Mission

      Phoenix Fest affirms the African American cultural traditions that allowed our ancestors to work collectively to build a thriving community despite tremendous obstacles and challenges. These traditions -- exhibited through music, dance and entrepreneurship -- lie at the core of the African American experience in Durham and throughout the United States. Music is the universal language and Phoenix Fest brings it to the street, free for all to enjoy. So come early and stay all day. 

Family-Friendly Fun  

     Phoenix Fest's family-friendly venue welcomes festival goers of all ages. Ample seating and games for children are available inside the festival site. The festival site is also handicapped accessible.

All Day Music

     Phoenix Fest entertains with non-stop music from the early morning parade until the last act on Center Stage.  Performances start on Center Stage immediately after the parade ends. So come early, get a seat or bring your own lawn chair. No coolers please.

Focus on Youth

   This year’s festival encourages greater youth participation in all the festival’s musical activities. The benefits of arts education are well documented and include self-discipline, responsibility, ability to organize time, perseverance, self-esteem and cooperation with team members. These traits also translate into desirable life skills for the home and the workplace. Studies have shown that music students have better school attendance rates, study more and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

    Our young people are our future and it is important that they participate in uplifting and positive activities that will serve them for a lifetime. Phoenix Fest provides this opportunity. Contact us at if your youth group would like to perform at Phoenix Fest or march in our parade at denise@nc.rr.com.

Community Pride -- Community Spirit

        Phoenix Fest's mission is not to re-create the past but to learn from it. Our vision is one of hope, achievement, understanding and compassion for our fellow man. We see our community thriving, working together to solve common problems and celebrating the good things that we often take for granted. We see each generation becoming stronger and more vibrant than the previous one, thus ensuring our continued survival on and our stewarship of the earth.

     Phoenix Fest is about renewing our community's spirit and re-committing to those values that have served us well since the beginning of time. Our ancestors understood their connection to the universe and their belief system embraced our interconnectedness across space and time.

     In the spirit of the ancestors, our mission is to support, love and guide one another, especially our children, in the way that allow us all to grow into strong, positive and contributing members of our community.

     Everyone is welcome to participate in the festival -- churches, community groups, non-profits, civic clubs, organizations, schools and individuals of all ages and backgrounds -- to come together and uplift one another in the spirit of community. Enter your organization or social club in our parade and show your community spirit. Renew your spirit and reconnect with your community by spending the day with us away from the daily pressures and demands of life.

Time            

     Phoenix Fest's hours are 9 am until 6 pm on Saturday, October 2, 2021.

Parade Route   

    The parade begins at 9 am on Fayetteville Street starting at Elmira Avenue and ending at Piedmont Avenue. Musical performances on Center Stage and the vending bazaar open immediately after the parade ends.

Location

    The festival site is on Fayetteville Street between Lakewood Avenue and Piedmont Avenue.

Parking

     Parking is available at Phoenix Crossing Shopping Center, Phoenix Square Shopping Center, on Old Fayetteville Street (behind Phoenix Square Shopping Center) and on Piedmont Avenue.