The City of Portsmouth is preparing for the 33rd Annual Umoja Festival, an event celebrating African-American culture and community spirit. Scheduled from May 23 to May 25, 2025, the festival will take place at Festival Park on the Portsmouth Waterfront.
The festival’s name, Umoja, derives from a Kiswahili word meaning unity. It was established in 1991 following the Portsmouth City Council’s commitment to honoring cultural diversity. The event is named after the first principle of Kwanzaa and aims to promote unity through music, food, art, and tradition.
“The Umoja Festival is one of the longest-running cultural events of its kind in the country, and we’re excited to welcome residents and visitors alike to celebrate with us on Portsmouth’s beautiful waterfront,” stated Shannon Glover, Mayor of the City of Portsmouth.
Highlights include live performances by bands such as Seamless, Revelation, Strictly Bizzness, and 2nd Wynd. A special concert featuring Kool & the Gang along with B. Michelle and DJ BEE will be held at the nearby Portsmouth Pavilion on Saturday night. Additionally, international food vendors will offer diverse culinary options while a marketplace will showcase handcrafted art and jewelry.
Other activities include heritage tours that honor African traditions as well as various workshops designed for families. The festival opens with an African tradition seeking elders’ permission to commence festivities and concludes with a Gospel Jubilee highlighting local talent from Hampton Roads.
Most activities are free except for Kool & the Gang’s concert which requires tickets available at PavilionConcerts.com.
For more information on schedules and details about the Umoja Festival visit www.UmojaFestPortsmouth.com.
