28th Afro Roots Fest

A full day of global roots music, culture, and community. Experience the vibrant Afro Roots Fest at the Florida Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada, one of the longest-running world music events in the region! Presented by the Miami-based nonprofit Community Arts and Culture, this beloved annual celebration honors the widespread and enduring influence that Africa continues to have on music around the world, all in the art-filled setting of the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District.

The festival is a joyful celebration of Pan-African, Caribbean, and diasporic cultures, exploring both root African traditions and the beautiful ways they blend with Western musical styles. Held on the outdoor beer garden stage, the day unfolds with interactive workshops and programs in the afternoon, followed by an evening of live concerts featuring an all-star lineup of roots artists from across South Florida and beyond.

Recent editions have featured Miami's own Cuban folk group Cortadito, performing their signature "son montuno" style reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club, alongside artists like Haitian roots pioneer Sanba Zao, Guinea's Famato presenting traditional West African folk music, and the multidisciplinary Everglades Songbook Suite. The daytime program has included hands-on Percussion for Peace workshops led by master artists, plus instrument-building workshops for families and youth through CAC's Afro-Indigenous music and dance initiatives.

Florida Keys Brewing Company's locally brewed, island-inspired beers are available for purchase, along with food truck fare, making it a perfect day out for music lovers of all ages. The event is free and open to all, with a few ticketed workshops. Whether you are a devoted world-music fan or simply curious to experience something new, Afro Roots Fest is a wonderful, welcoming celebration of the rhythms and cultures that connect us all in beautiful Islamorada!