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.
Lamu Cultural Festival
🇰🇪 Kenya
Swahili culture celebration that focuses on preserving endangered maritime technologies, vernacular architecture, and regional performing arts.
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Happening soon
The next celebrations on the continent's calendar.
Irreecha
Oromo thanksgiving festival
Argungu Fishing Festival
One of Nigeria's most popular traditional festivals
Isese Day
Traditional Worshippers Day celebrating African traditional religion
Mombasa Carnival
Annual cultural festival celebrating coastal heritage
Kisumu Cultural Festival
Celebration of Luo culture and Lake Victoria heritage
Kenya International Theatre Festival
Major international theatre and cultural festival
Ngondo Festival
Traditional Sawa people's festival
Umhlangano wa Maseko
Annual cultural festival of the Maseko Ngoni
Fête de la Mare
Festival of the Sacred Pond
Gadao Festival
Traditional festival of the Ewe people
Evala Festival
Traditional initiation ritual and wrestling festival
Burundi Drum Festival
Traditional drumming celebration
Bianou Festival
Traditional New Year celebration in Agadez
Twin Festival
Cultural celebration of twins in Buganda
Ashenda
Traditional girls' festival of Tigray and Amhara regions
Imilchil Marriage Festival
Traditional Amazigh marriage festival
Festival of Roses
Celebration of rose harvest in Dades Valley
Moussem of Tan-Tan
UNESCO-recognized nomadic cultural festival
Osun Osogbo Festival
UNESCO-recognized cultural festival honoring the Osun river goddess
New Yam Festival
Traditional harvest celebration across various regions
Homowo Festival
Traditional harvest festival of the Ga people
Auto de Floripes
Traditional theatrical performance
Nyem-Nyem Festival
Cultural festival of the Bamoun people
Lantern Festival
Traditional festival of lights
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.