The Mobile Visitor Centers will be on Summer Break from July 15th to July 28th. Visitors looking for information can visit the Albemarle County Office Building (401 McIntire Rd.) Monday—Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 434-293-6789.
More InfoThere's something special about gathering around the sound of drums, sharing a dance, and celebrating traditions that have been passed down through generations. That's the spirit of the Chihamba African American Cultural Festival.
Whether you're discovering Charlottesville for the first time or you've called it home for years, Chihamba invites you to experience the joy, resilience, and rich cultural legacy of African and African American communities on July 25th, 2026.
Since 1991, Chihamba has brought together the people of Charlottesville and the surrounding counties to celebrate African and African American heritage through music, dance, storytelling, art, and education at its annual African American Cultural Arts Festival. The festival honors traditions while also creating an inclusive space where everyone is welcome to learn, celebrate, and connect.
There is something for every age at Chihamba. Browse the Ujamaa Marketplace for African-inspired apparel artwork, and home decor, then sample a variety of cuisines including Caribbean and soul food. If you're bringing the kids, let them discover, create, and connect through hands-on cultural activities at the Kuumba Corner, or cool off with a free swim at Booker T. Washington Park pool.
Chihamba is about more than entertainment, the festival is also a time to honor those who have helped shape Charlottesville's story. From recognizing the Keepers of the Village to celebrating students through the Marie Whitten Heritage Scholarship, Chihamba is a reminder that preserving culture means investing in both those who paved the way and those who will carry the legacy forward.
Chihamba was founded to deepen our understanding of West African culture and does so through traditional music, dance, proverbs, and storytelling. These traditions continue to shape African American culture today, a reminder that history isn't only preserved in books. It's carried forward through music, movement, food, and community. Through educational presentations, workshops, and performances, Chihamba creates space for people of all ages to connect with the traditions that continue to inspire communities across Charlottesville and beyond.
For many, Chihamba is an annual homecoming. Families reunite, neighbors reconnect, and visitors are welcomed into a celebration rooted in fellowship, love, and friendship. As a nonprofit dedicated to cultural education, celebration, and youth development, Chihamba extends its impact beyond the festival through events such as the Women's Health Brunch and the Chihamba Ball. Both have become beloved traditions of their own, creating opportunities to celebrate culture and strengthen community throughout the year.
Whether you're exploring Charlottesville's Black history for the first time or returning to celebrate with friends and family, the Chihamba African American Cultural Festival offers an experience rooted in joy, culture, and connection. Come for the music and dance, stay for the fellowship, and leave with a deeper appreciation for the traditions that continue to shape African American culture and the vibrant community that calls Charlottesville home.
Page Hill
Chihamba Board Member and Marie Whitten Heritage Scholarship Chair
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