After a one-year hiatus, CURLFEST 2026 returned this weekend to Randall’s Island, bringing together thousands of attendees for a celebration of textured hair, culture, and community. CURLFEST honors the glory of textured crowns, the richness of our skin, and the boundless joy of our culture,” said co-founder Charisse Higgins. Higgins is one of the five founders of CURLFEST as a member of the Curly Girl Collective, alongside Tracey Coleman, Gia Lowe, Simone Mair, and Melody He