The vibrant cultural and commercial heart of downtown Newark is gearing up for a milestone celebration as the Halsey Festival marks its 20th anniversary. Presented by the Newark Alliance, the free public event will take place on Sept. 17, from 3 to 8 p.m. along Halsey Street.
Stretching 1.2 miles through one of the city’s oldest areas, the festival brings together residents, students, entrepreneurs, and visitors for an afternoon of live entertainment, local shopping, family-friendly activities, and global cuisine.
For 20 years, the festival has celebrated the people, artists, and small businesses that shape Halsey Street—a historic corridor linking commerce, education, and civic life near major landmarks like Rutgers University-Newark, Tubman Square, and The Newark Museum of Art.
- Promoting Inclusive Growth: Ashley Mays, Chief Marketing Officer at Newark Alliance and President of Newark Happening, emphasized the event’s broader mission: “By creating more opportunities to discover and support the storefronts along the corridor, the festival advances our broader vision of strengthening Halsey Street as a destination rooted in local ownership, Black and Brown wealth creation and inclusive economic growth.”
- First-Time Participants: This year’s lineup welcomes several newcomers to the vendor roster, including HARVEST (a farm-to-community center by RWJBarnabas Health) and fitness hub Harlem Cycle, which opened on Halsey Street this past January.
- Fan-Favorite Vendors: Longtime participants returning to connect with the community include FABYOULIFE, Blush Velvet Boutique, and Lovely Life Products, which will provide face painting and henna art.
Central Ward Council Member Amina Bey highlighted the event’s deep roots in the local community. “Halsey Festival celebrates the heart and culture of Newark’s Central Ward,” She said. “It strengthens our local economy, showcases the rich culture and creativity of what makes Halsey Street a premier destination in our City, and ensures that the people and businesses who have helped build this corridor remain central to its continued growth.”
The free public event is made possible through the support of presenting host Newark Alliance, alongside supporting sponsors Prudential Financial and United Airlines.
“Halsey Street has long been at the heart of Newark’s story,” Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President of Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial and Chair of the Board of the Newark Alliance, said. “Prudential is proud to continue supporting this event and the people and businesses that make Halsey Street such an important part of Newark’s future.”
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
- Time: 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Halsey Street, Downtown Newark, N.J.
- Admission: Free (Additional details and free RSVPs are available on the Halsey Festival Eventbrite page).
