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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:
Festival highlights include:
September 24
The first MOJA Community Heroes Gala* is at 7 p.m. at the South Carolina Aquarium;
The MOJA Arts Festival Opening Celebration in Marion Square will feature marching bands and food trucks at 11 a.m.
September 25
The annual MOJA Arts Festival Juried Art Exhibition begins at noon at City Gallery at Waterfront Park, with an Opening Reception from 5-7 p.m. The exhibition is on view September 25 – October 25.
The first MOJA Food Truck Gullah Geechee Cook-off at 4 p.m. with celebrity judges and a $1,000 first-place prize, followed by the annual Reggae Block Dance featuring Kenyatta Hill of Culture at 6 p.m., both at Hampton Park;
September 26
The MOJA Arts Fitness#, which begins at 9 a.m. at Hampton Park and the “New Jack Swing” Concert featuring Charlton Singleton at the Charleston Music Hall is next. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.
September 27
Gospel Extravaganza honoring Men of Gospel* at 4 p.m. at Greater St. Luke AME Church, 78 Gordon Street, Charleston
Black Frequencies: Poetry, Sound & Vision*, the return of Free Verse, presented by past and present Poet Laureates Marcus Amaker and A$iahMae Thomas featuring poetry, original electronic music and live accompaniment. The event is at 7 p.m. at the Cannon Street Arts Center, 134 Cannon Street, also will feature books for sale from local poets in the lobby;
September 28
The Wonder-ful Concert by Demetrius Doctor* at 7 p.m. at the Dock Street Theatre devoted to Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” on the 50th anniversary of its release;
September 29
Jazmin Ghent*, award-winning international jazz saxophonist, will perform at Dock Street Theatre at 7 p.m.
September 30
The MOJA Kids’ 4th Grade Readout and Book Giveaway; MOJA Arts will give away 1,500
books to children across the school district. The MOJA Storytelling will feature Gullah Storytelling at two Charleston County Public Libraries: The John L. Dart Library on King St at 3 p.m. and the Baxter-Patrick Library on James Island at 3:30 p.m.
October 1
The Golden Anniversary Celebration, beginning at 4 p.m. at Hampton Park with the opening of The Wellness Village. The celebration features local food trucks, an artisan village, some surprise pre-concert guests and the Concert, which begins at 8 p.m.
*Ticketed events #Registration Required
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.
