Harlem Week 2026 – August 1-16, Celebrating History and Diversity of Harlem 

HARLEM WEEK will take place August 1-16, 2026, with a stellar line-up of live and virtual events celebrating the arts, cultures and rich history Harlem is known for, along with conversations about matters central to the community. Centered around the theme “Honoring Our Legacy,” this year’s festivities will remain true to the mission of HARLEM WEEK, to provide direction, hope, inspiration, leadership, focus, and unity to the “Harlems” of the world.

For over 50 years, HARLEM WEEK has celebrated the culture, creativity, and global impact of Harlem at its signature outdoor festivals, A Great Day in Harlem, Summer in the City and the event that started it all: HARLEM DAY, and through a host of community-centered programming including the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run & Children’s Run, Hazel Dukes Memorial Family Health Walk, Climate Change Conference, NYC Jobs & Careers Fair and Senior Citizen’s Day.

“HARLEM WEEK exists to preserve Harlem’s cultural legacy while building pathways for future generations. Through programming, partnerships, and storytelling, we amplify the voices, businesses, and institutions that define Harlem,” said Marko Nobles, chairman of HARLEM WEEK. “We are committed to strengthening community, expanding economic opportunity, and ensuring Harlem’s influence continues to shape culture globally.”

This year, HARLEM WEEK will celebrate and honor: Grammy award-winning, R&B and soul singer/songwriter Maxwell and the 30th anniversary of his landmark 1996 debut album Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite; the late gospel legend Richard Smallwood; and the 50th anniversary of Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute.  Additional honorees will be announced.

“Harlem has historically been one of New York City’s great cultural engines, shaping music, film, theater, and the arts for generations,” said Commissioner Rafael Espinal of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. “We’re proud to support the 52nd annual Harlem Week, which celebrates that legacy while creating opportunities for New Yorkers today. From live performances and film screenings to workforce development and career opportunities, Harlem Week reflects the creativity, talent, and community spirit that continue to make Harlem such an important part of our city.”

HARLEM WEEK is also adding a Cultural Tourism Summit, Thursday, Aug 13 at the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel to this year’s lineup. Cultural institutions, small businesses, tourism professionals, and public, civic, and private sector leaders will gather to explore strategies to increase and sustain tourism throughout the Greater Harlem Area, shining a spotlight on Harlem as the cultural capital of New York City. and a global destination for heritage, history, and hospitality.  

With HARLEM WEEK’s emphasis on supporting Black businesses and job creation in the neighborhood, the NYC Jobs & Careers Fair returnsWednesday, August 12 at The City College of New York. The annual event will feature career development workshops and include more than 40 employers across various industries, including banking and finance, city services, climate, health, hospitality, transportation and more. 

The annual celebration will also provide numerous opportunities for young people, including the virtual HARLEM WEEK Hack-a-Thon and Youth Conference on Monday, August 10th, the Alex Trebek Harlem Children’s Spelling Bee on Saturday, August 15, and the NYC Children’s Festival at Howard Bennett Playground on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, where children ages 5 to 12 can enjoy storytelling, performances, arts & crafts, face painting, Double Dutch competitions and much more.

Other HARLEM WEEK marquee events include:

• Summer Streets Celebrating HARLEM WEEK (Saturdays Aug. 1, 8, 15) – A Saturday of non-stop fun on the streets of Harlem! New Yorkers and visitors are invited to come together for the things they love doing, including biking, walking, running, jumping, meditating, skipping, skating, dancing and enjoying live music. 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; 109th Street & Park Avenue & 110th – 112th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd.

• National Night Out (Tues. Aug. 4) – National Night Out is an annual, community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. It seeks to strengthen the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, fostering a true sense of community. Enjoy barbeque and bounce houses, face painting, food, and fun. Meet leaders and personnel from your local precinct and interact with neighbors, community members, and local businesses with the common goal of partnership and safety. Multiple locations: 4-8 p.m. at Morningside Avenue between West 125th & 126th Streets; 5-9 p.m. at Adam Clayton Powell Jr State, Office Building Plaza, 163 W. 125th St.,, 39 p.m. at 135th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. & Frederick Douglass Blvd.

