KUUMBA Festival 2026
KUUMBA is Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival. Presented by TD Bank Group through the Bank’s Corporate Citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, this year’s edition celebrates the rich histories, achievements and creative brilliance of Black communities across North America, framed within a dynamic global perspective. Guided by the unifying theme Sounds of Blackness, KUUMBA 2026 will feature a vibrant lineup of programming spanning music, comedy, literature, dance, theatre, wellness, family-friendly events and masterclasses, amplifying Afro-Caribbean and Canadian artists and thought leaders to create a powerful platform for reflection, celebration and future-focused dialogue.
KUUMBA est le plus important et le plus ancien festival du Mois de l’avenir des Noirs à Toronto. Présenté par le Groupe Banque TD dans le cadre de son engagement citoyen, l’Engagement TD Prêts, l’édition de cette année célèbre la richesse de l’histoire, les réalisations et la créativité des communautés noires d’Amérique du Nord, dans une perspective mondiale dynamique. Guidé par le thème fédérateur « Les sons de la culture noire », KUUMBA 2026 propose une programmation riche et variée : musique, humour, littérature, danse, théâtre, bien-être, activités familiales et ateliers. Le festival met en lumière des artistes et des leaders d’opinion afro-caribéens et canadiens afin de créer une plateforme inspirante de réflexion, de célébration et de dialogue tourné vers l’avenir.
KUUMBA Festival Events
KUUMBA 365
Coming soon in 2026, the third edition of KUUMBA 365 celebrates Black culture through sound with original works from top musicians. In partnership with The Power Plant, Harbourfront Centre invites musicians Dennis Passley, Larnell Lewis and Dwight Jones respond to this season’s exhibitions by Jeneen Frei Njootli and Lucy Raven. connecting music and contemporary art. Crafting original compositions, their creative process is documented through personal interviews and video — with their collective works culminating in a live performance.
Harbourfront Centre’s KUUMBA 365, presented by TD Bank Group through the Bank’s Corporate Citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, is a dynamic initiative celebrating Black cultures all year long. In partnership with The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, the annual program invites new artists each February to explore and create works through the Black cultural lens, with commissions centred on the disciplines of literary, spoken word, dance and theatre arts. Committed to investing in Black futures, KUUMBA 365 proudly supports the transformative work and achievements of Afro-Canadian artists today, tomorrow and always.
Harbourfront Centre’s Cultural Engagement Manager and Curator of KUUMBA 365, Diana Webley, shares about the inspiration for our second edition. Artists Katlyn Addison, Lua Shayenne, Esie Mensah and Syreeta Hector delve into their creative process and what KUUMBA 365 has meant to them.
2026: Music
Dwight Jones is an award-nominated, Barbadian-born, Toronto-based musical creative and multi-instrumentalist improviser. With a deep love for sonic exploration, he crafts immersive soundscapes that reflect both his Caribbean roots, modern influences and curiosity. His performances have been featured at a range of celebrated artistic festivals, including Fall for Dance North, Danse Danse and Dream in High Park, where his improvisational style and expressive musicianship continue to captivate audiences.
Dennis Passley is a Toronto-based professional creative, composer, saxophonist and bandleader who has sustained an international touring career for over 25 years. A dynamic performer and section leader, he currently leads Northern Soul Horns (including the release of Big Band Theory), while also composing new material for his project Astral Riddims. Beyond the stage, Passley founded the Toronto People’s Library, reflecting his commitment to accessibility and amplifying underrepresented voices.
Larnell Lewis is a Grammy award-winning musician, composer, producer and educator. Based in Toronto, he has established himself as one of the most diverse and in-demand drummers in the world. Since 2012, Lewis has been playing with the three-time Grammy award-winning band, Snarky Puppy. He leads successful ensembles of his own and has toured the globe with highly reputable contemporary musicians, including Quincy Jones, Laila Biali, Jeremy Ledbetter, Etienne Charles, Gregory Porter, Benny Golson, Kurt … Read more
KUUMBA presented by
Supported by
This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
