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Home / Festivals

The living guide to Africa's celebrations

Africa's festivals, kept alive by the people who live them.

When each one happens, what to expect, and the music, food and meaning behind it. One place to discover a celebration, and plan to be there.

98festivals
40countries
Kept current by the community
In the spotlight

Rusinga Cultural Festival

🇰🇪 Kenya

Annual celebration of the Abasuba people's culture

Next: 19 Dec 2026 🍲 Traditional Suba delicacies including specially prepared meats and vegetables
Explore this festival →

All festivals

#49 G Dec
Togo

Gbagba Festival

Traditional harvest festival of the Kabye people

▲ 0
#50 I Sep
Zimbabwe

Intwasa Arts Festival

Spring arts festival

▲ 0
#51 S Sep
Zimbabwe

Shoko Festival

Urban culture festival

▲ 0
#52 Z Oct
Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe International Film Festival

Annual film festival

▲ 0
#53 H Apr
Zimbabwe

Harare International Festival of the Arts

Major arts and culture festival

▲ 0
#54 F Aug
Eritrea

Festival Eritrea

National cultural festival

▲ 0
#55 B Jul
Burundi

Burundi Drum Festival

Traditional drumming celebration

▲ 0
#56 S Oct
Burkina Faso

SIAO

International Arts and Crafts Fair

▲ 0
#57 F Jan
Mali

Festival au Désert

Tuareg music festival

▲ 0
#58 F Feb
Burkina Faso

FESPACO

Pan-African Film Festival

▲ 0
#59 R May
Gambia

Roots Homecoming Festival

Cultural heritage celebration

▲ 0
#60 K Jun
Gambia

Kanilai International Cultural Festival

Traditional arts and culture festival

▲ 0
#61 E Sep
Uganda

Empango

Coronation anniversary celebration of the Toro Kingdom

▲ 0
#62 A Jul
Uganda

Amakula Festival

Cultural festival celebrating the harvest season in Buganda

▲ 0
#63 M Aug
Uganda

Mbarara Cultural Festival

Annual celebration of Ankole culture and traditions

▲ 0
#64 E Sep
Uganda

Ekigangu Kya Busoga

Cultural festival of the Busoga Kingdom

▲ 0
#65 T Aug
Uganda

Twin Festival

Cultural celebration of twins in Buganda

▲ 0
#66 W Jan
Tanzania

Wanyambo Festival

Traditional cultural celebration

▲ 0
#67 M Jul
Tanzania

Mwaka Kogwa Festival

Traditional New Year festival

▲ 0
#68 Z Jul
Tanzania

Zanzibar International Film Festival

East Africa's largest film and arts festival

▲ 0
#69 C Sep
Niger

Cure Salee

Festival of Nomads

▲ 0
#70 W Sep
Niger

Wodaabe Gerewol Festival

Traditional courtship ceremony and cultural festival

▲ 0
#71 B Jul
Niger

Bianou Festival

Traditional New Year celebration in Agadez

▲ 0
#72 F Dec
Niger

Festival de l'Aïr

Cultural festival in the Aïr Mountains

▲ 0
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 Free · Reviewed before publishing · You're credited

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.
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