The anniversary edition of the festival includes a special celebration of Bob Marley’s musical contributions in a live concert, a workshop series focused on wellness and the return of Canada’s premiere Breaking competition.
Toronto, ON – KUUMBA, Toronto’s largest and longest-running festival of Black culture and futures, returns in February 2025 to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Promising a vibrant lineup throughout February, this edition honours the Black journey to liberation, integrating artists, creators and audiences in the multidisciplinary fields of music, theatre, dance, spoken word and more.
Presented by TD Bank Group through the Bank’s corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, this year’s theme of healing through the arts will challenge and address existing stereotypes, all while uniting the community and sparking exchange around the creative and intellectual achievements of the Black diaspora.
“Through the TD Ready Commitment, we’re proud to support Harbourfront Centre’s KUUMBA, which shines a light on the richness of Black culture and the incredible contributions of Black communities,” said Robyn Small, Senior Manager, Philanthropy, TD Bank Group. “Together, we’re helping foster spaces that showcase Black talent, share stories that reflect Black lived experiences and inspire meaningful connection through community programming.”
JUNO Award-winning artist Jay Douglas and the All Stars perform a tribute concert on what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, a partnership with The Black Daddies Club showcases a series of wellness workshops, Breaking Canada’s Rock Harder Competition returns and Voguing is back to thrill audiences. Plus readings, film screenings, live dance and more.
Harbourfront Centre’s KUUMBA 365 – an initiative celebrating Black culture all year long – also returns this year for its second edition. In partnership with The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, this year’s program invites four choreographers to use dance to explore and create art through a Black cultural lens focused on the theme of celebration.
“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of KUUMBA, we reflect on the enduring power of culture, history and community,” says KUUMBA’s Lead Producer, Diana Webley. “This milestone marks our enduring commitment to honouring Black excellence, resilience and creative contributions that have shaped, and continue to shape, our society. We stand proud in recognizing the achievements of those who came before us and renew our commitment to empowering future generations.”
Programming highlights of KUUMBA30 include:
- Bob Marley Birthday Tribute: In 2025, Bob Marley would have turned 80. In memory of one of the iconic musicians of all time, KUUMBA will present a special celebration of Robert Nesta Marley’s musical contribution through the genres of jazz, reggae, soul and blues. This journey of live musical performance includes JUNO Award winner Jay Douglas and the All Stars, Liberty Silver, Eddie Bullen, Kairo McLean and more. The event will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 8pm.
- Breaking Canada’s Rock Harder Breaking Competition: Rock Harder is Canada’s premiere breaking event, attracting top breakers from around the globe to compete in an electrifying showcase of skill and style. The dynamic competition invites all breakers, from elite and skilled duos to emerging talent, to shine with fierce battles, world-class judges and a vibrant community. This two-day event will be held on February 15 and 16.
- Pause+Expand Wellness Series: This immersive live experience combines meditation, guided visualization and sound therapy to nurture your well-being. Offering four workshops, participants will explore the science behind these practices and how they support mental clarity and overall wellness. Whether you are new to these practices or a seasoned participant, these sessions are designed for a gentle and transformative journey. The workshops will be held throughout February, beginning on Tuesday, February 11.
- Silent Legacy: Silent Legacy brings together two forces in dance: young Krump prodigy Adeline Kerry Cruz and Siaska Chareyre. Both artists combine radical authenticity with their interpretative strength through Krump and contemporary dance. Their dialogue questions identity, the sociology of gender, heritage and dance culture. Two performances will be held on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15.
KUUMBA takes place at various venues at Harbourfront Centre February 1–28 with free, pay-what-you-wish and ticketed performances. Registration and tickets are available at HarbourfrontCentre.com, in-person or by calling the Harbourfront Centre Box Office at (416) 973-4000. For more information and programming updates, visit HarbourfrontCentre.com.
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Harbourfront Centre is Canada’s community waterfront, home of arts, culture and education, and a registered, charitable not-for-profit cultural organization operating a 10-acre campus on Toronto’s central waterfront. Harbourfront Centre provides year-round programming 52 weeks a year, seven days a week, supporting a wide range of artists and communities. We inspire audiences and visitors with a breadth of bold, ambitious and engaging experiences. We champion Canadian artists throughout their careers, presenting them alongside international artists and fostering artistic exchanges between disciplines and cultures.
Harbourfront Centre acknowledges the generous support of: Government of Canada and the City of Toronto; Programming Partners: Government of Canada, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Government of Ontario, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund and the City of Toronto and its Corporate Site Partner, Labatt.
Harbourfront Centre’s KUUMBA, presented by TD Bank Group through the Bank’s corporate citizenship platform, TD Ready Commitment, is Toronto’s largest and longest-running Black Futures Month festival. Since 1995, KUUMBA has been a vital platform for celebrating Black history and Black futures, embodying joyful expression and exploration through the vibrant integration of artists, creators and audiences via music, theatre, spoken word, dance, visual arts and more. This month-long festival, taking place annually in February, transcends historical narratives of trauma and repression, uniting communities and sparking exchange around the creative and intellectual achievements of the Black diaspora. Cultivating an inclusive atmosphere that centres on meaningful dialogues and celebration, KUUMBA recognizes the paramount contributions of Black creators who are shaping the future of art, culture and society.
About The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery
The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted to contemporary art, ideas and conversations. Located at Harbourfront Centre on Toronto’s waterfront, The Power Plant is a vital forum for the creative culture of our time, sharing inspiring and transformative experiences with audiences through free admission to exhibitions and public programs. The Power Plant is guided by the commitment to provide a platform for artists from diverse backgrounds, drawing attention to pressing issues and connecting communities in Canada and worldwide through contemporary art. For more information, please visit thepowerplant.org.