Skip to main content
Shedd Aquarium

African Festival of Arts 2022

Looks like this event has already taken place.

Fri, Sep 02 – Mon, Sep 05, 2022

E. 51st Street and S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60615

The 33rd Annual African Festival of the Arts (AFA) returns Labor Day Weekend to Chicago’s historic Washington Park in the heart of the south side’s museum district and future home of the Obama Presidential

The end-of-summer celebration of Black cultural arts re-emerges, following a two-year hiatus, under the theme “Back to Culture. Back to Tradition”. All are invited to the affordable and family friendly Black cultural arts immersive experience in Washington Park. The culturally rich interactive event brings the art, sights, tastes, sounds and spirituality of African Diaspora global cultures to Chicago - all amid a replicated African village! Non-stop entertainment representing the full arc of global Black music expression will be featured on two stages.

Chicago’s own “Empress of Soul” TERISA GRIFFIN will launch the “Harambee” reunion celebration with her soul stirring rendition of R&B favorites. Nigerian artists dominate Saturday night with REMA who rose to fame with his “Iron Man” release which Barack Obama had on his 2019 summer playlist. The twin Nigerian brothers of P-SQUARE, PETER and PAUL OKOYE, are back together for their Chicago festival performance. Gospel sensation ERICA CAMPBEL holds her own on Sunday with the CHICAGO MASS CHOIR and THE VICTORY TRAVELERS. The R&B award nominated SWV (Sisters with Voices) will rock the park and bridge the continents through song with South African mega-star (TBA Aug1) for the final African Festival of the Arts 2022 “Harambee” performance Monday night.

Visit *www.AIHUSA.orgfor additional performance and ticket information about the 33rd annual Africa International House Gala and African Festival of the Arts.

Places to stay nearby...

Chicago Lake Shore Hotel

Chicago

Read more about Chicago Lake Shore Hotel

David Rubenstein Forum

Chicago

The David Rubenstein Forum is a contemporary, state-of-the-art global hub for the exchange of ideas and intellectual engagement located on the University of Chicago campus.

Read more about David Rubenstein Forum

Amber Inn

Chicago

The Amber Inn is located in the Bronzeville district of Chicago.

Read more about Amber Inn

You might also be interested...

Chinatown Summer Fair

Jul 28 @ 10AM

This iconic event is one of the most ethnically unique outdoor events in Chicago and the Midwest. Attracting more than 40,000 people from throughout the region.

Read more about Chinatown Summer Fair

Lollapalooza

Grant Park •  Aug 01 – Aug 04

Each year at Lollapalooza, some of the top names in alternative, hip hop, punk and pop join more than 170 bands and musicians in Grant Park…

Read more about Lollapalooza

Chicago Air and Water Show

Aug 10 – Aug 11

The Chicago Air and Water Show presented by the City of Chicago is the largest free show of its kind in the United States. The show…

Read more about Chicago Air and Water Show

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.