Seattle Center Hosts 20th Annual Spirit of Africa Festival
Seattle Center celebration highlights unity, culture, and connection through African and diasporic traditions
SEATTLE, WA - The vibrant cultures and traditions of Africa and the African diaspora will be celebrated 1 – 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 16th during the Spirit of Africa Festival at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall.
This free, day-long celebration invites the public to enjoy live music and dance performances, explore an African Diaspora Cultural Marketplace, experience a colorful fashion show, and take part in hands-on workshops and family-friendly activities.
Marking its 20-year anniversary, the festival centers on the theme “One World, Many Roots: Unity Through the African Lenses,” emphasizing connection, shared heritage, and cultural exchange through the universal languages of art and performance.
Festál cultural festivals are created and led by the communities themselves, each an authentic expression of heritage and tradition, bringing together elders, youth, and families to keep alive the cultural knowledge, traditions, and stories to be passed on and celebrated across generations.
“Spirit of Africa is more than a festival, it’s a gathering place where culture, creativity, and community come together,” said Gora Diop, event producer. “As we celebrate 20 years, we’re especially proud to create an experience where people of all backgrounds can connect, learn, and be inspired through the richness of African and diasporic traditions.”
Audiences can expect a dynamic main stage featuring African and African diasporic performers, including celebrated artists such as Anokye Agofomma & Dawcoumba Diop and Galen Rhythm featuring Mor Ngom (Sabar Rek), alongside a youth cultural showcase spotlighting emerging talent.
Additional experiences throughout the day include high-energy Sabar dance workshops and interactive activities designed for all ages, as well as a marketplace highlighting local artisans, small businesses, and a wide variety of African cuisine.
This festival is in partnership with Black4Tech, a non-profit organization passionately dedicated to breaking down systemic barriers which have historically marginalized Black representation in the technology sector. Through the collaboration with Seattle Center Festál, they highlight the intersection of creativity and innovation, empowering Black voices, and talents in the digital realm.
This event is part of the Festál series of 25 cultural festivals presented by community groups and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál is a unique public program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity.
These community-produced events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of our region’s diversity through immersive performances, food, arts, and educational programming. Collectively, the festivals welcome approximately 400,000 visits annually, generate an estimated $30 million in economic activity, support more than 250 jobs, and engage thousands of volunteers, artists, and small business vendors.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and home to more than 30 partner organizations, including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, MOPOP, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others. Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center serves residents and visitors of all ages year-round.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts and Cultural District, Seattle Center is an inclusive destination where community comes together through arts, culture, and public life, serving residents from across Seattle and the Puget Sound region alongside visitors from around the world. In partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, Seattle Center also manages the City’s new Waterfront Park, providing cultural programming, operations, and civic care along Seattle’s downtown waterfront.
Over the past three years, Seattle Center has welcomed 11 to 12 million visits annually, with the majority of visits coming from the Seattle and Puget Sound region and is projected to reach 12.5 to 13.5 million visits in 2026. This activity generates more than $1 billion in visitor spending, contributes more than $2 billion in regional economic impact, and supports more than 18,600 jobs.
With the support of our Official Partners — Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank — Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest. www.seattlecenter.com
CONTACT
Jordan Van Beek | jordan@whyforgood.com 425.638.2293
