The 33rd Annual
Umoja Festival
May 23-25, 2025

Join us for Portsmouth’s annual celebration of diversity, unity and African-American culture on the beautiful downtown waterfront.

Festival Park in Portsmouth, VA
Live Music
International Foods
Fun for Kids
Traditional Arts & Crafts Marketplace
Live Music
International Foods
Fun for Kids
Traditional Arts & Crafts Marketplace
Saturday, May 24th at 8PM
Kool & The Gang
With special guests B. Michelle and DJ BEE
Get ready for a night of legendary funk, soul, and good vibes as Kool & the Gang hits the stage with timeless hits like “Celebration,” “Get Down On It,” and “Ladies Night.” With powerful vocals from B. Michelle and the infectious energy of DJ BEE, this is one concert you don’t want to miss
Get Your Tickets
fun for everyone
Free Admission. Open To The Public.

Festival Schedule

The 2025 Umoja Festival brings together a huge lineup of national acts in jazz, reggae, gospel and rhythm and blues. These events are free and open to the public.

Friday, May 23rd

6:15pm – 7:45pm
Pointe of Vue

8:00pm – 9:30pm
Seamless

9:45pm – 11:00pm
Revelation

Saturday, May 24th

1:00pm – 2:00pm
Joselyn Best

2:15pm – 3:15pm
Phazz II

3:30pm – 4:30pm
RaJazz

4:45pm – 5:45pm
Strictly Bizzness

6:00pm – 7:00pm
2nd Wynd

8:00pm
Kool & The Gang with B. Michelle & DJ Bee*

Sunday, May 25th

2:00pm – 2:40pm
Fully Committed

2:45pm – 3:25pm
Kenny Mayo

3:30pm – 4:15pm
Dawson Town Community Choir

4:20pm – 5:00pm
Chi and Company

5:05pm – 6:00pm
GMWA Tidewater Choir

All Festival Park performances are FREE and OPEN to the public*

*Excluding the Kool & The Gang with B. Michelle & DJ Bee concert on Saturday, May 24th.
Tickets may be purchased at PavilionConcerts.com

Saturday, May 24th

The African American Heritage Tour of Portsmouth

Explore Portsmouth’s rich Black history and cultural heritage on the Umoja Festival Heritage Tour, Saturday May 24th. Enjoy free transportation, self-guided museum visits, and special performances as you travel between key landmarks in the city’s African American story.

LOCATION

PLAN YOUR VISIT

The 2025 Portsmouth Umoja Festival welcomes you to Festival Park on the beautiful Downtown Portsmouth waterfront. The Festival is easily reached by car, or on the Elizabeth River Ferry from Waterside in downtown Norfolk.

Festival Park in Portsmouth, VA

PARKING

Free parking is available to UMOJA attendees in any of the Parking Garages or Off Street Parking Lots operated by the City. These include:

  • Central Garage (at City Hall)
  • Water Street Garage
  • Middle Street Garage
  • Columbia Street Lot
  • Civic Center Lot

Attendees may park in both visitor and reserved spaces (except for spaces marked 24 Hrs. Reserved) after 6:00 p.m. on Friday and anytime on the weekend. On street metered parking is also free after 6:00 p.m. on Friday as well as on Saturday and Sunday.

During Main Stage events on Saturday evening, Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion has parking accessed from WAVY Street, for those holding VIP passes. Special Event Parking Aides will be stationed at key intersections and parking facilities to assist attendees in parking at the City garages and lots during both Friday and Saturday evenings.

Portsmouth Is Where It's At!

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