The weather is heating up and so is festival season. For fans searching for R&B-centric festivals to attend this year, Rated R&B has you covered. From coast to coast, these R&B music festivals will showcase R&B talent, ranging from chart-topping headliners to emerging artists on the brink of stardom.
Here’s a roundup of 2023 R&B festivals happening across the U.S. (in order by date).
Something in the Water
When: April 28-30
Where: Virginia Beach, VA
Lineup: Summer Walker, Jazmine Sullivan, Kehlani, Masego, FLO and more
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New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
When: April 28-May 7
Where: New Orleans, LA
Lineup: Jill Scott, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Ne-Yo, H.E.R., Jon Batiste, Leon Bridges, Durand Jones and more
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Lovers & Friends Festival
When: Saturday, May 6
Where: Las Vegas, NV
Lineup: Usher, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller, PARTYNEXTDOOR and more
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Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit
When: May 11-14
Where: Atlanta, GA
Lineup: Mary J. Blige & Friends, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Summer Walker, Muni Long, Lucky Daye, Coco Jones and more
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I Love RnB Music Festival
When: Saturday, May 27
Where: Long Beach, CA
Lineup: Ashanti, Mýa, Nivea, Bobby V., Pleasure P, Blaque, Ruff Endz and more
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Capital Jazz Fest
When: June 2-4
Where: Columbia, MD
Lineup: Fantasia, The Isley Brothers, Joe, Ne-Yo, Marsha Ambrosius, Corinne Bailey Rae, Stokley, Robert Glasper, Kenny Lattimore and more
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Newport Beach Jazz Festival
When: June 3-4
Where: Newport Beach, CA
Lineup: Kem, Chanté Moore, Leela James and more
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Roots Picnic
When: June 3-4
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Lineup: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Diddy & The Roots, Isley Brothers, Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Syd, Dvsn, Kindred The Family Soul, Coco Jones and more
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Governors Ball Music Festival
When: June 9-11
Where: Queens, NY
Lineup: Givēon, PJ Morton, Syd, Amber Mark, Sabrina Claudio, Phony Ppl, Omar Apollo and more
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Louisville Funk Fest
When: June 16-17
Where: Louisville, KY
Lineup: Fantasia, Jagged Edge, Ginuwine, Cameo, Case & Sunshine Anderson
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AFRAM Festival (FREE event)
When: June 17-18
Where: Baltimore, MD
Lineup: The Isley Brothers, Ty Dolla $ign, Tamar Braxton, Eric Roberson and more
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Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival
When: June 17-18
Where: Los Angeles, CA
Lineup: Bell Biv DeVoe, Ledisi, Leon Bridges, Kasami Washington, The Soul Rebels and more.
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Essence Festival of Culture
When: June 29-July 3
Where: New Orleans, LA
Lineup: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Monica, Coco Jones and more
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Broccoli City Festival
When: July 15-16
Where: Washington, D.C.
Lineup: Jazmine Sullivan, Brent Faiyaz,Chlöe, Coco Jones, Mariah The Scientist and more
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Cincinnati Music Festival
When: July 20-22
Where: Cincinnati, OH
Lineup: Al Green, Babyface, Jill Scott, Jodeci, Midnight Star, Avery Sunshine and more.
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Blue Note Jazz Festival Napa
When: July 28-30
Where: Napa, CA
Lineup: Mary J. Blige, Robert Glasper, Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Gary Clark Jr., Lalah Hathaway, Meshell Ndegeocello, PJ Morton and more
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Sol Blume
When: Aug. 19-20
Where: Sacramento, CA
Lineup: Brent Faiyaz, Kehlani, Ella Mai, Chlöe, Muni Long, Teyana Taylor, Durand Bernarr, Alex Isley, Arin Ray and more
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Made in America Festival
When: Sept. 2-3
Where: Philadelphia, PA
Lineup: TBA
Music at the Intersection
When: Sept. 9-10
Where: St. Louis, MO
Lineup: Masego, Thundercat, Cameo, Ravyn Lenae, Phony Ppl, Tank and the Bangas, and more
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One Musicfest
When: Oct. 28-29
Where: Atlanta, GA
Lineup: TBA
Editor’s Note: This article will be updated as more details are shared about current festivals and as more R&B music festivals are announced.