2nd Annual GAD Festival Returns to Germantown This Month With Art, Live Music, and Community
The Germantown Arts District (GAD) will once again come alive with creativity as the 2nd Annual GAD Festival takes place on Saturday, September 13,from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Germantown Avenue between Coulter and Armat Streets.
Launched in April 2024, the festival was created to highlight Germantown’s thriving arts scene, support local artists and businesses, and make art accessible to everyone. This year’s event expands on its debut with even more interactive activities, performances, and community-driven programming — and it’s completely free to attend.
Festivalgoers can explore a wide range of creative zones and activations, each designed to encourage participation, expression, and discovery:
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Community Paint-by-Numbers Mural designed by Oluwafemi
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Film Hub (3Piece Productions & 10:01 Media) featuring short films, storyboards, and panel discussions
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Youth Zone (Natural Creativity) with STEM tinkering stations, face painting, and hands-on art activities
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Photography Zone (Immortal Vision Studios) offering camera cleaning, a community photo walk, and more
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Textile Zone (Gaffney Fabrics) with vendors and live artmaking
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HBCU Zone (AUC Philly Club) featuring workshops, vendors, and performances
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Dance Zone (Kinesics Dance Dynamics) hosting free movement and dance classes
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Kambel Smith Exhibit at Historic Germantown
Entertainment Lineup
The day will also feature live performances, music, and open-mic energy:
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Open Mic Jam Session hosted by Rico Anderson & The Ruffneckz
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DJ NA$H – Interna$hional Bounce Pop-Up
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Aquil Dawud
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Ria4Reel
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Jamicka Bass
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Suzann Christine
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Amir Ali
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Chill Moody
Festival organizer Kristen Clark describes the event as a celebration of both art and community, “GAD Fest is my love letter to the community and Germantown’s contributions to arts & culture. We activate our corridor to encourage our neighbors to embrace their creativity, explore art, build community, and experience flow. The GAD Festival strives to provide opportunities to do all of those things.”
