It’s the 36th year for the Colorado Black Arts Festival, scheduled for Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10, 2022, at the West End of Denver’s City Park. Multiple stages will showcase the finest local and regional talent performing jazz, blues, soul, hip-hop, dance, and gospel. In addition, festival-goers will find a wide variety of artwork for sale along the African-American Visual Arts Row, as well as food, games and services.
The Boogaloo Celebration Parade kicks things off on Saturday at 11 a.m. with marching bands, drum and drill teams from Colorado and the region, themed floats, sport and entertainment personalities, local dance teams, and other exciting elements that create one of a kind performance parade.
The parade route will be on festival grounds. The end of the parade will be at the Kuumba Stage where any group that wants may perform a 3-minute routine on the stage for festival attendees to enjoy.
Throughout the festival, the Kuumba (Main) Stage features a variety of performers including special guests, legendary funk band, The Original Lakeside on Saturday.
The Marketplace is the place for unique gifts, crafts, woodcarvings, clothing, jewelry, oils, incense, music and books.
A Children’s Pavilion provides hands-on fun for the younger set.
The Food Court serves up affordable dishes from the American South, the African continent, the Caribbean and American faves.
Admission is FREE. Open noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Parking is available in the park and in the blocks surrounding the West end of City Park with the three main gates at 17th and City Park Esplanade, 21st and York, and next to the Martin Luther King, Jr. monument. Please observe all City of Denver rules and regulations regarding vehicle parking. Be kind to the neighborhood residents and not block driveways or alleyways. Vehicles not following these rules will be subject to tow.
Handicap parking will be limited inside the park and only cars with handicap license plates and placards will be allowed in designated handicap parking areas.
Public transportation is encouraged. There will be bike racks provided close to the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument gate.