Harambee's 8th Annual African American Festival Returns to Kingston Point Beach |
The August 8 celebration honors 400 years of resilience with music, food, and community by the Hudson |
If you're looking for the perfect way to spend a Saturday in early August, mark your calendar for the African American Festival at Kingston Point Beach. The free event runs from noon to 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 8, 2026, and promises a day of music, food, culture, and community right on the waterfront.
A Festival with Deep Roots
This year marks the 8th annual celebration, organized by Harambee Kingston NY, Inc. — a local non-profit founded in 2018 and dedicated to celebrating African American culture and preserving local Black history. The festival takes its name from the Swahili word for "let's pull together," and that spirit of community is evident in everything they do.
Harambee Kingston NY is perhaps best known for their work at the Pine Street African Burial Ground, a historic cemetery dating back to 1750 that served as Kingston's first burial ground for enslaved people, their descendants, and free persons of color. The organization purchased and protected the site in 2019 through a partnership with the Kingston Land Trust, and since then has worked to restore it as a memorial and educational space.
The African American Festival grew out of that mission — a way to bring the community together in celebration, not just remembrance. What started as a small gathering has grown into one of the region's most anticipated summer events, drawing attendees from across the Hudson Valley.
This Year's Theme: "400 Years & Beyond"
The 2026 festival theme, "400 Years & Beyond," invites attendees to celebrate the depth, resilience, and joy of African American culture. It's a theme that speaks to both the historical struggle and the vibrant present — acknowledging centuries of contribution while looking forward to what's ahead.
What to Expect
The festival is designed to be multi-generational, with something for everyone:
The setting at Kingston Point Beach adds to the experience — you can enjoy the festival with views of the Hudson River, take a walk along the waterfront, or let the kids play on the beach between performances.
More Than a Festival
While the African American Festival is a day of celebration, it's also part of Harambee's broader mission. The organization offers youth programs, cultural events, and educational initiatives throughout the year. They're also planning the National Conference on African Burial Grounds for October 2027, which will bring together preservationists, historians, and community leaders from across the country.
The festival is free to attend, making it accessible to families and individuals from all backgrounds. Organizers encourage attendees to bring their family and friends — this is a community event, and everyone is welcome.
Festival Details:
Whether you come for the music, the food, the vendors, or simply to be in community, the African American Festival offers a chance to celebrate culture, history, and the vibrant present of the Hudson Valley's Black community. As the organizers say: "Together we rise — bring your family, bring your friends, and meet us at the beach." |
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The theme '400 Years & Beyond' really hits different. This is more than just a festival, it's a statement. Harambee has been doing quiet but important work in this city for years and they deserve way more recognition for it.
Claudette J.Couldn't agree more. I feel like a lot of people just think of it as a fun summer event and don't realize the depth of what Harambee is actually doing year-round. The burial ground work alone deserves way more attention from the city.
You put it perfectly — the '400 Years & Beyond' theme is very much a statement, and it's hard to overstate how much Harambee does year-round, from preserving the Pine Street African Burial Ground to planning the upcoming National Conference on African Burial Grounds in 2027.
Hope they have better parking situation figured out than a couple years back. Kingston Point gets packed on a hot August Saturday and it can be a real mess getting in and out. Event itself is great though, no complaints there.
Mike FarnsworthParking was a headache last time I went, ended up walking pretty far. Honestly not the worst thing on a nice day but if you're coming with little kids or older folks it's worth keeping in mind. I usually just get there early and it's fine.
That's a fair point worth raising — we'd recommend reaching out directly to the organizers at info@harambeekingstonny.org or 845-853-0524, as they'll have the most current information on parking and logistics for this year's event.
Free, on the waterfront, live music AND a kids village? This is exactly what summer in Kingston should look like. Bringing the whole crew.
I had no idea the Pine Street Burial Ground went back to 1750. That's a piece of Kingston history I honestly knew nothing about. Really glad Harambee has been doing that preservation work. Will definitely be stopping by to learn more at the festival.
Tom BellacosaSame, I grew up in Kingston and didn't learn about the burial ground until maybe 5 years ago. It's kind of wild how something that significant just wasn't talked about. The work they've done to restore and protect that site is really something special.
Been going to this every year since it was just a small gathering down at the point. The growth has been incredible. Last year the Caribbean food vendors alone were worth the trip. Marking August 8th on the calendar right now.
Love hearing from a longtime attendee — you're living proof of just how far this festival has come since those early days, and we couldn't agree more about the food vendors being a destination in themselves!