The African Street Festival returns to Nashville for “A Celebration of Culture, Community and Connection.” Nashville is getting ready to come together for one of its most anticipated cultural celebrations as the African Street Festival returns to Hadley – Lillard Park Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, 2026. Free and open to the public, and you are invited; bring friends and family!

Presented by the African-American Cultural Alliance (AACA), the 44th annual festival is a free, three-day celebration of music, art, culture, education, wellness, food, shopping and community. Designed for all ages, the festival creates a space where neighbors can connect, families can discover something new and Nashville’s rich cultural traditions can be celebrated together.

For more than four decades, the African Street Festival has celebrated the enduring cultural connections between Africa and America while creating opportunities for people from across Nashville and beyond to gather, learn and experience the joy of community.

“The African Street Festival is more than an event — it’s an experience,” says Jeneene Blackman, CEO of the African-American Cultural Alliance. “It’s about the rhythm, the art, the food, the stories and, most importantly, the people. We want everyone who walks through the gates to feel welcomed, connected and inspired. Whether you come for the music, the marketplace, the villages or simply to spend time with your family, there is something here that will feed your soul.”

New this year is “BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY.” One of the festival’s exciting new additions is BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY, hosted by Nashville PBS in partnership with AACA’s African Street Festival on Saturday, September 19, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. The free, family-friendly community event promotes early childhood education, health, safety and positive values highlighted through beloved PBS KIDS characters Daniel Tiger and Miss Elaina. Families will have the opportunity to play, learn and connect with community resources while exploring what it means to be a good neighbor. It is a natural fit for a festival built around bringing people together.

A Children’s Village filled with discovery awaits you. The Children’s Village will be a hub of creativity, learning and hands-on experiences, with participating organizations including Bach to Rock Nashville West, Nashville Diaper Connection, Frist Art Museum, The Science Guys, Purpose Prep Academy, Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, ReadingWithNetta and the National Museum of African American Music.

Children can explore music, science, art, literacy and culture in an environment designed to make learning fun and engaging. Music will also take center stage in the Children’s Village, with the Nashville Symphony bringing an instrument petting zoo where children can get an up-close look at musical instruments and discover the joy of making music.

Art, Music and the Rhythm of Culture will enthrall you in The Art Village, presented in partnership with the North Nashville Art Coalition, which will showcase local artists and creative expression while highlighting the important role art plays in telling community stories.

Music will be at the heart of the festival, particularly on Sunday afternoon, when a Performance Ensemble featuring a Nashville Symphony musician will take the main stage. And festivalgoers won’t want to miss Sankofa, which will offer African dance and drumming classes throughout the festival and bring its dynamic performance to the main stage. The combination of music, movement and cultural expression promises to make the weekend unforgettable.

The Health & Wellness Village will connect festivalgoers with health professionals, educational resources and community organizations, including Tennessee State University and Meharry Medical College. Attendees can access health screenings and health education while participating in activities designed to make wellness accessible and enjoyable. Programming will include yoga, Pilates, African dance and drumming.

The Knowledge Village will offer educational programming, community conversations and resources focused on informing, connecting and empowering Nashville residents.

Beyond the villages and stages, the festival’s Marketplace, full of flavor and discovery, will offer an opportunity to shop, discover and support entrepreneurs. Visitors can browse an eclectic mix of handmade and cultural products, including hand-carved sculptures, natural shea butters, homemade fragrances and unique goods from local makers and vendors traveling from across the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.

Food trucks will add another layer to the experience, offering a variety of flavors that invite festivalgoers to taste, explore and enjoy.

Three Days. Three Stages. One Community: The African Street Festival is designed as a fully immersive experience, with three live music stages, interactive installation villages and a bustling marketplace transforming Hadley-Lillard Park into a vibrant celebration of culture. But beyond the music, art, shopping and food is something even more meaningful: connection.

“We are intentional about creating a festival where people can come together across generations and backgrounds,” Blackman said. “And keeping the festival free is an important part of that. Families should be able to experience great music, culture, education, wellness and entertainment without the cost of admission standing in the way.”

For 44 years, AACA has helped create a space where Nashville’s past, present and future intersect. The African Street Festival continues that tradition — while evolving to meet the interests and needs of today’s community. This September, bring your family. Bring your friends. Come hungry, curious and ready to dance.

Come experience the rhythm… Discover the culture…. Support the community… And feel the vibe! Learn more at: https://www.africanstreetfestival.com/