African Festival of the Arts Returns to Washington Park with S.O.S. Band Headlining Labor Day (Chicago, IL) – After a one-year hiatus, the African Festival of the Arts will return to Chicago’s Washington Park this Labor Day weekend for its 35th anniversary, bringing with it music, food, art and cultural traditions from across the African diaspora.
The three-day festival runs August 30 through September 1 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day at the park’s Sunken Gardens. This year’s theme, “Wèrèwèrèya: The Return”—a Bambara word meaning transformation—honors resilience, cultural pride and renewal.
To close out the weekend, the legendary electro-funk group S.O.S. Band will headline on Labor Day, performing hits like “Take Your Time,” “Just Be Good to Me” and “The Finest.” Rising to fame in the 1980s, the group remains one of the most influential R&B acts of its era.
“This festival is a sacred space of cultural celebration, learning, and connection,” said Patrick Woodtor, founder of Africa International House, which organizes the event. “It’s where past, present, and future come together. Whether you’ve been coming for years or it’s your first time, we welcome you home.”
Festivalgoers will find much more than music. The Drum Village offers communal drumming and dance; the Fine Arts and Quilt Pavilions will showcase textiles, sculptures and wearable art; and the Ancestral Grove will feature yoga, meditation and holistic wellness practices.
Children will have a dedicated Family Village for play and creativity, while the Bank of the Nile Food Court promises flavors from across the diaspora—ranging from West African jollof rice to Caribbean jerk chicken and Ethiopian injera. The African Marketplace will feature handcrafted jewelry, fashion and collectibles.
Over the past three decades, the festival has drawn world-class performers including James Brown, Chaka Khan and Hugh Masekela. Organizers say this year’s lineup will again mix global stars with local talent.
Tickets start at $25, with discounts for children and seniors. Kids under 5 can attend for free, and family passes are available. More information is available at aihusa.org.
African Festival of the Arts Returns to Washington Park with S.O.S. Band Headlining Labor Day
