Mayor Scott Announces 50th AFRAM Lineup for Druid Hill Park June 19-21

Mayor Brandon M. Scott on Tuesday announced that the 50th AFRAM Festival will return to Druid Hill Park for Juneteenth weekend, running Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21, 2026, with free admission each day from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The city is restoring a three-day format and billing the event as a major summer draw for Baltimore and the region.

The lineup announced for AFRAM 50 includes Charlie Wilson, Mario, The LOX, Tamia, PJ Morton, Lil’ Mo, J. Brown, Brandon Woody, Paula Campbell and Ultra Naté. City officials and local reporting say more artists will be announced as the festival approaches; the announced names span national acts and Maryland performers, including Charm City native Mario and Havre de Grace native Ultra Naté.

Mayor Scott framed the 50th anniversary in economic and cultural terms, saying, "For 50 years, AFRAM has been a homecoming, an economic engine for our local businesses and artists, and most importantly: a celebration of Black excellence." He urged broad participation in the Juneteenth weekend celebration, adding, "This Juneteenth weekend, as we celebrate five decades of culture, community, music, and art right here in Baltimore, we want folks across Charm City, and beyond!, to come out and celebrate with us."

Programming at AFRAM 50 will include the returning Podcast Patio in partnership with DTLR, expanded KidZone youth programming with interactive games and creative arts activities, live African drumming, carnival mask-making, art showcases and a wide array of food, arts and craft vendors. WJZ will again serve as media sponsor for the festival, and city organizers emphasized opportunities for local artists, business owners and makers to reach thousands of attendees.

Linzy Jackson III, director of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment, projected the festival’s scale, saying, "This Juneteenth, we estimate more than 300,000 people will come together in Druid Hill Park for AFRAM 50, uniting the city, the region, and the East Coast." The Mayor’s Office also pointed to AFRAM’s economic role; the city noted that in 2025 the festival welcomed 118 vendors and generated substantial activity for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Vendor and talent applications will open April 1, 2026 through AFRAM’s website, and city officials directed prospective vendors and performers to consult that site for programming updates, parking information and final scheduling. City leaders framed AFRAM as one of the largest African American cultural arts festivals on the East Coast and a mainstay of Baltimore’s festival season, coming after Artscape and ahead of other summer events at Druid Hill Park.

Organizers caution that the announced roster is not final; officials and media say additional performers and a full stage schedule will be released in the weeks before the festival. Key outstanding items for attendees and vendors include final vendor lists, parking and security plans, and the detailed daily performance schedule.