Afrobeats. Dancehall. Hip-Hop. Amapiano. Caribbean culture. Black-owned businesses. And three days celebrating music and culture from across the African diaspora.
Afro Plus Fest is returning to the Washington, D.C. area for Labor Day Weekend—and this year, it’s getting much bigger.
From September 4–6, 2026, Afro Plus Fest takes over Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, bringing together artists including Davido, Wizkid, Alkaline, Lil Baby, Tiwa Savage, Sarkodie, Spice, Dexta Daps, Olamide, Latto and many more.
But Afro Plus Fest isn’t simply another music festival.
It’s positioning itself as a gathering of the global Black diaspora, bringing together music, food, fashion, entrepreneurship and culture in Prince George’s County—home to one of America’s most prominent Black communities.
So if you’re traveling to the DMV for Afro Plus Fest, here’s another way to make the weekend intentional:
Stay Black-owned.
From a luxury Black-owned hotel in Washington, D.C. to an intimate Black-owned mansion hotel in Baltimore, here’s where to stay for Afro Plus Fest 2026 while supporting Black hospitality.
Afro Plus Fest 2026: What You Need to Know
After drawing approximately 20,000 people to its inaugural event, Afro Plus Fest is expanding dramatically for 2026.
Founder Michael Awosanya told Travel Noire that organizers are expecting approximately 120,000 attendees this year as the festival grows from a one-day event into a three-day destination experience.
Afro Plus Fest 2026
Dates: September 4–6, 2026
Location: Northwest Stadium
Address: 1600 Ring Road, Landover, Maryland 20785
Weekend: Labor Day Weekend
The festival encompasses multiple stages alongside food vendors, merchandise and cultural marketplaces, lounges, creator spaces, wellness experiences and other activities.
And the music lineup stretches across the diaspora.
Afrobeats.
Dancehall.
Hip-Hop.
Amapiano.
African and Caribbean artists share the weekend with some of the biggest names in American music.
That makes the DMV an especially appropriate setting.
Why Afro Plus Fest Is Staying in Prince George’s County
There is a story behind the location.
Afro Plus Fest founder Michael Awosanya was born in Brooklyn but raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
As the festival grew, he says people asked why he didn’t move it to a larger destination such as New York or London.
His answer was essentially:
PG County is home.
Awosanya told Travel Noire that Prince George’s County shaped him and described the area as home to one of America’s largest and most prosperous African diaspora communities. Keeping the festival there also allows visitor spending to contribute to the local economy.
That makes supporting Black businesses during the weekend particularly fitting.
And that can start with where you sleep.
Black-Owned Hotels for Afro Plus Fest
Luxury Black-Owned Stays
Salamander Washington DC — Washington, D.C.
Black-Owned Luxury in the Nation’s Capital
For travelers who want to turn Afro Plus Fest into a luxury Washington getaway, Salamander Washington DC is the standout BHG choice.
The luxury hotel is part of Salamander Collection, the privately owned hospitality company founded by entrepreneur Sheila C. Johnson in 2005. The company owns, manages and develops luxury hotels and resorts while maintaining its headquarters just outside Washington, D.C.
Salamander Washington DC occupies an enviable location along the city’s Southwest waterfront, putting guests within easy reach of the National Mall and many of Washington’s best-known museums and attractions.
That makes it especially attractive if Afro Plus Fest is only one part of your Labor Day weekend.
Spend the day at the festival.
Then return to the city for dinner, drinks, sightseeing—or some recovery time at the hotel’s spa.
For travelers flying into Washington and looking for a full-service luxury experience, this is the property I would put at the top of the list.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couples, spa lovers and visitors combining Afro Plus Fest with a Washington, D.C. vacation.
→ Explore Salamander Washington DC on Black Hotel Guide
The Ivy Hotel — Baltimore, Maryland
Turn Afro Plus Fest Into a Maryland Luxury Getaway
If you’re willing to stay farther from the festival grounds and make Afro Plus Fest part of a larger Maryland getaway, consider The Ivy Hotel in Baltimore.
Set inside a historic mansion in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, The Ivy is almost the opposite of a giant convention hotel.
It has only 17 guest rooms and suites, creating an intimate experience centered around highly personalized hospitality. The property also features its own luxury spa and acclaimed Magdalena, A Maryland Bistro.
The Ivy was created by Baltimore entrepreneurs and philanthropists Eddie and Sylvia Brown, whose ownership story is deeply connected to the city. The Browns describe their vision for The Ivy as creating a hospitality “jewel” that Baltimore itself could be proud of.
And the property has accumulated serious luxury credentials.
The Ivy currently describes itself as Maryland’s only hotel with two Michelin Keys.
This isn’t the choice I’d recommend if your only objective is getting in and out of Northwest Stadium as quickly as possible.
