Leaves are beginning to change colors and fall off trees as we head into the fall season of 2018. What better way to celebrate the upcoming season than with some fun-filled fall festivals? Some of the best festivals are held during the fall for music, film, culture and let’s not forget food.
Check out some of these best fall festivals for the culture worth traveling to that are taking place all around the world.
Brussels, Belgium
October 19-20, 2018
The BOZAR Brussels Centre for Fine Arts hosts a weekend-long festival inspired by the epic Harlem Renaissance and the African Independence. Take in the live music photography, art, poetry performances, and panel discussions all dedicated to the notion of Black Travel, coordinated by the author of Afropean: Documenting Black Europe Johny Pitts.
AfroSolo Arts Festival 2018: Black Voices Performance Series
San Francisco, CA 94102
October 18-21, 2018
For 24 years, San Francisco’s African-American community has represented the black performing arts every year at the AfroSolo Theatre Company. This festival is an ode to San Francisco’s African American community and more importantly black performing arts. Programs for this three-day event include a free jazz concert, a visual arts exhibit, and numerous solo performances. Come celebrate the 65th birthday of founder and award-winning actor and producer Thomas Robert Simpson. He’s worked with award-winning actor Ruby Dee and political activist Dick Gregory, showcasing visual and literary art in California for the two decades.
Other programs were designed to uplift, inspire and motivate young black men to succeed and prosper their achievements.
Atlanta, GA
October 13-14, 2018
Afropunk is one of the livest festivals in celebration of black culture, music, art, and mindfulness. The theme this year is Carnival of Consciousness. This inclusive, multicultural space has helped shape the culture of the world for over 13 years. Performers of this two-day event include Noname, Rico Nasty, Kari Faux, Sango, N.E.R.D. Pusha T and more.
Workshops include creating murals, painting, and a DIY cultural marketplace for jewelry, clothing and more.
Beignet Fest
New Orleans, LA
October 6, 2018
Beignets for everyone! The Beignet Fest brings in hundreds of people for one day of free beignets at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds. Proceeds from the event go towards the Tres Doux Foundation, dedicated to enriching the lives of children with developmental disabilities.
Nashville, TN
September 21-23, 2018
Sponsored by the Nashville chapter of the African American Cultural Alliance, the annual 3-day festival is a celebration of African culture, heritage, food, music and more. The focus of the organization is to enhance the awareness of people of African descent. Past festivals have included celebrity softball games, African dance showcases, and international vendors. It’s a popular Nashville attracting attraction pulls in thousands from all over the area and surrounding cities. The celebration also highlights other cultures in the Caribbean, and North, Central, and South America.
Urbanworld 2018
New York, NY
September 19-23, 2018
The yearly festival highlights individuals changing the landscape content creation of all genres from music to film. Individuals include creators Elaine Welteroth, Will Packer, Ava Duvernay, comedians Kevin Hart, Lil’ Rel and Tiffany Haddish, entertainers Amandla Stenberg, Bilal, Ayo, Naturi Naughton, Simone Missick from Luke Cage and more. According to their website, the festival is intended to expand the definition of ‘urban’ beyond ethnicity to include sensibility, culture, and proximity. We strive to be ‘the filmmakers festival’ and ‘the people’s festival,’ providing a point of intersection where creators and audiences meet to experience bold and diverse artistic works.
IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Festival
Miami, FL
August 16-18, 2018
Non-profit organization IFE-ILE has dedicated itself to conserving and spreading the cultural heritage of Miami’s Afro-Cubans through dance and art. Ife is an old city in southwest Nigeria. The organization is intended to educate and inform the community of their cultural impact through dances, lectures, and classes. The IFE-ILE Dance Company is a popular Afro-Cuban dance troupe, famous for their fusion of traditional dances such as Mambo, Salsa, Rumba and more with modern dance. They also collaborate with other diverse cultural communities (Jamaican, Puerto Rican, Haitian and Brazilian) throughout the year developing programs to raise cultural awareness.
Pittsburgh, PA
Celebrate Pittsburgh’s first annual black beer festival featuring the world’s most talented black brewers. The Brewers Partners Podcast will hold an intimate conversation with prolific brewers discussing their start in today’s beer industry. Try crafted beers, ciders, spirit and Pittsburgh food, music and more. Next year’s dates have yet to be announced.
