From Timkatto AfrikaBurn.
38 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
Marrakech Film Festival
20–28 Nov 2026MAMorocco
Great Ethiopian Run
21–22 Nov 2026ETEthiopia
Calabar Carnival
30 Nov 2026 – 1 Jan 2027NGNigeria
FESTAC Africa Festival
13–20 Dec 2026GHGhana
Festival of the Sahara
23–26 Dec 2026TNTunisia
Ouidah Voodoo Festival
2–9 Jan 2027BJBenin
Timkat Festival
19 Jan 2027ETEthiopia
Cairo International Book Fair
20 Jan – 2 Feb 2027EGEgypt
Festival sur le Niger
1–6 Feb 2027MLMali
Up The Creek Festival
11–14 Feb 2027ZASouth Africa
Cape Town Cycle Tour
14 Mar 2027ZASouth AfricaDays off ahead
The next public and bank holidays across 53 countries in Africa. Banks and many shops close; trains and hotels fill up.
- 1NovRevolution DayDZAlgeria
Tomorrow - 1NovAll Saints' DayBJBenin
Tomorrow - 1NovAll Saints' DayBFBurkina Faso
Tomorrow - 1NovAll Saints' DayBIBurundi
Tomorrow - 1NovAll Saints' DayCVCabo Verde
Tomorrow - 1NovAll Saints' DayCFCentral African Republic
Tomorrow - 1NovAll Saints' DayTDChad
Tomorrow - 1NovAll Saints' DayCICote d'Ivoire
Tomorrow
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.