But for travelers extending the trip, couples celebrating something special, or visitors who want to combine the festival with Baltimore’s Black culture, restaurants and history, The Ivy offers something entirely different.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couples, spa weekends, Baltimore extensions and travelers turning Afro Plus Fest into a longer Maryland trip.
→ Explore The Ivy Hotel on Black Hotel Guide
More Affordable Black-Owned Hotels for Afro Plus Fest
Afro Plus Fest doesn’t have to mean booking a five-star luxury hotel.
For travelers planning to spend most of the weekend enjoying the festival—and who would rather put more of their travel budget toward tickets, food and experiences—there are also more moderately priced hotel options in the Baltimore-Washington region worth considering.
TownePlace Suites Fort Meade National Business Park — Maryland
A Black-Owned Extended-Stay Option for Groups
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Meade National Business Park may be one of the most practical options in this guide for travelers attending all three days of Afro Plus Fest.
Located in Annapolis Junction between Washington and Baltimore, this Black-owned extended-stay hotel offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites equipped with full kitchens. Guests also receive complimentary breakfast and parking, while on-site laundry facilities make the property particularly convenient for longer stays and groups.
The National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers identifies Ernest L. Murphy as the hotel’s owner and Hospitality Development Company, LLC as its ownership company. Marriott independently identifies Hospitality Development Company as the franchise owner of this exact property.
For a group of friends splitting accommodations over festival weekend, having a kitchen, included breakfast and free parking can make a meaningful difference to the overall cost of the trip.
Best for: Groups, friends sharing accommodations, families, longer stays, Marriott Bonvoy members and budget-conscious festivalgoers.
→ Explore TownePlace Suites Fort Meade on Black Hotel Guide
The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI
A More Accessible Black-Owned Full-Service Hotel Near BWI
The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport – BWI provides an especially interesting alternative for travelers flying into Maryland.
The hotel has been identified as Black-owned through Evens Charles, founder and managing principal of Frontier Development & Hospitality Group, a Black-owned hospitality and real-estate investment company with experience developing and investing in major branded hotels.
Staying near BWI also makes sense for travelers flying in for the weekend who don’t need to be in downtown Washington every night.
While the Westin won’t put you next door to Northwest Stadium, it can provide a more practical balance between airport convenience, full-service hotel amenities and supporting Black-owned hospitality.
Best for: Air travelers, couples, festivalgoers with a car and visitors seeking an upscale hotel without the ultra-luxury price point of Salamander or The Ivy.
→ Explore The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport on Black Hotel Guide
Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington, D.C. Downtown
A BIPOC-Owned All-Suite Stay in Downtown D.C.
For travelers who want to stay in Washington itself without paying five-star hotel prices, Homewood Suites by Hilton Washington, D.C. Downtown adds another practical option.
The 175-room all-suite hotel provides apartment-style accommodations with separate living and sleeping areas and fully equipped kitchens, including full-size refrigerators, microwaves, stovetops and dishwashers. Complimentary hot breakfast is also included.
Its downtown Massachusetts Avenue location puts guests near McPherson Square Metro, while the White House, National Mall, Smithsonian museums, restaurants and other Washington attractions are within easy reach.
Destination DC, the city’s official destination marketing organization, currently identifies the hotel as BIPOC-owned.
That makes it worth highlighting for travelers seeking to direct more of their travel spending toward diverse ownership while also prioritizing space, kitchens, breakfast and downtown convenience.
Best for: Groups, families, longer stays, Hilton Honors members and travelers who want a central D.C. location with more value-oriented amenities.
→ Explore The Westin Baltimore Washington Airport on Black Hotel Guide
More Black-Owned & Black-Led Hotels in the DMV
Those aren’t your only options.
Black Hotel Guide maintains dedicated guides to Black-owned and Black-led hotels in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, giving travelers additional choices across different price points and hotel styles.
That matters during a festival expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.
As rooms closer to the venue become scarce or expensive, expanding your search into Washington, D.C., National Harbor and other parts of Maryland may provide more options.
→ Explore Black-Owned Hotels in Washington, D.C.
→ Explore Black-Owned Hotels in Maryland
Should You Stay in Washington, D.C. or Maryland for Afro Plus Fest?
This is where I would make the article genuinely useful rather than simply using the festival as an excuse to promote hotels.
If Afro Plus Fest is your priority:
Look for accommodations convenient to Landover and the Metro, particularly properties that make reaching the Blue or Silver Line straightforward.
If you want Afro Plus Fest + Washington sightseeing:
Stay in Washington, D.C. You’ll have better access to restaurants, museums, nightlife and major attractions before and after the festival.
If you’re making it a luxury getaway:
Salamander Washington DC is the obvious BHG choice.
If you’re extending your trip into Baltimore:
The Ivy offers a completely different boutique luxury experience.
And don’t assume driving is automatically the easiest way to reach the festival.
Same Price. Bigger Impact.
Before you book—check BlackHotelGuide.com first.
