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MOJA 2026 festival highlights
The 2026 MOJA Arts Festival is shortening from 11 days to eight days this year and introducing a new tradition: honoring the cultural legacies of four African and Caribbean nations. This year’s spotlight is on Barbados, Gullah Geechee, Jamaica and Sierra Leone. OCA is inviting residents with ties to those cultures to send ideas to culturalaffairs@charleston-sc.gov. The festival schedule is growing every day. Current highlights are:
September 24: The annual MOJA Arts Festival Parade downtown and the first MOJA Community
Heroes Gala at 7 p.m. the South Carolina Aquarium, sponsored by MOJA Arts and OCA
September 25: Opening of the annual MOJA Arts Festival Juried Art Exhibition and Opening Reception at The City Gallery at Waterfront Park; runs through October 25.
September 25: The first Gullah Geechee Cook-Off with celebrity judges awarding a $1,000 first-place prize; 4 p.m. at Hampton Park, followed at 6 p.m. by the annual Reggae Block Dance, featuring Kenyatta “Culture” Hill, son of legendary reggae artist Joseph Hill of Culture
September 25: The Brooklyn-based ASASE YAA – African Dance Troupe at 7 p.m. at the Chapel Theatre on the C of C Campus, 172 Calhoun Street.
September 26: The “New Jack Swing” Concert featuring Charlton Singleton at 8 p.m. at Charleston Music Hall
September 27: A Gospel Extravaganza honoring Men of Gospel at 4 p.m. Greater St. Luke AME Church, 78 Gordon St., Charleston, SC 29403
September 28: The Wonder-ful Concert devoted to Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” on the 50th anniversary of its release at 7 p.m. at the Dock Street Theatre
September 30: The MOJA Kids’ 4th Grade Readout Book Giveaway and Heritage Story Time for Kids. Times will be announced in September.
October 1: “Masterpiece in Progress,” a solo drama performance by Gary DeWitt Marshall at 7 p.m. the Chapel Theatre on the C of C Campus, 172 Calhoun Street
October 1: The Golden Anniversary Celebration at 6 p.m. at Hampton Park, produced by Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew and featuring Tommy Brown and Zandrina Dunning as well as local food trucks, shaved ice, an artisan village and a wellness village. Among the highlighted albums at the Thursday, October 1 finale are: Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life,” Parliament’s “Mothership Connection,” Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Spirit,” Curtis Mayfield’s “Sparkle” soundtrack, The Isley Brothers’ “Harvest for the World,” Rose Royce’s “Car Wash” soundtrack and Roy Ayers’ “Ubiquity.” Chew returns to Charleston after his Juneteenth Block Party and History Lesson drew more than 1,000 people downtown for a Michael Jackson tribute.
About MOJA Arts Festival
The MOJA Arts Festival is a multi-disciplinary festival produced annually and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the MOJA Planning Committee, an all-volunteer community arts and cultural group.
Additional assistance and guidance is provided by the less formal networks of the MOJA Advisory Board, a group of civic leaders who assist with fundraising and advocacy, and the Friends of MOJA patron circle, representing individual and corporate donors.
Continue reading about the Festival and learn more about the History of the Festival.
