The annual Odunde Festival returns this Sunday to celebrate African culture.
At the 2019 Odunde Festival, musicians playing the shekeres help lead the procession to the South Street Bridge where an offering of fruits and flowers are tossed into the Schuylkill to honor the diety Oshun. The 2023 celebration returns this Sunday.MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer
By Earl Hopkins
Published Jun 9, 2023
One of the largest African American street fests in the country makes its return to Philadelphia on Sunday.
The Odunde Festival, which draws up to 500,000 people annually to celebrate African culture, will fill South Philadelphia streets with traditional music, handmade crafts, artwork, and street and food vendors.The gathering was created by Lois Fernandez, a former social worker who was inspired to put on the festival after embarking on a Yorùbá pilgrimage during a trip to West Africa three years prior. In 1975, she received a $100 grant and started the first Odunde Festival.
Beverly Thomas comes out of the audience to jump rope with the 40+ Double Dutch Club of Philly and South Jersey during the annual Odunde Festival on South Street. Odunde is bringing a taste of Africa to one of Philadelphia’s oldest, historically African American neighborhood.TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Starting out as a gathering of 50 people, the Odunde Festival has expanded to a 15-block celebration and become a staple event in Philly, even in the years following Fernandez’s death in 2017. This year’s event, helmed by CEO Oshunbumi Fernandez-West, will cap off the 48th celebration of African culture.
Here is everything you need to know about the free festival:
Main festival: Sunday
The main celebration will take place Sunday. Guests will be welcomed from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Street closures
Streets from 19th and South to 24th and South will be closed, along with blocks from 23rd Street and Grays Ferry Avenue to Christian Street. The main performance stage and the center of the festival will be at the intersection of 23rd and South.
Odunde Festival Procession
Based on a faith pilgrimage, the Odunde Festival procession is held at noon each year. Guests meet up and walk to the Schuylkill to offer fruit and flowers to Oshun, the Yorùbá goddess of the river. This year, the procession starts at 23rd and South.
Live music
R&B and soul singer Chrisette Michele will headline this year’s slew of musical performers. Thirteen other acts were selected from a contest in May to play across the festival’s two entertainment stages.
Earrings for sale on South Street during the annual Odunde Festival on June 12, 2022, bringing a taste of Africa to one of Philadelphia’s oldest, historically African American neighborhood.TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Arts and crafts
Dozens of vendors selling jewelry, clothing, and artwork will be sprawled across this year’s festival.
Food and Drink
Traditional African, Caribbean, Brazilian, and soul food will be offered among the 15 blocks of the festival.
Soul Food is served up on South Street during the annual Odunde Festival June 12, 2022, bringing a taste of Africa to one of Philadelphia’s oldest, historically African American neighborhood.TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Friday, June 9
African Business Roundtable(Forum)
This event is geared toward people interested in African business and the Africa-USA commerce relationship. Panelists include Elsie Kanza, the Tanzania ambassador, Robin Renee Sanders, chair of US Exim Bank’s Africa Committee, and Henri Etoundi Essomba, the Cameroon ambassador.The discussion will be hosted by state Sen. Sharif Street and take place at the Charles Blockson Library on Temple University’s campus from 3-5 p.m. A reception will follow. The event is free and RSVP is required. Guests can register at www.eventbrite.com.
Other events and activities
Leading up to Friday, there were programs throughout the festival week that included the “Keekee and Me” Yoga Class on Tuesday at LOVE Park and a T-shirt giveaway on Wednesday at 52nd and Market Streets.
Where does the money go?
Odunde is a non-profit organization. The funds generated by the festival will go toward Odunde 365, which provides yoga, dance, fashion, karate, fitness, videography, and other programs for Philadelphia youth.
