Newark kicked off its annual '24 Hrs. of Peace' event Friday night, bringing music, community and a message of nonviolence to downtown.

The 16th annual event is got underway at Halsey and Market streets, where organizers brought together residents, artists and community leaders for 24 hours of performances, activities and conversations focused on violence prevention and healing.

Organizers say 24 Hrs. of Peace has become a Newark tradition, using music and hip-hop to bring people together and strengthen connections throughout the city.

The event has featured music, dancing and thousands of people gathering in downtown Newark in years past.

This year, 30 local acts are expected to take the stage during the 24-hour celebration, giving homegrown artists an opportunity to perform alongside major names.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery and the Brick City Peace Collective.

Organizers say the goal goes beyond entertainment — creating a space for meaningful conversations about violence prevention, healing and building stronger neighborhoods.

The celebration officially began at 6 p.m. Friday and continues around the clock until 6 p.m. Saturday.