BlackAmericana Fest 2026
While we constantly celebrate the Black communities' influence on music genres such as rap, jazz, and blues, their impact on country and folk music is often left unmentioned. The New Orleans BlackAmericana Festival reminds the community of Black influence on traditional American music, from the banjo's Black origins to early Black stars including harmonica player DeFord Bailey.
Keep reading to learn more about this year's BlackAmericana Fest.
BlackAmericana Fest 2026's Theme
The two-day festival returns for its third year with the theme "Still We Sing: Black Protest Traditions in Americana." This year's music will highlight the history of folk freedom songs and labor anthems while celebrating today's talents keeping the messages of musical protest alive. The event's executive director, Dusky Waters, explains that this year's theme is more than decoration. "It is a promise," Waters stated in a press release.
Each of the Black artists performing this year has been encouraged to include a protest song in their setlist, whether it be the artist's own or a traditional tune. Their songs will honor how spiritual hymns and freedom songs have carried their ancestors from generation to generation. Performances will be spread across the festival's multiple stages, with smaller concerts taking place around the venue.
BlackAmericana Fest's Events & Impact
While the range of performers, from American bluegrass banjoist Tray Allen to Nashville country music duo the Kentucky Gentlemen, will provide their own renditions of American history, the learning does not stop with the lineup. The event will also offer experiences such as a lecture discussing the impact of protest anthems, an extensive art market and gallery featuring local artists, and a protest songwriting round with pieces by emerging writers. The festival will also feature food and drink vendors and community spaces throughout the venue. A family-friendly event, BlackAmericana Fest also offers a Kids Zone with various age-appropriate activities.
In only its third year, the festival's foundation has already grown tremendously in numbers and impact. In its first year, it attracted tens of thousands of guests from local to international visitors. The foundation also hosts a year-round flagship songwriter series that helps pave the way for emerging female talent, alongside its various K-12 and university partnerships. In its last two years of production, the festival has already raised over $80,000 for culture bearers.
BlackAmericana Fest's Dates & Tickets
New Orleans' third annual BlackAmericana Fest will take place on September 25 and 26 at The Broadside. Friday's performances will run until 10 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m., while Saturday's programming will run from 1:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Single day general admission tickets are currently $33, with free admission for children 11 and under. The festival also offers an elevated experience with VIP Weekend Passes and many other ticket packages. Those interested in joining the festival team can sign up as a volunteer, with options to help with guest services or even manage parts of the event.
More information and tickets are available on BlackAmericana Fest's website. Volunteer sign-ups can be found here.
