Explore one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods at this year’s Harlem Week, happening from August 3rd to 18th. Step into the heart of Harlem and experience a community that thrives on music, art, dance, and food. It’s an uplifting display of this neighborhood’s dynamic and diverse cultural spirit. From art exhibitions, street fairs, musical performances, and more, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy! Mark your calendars as Harlem Week invites everyone to embrace all the things this community has to offer.
A Bit of History on Harlem Week
Harlem Week started in the summer of 1974 as a one-day event called Harlem Day. Its aim was to revitalize the community during a time of drastic economic and social change. Harlem Day was organized by Hon. Percy Sutton and Blackfrica Promotions as a way to uplift residents by highlighting the neighborhood’s cultural and artistic strengths. Notable figures such as Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Ruby Dee, “Sugar Ray” Robinson, and Harry Belafonte were among the list of co-founders.
The first Harlem Day included renaming 7th Avenue to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr Boulevard, which was the first major street in NYC to be named after a Person of Color. It was a day of celebration that has turned into a beloved annual event spanning 50 years.
Harlem Week 2024
Harlem Week is full of fun and engaging festivities, and this year is no different. They have a jam-packed schedule filled with fun activities for every age!
- August 3rd: NYC Summer Streets Celebrating HARLEM WEEK’s 50th Anniversary
- August 7th: Climate Change Conference
- August 8th: Uptown Night Market, Harlem Summerstage, and HW 50 Indoor/Outdoor Film Festival
- August 9th: Senior Citizens Day
- August 10th: Harlem 5K Walk & Run and Children’s Run, Great Jazz on the Great Hill, and more!
- August 11th: “A Great Day in Harlem”
- August 12th: Youth Conference & Hackathon, and Children’s Corner
- August 13th: Harlem on My Mind Conversations, Arts & Culture/Broadway Summit, and Economic Development Day
- August 14th: NYC Career Fair
- August 15th: Summer Health Summit & Expo, Banking and Finance for Small Businesses, and more!
- August 17th: NYC Children’s Festival, Summer in the City, Alex Trebek Harlem Children’s Spelling Bee, and more!
- August 18th: NYC Health Fair, NYC Children’s Festival (Day 2), and HARLEM DAY
Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate one of NYC’s most renowned neighborhoods. Harlem welcomes New Yorkers and tourists alike to celebrate everything that makes it a cultural cornerstone in NYC! Close out the summer with some of the city’s best events and let the event planning pros at EMRG Media guide you every step of the way. We specialize in private events, so contact us today for all your social and corporate events and leave all the planning to us!
