2024 African American Cultural Festival: A Look Back at Last Year’s Celebration

The 2024 African American Cultural Festival was a resounding success, celebrating community, culture, and creativity with vibrancy and spirit. The event kicked off with an enthusiastic opening procession at the Village Stage, located at the Wake County Courthouse. Attendees eagerly gathered to witness and participate in the dynamic activities led by Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Participants experienced the art of giant puppetry, while Baba McDaniel of the Haramabe Collective energized the crowd with captivating African dance sessions. The procession, which began at 11:15 am, was a highlight, showcasing the harmony and joy that define our community. The festival was a testament to the power of cultural expression and collective joy, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the richness of African American culture. We are grateful for everyone who joined us in this celebration, making it a truly unforgettable event full of love and unity.

The African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County is committed to uniting, engaging and educating a diverse community through the celebration of the African American Culture as expressed through the arts. This year marked the 15th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County and we invite you to be a part of the celebration! The festival was held on Labor Day Weekend, **August 30th - August 31st, 2025**, in the heart of downtown Raleigh.
The festival is not just an event, it’s an experience! This family friendly, interactive event is free and accessible to all and has become a destination event for visitors from all over the country. The festival features local and national talent in visual arts, music, theatre and dance, and showcases a host of craft, merchant and food vendors.

The African American Cultural Festival is proud to present an exciting array of interactive art projects each year. Throughout the festival grounds, visitors of all ages will find a wide array of interactive art activities designed to encourage exploration and creativity.

Some of these projects include our Art Walls where attendees can use colorful chalk to express themselves; Puppetry workshops that introduce children to the fine art of character building and storytelling; Mural Projects that showcase works by some of North Carolina's talented local artists; and Theatre workshops where attendees can collaborate to create their own original performances.

These art projects provide a unique opportunity for visitors to dive into the creative spirit of AACF. From visual artistry to live performance, these interactive experiences will inspire curiosity and help bring our community together!

The African American Cultural Festival is more than just a celebration of art and culture, it's also an opportunity to help strengthen our local communities. Each year, AACF offers a variety of outreach programs that promote education, collaboration, and social change throughout Raleigh & Wake County.
Our signature initiative, the AACF Youth Art Grant Program, helps to promote creativity and leadership among high school students in our area. This program provides grants to fund projects that bring art education and creative experiences to underserved populations. We also partner with local service organizations to provide access to health and social services for festival attendees.
Through these community outreach initiatives, AACF strives to create a more vibrant and inclusive local community. We are proud to bring together our city's many cultures and use the power of art to make a positive impact in the lives of everyone!

How People Can Get Involved
With The Festival

Are you ready to get involved with the African American Cultural Festival? Whether you're looking for a volunteer opportunity or want to share your own art and merchandise, there are plenty of ways to join in on the fun!

Become Volunteers!

We invite everyone to become a part of this unique celebration of African American culture! There are so many ways to get involved, so don't miss out on your chance to join us for the 2025 AACF.

Don't forget to check out the AACF website for more information about this year's festival, including a full list of participating artists and vendors. You can also find us on social media, where we'll be sharing updates throughout the summer and leading up to the big event. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for special announcements and exciting news about the 2025 AACF! We’ll see you in downtown Raleigh soon!

We're also proud to partner with various organizations throughout Wake County to further celebrate the diversity of African American culture. With these collaborations, we hope to draw even more attention to the AACF and reach people who may not have otherwise been able to participate in the festival. So be sure to keep an eye out for our outreach initiatives leading up to the 2025 event!