Written by Staff Writer-Now Moments TIMES
By noon, drums lead the way. Flags rise above the crowd. Veterans Plaza, usually calm on a Sunday, shifts into something else entirely closer to Lagos, Port of Spain, Kingston, and Accra than a quiet stretch of downtown.
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The African and Caribbean Music & Arts Festival is currently taking place in Silver Spring, featuring a diverse lineup of live bands, DJs, and artisan vendors rooted in Afro-Caribbean traditions. It’s not a fenced-off concert or a gated cultural fair. It moves open-air and at street level.
Sound comes from every corner. Soca, Afrobeats, kompa, and reggae rotate from speakers to street performers. There’s a steady rhythm wherever you walk. Carnival dancers in full costume pass through in sections. Some wave flags. Others move in cadence with the drum corps trailing behind them.
Vendors span both sides of the plaza. On one end, the Arts & Crafts Village features handmade goods, jewelry, and prints from Black-owned and Caribbean-run businesses. On the other hand, a packed stretch of food stalls pulls lines from all directions: grilled jerk chicken, curry goat, fried plantains, meat pies, and more. Everything moves fast from grill to hand. No plates needed. No tickets required.
A tucked-away Beer Garden gives those staying longer a spot to rest and reset. It’s shaded and quieter, but still within earshot of the day’s pulse.
There’s no entry point. No program to follow. Most visitors wander, guided by sound or smell. The pace feels natural. Families walk through with strollers. Couples break off to find food. Kids hover near the drum lines and open dance spaces.
Though the space is wide, it stays close. No section feels too far from another. Vendors talk between tents. The crowd builds without pushing. Performances rotate without formal announcements.
By midafternoon, the flow becomes familiar. Some return after stepping away. Others stay through the full stretch. The event doesn’t chase attention—it keeps it through rhythm, presence, and ease.
Admission is free. All are welcome.
Location: Veterans Plaza, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Festival Hours: 12PM to 8 PM
What to expect:
- Carnival dancers and roaming drum corps
- Afro-Caribbean food vendors
- Handmade crafts and local brands
- Live music and international DJs
- A walk-up Beer Garden
