50th Anniversary Odunde Festival

ODUNDE was created in 1975 by the legendary Lois Fernandez. The festival attracts over 500,000 attendees annually and is THE LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN STREET FESTIVAL in North America. The festival, whose concept originates from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa, celebrates the coming of a new year for African Americans and Africanized people around the world. It is an occasion highlighted be a colorful procession from 23rd and South Streets to the Schuylkill River where an offering of fruit and flowers to the goddess OSHUN. 

ODUNDE is known for his authentic African market place with vendors from around the world selling African merchandise from Africa and the Caribbean. ODUNDE takes place on the second Sunday in June. The festival was a trailblazer for cultural street festivals in America. Many festivals replicated our blueprint to create and implement their own festivals. The festival was started in 1975 with a $100 grant and neighbors from Fernandez's South Philadelphia community. In just two years the ODUNDE festival exploded. The eclectic mix of vendors, entertainment and music attracted people from around the world and surrounding regions.