Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival

The Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival is an annual community event held in Oakland's historic Laurel District, bringing together locals and visitors for a day of music, art, food, and fun. In 2026, the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, drawing an estimated 17,000-plus attendees to enjoy eight blocks of festivities.

The festival's highlight is its diverse live music program, featuring almost a dozen acts spanning various world music genres, including Guinean bongo playing, a New Orleans-style brass band, West African Duniya Drum and Dance Company, Egyptian belly dancers, and Punjabi Bhangra music by Non-Stop Bhangra. Beyond music, the event offers family-friendly entertainment with a children’s carnival and roller skating, hosted by the Black Cultural Zone. Attendees can also explore a vibrant marketplace with various vendors, seek relaxation at a Healing Village, and enjoy a selection of food and beverages, including specialty cocktails and a California craft-beer garden for adults.

The Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival is held on MacArthur Boulevard, specifically between 35th and Maybelle avenues. Admission to the festival is free, and the event is wheelchair accessible, with dogs on leashes also permitted. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Laurel District Association, supporting neighborhood beautification and improvements.