Upcoming 2025 Music Festivals Celebrating Black Music

With weekend one of Coachella now in the rearview and Dreamville Fest now planning its next iteration, festival season is officially underway. A full slate of gatherings devoted to the celebration of Black music in all its forms—hip-hop, R&B, jazz, techno, house and more—are lining up across the country. Whether you’re a crate-digging purist, a bass-lover, or someone chasing the next genre-defying breakout moment, there’s a festival for every pocket of sound and soul.

This year also marks a major first: GRAMMY-winning singer, composer, Rhiannon Giddens will launch her inaugural Biscuits and Banjos festival in Durham, North Carolina. It’s a fitting continuation of the state’s growing cultural footprint—from Dreamville Fest’s massive draw to a broader interest in Southern-rooted storytelling. The event aims to bridge folk, country and blues traditions through a distinctly Black Southern lens.

Meanwhile, Roots Picnic returns to Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park on May 31 and June 1 with a loaded lineup featuring a rare set from D’Angelo alongside The Roots, plus appearances from Meek Mill, GloRilla, Lenny Kravitz and more. The beloved hometown gathering, curated by Questlove and Black Thought, remains a staple for fans seeking live instrumentation, nostalgia and new wave excellence all on one bill.

Over in Detroit, the Movement Festival continues to honor the city’s foundational role in the creation of techno music. The Memorial Day weekend staple will spotlight legends like Carl Cox and Moodymann, alongside a dynamic mix of house, hip-hop and future bass tastemakers, reaffirming Detroit’s past and future in global dance culture.

Here are the upcoming festivals on the horizon to put on your radar:

Biscuits & Banjos Festival

Dates: April 25–27
Location: Durham, NC
Vibe: This inaugural event aims to bridge folk, country and blues traditions.
Lineup Highlights: Rhiannon Giddens, Carolina Chocolate Drops (reunion), Taj Mahal, Christian McBride, Leyla McCalla, Rissi Palmer, Dom Flemons, and The Legendary Ingramettes.

Movement Music Festival

Dates: May 24–26
Location: Detroit, MI
Vibe: A celebration of Detroit’s techno heritage, spotlighting electronic music’s pioneers and innovators.
Lineup Highlights: Carl Cox, Charlotte de Witte, John Summit, Moodymann, Carl Craig b2b Moodymann featuring Underground Resistance co-founder Mike Banks, and Ferg.

Roots Picnic

Dates: May 31 – June 1
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Vibe: A dynamic fusion of hip-hop, R&B and soul, curated by The Roots.
Lineup Highlights: D’Angelo with The Roots, Meek Mill, Lenny Kravitz, GloRilla, Miguel, Tems, Kaytranada, 2 Chainz, Latto, Jeezy (celebrating 20 years of Thug Motivation 101) and Musiq Soulchild (marking 25 years of Aijuswanaseing).

Afro Nation Portugal

Dates: July 9–11
Location: Portimão, Portugal
Vibe: A sun-soaked celebration of Afrobeats, dancehall and Amapiano, uniting the African diaspora.
Lineup Highlights: Wizkid, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Uncle Waffles, and more.

Rolling Loud Miami

Dates: July 19–21
Location: Miami, FL
Vibe: A high-energy showcase of hip-hop’s biggest names and emerging talents.
Lineup Highlights: Lil Wayne, Ice Spice, Future, and more.

Newport Jazz Festival

Dates: August 1–3
Location: Newport, RI
Vibe: A historic festival bridging classic and contemporary jazz.
Lineup Highlights: Janelle Monáe, The Roots, Esperanza Spalding and more.

Lollapalooza

Dates: August 1–4
Location: Chicago, IL
Vibe: A genre-blending festival with strong representation from hip-hop and Black alternative acts.
Lineup Highlights: SZA, Vince Staples, Teezo Touchdown and others.

Sol Blume 

Dates: August 15–17
Location: Sacramento, CA
Vibe: An intimate gathering celebrating R&B, soul and hip-hop.
Lineup Highlights: Summer Walker, Jordan Ward, and others.

AfroFuture Detroit

Dates: August 16–17
Location: Bedrock’s Douglass Site, Detroit, MI
Vibe: A groundbreaking celebration of African and diasporic music, culture and creativity.
Lineup Highlights: Davido, Kaytranada, Ludmilla, Gims, Flavour, Lojay, Tee Grizzley, DBN Gogo, Juls, TxC, DJ K-DAWG & EZ Pass.

House in the Park

Date: September 1
Location: Atlanta, GA
Vibe: A grassroots celebration of Black house music, fostering community and dance. 
Lineup Highlights: No formal lineup; the focus is on communal dancing and soulful beat.