Travel is an experience that can help to broaden your horizons and expose you to different cultures and ways of life. As you begin to plan your travel for 2023, take note and experience one of these amazing festivals that celebrates the Africa experience and culture in the diaspora.  

These are listed as the most amazing world festivals to happen in 2023 and are ideal for all black travelers and anyone that wishes to experience African culture.

1. Chale Wote Festival - Ghana 

First on our list is the event that celebrates black culture. It has music, art, design, and dance, altogether. Held every year in James Town, this festival connects the communities together through art. It includes exciting events such as street painting, interactive installations, photography, food stalls, live street performances, photo exhibitions, street boxing, music block parties, design labs, and a lot more.

Now, we are sure after knowing all of this; you will be excited to be at this amazing event. So, mark the dates as this event is going to be held from Dec 28 to Dec 29 in James Town, Ghana, in the upcoming year. 

Get ready to witness the biggest African American Street Festival in June 2023 in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originated by Lois Fernandez in 1975, the Odunde Festival is the biggest African American gathering in the country that is witnessed annually by the state. The event is highlighted by thousands of African Americans coming out on the streets in a colorful procession and taking the tour from 23rd South Street to the Schuylkill River. 

Upon reaching the river, the troop offers fruits and flowers to the Oshun, the Goddes of the River, as per the beliefs of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. At the river, after the offering, the troop celebrates their lives, and the fun begins. From music to dance to a huge marketplace featuring all local and international brands, everything is found in this festival. So, mark the date for the second Sunday of June 2023, and get ready to have fun at the Odunde Festival! 

Are you a big fan of music? If so, you cannot miss this upcoming two-day event in Atlanta, One Music Festival. This is the place where you will see all your favorite singers performing on one stage. The event calls out for all black travelers who love music to have the time of their life. 

There will be performances by some of the most amazing artists in the world, including Lil Baby, Jazmine Sullivan, Rick Ross, Jeezy, Gucci Maine, and finally, a special performance by Ms. Lauran Hyll! We are sure these names are enough for you to get your tickets now! 

This is an annual event and has taken place for the last 12 years in Atlanta. You can easily get your tickets booked for the upcoming year’s event at their official website and start packing your backs for a trip to enjoy One Music Festival in Atlanta. 

An event specially designed to celebrate black culture, the American Black Film Festival is one of the biggest Black gatherings witnessed every year on the beautiful beaches of Miami. It calls out for all film fans and gives them a chance to enjoy a five-day retreat at the beach. During the five-day stay, there is a lineup of events such as in-person film and TV screenings, filmmaker talks, exclusive parties with their favorite filmmakers and actors, and obviously, the most delicious food. 

The story behind it is to celebrate the black talent and to create an atmosphere where black people can enjoy the best out of themselves, free from all the stress of their everyday lives. The event focuses on bringing Film and TV series that are created by and are about black people. So, if you love films, you have to be at this event! 

5. Crop Over - Barbados

Let’s celebrate the summer in the best way! Well, this is the motive behind the Crop Over summer festival held each year in Barbados. It is the most colorful festival you will witness. The festival was initially originated to celebrate the successful sugar cane harvest each year in Barbados and mark the date for the last cane. 

An opening gala marks the beginning of the festival. After which, the king and queen of the festival are crowned the most productive male and female in the last sugar cane harvest. The festival is full of exciting and fun elements, such as the Bridgetown Market, where you can get everything from food to arts and crafts, and the Cohobblopot, the best performance of the festival. So, are you already excited? Well then, get ready, as this event will be taking place on August 9, 2023, in Barbados! 

6. Barbados Reggae Festival 

Are you a Reggae fan? A music genre loved by many around the world, as this genre speaks out for equal rights and justice but in a fun and loving way. Each year, this genre of music is celebrated by thousands of people at the Barbados Reggae Festival. 

The festival includes live performances by some of the best Reggae musicians, amazing food stalls, and much more. Unfortunately, the organizers have announced that the festival will not take place in 2022, which has saddened many reggae lovers, but with that, they also have the good news of the confirmation of the event in 2023. 

7. Dak’art & Saint Louis Jazz Festival

The festival aims at celebrating Art and Jazz together. It takes place every two years in Dakar, Senegal. It exhibits contemporary art and showcases the best Jazz musicians from around the world in the town of Saint Louis. To put it all together, this event takes you on a journey from exploring art to enjoying music alongside exploring some of the best spots of Senegal. 

Begin your journey at Dakar, where you will witness the best Art exhibition in Africa, and move forward to Saint Louis, where you will be given a chance to enjoy live performances by the best Jazz Musicians in the world. 

8. Gorée Diaspora Festival 

Are you proud of your African identity? Well, then you must get your tickets for the Goree Diaspora Festival that takes place each year in Goree Island, Senegal. The festival celebrates the culture and art of Africans and aims to bring African people together. 

You can find all the things in the festival connecting you to your African roots. Not just that, but with Goree Island’s sad history, the festival brings joy to the people and the island to celebrate the struggle. What started as a local festival has now become one of the most highlighting festivals in the country and attracts thousands of visitors from across the country. Even though the exact dates are not revealed yet, the festival will be held in November or December, so be ready!  

Key Takeaway!

All the festivals mentioned above aim to bring people together to celebrate the fusion of African culture in the form of art, music, cultural cuisines, and much more. 

We are sure with our list of the best festivals for black people, you already have your travel diary for 2023 filled. Well, make sure you visit the most you can and have the time of your life!  

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