Celebrate the 55th anniversary Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival!
Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) invites you to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the national award-winning Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival! This festival welcomes people of all ages to immerse themselves in a celebration of African and African American heritage, arts, and traditions.
On Saturday, May 17, Rock Quarry Park, located at 701 Stadium Drive, will be transformed into the cultural hub of Durham. From 1-7 p.m. festivalgoers will be able to attend this free family-oriented event and will find an array of activities and entertainment, including live music, arts and crafts, community resources, traditional cuisine, and showcases of local talent.
Visit the Bimbé History page to learn how the deep and rich history of this festival has woven itself into the fabric of Durham over the last 55 years.
K97.5’s Brian Dawson will emcee the afternoon, which will see Just Fine — Mary J. Blige Tribute Band, Africa LIVE!, and D. Shawn take the stage to entertain the audience with some of Mary J. Blige’s biggest hits; immersive and authentic African music; and R&B jams before Raheem DeVaughn headlines the evening bringing his brand of powerful soul music to Durham.
In addition to the stellar lineup of performers, the festival offers an array of attractions and activities for the whole family to enjoy. From the Family Fun Zone, featuring drum circles, arts and crafts, storytelling, inflatables, face painting, and a gaming truck, to the diverse range of vendors offering unique goods and services, there's something for everyone at Bimbé.
Attendees will also be able to indulge in delicious food from the best food trucks in the Triangle area and participate in the Book Giveaway and Registration provided by the Durham County Library's Bookmobile, where they can obtain library cards and receive free books.
During the festival we will also pay homage to some of Durham's Homegrown Heroes, recognizing the exemplary contributions of local leaders, influencers, and role models who have made significant impacts on our community. This year’s Homegrown Heroes Award recipients are Virginia Williams (photo courtesy of Discover Durham), one of the Royal Seven that staged a sit-in at the Royal Ice Cream Parlor in 1957 to help spark the civil rights movement here in Durham and beyond; and we will be celebrating the life and legacy of Joshua “Rowdy” Rowsey for his dedication to creating change throughout the community with his music and teachings.
If you would like to be a part of this amazing cultural event, you can volunteer for a position at through DPR. Find available openings here: Bimbé Volunteer Form
Parking for the event is free and available at the Durham County Stadium parking lots, with handicap parking available at the Durham National Guard Armory Parking Lot. Attendees are encouraged to carpool and arrive early, and public transportation options are also available. Seating will not be provided, so please be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the festival in comfort.
Bimbé is a rain or shine event. In the case of severe inclement weather, events may be canceled. Call the weather line at 919-560-4636 and press Number 8 for the status of the event or visit the DPR Facebook and/or Instagram pages.
But we’re not celebrating Bimbé just on Saturday. DPR has an entire lineup of weekday events for everyone to enjoy.
Bimbé 2025 Schedule
We would like to thank all our volunteers, our Community Partner: Discover Durham, and our sponsors for helping to make this the best Bimbé ever.
Thank you to:
Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Aetna
Tropical Delights
Radio One
Foxy 107.1 FM
K97.5 FM
WRAL
Alliance Health
Durham H2O 2 Go
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