Newark Caribbean Festival Returns To City On Saturday: 2026 Summer Events

NEWARK, NJ — The third annual Newark Caribbean Festival will return to New Jersey’s largest city on Saturday, Aug. 15.

This year’s event will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. at Mulberry Commons in downtown Newark. The event is free and family-friendly.

Visitors can expect a vibrant celebration of Caribbean music, food, culture and community, headlined by internationally celebrated soca superstar Destra Garcia. This year's lineup brings together artists and DJs representing the diversity of Caribbean and Latin music, including Shorn B, Hunter, Felix Gonzalez, GucciBoss, Hard Hittin' Harry, DJ Norie of Power 105.1and Bobby Konders of Hot 97.

Launched in 2024 by the City of Newark, Newark City Parks Foundation and TEMPO Networks, the Newark Caribbean Festival was created as an annual celebration reflecting the extraordinary diversity of Newark's Caribbean community and the broader Caribbean diaspora.

“The Newark Caribbean Festival has quickly become an important celebration of the cultures and communities that make Newark such a vibrant city,” said Marcy DePina, executive director of the Newark City Parks Foundation, Inc.

“We are proud to once again partner with the City of Newark and TEMPO Networks to bring families and communities together at Mulberry Commons for a day of music, food, culture and celebration,” DePina said.

In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be held on Sunday, Aug. 16.

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