From Timkatto AfrikaBurn.
32 festivals and public holidays for 53 countries in Africa, with dates, local customs and where to stay.
Next on the calendar
In date order. Festivals without confirmed dates show the month they ran last time.
Nyege Nyege Festival
19–22 Nov 2026UGUganda
Great Ethiopian Run
21–22 Nov 2026ETEthiopia
Festival sur le Niger
1–6 Feb 2027MLMali
Up The Creek Festival
11–14 Feb 2027ZASouth Africa
Bushfire Festival
28–30 May 2027SZEswatini
MTN Bushfire Festival
28–30 May 2027SZEswatini
AFCON PAMOJA 2027
19 Jun – 17 Jul 2027KEKenya
Gerewol Festival
Expected October 2026TDChad
Lagos Photo Festival
Expected October 2026NGNigeria
Festival of Masks
Expected November 2026CICote d'Ivoire
Festival of the Sahara
Expected December 2026TNTunisia
Incwala Festival
Expected December 2026SZEswatiniDays off ahead
The next public and bank holidays across 53 countries in Africa. Banks and many shops close; trains and hotels fill up.
Find your kind of festival
17 countries with festivals
Each country page has its festivals and its full public holiday calendar.
How the holidays are celebrated
Good Friday
Take a tour through different African Good Friday celebrations-from Kenya's Way of the Cross to Ethiopia's Flagellation Ritual-and explore in depth the cultural and spiritual meaning faith, community, and heritage give these African traditions.
Read the guide
Labour Day
Labour Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is celebrated on May 1st in many African countries. It honors the contributions of workers and the labor movement, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and social justice.
Read the guideTravelling further?
The same guide, for every other continent.