For more than 50 years, something remarkable has happened on the second Sunday in June in South Philadelphia. The air fills with the pulse of music and the aroma of food from the African diaspora across 16 city blocks. This is the ODUNDE Festival.
ODUNDE was created in 1975 by Lois Fernandez, who brought together her South Philadelphia community to celebrate African heritage and the Yoruba New Year. What began with a $100 grant has grown into the largest African American street festival in North America, drawing up to 500,000 people annually.
The festival is rooted in the traditions of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. For ODUNDE, the New Year is marked with a colorful procession from 23rd and South Street to the Schuylkill River, where offerings of fruit and flowers are made to the Yoruba goddess of the River, Oshun.
Now in its 51st year, ODUNDE Festival 2026 returns to South Philadelphia for a week-long celebration running June 7–14, with R&B legends Bell Biv DeVoe headlining the grand street festival finale on June 14. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime devotee, here’s everything you need to know before you go.
What To Expect For 2026
ODUNDE runs a year-round program, and during the festival week, people can expect a full schedule of events.
Start the week strong with the ODUNDE 365 Fitness session with Coach Zha on June 7 at Love Park. On June 8, the Let’Em Cook & Be Great luncheon honors the legacy of Fernandez. It will be an intimate gathering that features stories, memories, and a delicious meal in tribute to the festival founder.
Tuesday, June 9, is Bumi Bestie Happy Hour, a relaxed evening of cocktails, conversation, and community with ODUNDE CEO Oshunbumi Fernandez-West and friends. Tickets are $25.
Lois Lunches Pop-Up Edition is a special luncheon honoring the legacy of Fernandez. There are two taking place on June 10 and June 13. Then, there’s an African Business Roundtable on June 11 that brings together African and Caribbean business leaders to network and collaborate with investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals. The goal is to build bridges and forge partnerships.
Fest-goers can join ODUNDE CEO Oshunbumi Fernandez-West for an intimate conversation on June 12 about the organization’s vision, challenges, and future dreams. This candid discussion offers a rare opportunity to engage with the CEO and learn about the work that goes into creating the largest African American street festival in America.
June 14 is the big day, with R&B legends Bell Biv DeVoe headlining a festival that takes over 16 city blocks of South Philadelphia. Beyond the week’s programming, the festival itself is a world unto its own with the authentic African marketplace featuring vendors from around the world selling merchandise from African nations, the Caribbean, and Brazil.
Whether you’re there for the procession, the marketplace, the music, or simply the energy of half a million people gathered in celebration, there’s a place for you at 23rd and South Street on June 14. Check the event website for a full list of events and to reserve your tickets.
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