African American Annual Events

Updated February 2026

MLK Celebration

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center honors MLK with a weekend-long celebration every January. The festivities begin with the MLK Celebration Fair, a college, health and career fair hybrid held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. The MLK Candlelight Ceremony is an evening event featuring a keynote speaker and vigil honoring Dr. King. The weekend ends with the MLK Parade through South Dallas featuring marching bands, dance teams and colorful floats. All events are free to attend.

Black Heritage Celebration at the Dallas Arboretum

Now in its fifth year, the Black Heritage Celebration at the Dallas Arboretum spotlights Black designers, artists, musicians and entrepreneurs during a two-day spring festival. Included with general garden admission, the event features live performances, vendor markets and cultural programming in one of Dallas’ most picturesque settings.

Texas Black Invitational Rodeo

One of Dallas’ most distinctive cultural events, the Texas Black Invitational Rodeo brings together more than 300 African American cowboys and cowgirls for a weekend of competition, culture and family fun. Now in its third decade, the rodeo highlights the often-overlooked legacy of Black cowboys in the American West, making it both entertaining and educational.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre

The Dallas Black Dance Theatre is the oldest, continuously operating professional dance company in Dallas. For more than 40 years, DBDT has produced a diverse and multi-ethnic group of dancers, including a contemporary company of 12 professional dancers as well as DBDT: Encore!, who perform their annual season at various venues at AT&T Performing Arts Center.

Juneteenth Celebration

Juneteenth commemorates the ending of slavery in the US and is celebrated on June 19. Dallas hosts a free annual Juneteenth Celebration, a community-based event celebrating art, history, music, food, family and freedom. The event also includes fun activities and games, free health screenings and more.

HBCU Football

Held during the State Fair of Texas, the State Fair Classic is one of the most anticipated HBCU rivalry games in the region. Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University face off in a high-energy matchup complete with a legendary Battle of the Bands halftime show. This electric event draws thousands of fans to Fair Park each year.

Harambee Festival

Recognized as the oldest and largest African American cultural festival in North Texas, the Harambee Festival celebrates African heritage with live music, dance performances, cultural vendors, health screenings and family programming. The free, community-focused event continues to be a cornerstone of Dallas’ fall festival calendar.

Riverfront Jazzfestival

The Riverfront Jazz Festival is making a name for itself, bringing in some of the biggest names in jazz, blues and R&B music. The festival takes place in September during Labor Day weekend.