African Festival of the Arts
This festival has wrapped for 2026 — it typically returns September 2027.
Next edition · 2027
2027 dates: not announced yet. African Festival of the Arts typically returns in September. We read the organiser's site and update this page when dates are confirmed; what follows is the record of 2026.
Labor Day weekend celebration of African and diaspora art, music, food and fashion in Washington Park's Sunken Garden, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Ticketed; the 36th edition ran Sept 5–7, 2026.
- Dates: September 5–7, 2026
- Where: Washington Park Sunken Garden
- Neighborhood: Washington Park
- Cost: Ticketed
How it was
This year's edition is over — the practical notes below are kept as the record of 2026.
What to expect
Africa International House USA's flagship event, one of the country's largest celebrations of African and African-diaspora culture, fills the Washington Park Sunken Garden over Labor Day weekend with art, music, food, fashion and culture from across the diaspora. The 2026 theme was "Crowning the African Spirit"; gates ran 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
History
Produced since 1989 by Africa International House USA, a Chicago non-profit that promotes the cultures of the African diaspora; 2026 was the 36th annual festival.
Local tips
- It runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the evening music is the draw, the daytime is for the art and vendor market.
- The site is the Sunken Garden at 55th and Cottage Grove, on the park's north side.
Frequently asked questions
When is African Festival of the Arts 2027?
The organiser has not announced 2027 dates yet. African Festival of the Arts typically returns in September; this page is updated when dates are confirmed.
When is the African Festival of the Arts?
Labor Day weekend. The 2026 edition ran Friday to Sunday, September 5–7, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.
Where is it held?
Washington Park Sunken Garden, at 55th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue on Chicago's South Side.
Is it free?
No. It is ticketed through Ticketleap; prices vary by day.