Life & Travel
With summer in full swing, it’s never too late to add a few more activities to the roster. And xoNecole has you covered with the places to be for you and your girls, this season and well into fall and winter.
Whether you’re looking to connect with like-minded creatives somewhere like CultureCon or mix and mingle with fellow Black women in tech at AfroTech, we’ve got a little something for all the It Girls.
Kwame Onwuachi’s Presents The Family Reunion (Middleburg, Virginia – August 14-17)
Designed for the It Girl who loves culinary experiences, The Family Reunion was created to celebrate diversity in the hospitality industry. This marks the fifth year for the annual event held at Salamander Middleburg, one of the properties in the luxury resort and spa chain founded by BET co-founder Sheila Johnson.
Presented by Chef Kwame Onwuachi, the multi-day event consists of panel discussions, topical cooking demonstrations, recreational activities, and daily “family” meals intended to allow attendees to interact with celebrity participants. Onwuachi also selects a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient each year to honor their contributions in the industry.
Anime NYC (New York City – August 21-24)
For the It Girls who are into anime, this is the place to be. It is known as the largest anime convention on the East Coast, bringing together approximately 100,000 fans from around the world to showcase the best of Japanese culture through exhibits, exclusive screenings, and appearances by familiar faces.
Cousinz Festival (Norfolk, Virginia – August 30)
If you’re a mixy It Girl who loves a function with good music and good vibes, the Cousinz Festival is worth adding to your list. The second annual Cousinz Festival, co-founded by Pusha T, will take place at the Norfolk Scope Grounds at the end of the month and features headliners such as Jeezy, Lil' Kim, T-Pain, DJ Clue, the Backyard Band, and more.
S.A.I. Summer Cookout by Marsai Martin (Houston, Texas – August 29-31)
Hosted by the ultimate It Girl, Marsai Martin is taking her talents back to her stomping grounds for her third installment of the S.A.I Summer Cookout. Described as “an annual get-together for the community that feels like one big family reunion,” the event first took place in Atlanta in 2023, followed by Washington, D.C., in 2024, and is now coming to Martin’s hometown of Houston.
U.S. Open (Flushing, New York – August 24- September 7)
For ladies who want to celebrate Black women in the sport of tennis, such as Coco Gauff, Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, Naomi Osaka, and more, this is the place to be. The legendary Venus Williams has also been confirmed to compete in the mixed doubles competition alongside Reilly Opelka for this year’s U.S. Open.
Harlem Fashion Row (New York City – September 9)
The annual kickoff to New York Fashion Week starts with HFR’s 18th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards, set to take place in Harlem on September 9. This year’s event will be a celebration of “unapologetic elegance and designers shaping the future of fashion,” and includes a seated dinner.
New York Fashion Week (New York, NY – September 11-16)
Calling all fashionistas! New York Fashion Week returns from September 11 to September 16, making the city the place every It Girl should be to stay up to date on the latest fashion trends, celebrity sightings, and after parties.
CultureCon NYC (New York, NY – October 4-5)
Powered by the Creative Collective NYC, this annual event is a hub for dreamers, movers, and shakers who stop at nothing to bring their visions to life. It’s the place to rub shoulders with those who truly understand what it means to put your best creative foot forward, and move about the world just awaiting the chance to showcase your next big idea.
In past years, It Girls including Scottie Beam, Gia Peppers, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, and many more have graced the CultureCon stage to drop gems, share stories about their respective journeys, and deliver mounds of knowledge that’s worth soaking up.
AfroTech Conference (Houston, Texas – October 27-31)
Black women in tech, here’s your chance to shine. This isn’t your average tech conference, because beyond the panels and workshops are some of the hottest parties, featuring everyone from top IT professionals to cybersecurity experts. And who says an It Girl can’t be up to date on the latest gadgets, gizmos, and technological updates?
Art Basel Miami (Miami Beach, FL – December 5-7)
End the year with a bang and add to your art collection at Art Basel in Miami, Florida. Whether you’re an artist or an art enthusiast, there’s something for you with programming that spans various art styles, including realism, impressionism, expressionism, cubism, surrealism, and pop art.
WNBA Seasonal Games (Various Locations – May - September)
The official season kicked off in May and will run until September 11, featuring matchups between the New York Liberty and Chicago Sky, the Phoenix Mercury and Dallas Wings, the Golden State Valkyries and Minnesota Lynx, and the Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks.
WNBA playoffs are scheduled to begin three days following the season, on September 14, 2025.
South House (Various Locations – Year-Round)
Suppose you’re an It Girl who doesn’t need a particular season to catch a vibe. In that case, South House is a great year-round event with its Sunday Service event coming up on August 17, followed by stops in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, and Washington, D.C for the remainder of the month.
South House stands for Southern Houseparty and is known for giving partygoers an experience unlike anywhere else, described as a “bougie billiards hall meets house party.”
Souled Out Dates (Various Locations – Year-Round)
If you prefer to be in bed by 11 p.m., this event is for you. Souled Out Dates, which sets out to be the “biggest day party ever in life,” is a year-round event that makes stops in various cities, including Charlotte, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Houston, and more.
Everyday People (Various Locations – Year-Round)
Everyday People goes beyond just a place to shake a tailfeather and let loose; this is made for the It Girls who want an enriching blend of music, culture, and community that spans across the globe.
With events in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and Atlanta already taking the culture by storm, Everyday People now hosts parties in London, Amsterdam, Toronto, and more!
Consider your It Girl era unlocked. Shop all of our beauty and lifestyle must-haves on The It List.
Featured image by Bre Johnson/BFA.com/Shutterstock
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