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African American Cultural Festival 2024 in Raleigh


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Celebrate Culture

The African American Cultural Festival 2024 in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, is one of the Triangle’s most anticipated events. This free family-friendly festival happens during Labor Day weekend, August 31–September 1, 2024, along the 400 block of Fayetteville Street, Raleigh. It’s Raleigh’s premier cultural festival, celebrating African American heritage through art, music, dance, food, and community.

What Makes This Raleigh Cultural Festival Unique



Founded in 2010, the African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County brings together arts, entertainment, food, vendors, and workshops every year. Now celebrating its 15th edition in 2024, it has grown into a major Raleigh festival and regional cultural destination.



This year’s festival spotlights music, art, dance, theatre, and interactive family programming. Expect live performances, DJ sets, puppetry, step shows, community panels, and food trucks serving soul food, BBQ, and fusion flavors .



Main Stage Music & Entertainment Lineup



The Main Stage festival programming features a mix of DJs, bands, steppers, tribute performances, and more:



Saturday, August 31

  • 11:30 am – Elders’ Processional & Opening Ceremony

  • 12:30 pm – Official Welcome

  • 1 pm – DJ Tres & Unity Mas Band

  • 3 pm – Aaron McCoy Sax Band

  • 4 pm – Greek Roll Call / Unity in Motion

  • 6 pm – The Ray Band

  • 8 pm – Sumthin 4 the People

  • 9 pm – Project 919



Sunday, September 1

  • 10 am – Wake Chapel Church Service

  • 1 pm – Deep River Singers

  • 2 pm – Community Conversation: A Blueprint for Racial Equity

  • 3 pm – New Creation Gospel Band

  • 5 pm – JP Peele & Friends

  • 6 pm – Soultrii

  • 8 pm – DJ Skillz

  • 9 pm – Black Sheep’s Dres & Nice & Smooth headliner performance



Family Village & Cultural Workshops



  • The Family Village stage features interactive culture-rich activities and kid-friendly events like:

  • Puppetry workshops with the Harambe Collective and Paperhand Puppet Intervention

  • Spoken word performances by local youth

  • Dance showcases from Raleigh Rockers, Leela School of Dance, and more

  • Black storytelling and community discussion panels



These interactive programs highlight Raleigh cultural events, making the festival great for families and cultural explorers.



Arts, Food Vendors & Marketplace



The African American Cultural Festival is also an arts and commerce showcase:



  • Dozens of craft & merchant vendors, with handmade jewelry, apparel, art, and local goods

  • A bustling African Village featuring cultural food, interactive mural projects, and demonstrations

  • Food truck row offering BBQ, soul food, Afro‑fusion, sweets, and more — ideal for foodie events in Raleigh

  • It’s a hub for discovering African American vendors and local artisans.

  • Free Admission & Walkable Festival Footprint



Admission to the African American Cultural Festival 2024 is free and open to all. Spread across Fayetteville Street downtown, the compact layout makes it easy to walk between stages, vendor booths, dining areas, and workshops — no shuttle required.



Community Engagement & Cultural Impact



This festival is more than entertainment—it’s a celebration of identity and community:



  • It serves as a platform for social justice dialogue and discussions, visible in programming like the “Blueprint for Racial Equity” panel

  • It features church-led programming such as Sunday morning worship from Wake Chapel Church

  • Its Family Village supports youth through spoken word, visual arts, puppetry, and dance



How to Experience the Festival Like a Local



  • Arrive early each day to catch opening processions and snag prime viewing space

  • Stay downtown to walk between Fayetteville Street venues and sample festival foods

  • Check the schedule ahead of time for must-see acts and cultural demonstrations

  • Bring reusable water, sunscreen, hats, and comfy shoes — festival spans 11 am to 10 pm daily



Triangle on the Cheap



Why You Should Attend the African American Cultural Festival 2024

The event is free and open to the public, making it inclusive for all

It features a powerful blend of live music, cultural workshops, interactive art, community talks, vendors, and soulful food

It spotlights African American culture, history, and expression in the heart of downtown Raleigh

It invites the community together through art, heritage, and dialogue —

that’s what makes it one of Raleigh’s best festivals, trending on searches like African American Cultural Festival Raleigh, Labor Day cultural festival NC, and downtown Raleigh events



Quick Festival Summary



  • Event: African American Cultural Festival 2024

  • Dates: Saturday, August 31 – Sunday, September 1, 2024

  • Time: 11 am to 10 pm daily

  • Location: 400 block of Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh, NC

  • Admission: Free

  • Highlights: Main Stage music, Family Village arts, worship services, community panels, food vendors, vendors marketplace



The African American Cultural Festival 2024 offers an unforgettable celebration of heritage, arts, music, community, and culture. Whether you come for the main stage entertainment, family activities, cultural workshops, or tasty food, this festival packs impactful experiences into one cohesive event in downtown Raleigh. Share heritage. Discover creativity. Celebrate unity.