African Popup Festival Returns on July 27

The African Popup Festival is returning for its fifth year to celebrate local businesses and African culture in Brooklyn.

The festival will take place July 27 and 28 at Hillel Plaza at the Flatbush-Nostrand Junction and will run from noon until 7pm on both days, according to a news release.

“Flatbush is a melting pot of diverse cultures, and our festival is a reflection of that," said Kenneth Mbonu, president of the Flatbush-Nostrand Junction Business Improvement District, who helped to organize the event. "The Flatbush-Nostrand Junction BID is committed to continuing to support the growth and preservation of local culture and businesses through this event and other community initiatives."

The African Popup Festival will include food tastings by chefs from across the diaspora, including African, Caribbean and African-American chefs. Attendees can take part in the Jollof rice tasting contest where attendees choose their favorite dish, with a $250 cash prize being awarded to the winning chef. 

The festival will also include a marketplace with local vendors and artisans; top DJs spinning the best of Afrobeats, soca, Kompa, Amapiano and R&B; live performances including cultural performances and dancing; as well as an arts exhibition, live painting and more.

“The African Popup Festival is about creating a space where people can come together and experience the magic of music, art, and community," said festival organizer Akin Akinsanya. "The festival is designed to inspire positive change and champion small business."