HARLEM WEEK is back! The annual event that celebrates and explores the deep, rich history and diversity of Harlem returns August 1-16, for the 52nd consecutive year.
A number of special events are to take place throughout HARLEM WEEK. Grammy Award-winning r&b and soul singer/songwriter Maxwell will be honored in celebration of the 30th anniversary of his 1996 debut album “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite.” During the Gospel Caravan, the late gospel legend Richard Smallwood will be honored. Also the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute will be observed.
An array of live events for children, teens, adults, and senior citizens, ranging from “A Great Day in Harlem,” “Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run & Children’s Run,” HARLEM WEEK’s first major public outdoor event, and more.
This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Legacy,” and the festivities will remain true to the event’s mission — to provide direction, hope, inspiration, leadership, focus, and unity to the “Harlems” of the world.
“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, the organization’s chairman. “We are committed to strengthening community, expanding economic opportunity, and ensuring Harlem’s influence continues to shape culture globally.”
Here’s a complete list of all the festivities taking place at HARLEM WEEK:
Saturday, Aug. 1
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Summer Streets Celebrating HARLEM WEEK
(Saturdays, Aug. 1st, 8th, and 15th)
109th Street and Park Avenue and 110th – 112th Street, and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd
A Saturday of non-stop fun on the streets of Harlem! New Yorkers and visitors are invited to come together for biking, walking, running, jumping, meditating, skipping, skating, dancing, and enjoying live music;
Tuesday, Aug. 4
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m
National Night Out
Morningside Avenue between West 125th & 126th Streets
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Adam Clayton Powell Jr State Office Building Plaza
163 W. 125th St
3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
135th St. between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. & Frederick Douglass Blvd.
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 barbecue 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 a common goal of partnership and safety.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Climate Change Conference
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building 163
W 125th Street
New York, NY10027
Presented by Columbia Climate School and 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.
Thursday, Aug. 6
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Harlem Summerstage (Thursdays Aug. 6, 13)
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
163 West 125th St.
New York, NY 10027
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.
Friday, Aug. 7
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Senior Citizen’s Day
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
163 West 125th St.
New York, NY 10027
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.
5:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.
Harlem Summer Nights (Fri. Aug. 7 & 14)
131st St. and 12th Ave.
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.
Saturday, Aug. 8
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run & Children’s Run
W. 135th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue
Sponsored by New York Road Runners, the Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run is HARLEM WEEK’s first major public outdoor event, attracting runners and walkers from New York, the Tri-state area, nationally, and internationally. According to many runners, this event is second in popularity throughout the city only to the New York City Marathon. Children ages 2 to 18 of all abilities can participate in the Children’s Run and celebrate Harlem’s vibrant history and culture. Every finisher will receive a New Balance lunchbox. Begins at 8 a.m.; starting point 135th St. & St. Nicholas Ave.
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Hazel Dukes Memorial Family Health Walk
135th Street & St. Nicholas Avenue
New York, NY 10030
The Hazel Dukes Memorial Family Health Walk promotes community health and awareness through physical activity, while celebrating a heroine of Harlem and the Harlems of the world, the late Hazel N. Dukes.
Sunday, Aug. 9
12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
A Great Day in Harlem
Ulysses S Grant National Memorial Park
W 122nd St & Riverside Dr
New York, NY 10027
HARLEM WEEK’s first major public outdoor event will begin with the opening of the International Village, featuring vendors and exhibitors selling items 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 the Stars.
Monday, Aug. 10
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
HARLEM WEEK Hack-a-Thon
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
HARLEM WEEK Youth Conference
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Wednesday, Aug. 12
10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
NYC Jobs & Careers Fair
The City College of New York
160 Convent End
New York, NY 10031
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.
Thursday, Aug. 13
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Black Health Matters/HARLEM WEEK Summit & Expo
The Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10028
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.
6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Banking & Finance For Small Business & Entrepreneurs
Chase Community Banking Center
55 West 125th Street
New York, NY10027
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.
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cultural Tourism Summit
Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel
233 W 125th St
New York, NY 10027
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.
Friday, Aug. 14
Saturday. Aug. 15
1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Summer in the City
West 135th Street from St. Nicholas Ave. to Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd.
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.
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
NYC Children’s Festival (Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16)
Howard Bennett Playground
32 W 136th St
New York, NY 10037
Children ages five to 12 can enjoy storytelling, performances, arts & crafts, face painting, double-dutch competitions, and much more.
7:30 p.m.
HARLEM WEEK/IMAGENATION Outdoor Film Festival
St. Nicolas Park
St. Nicholas Ave & 135th St. (on the plaza)
At the conclusion of Summer in the City, enjoy a free outdoor film screening of Afro-Punk under the stars.
Sunday. Aug. 16
1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
HARLEM DAY
The largest and final day of HARLEM WEEK, featuring three stages of entertainment, the Harlem Health Village, and Harlem Broadway Row. Featured 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. Includes the popular Sundae Sermon with special guest Adeva, performances from rapper Kwame, and Afribembe CARNIVAL presented by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute. Plus HARLEM WEEK’s celebration of Maxwell: hundreds of food vendors, arts & crafts, music, jewelry, hats, sculptors, corporate exhibitors, and games.
