Celebrate unity, culture, and community at the 33rd Annual Portsmouth Umoja Festival, taking place Memorial Day weekend on the scenic downtown waterfront. Rooted in the Kiswahili word “Umoja,” meaning “unity,” this free, family-friendly festival honors African-American heritage through music, food, art, and tradition.
All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*
33rd Annual UMOJA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, MAY 23
- 6:15pm – 7:45pm | Pointe of Vue
- 8:00pm – 9:30pm | Seamless
- 9:45pm – 11:00pm | Revelation
SATURDAY, MAY 24
- 1:00pm – 2:00pm | Joselyn Best
- 2:15pm – 3:15pm | Phazz II
- 3:30pm – 4:30pm | RaJazz
- 4:45pm – 5:45pm | Strictly Bizzness
- 6:00pm – 7:00pm | 2nd Wynd
- 8:00pm | Kool & The Gang with B. Michelle & DJ Bee* (This is the only paid event associated with Umoja. Tickets may be purchased at PavilionConcerts.com)
SUNDAY, MAY 25
- 2:00pm – 2:40pm | Fully Committed
- 2:45pm – 3:25pm | Kenny Mayo
- 3:30pm – 4:15pm | Dawson Town Community Choir
- 4:20pm – 5:00pm | Chi and Company
- 5:05pm – 6:00pm | GMWA Tidewater Choir
The 2024 Umoja Festival will be held May 24-26, 2024, at Festival Park in Portsmouth. Join us in a grand celebration of unity at Portsmouth’s Annual African American culture and heritage celebration promoting cultural diversity and unity.
Bring the entire family to enjoy all the festivities including live music, kids’ activities, international foods and so much more!
All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*
32nd Annual UMOJA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Sunday, May 26th
2:00pm – 3:00pm Fully Committed
3:10pm – 2:55pm Living Testimony Community Singers
4:00pm – 4:45pm Brother’s in Christ
5:00pm – 6:00pm GMVA Virginia Choir
The 2024 Umoja Festival will be held May 24-26, 2024, at Festival Park in Portsmouth. Join us in a grand celebration of unity at Portsmouth’s Annual African American culture and heritage celebration promoting cultural diversity and unity.
Bring the entire family to enjoy all the festivities including live music, kids’ activities, international foods and so much more!
All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*
32nd Annual UMOJA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 25th
1:00pm – 3:00pm 5STARR
2:15pm – 3:15pm 2nd Wynd Band
3:30pm – 4:30pm The Champagne Band
4:45pm – 5:45pm SynHergi
6:00pm – 7:00pm Ned Harris and The Appeal
Don’t miss the late show at Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion featuring Tank with support from Kari Hilson and Carl Thomas. Tickets required.
Purchase Tank Tickets Here.
Heritage Tour
This free tour departs on the hour at 2, 3, and 4 PM, Saturday only, from the City Hall loading area. Climb aboard and air conditioned coach for a short ride to the Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum. The featured exhibit is call Art is Revolutionary: Icons, Innovators, and Trailblazers from Hampton Roads. Tour the exhibit and then join Kenise Butler and her band for a 20-minute show featuring the songs of Ella Fitzgerald. Climb aboard the bus and return to the festival. Tour time is about an hour.
The 2024 Umoja Festival will be held May 24-26, 2024, at Festival Park in Portsmouth. Join us in a grand celebration of unity at Portsmouth’s Annual African American culture and heritage celebration promoting cultural diversity and unity.
Bring the entire family to enjoy all the festivities including live music, kids’ activities, international foods and so much more!
All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*
32nd Annual UMOJA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, May 24th
5:30pm Opening Ceremony
6:15pm -7:45pm B Michelle
8:00pm – 9:30pm Joselyn Best & Soulful Soundz
9:45pm – 11:00pm Better By Tuesday
The 2023 Umoja Festival will be held May 26-28, 2023, at Festival Park in Portsmouth. Join us in a grand celebration of unity at Portsmouth’s Annual African American culture and heritage celebration promoting cultural diversity and unity.
Bring the entire family to enjoy all the festivities including live music, kids’ activities, international foods and so much more!
All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*
31st Annual UMOJA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Sunday, May 28th
2:00pm – 2:45pm New Sisters in Christ
3:00pm – 3:45pm The Jones Singers
4:00pm – 4:45pm Ricky White and Believers Kamp
5:00pm – 6:00pm The Tidewater VA Chapter of GMWA Choir
2:00pm – 6:00pm Children’s Activities (Bounce Houses, Crafts, and Games)
*Excluding the Boyz II Men concert on Saturday, May 27th. Tickets may be purchased at PavilionConcerts.com
The 2023 Umoja Festival will be held May 26-28, 2023, at Festival Park in Portsmouth. Join us in a grand celebration of unity at Portsmouth’s Annual African American culture and heritage celebration promoting cultural diversity and unity.
Bring the entire family to enjoy all the festivities including live music, kids’ activities, international foods and so much more!
All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*
31st Annual UMOJA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 27th
2:00pm – 3:00pm Phazz II
2:00pm Heritage Tour (Emanuel AME Church, Portsmouth Arts & Cultural Center, and Portsmouth Colored Community Library)
3:15pm – 4:15pm 5STARR
4:30pm – 5:30pm Better By Tuesday
5:45pm – 7:00pm RaJazz Band
8:00pm Boyz II Men (Paid Event at Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion)
2:00pm – 6:00pm Children’s Activities (Bounce Houses, Crafts, and Games)
*Excluding the Boyz II Men concert on Saturday, May 27th. Tickets may be purchased at PavilionConcerts.com
The 2023 Umoja Festival will be held May 26-28, 2023, at Festival Park in Portsmouth. Join us in a grand celebration of unity at Portsmouth’s Annual African American culture and heritage celebration promoting cultural diversity and unity.
Bring the entire family to enjoy all the festivities including live music, kids’ activities, international foods and so much more!
All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*
31st Annual UMOJA FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday, May 26th
5:30pm Opening Ceremony
6:15pm -7:45pm Tidewater Drive Band
8:00pm – 9:30pm Dee Polite and Phenomenal Sounds
9:45pm – 11:00pm 2nd Wynd
*Excluding the Boyz II Men concert on Saturday, May 27th. Tickets may be purchased at PavilionConcerts.com
