Harlem Week 2022: Celebrate NYC’s world-famous neighborhood

Every year, for nearly half a century, Harlem’s vibrant community has taken to the streets to celebrate the richness of the beloved uptown Manhattan neighborhood’s multicultural traditions.

It began in 1974 as Harlem Day, a one-day event designed to celebrate the area’s African-American, Caribbean, Hispanic and European history and culture. Today, the festivities are a full 10-day affair.

“Harlem Week this year celebrates its 48th anniversary, and the theme is inspiration, impact, legacy,” Marko Nobles, second vice chairman of Harlem Week, told the Daily News. “As always, it’s a celebration of all things that are great about Harlem, 365 days a year, but we are focusing on this 10-day window.”

Participants will be able to enjoy a variety of both virtual and in-person events, including outdoor film screenings, an anti-gun walk, and even an Apollo Theater Amateur Night. Here are some fun events worth checking out.

Uptown Night Market, 12th Ave. at 133rd St., 4 p.m.-10 p.m.

Uptown Night Market, an open-air food and drink festival celebrating the tastes and sounds of the eclectic neighborhood, is designed to showcase and support local businesses, artists and performers. This year, the foodies’ paradise will feature more than 60 vendors, most of them local minority-owned businesses.

“We are very excited to work with and be embraced by the most creative community in NYC,” organizer Marco Shalma told the Daily News. It will be “the biggest food and culture celebration New York City has yet to see.”

Senior Citizens Day at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 163 W. 125th St., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The traditional Senior Citizens Day will feature performances, health demonstrations, cooking classes, a panel on demystifying technology, and a senior hat fashion show. Portions of the event will be livestreamed.

Percy Sutton Harlem 5K & Walk, 135th St. and Nicholas Ave.

Sponsored by the New York Road Runners and the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the events will include the 5K, various distances for kids ages 2 to 11, as well as a 1.5-mile walk. The theme for this year’s walk is “Anti-Gun Violence Health Walk: Save Our Children,” and participants are invited to make a statement against gun violence.

“That will be a very important event for us,” Nobles said, urging “everyone to come out.” Starting times are 8 a.m. for the 5K and 8:30 a.m. for the walk.

A Great Day in Harlem at General Grant National Memorial, Riverside Drive and 122nd St., noon-7 p.m.

This all-day event will kick off at noon with the opening of the International Village, featuring vendors selling items such as clothing, accessories and international foods. The live entertainment begins at 1 p.m. and will be presented in different segments. Artz, Rootz & Rhythm will showcase emerging local performers of varying genres.

The Gospel Caravan will bring to the stage gospel performers from New York City and beyond; and the Concert Under the Stars portion will feature national and international performers singing with the Harlem Music Festival All-Star Band led by Harlem native Ray Chew, who’s the music director of the hit reality television show “Dancing With the Stars.”

ImageNation Outdoor Film Festival, at Marcus Garvey Park Amphitheater, 7 p.m.

Bring your own popcorn to catch the New York premiere of “African Redemption: The Life and Legacy of Marcus Garvey.” Directed by Roy T. Anderson (“Akwantu: The Journey”) and narrated by Harlem native and Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David, the film documents the life of Jamaican civil rights Marcus Garvey and his fight for the equality of Black people worldwide.

As a historical bonus, the film will be screened on the controversial leader’s 135th birthday and in the park named after him.

Youth Conference & Hack-A-Thon at the City College of New York, 160 Convent Ave., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The conference will offer youth a safe space to discuss their thoughts on gun violence in local communities, as well as self-esteem and image issues. The Hack-A-Thon will challenge young minds to create digital solutions to “hack the climate.”

Teams will be asked to create an app or website that will help lower carbon emissions, which are destroying our planet. The best projects will win prizes for their functionality, practicality and creativity.

Apollo Theater Amateur Night Salute to Harlem Week, 255 W. 125th St., 7:30 p.m.

You can join in on the fun with the weekly classic competition in this special edition of the world-famous Amateur Night at the Apollo, one of New York City’s most popular entertainment experiences. Lend your voice to decide who will “Be Good or Be Gone” to win the grand prize and watch host Tabitha C. Williams present Harlem Week scholarships to local students.

Jobs and Career Fair at the City College of New York, 160 Convent Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Presented by the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the NYC Jobs & Careers Fair will feature “some 40-plus companies and organizations that will be sharing information about jobs and careers,” according to Nobles. “There will also be sessions on résumé preparing, grooming and interview skills,” some of which will also be offered virtually on harlemweek.com.

Alex Trebek Children’s Spelling Bee at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Renamed after the passing of the beloved “Jeopardy!” host in 2020, Harlem Week’s traditional spelling competition invites all children from grades 1 through 5 to show off their spelling brilliance and win prizes.

The Trebek family has supported the Harlem Week Spelling Bee over the last few years. Matthew Trebek, Alex’s son and the owner of the Harlem restaurant Oso, has served as a judge for the event.

Harlem Day, W. 135th St., from Fifth Ave. to St. Nicholas Ave.,1 p.m.-7 p.m.

Three main stages of entertainment will close the Harlem extravaganza with performances by Broadway stars and local, national and international performers in various genres, including jazz, hip hop, gospel, Latin and reggae. Harlem’s summer party Sundae Sermon, a back-to-school fashion show and hundreds of food vendors, local artists and corporate exhibitors will transform 135th St. into an outdoor bash.