.
Where: One Art Community Center, 1431-39 N. 52nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
VIEW OTHER LOCATIONS (2)
Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA
Silk City, 435 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and choose-your-own-adventure perks.
Or maybe you’d prefer to buy two Philly hotel nights and get a third night for free? Then book the new Visit Philly 3-Day Stay package.
Which will you choose?