Pinkster Festival

Drums play. We dance. 

Join us on Sunday, June 1 from 1pm – 6pm as we celebrate Pinkster, a 17th-century festival rooted in the resilience, resistance, and cultural expression of enslaved Africans in early New York.

Originally a Dutch observance of Pentecost brought to the region during colonization, Pinkster was transformed by generations of Africans and African-Americans into a spirited celebration of identity, culture, and survival. 

For enslaved peoples—who had few chances to rest or gather—Pinkster offered this rare moment. Over several days, it became a time to celebrate, resist bondage, and nurture community through music, dance, food, religious rituals, and ancestral traditions. And so today we continue to honor Pinkster as a living embodiment of the strength and ingenuity of New York’s enslaved peoples, and their enduring impact on our cultural heritage. 

Join us at Weeksville to experience Pinkster’s sights, sounds, and flavors through through live music, traditional dance, games, workshops, art-making, and delicious food that reflects Black foodways and folkways. We’re honored to partner once again with Chief Baba Neil Clarke, the Pinkster Players, and community friends and family to share the history, significance, and continued relevance of this powerful festival. 

Let us gather to celebrate our ancestors—and ensure their stories continue to pass on and  inspire future generations. Free and open to all.