Billed as “the world’s largest” celebration of global Black music and culture, Afro Plus Fest is taking over 35 acres outside Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, from Friday through Sunday. The three-day lineup includes artists like Tems, Ayra Starr, Davido, Wizkid and Alkaline, along with Lil Baby, Latto, Chief Keef and Sexyy Red, performing across two stages.
The music will span Afrobeats, hip-hop, soca, dancehall, R&B and amapiano, while a “Made in the DMV” stage will spotlight local performers.
“Last year, a beautiful sight to see was flags from all over African nations, from the Caribbean, from all over the world,” said the festival’s publicist Asma Amani.
Beyond the performances, the festival grounds will feature more than 125 food vendors, approximately 100 brand activations, carnival rides and games, a basketball court, art installations, fashion and beauty showcases, wellness spaces and a marketplace highlighting Black-owned businesses.
The festival was founded by Prince George’s County native Michael Awosanya, who began organizing parties while attending Towson University. The inaugural Afro Plus Fest drew 20,000 people to the RFK Festival Grounds in 2025. This year, the event is expected to have an attendance of 120,000 over the course of the three days and it’s estimated to generate as much as $60 million in local economic impact.
In a statement, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said, “Afro Plus Fest is a homecoming for African communities across our state and across the country to come together and celebrate the bonds that connect us.”
Afro Plus Fest is open to all ages. Ticket prices vary, but start at $149 for one-day general admission.
Check back every Thursday for a roundup of Things to do in the DC area.
Here’s what else is happening in the D.C. area:
Prepare to enjoy jazz across several stages at The Wharf in Southwest D.C. this Saturday and Sunday as part of the D.C. Jazz Festival. Ticket prices vary, but start at $29 for one-day general admission.
Celebrate a variety of Black-owned food vendors with Black-owned wine, spirits & beer samplings, a Black-owned marketplace and live bands and DJs this Saturday. The Black Food + Wine Festival is hosted at The Great Lawn at Historic Walter Reed, strictly for those ages 21 and over. Ticket prices vary.
This three-week zine-making workshop begins on Saturday and continues the following two Saturdays, on Sept. 12 and 19. Creative folks can come together to find inspiration, work on individual projects and learn how to best print and bind their creations. The event at 52 O Street Studios in Northwest D.C. costs roughly $103 per person.
The 17th annual D.C. State Fair is this Sunday with live performances, local vendors and educational workshops in tow. Several live competitions are also planned, including best pie eating and best outfit. The event is hosted at Anthem Row in Downtown D.C. The event is free to attend.
Starting Wednesday, Sept. 9, the D.C. Comedy Festival is hosting several local and national comedians at a variety of locations across the region. The festival runs through Saturday, Sept. 12 with varying ticket prices per event.
The Maryland State Fair returns to Timonium with carnival rides, fair food, concerts, horse racing and agricultural competitions. This year’s lineup also includes goat and puppy yoga and the Mullet Madness competition, as previously featured in WTOP’s “Matt About Town.” The event runs from Thursday through Monday and returns the following week. Ticket prices vary.
Queens are coming together this Friday for a night of singing, dancing and glamour at the Olney Theatre Center’s Root Family Stage. Tickets for Dragvaganza! start at $17 for lawn seats and $27 for the seated option.
At Silver Spring, Maryland’s Marian Fryer Town Plaza, the Capital House Music Festival celebrating house music blended with musical traditions from around the world. The festival this Saturday offers a long lineup of DJs for nonstop dancing. The event is free, but attendees must register on Eventbrite.
For the 55th anniversary of the Labor Day Art Show at Glen Echo Park, the show is showcasing the works of more than 400 artists from the D.C. area with a variety of mediums featured. The show is open from Friday through Monday.
The Southern Maryland Sunflower Festival takes place at Serenity Farm in Hughesville on Saturday and Sunday with hayrides, farm tours, face painting, a petting pen and plenty of sunflower photo opportunities. Food and market goods will be available for purchase, and leashed dogs are welcome. Tickets cost $12 if purchased online or $15 at the gate.
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of “Huzzah: A Storytelling Show,” the hosts behind the Northern Virginia-based storytelling organization, known as Better Said Than Done, are hosting nine storytellers and two emcees for one night. These storytellers have appeared on PBS’ “Stories from the Stage,” NPR’s “The Moth Radio Hour,” the Risk! Podcast, the Kennedy Center and elsewhere. This event on Thursday at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Virginia, costs approximately $27 to attend.
Feline lovers who can watch lighthearted cat videos for a good cause this Friday through Wednesday. Both the Crystal City location and the D.C. location of the Alamo Drafthouse is hosting CatVideoFest with a portion of ticket proceeds going to cat-focused charities, animal welfare associations and shelters.
For shawarma, sweets and a side of dancing, head to the Middle Eastern Food Festival this Saturday and Sunday in McLean, Virginia. For more details on this free festival and other foodie-focused events, check out WTOP’s “DMV Foodie Guide.”
For one last sip of summer, head to High Side this Sunday for the Tiny Summer Fest. The event promises a variety of craft beers, Asian-inspired tropical cocktails, sake and wine tastings, alongside live DJs and a “Dad Bod Splash-Off” wet T-shirt contest. Ticket prices vary.
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