• Climate Change Conference (Wed. Aug. 5) – Presented by Columbia Climate School & The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the fourth annual conference will look into the disproportionate negative impact of climate change on communities and countries of color. Local researchers, government agencies and community leaders will speak about the challenges New York City faces and share opportunities to empower communities like Harlem to lead the way into a cleaner, safer and healthier tomorrow. To register click here. 6 p.m. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 163 West 125th St.
• Harlem Summerstage (Thursdays Aug. 6, 13) – In the heart of Harlem at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, HarlemSummerstage has rapidly become THE place to be on Thursday evenings. This year, HARLEM WEEK will take a trip through soul, funk and R&B from the past to the present with performances from The Jeff Foxx Band, Alyson Williams, Terryl Lee, Shanay Morant and more. 5-7 p.m. Adam Clayton Powell Jr State Office Building, 163 West 125th St.

• Senior Citizens Day (Fri. Aug. 7) – This year, Senior Citizens Day will kick off HARLEM WEEK with a variety of live and virtual components. Onsite events include health demonstrations, health testing, performances, the Demystifying Technology panel, the Senior Citizen Hat Fashion Show and more 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Adam Clayton Powell Jr State Office Building, 163 West 125th St.
• Harlem Summer Nights (Fri. Aug. 7 & 14) – Friday night under the arches of the Manhattan Valley Viaduct, food, music, and culture come together to create something New York has been waiting for — a culinary celebration that belongs to the people who make this city taste like itself. The food and culture series that can’t be missed. 5-10 p.m.; 131st St. and 12th Ave.

• A Great Day in Harlem (Sun. Aug. 9) – HARLEM WEEK’s first major public outdoor event, the day will begin with the opening of the International Village featuring vendors and exhibitors with items for sale ranging from arts & crafts, jewelry, clothing, unique accessories, international foods and more. Entertainment will include Artz, Rootz & Rhythm featuring local, community and emerging performers of varying genres; The Gospel Caravan featuring local, national and international gospel performers with a special tribute to Richard Smallwood and the evening will conclude with a Concert Under Under the Stars. Noon-7 p.m.; Ulysses S Grant National Memorial Park, 122nd Street & Riverside Drive

• Black Health Matters/HARLEM WEEK Summit & Expo (Thurs. Aug. 13) – The summit will address both physical and emotional wellness with discussions, free health screenings and prizes. During the event, leading health professionals and patient advocates will share their stories and provide strategies to power forward by taking advantage of all that science has to offer.  8 a.m.-5 p.m.; The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive

• Banking & Finance For Small Business & Entrepreneurs (Thurs. Aug. 13) – This evening workshop/reception will help entrepreneurs/small business owners deepen their business expertise and gain insights into establishing credit, accessing capital, marketing, networking, and more. 6-8:30 p.m.; Chase Community Banking Center, 55 West 125th St.

• Summer in the City  (Sat. Aug. 15) – HARLEM WEEK’s second largest day of events offers a full day of activities with performances from local, national and international artists, the highly anticipated HARLEM WEEK Fashion Shows (Back-to-School, Uptown Flava and Clean & Classic),  health testing stations and hundreds of food vendors, arts & crafts, music, jewelry, hats, sculptors, corporate exhibitors, and games.  1-6 p.m.; West 135th Street from St. Nicholas Ave. to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.

• HARLEM WEEK/IMAGENATION Outdoor Film Festival (Sat. Aug. 15) – At the conclusion of Summer in the City, enjoy a free outdoor film screening of Afro-Punk under the stars.  7:30 p.m. St. Nicholas Park, St. Nicholas Ave & 135th St. (on the plaza)

• HARLEM DAY (Sun. Aug. 16) – The largest and final day of HARLEM WEEK, featuring three stages of entertainment, the Harlem Health Village, Harlem Broadway Row, performances from Broadway productions, local, national and international artists in various musical genres from Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Reggae, Soca, Latin and more including the popular Sundae Sermon with special guest ADEVA, performances from Kwame, Afribembe CARNIVAL presented by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute and much more.  Plus, HARLEM WEEK’s celebration of MAXWELL, hundreds of food vendors, arts & crafts, music, jewelry, hats, sculptors, corporate exhibitors and games.

For a complete list of events, please visit www.harlemweek.org.