New York Arab Festival Returns with a Dynamic Lineup of Music, Art, and Culture

The New York Arab Festival (NYAF) is back for its fourth edition, running from April 1 through May 30, spotlighting a diverse and vibrant program of performances, screenings, and cultural events across the city.

Headlining this year’s festival is the electrifying DJ collective Haza Party, known for their high-energy sets that blend beats from the Arab, Asian, and Pan-African diasporas. They’ll host a special edition of their signature event, Haza Souk, combining DJ sets, food vendors, and curated merchandise stalls in a celebration of nightlife and community.

The literary arts also take center stage with Palestinian poet Ahmad Almallah presenting his latest collection, Wrong Winds, on April 8. Just a few days later, on April 13, acclaimed Palestinian singer-songwriter and genre-defying rock artist Rasha Nahas will perform live at Brooklyn Art Haus.

On April 16, the festival pays homage to legendary Egyptian dancer Samia Gamal with a centennial tribute at the Jalopy Theatre. Choreographers and dancers Angie Assal and Soumaya MaRose will lead the double-bill performance celebrating Gamal’s enduring impact on dance and Arab cultural expression.

Film lovers can look forward to the NYAF Arab Shorts Film Program at the Bartos Screening Room, showcasing works by filmmakers such as Alia Haju and Khaled Jarrar, whose narratives explore contemporary Arab life through powerful visual storytelling.

In a unique collaboration from May 1–4, NYAF partners with the experimental theater institution La MaMa ETC to present a “festival within a festival.” This four-day series of interdisciplinary “happenings” features spoken word, dance, music, and multimedia works inspired by texts from the late Arab poets Etel Adnan and Joyce Mansour. Featured performers include Andrew Riad, Nadia Khyrallah, Sarah Brahim, and Amr Kotb.

Rounding out the program on May 14 is Poems of Consumption, an inventive musical performance by Lebanese American artist H. Sinno, who transforms Amazon customer reviews into catchy, thought-provoking pop songs.

Founded in 2022 to mark Arab American Heritage Month, NYAF aims to push back against the erasure of Arab and Arab American identities in New York City—home to Arab communities for over 300 years. As the festival grows, it continues to highlight the richness, complexity, and resilience of Arab diasporic culture.