As the days get warmer and the sun shines brighter, it's time to start thinking about all the exciting festivals happening across the US for the aunties of the world. These festivals are the perfect opportunity for Black women to come together, celebrate their culture, and enjoy some amazing music, art, and food. Here are some of the most popular Spring/Summer festivals for us aunties!
Lovers and Friends Festival (Las Vegas, NV)
Lovers and Friends festival is not only a celebration of nostalgia, but also of love. The festival’s name is inspired by the classic R&B song “Lovers and Friends” by Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz, and the festival’s branding is a nod to the romantic aesthetics of the 90s and early 2000s. The festival’s official merchandise featured heart-shaped designs, roses, and romantic phrases, further emphasizing the festival’s theme of love.
This year's headliners include some of our favorite childhood artists like Nelly, Missy Elliott, 50Cent, Usher, Omarion and some newbies like Summer Walker and Bryson Tiller. The festival is scheduled for May 6th, 2023. You can find tickets here.
Strength of a Woman Festival (Atlanta, GA)
The Strength of a Woman Festival is a celebration of the resilience and strength of Black women created and curated by our favorite auntie, Ms. Mary J. Blige! Only in its second year, this festival features musical performances from artists like Saucy Santana, Lauryn Hill, Jeezy and Method Man, with a Gospel Brunch, Comedy Show and Purpose Ball to complete the weekend!
This year the festival will be May 11th- 14th and you can purchase tickets here!
Essence Festival (New Orleans, LA)
The Essence Festival, which takes place every July in New Orleans, is one of the largest and most popular festivals for Black women in the United States. This festival brings together some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, and culture, with past performers including Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, and Diana Ross. In addition to the incredible music lineup, there are also panels, workshops, and discussions on topics ranging from beauty and fashion to health and wellness.
The 2023 dates are June 29th- July 3rd. You can find more information here.
Afronation (Miami & Portugal)
Afronation is a music festival that celebrates African music and culture. The festival was founded in 2018 in Portugal, but it has since spread to other locations across the world, including Ghana, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. The festival features some of the biggest names in African music, including Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. It has become a popular destination for African music fans from around the world, and it is widely regarded as one of the premier African music festivals.
You can find them in Miami May 27th-28th and in Portugal June 28th-30th this year!
AuntieFest (Atlanta, GA)
We wanted aunties to have a space to wear our play clothes, so we created AuntieFest, a festival for the rich, woke, saved, lit and every auntie in between to celebrate each other. AuntieFest feels like a family reunion with good food, good music, and a lil’ dominoes, but is also a safe space for Black women to play and be a kid again. We center play because it bonds and connects people, thus creating feelings of safety and vulnerability to be themselves. They’ll be able to engage in brand activations created by Black-owned businesses that will take them back to the good ol’ days and even introduce them to new paths to community healing. It’s a return to self and the things that we enjoyed as kids. Our goal is to celebrate every day Black women in our community so that they leave with their cup full.
This year we are bringing it to Atlanta! Check out footage from #AuntieFest 2022 in LA here!
Tickets and dates will be announced soon! Subscribe to our emails to be the first to grab yours!