New Brunswick African music and culture festival kicks off Friday

Crystal Garrett speaks with the folks from New Brunswick Afro Fest about their upcoming community events in Moncton.

New Brunswick’s African music and culture festival is coming to four cities this year.

The festival kicks-off its seventh year in Moncton on Friday and Saturday with later dates in Caraquet, Fredericton and Miramichi.

NB Afro Fest brings food, vendors, music and dancing to celebrate African and Caribbean culture.

“There’s so much beauty in African arts, there’s so much diversity within African arts, Africa is so broad,” says Saa Andrew, executive director of the festival. “So, we want to make sure we tap into every colour of Africa… and just bring everything here in New Brunswick so New Brunswickers can enjoy.”

Andrew says Canada is growing in multiculturalism and Afrofest is a way for them to share with New Brunswick communities.

“The word itself, community, right? Because it’s not just Africans, it’s like everyone coming out,” he says, emphasizing all are welcome at the festival’s events.

Activities are free, but attendees can bring money if they want to buy food or clothes from the vendors.

“I believe that through art, we can help build and change community, one community at a time. What better way to do it than giving people the opportunity to come to free celebrations to celebrate culture,” Andrew adds.

Performances are lined up from dance groups, drummers and musicians to hit the stage.

“Very elegant performances, and if you want to step on stage, you can. Because the goal is that we want to make sure that Canadians, New Brunswickers, are exposed to this and we want to make sure that we reach out to every little community in New Brunswick,” says Andrew.

The dates for NB Afro Fest 2026 are:

• Moncton: July 10 and 11
• Caraquet: Aug. 1
• Fredericton: Oct. 2 and 3
• Miramichi: Oct. 9 and 10

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