The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival's two-day Music Fest is heading back downtown on April 25–26, taking over Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for consecutive days of R&B, neo-soul, jazz and gospel. Gates open at noon both days, and organizers are lining up headline performances, local vendors and family-friendly programming along the Riverwalk. The weekend is framed as a celebration of Black culture and Bay-area small businesses.
According to the City of Tampa, the Music Fest is scheduled as a ticketed, in-person event at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on April 25 and April 26. The city’s listing notes that gates open at noon each day and labels the festival as both family-friendly and community-focused.
Who's Playing and When
Per the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival website, Saturday, April 25 features Stone City Band along with Tina P & Friends, while Sunday, April 26 brings sets from Althena Rene, Stokley and LeoNell Teape. The site reiterates that gates open at 12 p.m. both days and lists general admission, preferred seating and VIP upgrade options.
Local Preview
In a preview segment, FOX 13 Tampa Bay called the festival "one of the Southeast's premiere cultural events" and spotlighted the draw of live music, food and vendor showcases that pull crowds downtown. The station’s coverage is part of a broader wave of local previews leading into the weekend.
What To Expect On Site
Festival organizers say the park will host vendor villages featuring Black-owned businesses, a Children's Village, health-screening partners and cultural activities that include drum circles and line-dancing. According to the festival's event information, VIP packages come with perks such as access to exclusive tented areas, meet-and-greets and other upgrades.
Getting There And Tickets
Tickets start at $39 for single-day general admission, with preferred seating and several VIP package tiers available via the festival's ticketing page on ShowSlinger. For maps, parking details and transit options, the City of Tampa event listing points attendees toward downtown parking resources.
Community Programs And Seminars
The Music Fest sits within a wider slate of community events that includes business seminars, a Run For Us 5K and college-and-career conversations geared toward students and entrepreneurs, according to event listings on UNATION. Those additional programs are scheduled to extend the festival’s impact beyond the concert stage and to connect residents with networking and development opportunities.
