The Durag Festival, held last year at the Blackbox Theater, is taking a pause in 2026.
Durag Festival
Charlotte’s Durag Fest — a Juneenth celebration of Black art, music, fashion and culture in the city since 2018 — won’t be happening in 2026.
“As the festival has grown, so have the considerations required to deliver the experience our community deserves,” a statement emailed to CharlotteFive from festival co-founder Lisa Michelle said.
“Due to circumstances outside of our control, Durag Fest will be taking a temporary pause this year. This decision was not made lightly, but it is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of the experience we’re committed to delivering,” the statement continued.
The 2018 Durag Fest. Chris Smalls
The event originally started out at Camp North End as an effort put together by Charlotte creatives including artist Dammit Wesley to uplift and showcase Black culture and talent. Soon, it became known as the “Met Gala of Durags”.
By last year, organizers said festival had outgrown the space. That led the 2025 event to take place at Blackbox Theater and The Pine, with more than 17 musical acts, food trucks, vendors and more spread across the two sites.
Perrine DeSheild dances during Durag Fest 2021 in Charlotte. Khadejeh Nikouyeh Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
“Thank you for the love and support you’ve poured into Durag Fest over the years. Because of you, Durag Fest has grown into more than an event — it’s a cultural platform celebrating creativity, community, and Black excellence,” the organizers’ statement said.
Festivals canceled
The Durag Fest isn’t alone in taking a break this year.
In December, Charlotte’s Lovin’ Life Music Fest also announced it would “take a short pause” in 2026, “due to circumstances outside our control.” Organizers of the successful uptown music festival told fans to “stay tuned for updates.”
Nationwide, other festivals are cancelling this year, too.
However, there is hope the Durag Fest can make a return in the future, organizers said.
“We’re using this time to work toward the conditions needed to support festivals like ours at scale. Please stay tuned for updates — we’re excited about the future and grateful to have you with us.”
The Durag Festival, held last year at the Blackbox Theater, is taking a pause in 2026. Durag Festival
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
Barbarette Talley, right, of the Queen City Senior African Drummers, plays the djembe alongside her groupmates during the Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas in 2022.
Arthur H. Trickett-Wile
atrickett-wile@charlotteobserver
Juneteenth celebrations in Charlotte are just around the corner, and you can celebrate at festivals and other cultural events with live entertainment, music, art and more.
June 19 marks Juneteenth, a holiday marking June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay in Texas, and freed Black people who had remained under Confederate control long after the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863.
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was ratified later that year, formally ended slavery.
The longest running African American holiday, Juneteenth is also known as Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Liberation Day.
If you’re looking for ways to commemorate this historic day in American history, get ready to mark your calendar with our list of 14 can’t-miss Juneteenth events in the Charlotte area.
When: Monday to Saturday, through June 30, 10 a.m.and 1:30 p.m.
What to know: At this Juneteenth event, expect to explore over 25 miles of historic sites, including three slave cemeteries, a former slave church and a Civil Rights-era home.
Cost: Adults 13-61: $32-$42; seniors 62+: $30-$40; children and students 5-12: $23-$33. Groups of 10+: $5 off per ticket.
When: June 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; June 14, 5-9 p.m.; June 15, 12-10 p.m.; June 16, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
What to know: The Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas, taking place in Plaza Midwood, will celebrate Juneteenth with activities and events such as an opening ceremony, youth culture camp, drum circle, history of Juneteenth, live entertainment, gospel fest and a closing ceremony.
What to know: The 2024 Queen City Juneteenth Parade & Cultural Celebration at CPCC Cato 3 will feature floats, music, vendors and dance performances honoring African-American heritage and freedom.
What to know: Living history interpreters will discuss African-influenced foodways while demonstrating open-hearth cooking and open-fire barbecue. Other highlights will include history on African art forms and natural dyeing techniques, as well as an activity where you can create your own booklet for collecting recipes.
Cost: $8 adults, $7 seniors and $5 youth. Free for Culture & Heritage Museum members and children under 3.
Interpreter Kenya Lane works on a quilt at Historic Brattonsville near Rock Hill in 2022 Tracy Kimball tkimball@heraldonline.com
What to know: Celebrate Juneteenth at the 2024 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival, themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining.” This family-friendly indoor event will feature over 100 Black-owned businesses offering crafts, culture, performances, art and kids games. You can also see performances by Ms. Brii Teachings Dance Company, BeYou Clubhouse/904 Vybez, and ProForce Entertainment.
What to know: Kick off the Juneteenth holiday celebrations with a summer block party on Levine Avenue, hosted by Corey “C’Yo” Brown, in partnership with Winston “Wilmo” Robinson and Washington Kofi. You can expect performances by Shaemovement, Kofi Creative Group, Royal Ezenwa and a storytelling fashion show with Hippie Conquest.
Cost: Free.
Enjoy music and dance at Juneteenth Jam, presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts. Photo by Lloyd Visuals
What to know: This Juneteenth celebration will showcase performances by the Charlotte District Marching Band, Jay Ward Poetry and TCC Performing Arts. The event schedule includes a dance contest at 5:30 p.m. And make sure to get there early, as free meals will be provided for the first 400 attendees.
When: June 17 at 6 p.m, June 18 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and June 19 at 11:15 a.m.
What to Know: Food Truck Friday will kick off Juneteenth in Rock Hill at Fountain Park, followed by Freedom Fest on Saturday and a Church Service on Sunday, both at Mt. Prospect Baptist Church.
What to know: This year’s lineup will focus on youth artistic perspectives, modern conversations on the cross-cultural impact of Blackness and “the importance of positive exchange as a form of community care.”
What to know: At the first annual Juneteenth Art Fest — sponsored by Culture Blocks, Truliant Federal Credit Union and First National Bank, in partnership with the University City Library — the event will feature African American art exhibitions, performances and activities, promoting learning and connections within the community
What to know: Hosted by Freaky Tai and Fiona B, this poetry event will feature “Charlotte’s top orators” at Superstarz CLT, as well as a live DJ, free parking and onsite food and drinks.
What to know: Just one day isn’t enough for this festival. On Day 1, you can expect panels, fireside chats and workshops; and on Day 2, dive right into Durag Fest’s music, food, fashion and art experiences.
Cost: Ticket prices range from $39.60 to $119.20, with options for day passes, weekend passes and add-ons like VIP access and after-party admission.
Dammit Wesley, artist and owner of BlkMrktCLT photography studio at Camp North End, founded the annual Durag Festival that takes place on Juneteenth weekend in Charlotte. Alex Cason CharlotteFive
What to know: Real African Art has planned an evening of viewing Shona stone sculptures from Zimbabwe and paintings, jewelry, masks and wooden carvings.
Cost: Starts at $10
Cal Ganda’s goal with his Real African Art gallery is to help improve the lives of artists there by providing a path for them to sell their sculptures and paintings. David T. Foster III dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com
Freelancer Mari Pressley was an intern on the Charlotte Observer’s Service Desk and CharlotteFive. She studies mass communication with a concentration in journalism, while minoring in writing and photography. Her previous experience includes interning for Credit Karma’s Editorial team and serving as Managing Editor at Winthrop University’s school newspaper, The Johnsonian.
