Nigerian Center and Guinness Baltimore to Host Nigerian American Festival This October
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Guinness Open Gate Brewery Baltimore, Collins + Company <OGB@collins-company.com>
Nigerian Center, Olayinka Sarayi <olayinka@nigeriancenter.org>
Three-Day Celebration of Nigerian Culture, Food, Music and Community Set for October 16–18, 2026
BALTIMORE, Md. (July 16, 2026) — The Nigerian Center and Guinness Baltimore today announced the inaugural Nigerian American Festival, a vibrant three-day cultural celebration taking place October 16–18, 2026, at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore County.
The festival will celebrate the richness and diversity of Nigerian culture through live music, cultural performances, authentic cuisine, interactive experiences, retail vendors, and family-friendly programming. Organizers expect thousands of attendees from across the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, with Saturday, October 17, serving as the festival's signature headliner day.
Guinness Baltimore’s brewers will collaborate with the Nigerian Center on a custom limited-time beer release celebrating the longstanding connection between Guinness beer and Nigeria, which will be available exclusively at the brewery during the festival.
"We are thrilled to partner with Guinness Open Gate Brewery to bring the Nigerian American Festival to life," said Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director of the Nigerian Center. "This festival will celebrate the beauty, creativity, and contributions of Nigerians and Nigerian Americans while creating an inclusive space for cultural exchange, community connection, and economic opportunity for artists, performers, and entrepreneurs. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across the region to experience the vibrancy of Nigerian culture."
In addition to hosting the festival, Guinness Baltimore has committed to making a $10,000 donation to the Nigerian Center to further support the organization's mission and community impact initiatives.
“The connections between our beer and Nigeria run deep, with beers like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout enjoyed by generations of Nigerians,” said Ryan Wagner, National Guinness Ambassador. “This partnership with The Nigerian Center will help us strengthen and explore those connections, through our commitment to celebrating diversity and the things that bring us all together - a love for community, honoring heritage, and creating meaningful experiences, with great beer at the heart of it all.”
Additional details, including performer announcements, vendor applications, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket information, will be released in the coming months.
Save the Date
Nigerian American Festival
Dates: October 16–18, 2026
Location: Guinness Open Gate Brewery // 5001 Washington Blvd, Halethorpe, Maryland
Friday: Opening festivities begin at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: Festival headliner day
Sunday: Festival programming through early evening
###
About the Nigerian Center
The Nigerian Center is a Washington, DC–based national civic institution advancing social justice, culture, and opportunity for Nigerian and broader African diaspora communities in the United States. Through legal services, financial empowerment programs, cultural initiatives, and public policy engagement, the Center works to strengthen communities and elevate the role of the diaspora in shaping U.S.–Africa relations.
About Guinness
The Guinness brand was established in 1759, when Arthur Guinness signed a 9,000 year lease on St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin. Brewed using four main ingredients, water, barley (malted & roasted), hops and yeast, Guinness is the world's most popular stout brand. The iconic beer is brewed in 49 countries worldwide and sold in over 150 with almost 9 million glasses of Guinness beers enjoyed every day around the world. The most GUINNESS is sold in Great Britain, Ireland, USA, Nigeria and Cameroon. More information can be found at www.guinness.com.
About Diageo Beer Company
Diageo Beer Company USA (formerly Diageo-Guinness USA) is the U.S. beer and flavored malt beverage business of Diageo. Brands within Diageo Beer Company include the iconic Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s and Smirnoff ICE.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.