The African Descent Festival is a celebration of African music, arts and culture in Metro Vancouver. The event takes place in the summer at English Bay Beach.

In 2025 the festival happens on August 9th and 10th and headlining artists include Awilio Longomba, Mostley Marley and Safi Madiba. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Joe Fortes, Pioneer of English Bay Beach in Vancouver BC”.

Visit africandescentfestival.com for the event’s official website.

FESTIVAL CANCELLED!

Sadly, this event has been CANCELLED! It’s not taking place at English Bay Beach in 2025 due to permitting issues with the Vancouver Parks Board. Hopefully it will be able to happen again in the future.

African Descent Festival in Vancouver

The African Descent Festival is an African arts and cultural showcase. The first edition of the event took place in 2015 and since that time it has grown into the largest festival for people of African descent in Western Canada. The event is a great opportunity for the African community in Metro Vancouver to get together. It’s also a fun way for others to learn about the different cultures of Africa.

The African Descent Festival promotes cultural diversity and brings people together to enjoy art and entertainment by African talent. There are plenty of live performances at the festival each year. There’s also usually a marketplace with handmade crafts, clothing and more for sale. Food vendors sell African food on-site and there are also family-friendly activities for all ages.

The festival was going to celebrate its 11th anniversary in 2025. At the last minute, however, due to permitting issues with the Vancouver Parks Board, the festival was cancelled. The festival wasn’t able to get its permit, and so wasn’t allowed to proceed with the event at English Bay Beach as planned. This resulted in huge disappointment for lots of people, not least of which all the performers, vendors, and volunteers who had worked so hard to put the festival together,

Organized by the African Descent Society BC, in years when it does happen, the two-day event is free to attend. Donations, however, are encouraged and appreciated.

See the African Descent Festival website for full details about the event.

When and Where is the African Descent Festival?

The African Descent Festival was going to happen on the Saturday and Sunday of August 9th and 10th in 2025 at English Bay Beach. It will hopefully take place around the same time in 2026, although exact details are to be confirmed. Hours on both days are normally from around 10:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Located along Beach Avenue near the end of Denman Street, English Bay is one of the best and most popular beaches in Vancouver. The beach is connected to Stanley Park and near popular stores and restaurants. It’s also where people gather around for the Celebration of Light fireworks in July.

For more information about the event, visit africandescentfestival.com.

Entertainment Schedule

The entertainment lineup features all sorts of talented people of African descent. There are musicians, singers, dancers and more. Headliners in 2025 included Awilo Longomba, Mostley Marley and Safi Madiba. Other artists expected to perform at the festival this year were the Alex Kajumulo Band, Julio Cuban Band, Dj&amp, Afro Canadian Dancing Group, DJ Sanchez Cuba, Samba Fusion, Karakata Bamnd, Nancy, and the Steve Sacky Drum Circle.

See the African Descent Festival website for full details about the event.

Festival Video

For an idea of what to expect at the next African Descent Festival, check out the video below. It features footage of singer Eddy Kenzo from the 2023 event.