Durag Festival will not return to Charlotte in 2026

Catch up quick: The festival, which started in 2018, has traditionally coincided with Juneteenth, bringing fashion, culture, creativity, local artists, and DJs to Camp North End.

• Last year, the festival moved to The Pass near NoDa to accommodate its growth.

What they're saying: Michelle said 2025 marked both the festival's biggest year and a turning point.

• "There wasn't one single issue," she said. "As the festival has grown — both in size and in where people are traveling from — it's become clear that it now requires a different type of space and level of support."

State of play: Organizers say the pause is intentional, and they plan to bring back the Durag Festival in 2027 once the right pieces are in place.

• "This gives us time to step back and make sure the environment we're producing the festival in is truly aligned with where Durag Fest is today and where it's headed."

What's next: For now, organizers encourage festival goers to follow their Instagram account for updates.

• "Moving forward, our focus is on strengthening the foundation — operationally and experientially — so the festival can continue to serve the community and the creatives who rely on it as a launch point," said Michelle.