Festival Dates: Your Quick Guide to African Events

If you love festivals, you know timing is everything. Missing a beat because you didn’t know when the next big event kicks off can be frustrating. That’s why we’ve pulled together the most useful info about festival dates across Africa in one easy spot.

What’s Happening Soon?

From West to East, South to North, there are dozens of festivals that draw crowds every year. Here are a few you should bookmark right now:

• Durban July – South Africa’s biggest rugby tournament runs from early July to mid‑July. Expect matches, parties and fan zones.
• Lake of Stars Festival – Malawi’s music & arts festival usually lands in late September. It mixes African beats with global acts.
• Fespaco – The Pan‑African film festival takes place in February in Burkina Faso. Film lovers mark their calendars early.
• Ghana Independence Day Parade – March 6th brings a national celebration, street performances and fireworks.
• Fez Festival of World Sacred Music – Held in late June in Morocco, it showcases spiritual music from around the globe.

These dates are solid for 2025, but always double‑check close to the event because organizers sometimes shift things based on local conditions.

How to Keep Track of Festival Dates

The easiest way to stay ahead is to use a few simple tools. First, subscribe to newsletters from official festival websites – they often send reminder emails a month before the event. Second, follow the festivals’ social media accounts; a quick tweet or Instagram post will alert you to any changes.

Third, set up a Google Calendar reminder. Add the festival name, location and a note with ticket links. Turn on alerts for a week ahead so you have time to arrange travel and accommodation.

If you prefer an all‑in‑one solution, try a dedicated events app like “Eventbrite” or “Songkick.” They let you search by country, genre and date, then push notifications when new festivals are announced.

Finally, don’t ignore local news sources. Many African newspapers publish a “festival calendar” section every month. A quick glance at the weekend paper can reveal smaller community events that aren’t on the big‑stage radar but are worth checking out.

Remember, festivals aren’t just about the headline acts. They’re great chances to meet locals, try new foods and experience traditions you won’t see elsewhere. So once you lock in a date, plan a short itinerary: book your travel early, look for budget lodging options like hostels or Airbnb, and check if there are any travel advisories.

With the right tools and a bit of planning, you’ll never miss another festival again. Keep this page bookmarked, refresh it every few weeks, and let the rhythm of Africa guide your calendar.