Black Music Month: Where to Catch the Best Live Music

Black Music Month: Where to Catch the Best Live Music in Philly This Week

Philadelphia stands tall as the nation’s first music city and the historic birthplace of Black Music Month, through the collaborative efforts of Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright, and Dyana Williams. In 1979, they successfully petitioned President Jimmy Carter to officially declare June as Black Music Month and hosted the first celebration on the White House lawn.

This month, the city is keeping that legacy thriving with an incredible lineup of live music events. It’s safe to say Philly’s stages are packed with culture. Here is where to catch some live Black music over the next few weeks:

Thursday, June 10th

• Message in the Music 2026: Beats, Flows & Neo Soul at City Winery Philadelphia – An unforgettable Black Music Month celebration exploring the sound, spirit, and cultural impact of Philadelphia’s music scene from the 1990s through the 2000s and beyond.

Saturday, June 13th

• Sun Ra Arkestra at City Winery – An evening of cosmic jazz with their unique blend of avant-garde jazz, free improvisation, and otherworldly mythology.

Sunday, June 14th

ODUNDE Festival Day 2026 – The festival is FREE and open to all. Legendary R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD) will be headlining the day, along with other performances spread across the South Street Stage and Greys Ferry Stage. The full day-of schedule with detailed performance times, ceremony schedules, and activities will be announced on the official ODUNDE website.

Friday, June 19th

Juneteenth Block Party at the African American Museum in Philadelphia – This free, family-friendly festival features live music, local food, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing Black-owned businesses across four dynamic stages. The summer celebration highlights an all-star lineup including legendary headliners DJ Jazzy Jeff, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, and Leah Jenea, alongside regional standouts like the Marian Anderson Choir and West Powelton Steppers.

Sunday, June 21st

2026 Juneteenth Parade & Festival Marketplace – The annually recognized Juneteenth Parade & Festival returns to the historic Malcolm X Park, offering a vibrant day of culture, commerce, and community connection through a dynamic parade, live entertainment, and marketplace.

Thursday, June 25th

Celebration of Black Music Month + Fireworks – This free evening at the Dell Music Center celebrates Philadelphia’s own Black Music Month with powerful performances honoring women in music, headlined by GRAMMY Award-winning native Philadelphian Eve. Guests can secure tickets in advance at the box office or select Wawa Welcome America events, with first-come, first-served admission leading up to a fireworks finale.

Sunday, June 28th

Gospel on Independence at Independence National Historical Park – This year’s historic outdoor event is bigger than ever, featuring an inspiring lineup of Philadelphia musicians and a massive choir of over 250 local voices. The unforgettable evening will have a performance by 20-time Grammy Award-winning musical icon Kirk Franklin, with first-come, first-served lawn seating available for the sunset show.

Ladies of Soul “A Tribute to Sade, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan” – This evening brings together powerhouse vocalists iNDIGO, Brigette Johnson, and LaNesha Alexander for a celebration of timeless R&B and soul. Channeling these music icons, the trio delivers stylized renditions of beloved classics like “Smooth Operator,” “Sweet Love,” “Through The Fire,” and “I’m Every Woman.”

We’ll update the list as we receive more events for you to enjoy!