The living guide to Africa's celebrations
Africa's festivals, kept alive by the people who live them.
Discover when they happen, what to expect, and the music, food and meaning behind them—then turn a celebration into a trip.
#49
🥁
Apr
Zimbabwe
Harare International Festival of the Arts
Major arts and culture festival
📅 Apr
⏳ 6 days
Needs a local's update
#50
🥁
May
Gambia
Roots Homecoming Festival
Cultural heritage celebration
📅 May
⏳ 7 days
Needs a local's update
#51
🥁
Jun
Gambia
Kanilai International Cultural Festival
Traditional arts and culture festival
📅 Jun
⏳ 5 days
Needs a local's update
#52
🥁
Sep
Tanzania
Bagamoyo Arts Festival
Cultural arts festival
📅 Sep
⏳ 7 days
Needs a local's update
#53
🥁
Jul
Tanzania
Zanzibar International Film Festival
East Africa's largest film and arts festival
📅 Jul
⏳ 9 days
Needs a local's update
#54
🥁
Aug
Egypt
Wafaa El-Nil
Ancient Egyptian celebration of the Nile flood
📅 Aug
⏳ 14 days
Needs a local's update
#55
🥁
Aug
Kenya
Camel Derby Festival
Annual camel racing event in Maralal
📅 Aug
⏳ 3 days
Needs a local's update
🏆 Top 10 Festival in Kenya
#56
🥁
Dec
Kenya
Maragoli Cultural Festival
Annual celebration of Maragoli culture
📅 Dec
⏳ 2 days
Needs a local's update
🏆 Top 10 Festival in Kenya
#57
🥁
Jun
Kenya
Lake Turkana Cultural Festival
Celebration of northern Kenya's ethnic diversity
📅 Jun
⏳ 3 days
Needs a local's update
🏆 Top 10 Festival in Kenya
Kept current, not frozen. Members confirm dates and flag changes as festivals move year to year.
Reviewed, not scraped. Every addition and edit is checked before it goes live.
From the people who live them. Detail comes from the communities that celebrate.
Know a festival better than we do?
This guide is only as alive as the people keeping it current. If a celebration from your community is missing, or its details have moved on, help the continent find it, and get credited for it.
Add or improve a festival
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Frequently asked questions
What is Lughayangu Festivals?
A living guide to festivals across Africa: when each one happens, what to expect, and the music, food, dress and meaning behind it. Every festival is kept current by a community that includes the people who celebrate them.
How current is the information?
Festivals shift year to year, so members confirm dates, flag changes and add detail continuously, and every change is reviewed before it goes live. That's what keeps this more accurate than a static list.
Can I plan a trip around a festival?
Yes. Each festival page shows its next date, how long it runs, where it's held and what happens, with an add-to-calendar option so you can plan around it.
Are these the same as public holidays?
No. Festivals are cultural celebrations, kept separate from statutory public holidays. Many aren't days off, and many move each year. You can explore official holidays in our Holidays section.
Is it free?
Yes, browsing African festivals on Lughayangu is completely free, and contributing is open to any registered member.