After months of being held hostage in your home due to rain, sleet, and snow… it’s finally time to break out! Grab your crew, book a flight (or Zip Car if you’re into the road trip thing) and travel to some of these summer concerts, festivals, and parties tailored to your Black professional needs.
1. Greatest Day Ever in Miami, FL
May 9, 2015
The Greatest Day Ever is an all-day carnival cross-genre musical event and party.
hennypalooza.com/greatest-day-ever-miami, #TheGreatestDayEver
2. Must Love Beards in New York, NY
May 16, 2015
Bearded men near and far (and the women who love them) will travel to this day party in celebration of the #beardgang!
idontdoclubs.com/event/must-love-beards, #IDDCmustlovebeards
3. The Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, PA
May 30, 2015
The Roots want to “break you off” at their annual event in it’s 8th year with The Weekend, Erykah Badu, and A$AP Rocky.
rootspicnic.com, @rootspicnic, or #rootspicnic
4. Capital Jazz Fest in Columbia, MD
June 5, 2015 – June 7, 2015
capitaljazz.com/fest
5. Governors Ball Music Festival in Randall’s Island, NY
June 5, 2015 – June 7, 2015
Drake headlines this three-day music festival on New York’s Randall’s Island.
governorsballmusicfestival.com, @GovBallNYC, or #govballnyc
6. HOT 97’s Summer Jam in East Rutherford, NJ
June 7, 2015
Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Big Sean, Meek Mill, Fab & Friends, Childish Gambino, Omarion, Ty Dolla $ign, Travi$ Scott, B.o.B, Joey Bada$$, DeJ Loaf, Teyana Taylor, Fetty Wap, and Charles Hamilton will rock the iconic hip hop concert’s stage.
hot97.com/summerjam, @HOT97, or #summerjam
7. Must Love Beards in Washington, DC
June 13, 2015
Bearded men near and far (and the women who love them) will travel to this day party in celebration of the #beardgang!
idontdoclubs.com/event/must-love-beards-dc, #IDDCmustlovebeards
8. American Black Film Festival in New York, NY
June 11, 2015 – June 14, 2015
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a four-day event dedicated to showcasing quality films and television content by and about people of African descent.
abff.com, @ABFF
9. Odunde Festival in Philadelphia, PA
June 14, 2015
The largest African American street festival on the east coast with 500,000 people, over 12 city blocks, and two stages of live entertainment. Get into it.
facebook.com/THE-OFFICIAL-ODUNDE-FESTIVAL, @ODUNDE365
10. Black Enterprise’s The African American Festival in Baltimore, MD
June 20, 2015 – June 21, 2015
An annual free celebration of life, music, and culture. It includes stellar performances, empowerment seminars, and non-stop fun for the entire family.
africanamericanfestival.net, @BmoreAAF
11. BET Experience at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, CA
June 25, 2015 – June 28, 2015
Only have time for a weekend of ratchetness? This pre-BET Awards event will get you right with Kevin Hart, Nicki Minaj, Ice Cube, The Roots, and Miguel.
bet.com/shows/bet-awards/bet-experience, @BETExperience, or #BETX
12. Essence Festival in New Orleans, LA
July 2, 2015 – July 5, 2015
In its 21st year, the Essence Festival will feature performances from Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, Common, Erykah Badu, Teedra Moses, Robert Glasper and Tweet.
essence.com/festival, @essencefest, or #EssenceFest
13. Henny Palooza in Bermuda
July 3, 2015 – July 6, 2015
Henny Palooza and LIV (formerly Gemini Dream Weekend) have partnered to host Wet Dreams “The All White Pool Party” in beautiful Bermuda. Henny Palooza started as a small gathering of friends but has transformed into an international house party featuring Hennessy, of course.
hennypalooza.com, @hennypalooza
14. Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival in Brooklyn, NY
July 6, 2015 – July 11, 2015
New York City’s largest Hip-Hop cultural event that showcases the positive aspects of Hip-Hop culture. This year’s headliner is Oscar winner, Common.
bkhiphopfestival.com, @bkhiphopfest
15. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Leadership Conference in Jacksonville, FL
July 8, 2015 – July 12, 2015
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate brotherhood and service at their Leadership Conference in the Sunshine State.
omegapsiphifraternity.org, @officialoppf
16. Taste of Chicago in Chicago, IL
July 8, 2015 – July 12, 2015
Taste of Chicago is the nation’s premier outdoor food festival showcasing the diversity of Chicago’s dining community. The delicious array of food served at Taste of Chicago is complemented by music and exciting activities for the entire family.
cityofchicago.org/taste_of_chicago, @TasteofChi2014, or #TasteofChicago
17. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Organizational Leadership Conference in Washington, DC
July 9, 2015
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will celebrate sisterhood and service at their Leadership Conference in the Nation’s Capital.
