Mayor Brandon M. Scott and the City of Baltimore’s Recreation and Parks Department announced the dates and lineup for the 50th Annual AFRAM Festival in June 2026.
The festival will return to Druid Hill Park on Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21, from 12–9 p.m. each day.
“For 50 years, AFRAM has been a homecoming, an economic engine for our local businesses and artists, and most importantly: a celebration of Black excellence,” Scott said in a statement. “This Juneteenth weekend, as we celebrate five decades of culture, community, music, and art right here in Baltimore, we want folks across Charm City — and beyond! — to come out and celebrate with us.”
This year’s performers will include Paula Campbell; Ultra Naté; Brandon Woody; J. Brown; Lil’ Mo; 6-time Grammy Award-winner PJ Morton; Tamia; The Lox; Mario; and Charlie Wilson, founding member of The Gap Band and the holder of 11 No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay Chart.
AFRAM is a free, family-oriented celebration of Baltimore’s African American heritage, with live music, cultural entertainers, children’s activities, African drumming, carnival mask-making, art showcases, and more.
There will be local vendors and opportunities for local artists, business owners, and makers to showcase their talent and wares to thousands of attendees. AFRAM is one of the largest African American cultural arts festivals on the East Coast and a mainstay summer tradition in Baltimore. Scott described it as a “family reunion” for many people in Druid Hill Park, but “most importantly, a celebration of Black excellence.”
“At a time when Blackness is literally under attack at the highest levels, the 50th AFRAM festival is going to be bigger, better, and most importantly, Blacker than ever,” Scott said. “We’re honoring five decades of culture, community, music, and art, right here in Baltimore, and want everyone to come out and celebrate with us.”
Scott extended an invitation to our East Coast neighbors to visit and experience the festival. (This author will try to forgive his including “all the Yankee-hat-wearing people from New York” in that invitation. She will presume he was caught up in the moment.)
Last year’s AFRAM 2025 welcomed 118 vendors, which generated significant economic activity for Baltimore’s small businesses and entrepreneurs, cementing the festival’s impact and imprint on the local community’s economy.
To celebrate this milestone 50th anniversary, AFRAM will bring back the Podcast Patio in partnership with DTLR. This is a space for live podcast tapings, community dialogue, and conversations about culture and entrepreneurship.
There will also be an expanded KidZone with interactive games, creative arts activities, and programing sure to engage youth for a festival experience they can long remember fondly.
This year’s festival will have an expanded Health & Wellness Village, as well, which will be focused on improving the well-being of Baltimore residents. In keeping with the wellness goals, the City of Baltimore announced the return of the Run-Up-To Juneteenth 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk in partnership with the SEED School of Maryland. This event encourages residents to come together in celebration, reflection, and community spirit leading into the Juneteenth weekend festivities.
“This Juneteenth, we estimate more than 300,000 people will come together in Druid Hill Park for AFRAM 50, uniting the city, the region, and the East Coast,” said Linzy Jackson III, director of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment, in a statement. “It’s a celebration of five decades of Black culture and a tribute to the people and organizations who made AFRAM what it is today. I want to thank Mayor Scott for his continued leadership and commitment to keeping this beloved tradition strong for generations to come.”
Applications for vendor and talent will open officially on April 1, 2026. Visit AFRAM’s website for more details about programming, parking, and festival updates.
