Seven African music festivals are worth building a trip around: Sauti za Busara in Zanzibar, MTN Bushfire in Eswatini, the Gnaoua festival in Morocco, Chale Wote and Afro Nation in Ghana, Felabration in Nigeria and Lake of Stars in Malawi. Each one is listed below with its usual month, taken from the festival’s own website, and a link to that site.
Table Of Content
Dates move from year to year, so check the official site before you book flights or rooms. Where the official site could not be checked for this guide, the month is left blank on purpose.
Festival Calendar at a Glance
The table puts the festivals in calendar order, with the month or dates the official site gave in October 2026.
| Festival | Where | Month (official site) | Official site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sauti za Busara | Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania | March (19 to 21 March 2027) | busaramusic.org |
| MTN Bushfire | Malkerns Valley, Eswatini | May (28 to 30 May 2027) | bush-fire.com |
| Gnaoua and World Music Festival | Essaouira, Morocco | June (24 to 26 June 2027) | festival-gnaoua.net |
| Chale Wote Street Art Festival | Accra, Ghana | August | accradotaltradio.com |
| Felabration | Lagos, Nigeria | October | felabration.net |
| Lake of Stars | Lake Malawi, Malawi | Check the official site | lakeofstars.org |
| Afro Nation Ghana | Accra, Ghana | Check the official site | afronation.com |
Which Festival Suits You
Pick by the music you want to hear, since each festival leans a different way. This short guide is based on each festival’s own site or, where that could not be opened, the press reports linked below.
- For live African bands on several stages: Sauti za Busara.
- For music mixed with arts and social causes: MTN Bushfire.
- For Gnawa music next to international acts: the Gnaoua festival in Essaouira.
- For street art and performance in the city: Chale Wote.
- For Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat, debates and dance contests: Felabration.
- For a lakeside mix of music, film and workshops: Lake of Stars.
- For big-name Afrobeats on a beach stage: Afro Nation Ghana.
Sauti za Busara, Zanzibar
Sauti za Busara is a festival of African music held in Stone Town, Zanzibar, and its next edition runs from 19 to 21 March 2027, according to the official site. The site lists more than 400 artists across four stages and quotes the BBC World Service calling it one of “Africa’s best and most respected music events”.
The organisers say they have been established in Zanzibar since 2003.
MTN Bushfire, Eswatini
MTN Bushfire takes place at the House On Fire venue in the Malkerns Valley of Eswatini, and its 20th edition is set for 28 to 30 May 2027 (official site). The about page says it was first held in 2007 and draws visitors from more than 60 countries.
The programme mixes music with arts and social causes, and the festival’s slogan is “Bring Your Fire”.
Gnaoua and World Music Festival, Essaouira
The Gnaoua and World Music Festival is held each June in the Moroccan coastal town of Essaouira, and the official site gives 24 to 26 June 2027 for its 28th edition.
Gnawa master musicians, called maâlems, share the bill with international acts. Past line-ups listed on the site include Maâlem Hamid El Kasri, the Spanish singer Buika and The Brecker Brothers Band.
Chale Wote Street Art Festival, Accra
Chale Wote is a street art festival in Accra held in August in recent editions. The official site gave 21 to 27 August for the 2023 edition, with a grand finale at Black Star Square in Osu, and is now promoting a 2026 edition called “Carnival of the Black Sun”.
The site lists Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority among its supporters. Check the site for the exact days and the map of event locations.
Felabration, Lagos
Felabration is a week-long festival held every October in Lagos in honour of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the creator of Afrobeat (official site). Events take place at the New Africa Shrine.
According to the official site, Fela’s eldest child, Yeni, started it in 1998, and the Lagos State Government now recognises it as an official tourist attraction. The programme includes “The Fela Debates”, the Afrobics dance competition and art exhibitions.
Lake of Stars, Malawi
Lake of Stars is a music and arts festival on the shores of Lake Malawi; check lakeofstars.org for the next dates, because the official site could not be opened when this guide was written.
Music In Africa reported that the 2026 edition was to be held in Nkhotakota, with music, fashion, visual arts, crafts, film, storytelling and workshops, and acts ranging from Afrobeats and amapiano to jazz, rap and R&B. The festival has run for more than two decades.
Afro Nation Ghana, Accra
Afro Nation is a large Afrobeats and urban music festival brand, and its Ghana edition is held in Accra. The first Ghana edition took place at Laboma Beach in December 2019, and in January 2020 the Ghana Tourism Authority signed a deal to host the festival for five years running (3News).
The official site, afronation.com, could not be checked for this guide, so confirm whether a Ghana edition is planned, and its dates, there before you book.
Before You Book
- Confirm the dates on the festival’s official site first, then book flights and rooms. Dates in this guide are the ones listed in October 2026.
- Buy tickets only through the link on the official site, so you avoid fake resellers.
- Check entry rules for the country on its government’s official immigration page, and check them again close to travel.
- Book rooms as soon as the dates are confirmed, especially in smaller towns such as Essaouira and Stone Town.
- Keep copies of your ticket and booking confirmations offline on your phone.
Sources
- Sauti za Busara (official site)
- About Busara Promotions (official site)
- MTN Bushfire (official site)
- About MTN Bushfire (official site)
- Gnaoua and World Music Festival, Essaouira (official site)
- Chale Wote Street Art Festival (official site, Accra [dot] Alt)
- Felabration (official site)
- About Felabration (official site)
- Lake of Stars (official site)
- Lake of Stars Malawi Arts Festival set to return to Nkhotakota (Music In Africa)
- Afro Nation (official site)
- Ghana signs deal to host Afro Nation for the next 5 years (3News)