zphib1920.org, @ZPHIBHQ
18. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Conclave in Little Rock, AR
July 15, 2015 – July 19, 2015
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate brotherhood and service at their Conclave in the Natural State.
phibetasigma1914.org/conclave2015, @pbs_1914
19. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Leadership Seminar in Chicago, IL
July 16, 2015 – July 19, 2015
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. gathers for an event full of service, scholarship, and sisterhood with leadership training opportunities.
aka1908.com, @akasorority1908
20. Greatest Day Ever in Brooklyn, NY
July 18, 2015
The Greatest Day Ever is an all-day carnival cross-genre musical event and party.
hennypalooza.com/greatest-day-ever-brooklyn, #TheGreatestDayEver
21. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. National Convention in Houston, TX
July 23, 2015 – July 29, 2015
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will celebrate sisterhood and service at their 52nd National Convention in the Lone Star State.
dst52ndnational.org, @dstinc1913
22. Summer Sizzle in British Virgin Islands
July 23, 2015 – July 27, 2015
Summer Sizzle BVI hosted by Empire star Taraji P. Henson, offers an escape to the Caribbean, combining fashion, decadent parties, island tours, sailing excursions and more.
summersizzlebvi.com, @summersizzlebvi
23. ColorComm Conference in Miami, FL
July 29, 2015 – July 31, 2015
The ultimate business conference for women of color in communications. Innovative programs, presented by the industry’s top practitioners and thought leaders, will address key issues and predict future trends.
colorcommconference.com/events/c2-the-new-reality, @ColorCommntwk
24. National Urban League Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL
July 29, 2015 – August 1, 2015
An inspiring and empowering conference that will provide you with unmatched professional, civic engagement, business development, and networking opportunities.
nulyp.net/event/2015-national-urban-league-conference, @NatUrbanLeague
25. UPTOWN Uncorked Food & Wine Festival in Napa Valley, CA
July 30, 2015 – August 2, 2015
Enjoy a uniquely curated, 5-star immersion into Napa Valley culture with private vineyard tours, wine tasting, golf, yoga, live music, spa, comedy and culinary delights prepared by renowned chefs.
uptownmagazineuncorked.com, @uptownmagazine
26. Must Love Beards in Atlanta, GA
August 2015
Bearded men near and far (and the women who love them) will travel to this day party in celebration of the #beardgang!
#IDDCmustlovebeards
27. Made in America Festival in Los Angeles, CA and Philadelphia, PA
August 2015
Yes two cities, at the same damn time! No official word on the line-up tho.
facebook.com/MadeInAmericaFest, @MIAFestival, or #BudweiserMadeInAmerica
28. Oakland Art and Soul Festival in Oakland, CA
August 1, 2015 – August 2, 2015
Two sensational days of music, food, fun and art in beautiful downtown Oakland.
artandsouloakland.com, @oakartandsoul
29. Drake’s OVO Fest during Caribana Weekend in Toronto, Ontario
August 1, 2015 – August 3, 2015
Don’t act, you know you love you some Drake. October’s Very Own will host his 6th annual OVO Fest in his hometown Toronto.
caribanatoronto.com/event/ovofest2013, @welcomeOVO
30. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Conclave in Memphis, TN
August 3, 2015 – August 8, 2015
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate brotherhood and service at their Conclave in the BBQ Capital of the World.
iotaphitheta.org, @IPT1963
31. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. National Convention in Charlotte, NC
August 5, 2015 – August 9, 2015
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate brotherhood and service at their National Convention in the city nicknamed The Hornet’s Nest.
alpha-phi-alpha.com, @apa1906NETwork
32. NABJ Convention & Career Fair in Minneapolis, MN
August 5, 2015 – August 9, 2015
Everyone’s a writer, right? Make some journalism connects at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)’s annual event.
nabj.org/events, @NABJ, or #NABJ15
33. Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in Martha’s Vineyard, MA
August 10, 2015 – August 15, 2015
Founded by North Carolina-based Floyd and Stephanie Rance of Run and Shoot Filmworks, MVAAFF will present films by African-American directors from around the world.
mvaaff.com, @mvfilmfestival, or #MVAAFF
34. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Conclave in New Orleans, LA
August 11, 2015 – August 16, 2015
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will celebrate brotherhood and service at their Conclave in Nawlins.
kappaalphapsi1911.com, @kapsi1911
35. AfroPunk in Brooklyn, NY
August 22, 2015 – August 23, 2015
AfroPunk itself has become synonymous with open-minded, non-conforming and unconventional, placing the institution at the epicenter of urban culture inspired by alternative music.
afropunkfest.com, @afropunk
Need more events? Check out our other list 20 MORE Summer Trips for Black Professionals in 2015!
Did I forget something? Let me know in the comments section below!
The post 35 Best Summer Trips for Black Professionals in 2015 appeared first on I Don't Do Clubs.