NASHVILLE, TN — The 44th annual African Street Festival will take place Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, at Hadley-Lillard Park in Nashville, and is again this year it is free and open to the public.
Throughout its history, the African Street Festival has been a signature Nashville celebration of African and African American culture, bringing together music, art, education, wellness, food, entrepreneurship, history and community.
Presented by the African-American Cultural Alliance (AACA), the 3-day festival creates an environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can gather, learn, celebrate and connect.
“The festival reflects the enduring cultural connections between Africa and America while providing a contemporary space for Nashville’s multicultural communities to experience culture through music, movement, art, storytelling, food and hands-on activities,” said Rev. Howard E. Jones Jr., a Nashville native and longtime festival attendee.
The 2026 theme, “Rooted in Unity, Rising in Purpose,” reflects both the festival’s history and its vision for the future. The festival was established by the late Kwame Leo Lillard; the festival location now shares his name, Hadley-Lillard Park.
“For 44 years, the African Street Festival has been a place where culture becomes a bridge — connecting generations, communities and people from different backgrounds,” said Jeneene Blackman, CEO of the African-American Cultural Alliance. “As we look toward the future, we are proud to honor where we came from while creating new experiences that speak to today’s families and tomorrow’s leaders. This festival is rooted in history, but it is very much alive, evolving and rising with purpose.” One of the African Street Festival’s defining characteristics is its intergenerational appeal.
“Children can participate in hands-on activities. Young adults can discover artists, music, food and entrepreneurs. Families can enjoy the festival together, while longtime supporters can reconnect with a celebration that has been part of Nashville’s cultural landscape for more than four decades,” added Blackmon.
Festival highlights include:
BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY, hosted by Nashville PBS in partnership with the African-American Cultural Alliance. The family-friendly experience will take place Saturday, September 19 from noon to 4 p.m. The project encourages families to play, learn and connect while exploring themes of early childhood education, health, safety, kindness and what it means to be a good neighbor.
The Art Village, presented in partnership with the North Nashville Art Coalition (NNAC), celebrates creativity and the role of art in preserving and telling community stories.
The festival will feature three live music stages, offering a variety of musical and cultural experiences throughout the weekend. On Sunday afternoon a performance ensemble featuring a Nashville Symphony musician will take the main stage. Sankofa will also bring African dance and drumming to the festival, offering classes throughout the weekend along with a dynamic main-stage performance.
The Festival Marketplace will celebrate entrepreneurship and provide an opportunity for attendees to discover and support businesses. Vendors and entrepreneurs travel to Nashville from across the United States, Africa and the Caribbean to participate. Food trucks will add another dimension to the experience, offering a variety of flavors and culinary traditions.
The festival is designed to create opportunities for people to experience, participate, learn and connect. The African-American Cultural Alliance is committed to making the experience accessible to the broader community. The festival is the Alliance’s signature annual celebration and one of the organization’s longest-running community initiatives.
and health and wellness and much more. Photo by Brandon Blackmon
