Ultimate African Festival Guide 2025: A Journey Through Music, Arts, and Culture
Africa is a continent of vibrant traditions, rich history, and artistic brilliance. Every year, festivals bring people together to celebrate music, dance, film, theatre, and culture. If you’re looking for an unforgettable travel experience in 2025, here’s your treasure map guide leading you to events that showcase the continent’s diversity.
| Festival | Country | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mbarara City Marathon | Uganda Mbarara | March 29 2025 | Marathon race through various parts of Mbarara City showcasing Ankole Region cultural heritage. |
| Cape Town Jazz Festival | South Africa Cape Town | April 25-26 | The “Grandest Gathering” featuring local and international jazz legends. |
| Ubuntu Fest 2025 | Zambia Lusaka | April 26-27 | A Grand Celebration of Unity, Culture, and Diversity |
| Aboakyir Festival | Ghana | May | Marks the migration history of Winneba with cultural performances. |
| This Is Africa | UK | May 24 | This Is Africa event in celebration of Africa Day by Teakisi |
| Mawazine Festival | Morocco | Jun 20-28 | Arts festival featuring theatre, dance, comedy, and visual arts. |
| National Arts Festival | South Africa Makhanda | June 26 – July 6, 2025 | The biggest arts festival in Africa, featuring theatre, dance, comedy, and visual arts. |
| Gerewol Festival | Chad Sahel | September 2025 (TBA) | A fascinating courtship festival where Wodaabe men compete in beauty and charm contests. |
| Joburg Art Fair | South Africa Johannesburg | Sept 5-7 2025 | Showcases African art, connecting artists and collectors. |
| Intwasa Arts Festival | Zimbabwe Bulawayo | Sept 24-27 | celebrate the diversity of creativity in the following disciplines: music, film, spoken word. |
| Jacaranda Music Festival | Zimbabwe Harare | October 3-5 | A music festival in Zimbabwe which features local, regional, and international artists. |
| Felabration | Nigeria Lagos | October 14-20 | Honouring Fela Kuti, celebrating Afrobeats with performances, exhibitions, and street parties. |
| Marrakech International Film Festival | Morocco Marrakech | November 2025 | A prestigious gathering for filmmakers, actors, and movie lovers from around the world. |
| Art X Lagos | Nigeria Lagos | Nov 6-9 | West Africa’s premier art fair, featuring diverse artworks. |
| Nyege Nyege Festival | Uganda Jinja | November | A multi-day music festival that takes place on the banks of the Nile River in Uganda. |
| AFCON | Morocco | December 21 2025 – January 18 2026 | 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament |
Africa’s festivals are more than events—they are a gateway into the heart of the continent’s culture, creativity, and history. Whether you love music, film, heritage, or theatre, this is the perfect year to explore the vibrancy of Africa.
So, which festival will you be adding to your travel bucket list?