8 Must-Visit Cultural Festivals in Brooklyn in 2025 – Celebrating Art, Music, and Food

Brooklyn doesn’t just host festivals—it lives them. The streets, parks, and venues transform into vibrant spaces where music shakes the ground, art tells untold stories, and food isn’t just eaten—it’s experienced.

So, which festivals are worth marking on your calendar in 2025?

The ones that make you feel something.

The ones where the energy is electric, where culture takes center stage, and where you leave with unforgettable memories (and maybe a full stomach).

From the legendary AfroPunk Festival to the dazzling Coney Island Mermaid Parade, here’s where you should be next year.

1. AfroPunk Festival

AfroPunk is not just a festival—it’s a movement. It’s where music, activism, and fashion collide in the best possible way. The energy is electric, and the lineup? Always legendary.

Expect a mix of soul, hip-hop, punk, and alternative sounds that shake the ground beneath your feet.

But it’s not just about the music. AfroPunk is a visual feast:

• Outfits that are bold, vibrant, and unapologetically expressive
• Murals and art installations that tell powerful stories
• Vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to vintage records

Walking through the festival feels like stepping into a living, breathing work of art. If you’ve never been, go. If you have, you already know it’s a must.

2. West Indian American Day Carnival

Brooklyn’s Caribbean roots shine bright during the West Indian American Day Carnival. It’s a parade, a party, and a cultural explosion all rolled into one. The costumes alone are enough to leave you speechless—feathers, sequins, and colors so vivid they seem to glow.

The music is pure joy:

• Soca and calypso that make it impossible to stand still
• Steelpan performances that bring island vibes to the streets
• DJs blasting reggae and dancehall from massive sound systems

And let’s not forget the food. Jerk chicken, doubles, roti, and fresh coconut water—pure magic. By the time the parade ends, you’ll already be counting down the days until next year.

3. Brooklyn Book Festival

Book lovers, this one’s for you. The Brooklyn Book Festival isn’t just about reading—it’s about conversations, ideas, and meeting the minds behind the words. Panels feature some of the biggest names in literature, alongside rising voices you’ll want to keep an eye on.

Expect:

• Engaging discussions on storytelling, politics, and culture
• Book signings that give you a chance to meet your favorite authors
• A marketplace packed with indie booksellers and rare finds

It’s one of those festivals where you leave with more books than you intended to buy—but absolutely no regrets.

4. Smorgasburg Food Festival

@fw.wavyboysmith My First Time At The Smorgasburg Food Festival #foodcritic #foodreview #smorgasburg #smorgasburgnyc #foodfestival #foodevent #brooklyneats #haitianfood #haitiantiktok #griot #pikliz #newyorkfoodies #londonfoodreview #londoneatsamerica ♬ New Jazz – pedrin cria

A festival where food is the star? Say no more. Smorgasburg is a weekend paradise for anyone who loves to eat. From classic comfort food to experimental dishes you won’t find anywhere else, there’s always something new to try.

Some must-try bites include:

• The legendary ramen burger
• Fresh lobster rolls dripping with butter
• Creative ice cream flavors that taste like nostalgia and innovation combined
• Vegan and gluten-free options that don’t compromise on flavor

Every weekend brings a different mix of vendors, so you could go multiple times and never have the same meal twice.

5. Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

Hip-hop and Brooklyn go hand in hand, and the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival pays homage to the genre’s roots while pushing it forward. Expect live performances, panel discussions, and workshops that celebrate the culture in all its forms.

Highlights include:

• Live sets from hip-hop legends and emerging artists
• Dance battles that showcase raw talent
• Conversations with industry icons on the past, present, and future of hip-hop

6. Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The Mermaid Parade is Brooklyn at its weirdest and most wonderful. Picture thousands of people dressed as mermaids, sea creatures, and mythical beings, marching down Surf Avenue in a celebration of creativity and community.

Things to look forward to:

• Over-the-top costumes that range from whimsical to jaw-dropping
• Floats that transform the boardwalk into an underwater dreamscape
• A quirky, anything-goes energy that makes everyone feel welcome

By the end of the parade, you might just be inspired to create your own mermaid costume for next year.

7. Bushwick Open Studios

Bushwick is a hub for artists, and once a year, they open their doors for the public to step inside their world. Bushwick Open Studios is part gallery crawl, part block party, and entirely inspiring.

Expect:

• Studio visits where you can see works-in-progress
• Live painting and interactive art installations
• Conversations with artists about their craft, inspirations, and techniques

It’s a chance to witness creativity up close and support Brooklyn’s vibrant art scene.

8. Brooklyn Folk Festival

@istomusic Isto – The Flintstones Vitamin Song At the Brooklyn Folk Festival, 2024 #singersongwriter #flintstones ♬ original sound – Christopher White (“Isto”)

Folk music, storytelling, and a sense of nostalgia fill the air at the Brooklyn Folk Festival. Whether it’s banjos, fiddles, or heartfelt lyrics that speak to the soul, there’s something incredibly moving about this festival.

Things that make it special:

• Intimate performances in a stunning venue
• Workshops on everything from songwriting to instrument-making
• A “banjo toss” competition (because why not?)

If you love music that tells stories and connects people, add this one to your list.

Mark Your Calendar—Brooklyn’s Culture Awaits

Some festivals entertain you. Brooklyn’s festivals transform you. Whether it’s the hypnotic beats of AfroPunk, the electrifying energy of the West Indian Day Parade, or the artistic magic of Bushwick Open Studios, each event is more than a celebration—it’s a moment, a memory, a connection.

It’s no wonder more people are choosing to live in Brooklyn, drawn by its vibrant culture and the undeniable energy that pulses through every corner of the borough.

So, where will you be in 2025? Front row at a concert, dancing in a parade, or indulging in the best food the city has to offer? One thing’s for sure—you don’t want to miss it.