Checking out some of the best African music festivals is a must-do for travelers and festival-goers visiting the continent, as Africa is home to some of the most exciting and fun musical sounds the globe can offer. Attending festivals in Africa is a great way to get to know the culture and music of any destination, and of course, party how the locals do!
Here we’ve listed 17 of the best music festivals in Africa for you to check out, representing over 10 countries from Morocco down to South Africa. These festivals bring a variety of sounds, from international artists blasting EDM to local genres such as South Africa’s amapiano.
The Best Music Festivals in Africa
Africa has some of the most unique music festivals in the world. Many African festivals have camping options, so you must pack or rent camping gear. Many are far away from cities, which requires transport. Below are some extra festival resources you may find useful for planning:
- Festival Camping Checklist
- Best Festival Hydration Packs
- Festival Hacks and Tips
- Tips for going to a Music Festival Solo
Sauti za Busara (Tanzania)
Where: Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania
When: Early/Mid February
Known as one of the leading music festivals in East Africa, Sauti za Busara has been rocking the stages for over 20 years. The festival brings artists from all over the African Continent, including Morocco, Kenya, and Rwanda. In addition to the variety of artists, the music doesn’t fail to give the audience a taste of it all, including hip-hop, reggae, jazz, roots, soul, and acoustic sounds, to name a few.
With thousands that flock to this festival every year, it’s a unique way to experience Zanzibar and the fantastic musical sounds from across Africa.
AfrikaBurn (South Africa)
Where: Tankwa Karoo, South Africa
When: Late April
Alright, so AfrikaBurn is technically not a music festival, but a burn, or an event contingent upon the 10 principles of Burning Man. As one of the most epic events in Africa with lots of music and arts, we had to include it! Learn more about Burning Man/Afrikaburn culture here.
AfrikaBurn is a week-long event, including music performances, workshops, art installations, and theme camps. However, as stated on their official website, “Because it’s not a music festival, there are no DJ or live band lineups, and no headliners.” Each camp is fully responsible for organizing their own events, workshops, shows, and more, and you can either stumble upon them or learn camp schedules like any other burn.
Be prepared, as it’s an intense week but full of incredible amounts of magic! Go with friends/find a camp, bring all the necessary gear for food/camping, bring your best costumes, and forget all your worries — it’s time to reconnect with who and what we are. To learn more about getting to Afrikaburn as a traveler, read this article.
Asa Baako (Ghana)
Where: Busua, Ghana
When: Early March, Independence Holiday Weekend
The Asa Baako Festival doesn’t just bring the party with genres such as afro house, dance hall, hip-hop, and funk, but it hosts an array of activities to enjoy, such as a beach football tournament and boat trips. It’s no wonder their slogan is “Beach by Day, Jungle by Night.”
Bringing in artists and DJs from Ghana and Nigeria, all the way to Sweden and Germany — the line-up is bound to be lit, and if you love dancing, this is certainly not a festival to miss! So enjoy a weekend in the African bush, connect with others, celebrate life through dance, and have an unforgettable time. Note the jungle party is one night only, but the whole weekend is full of fun and things to do!
Bush Fire Festival (Eswatini)
Where: Malkerns Valley, Eswatini (Swaziland)
When: Late May
The Bush Fire Festival is a well-known and awesome African music festival located in the tiny country of Eswatini (previously Swaziland). This festival has something for everyone — even aside from the music.
With multiple zones, including the Global Food Village, Kids Zone, and the Marketplace, the festival will leave you energized by the sounds and the experiences on site. In addition, you can camp and glamp here.
Music-wise, the festival features artists from across Africa and the globe — and the genre variety is endless! Genres you can expect to hear include trap, dance hall, blues, funk, and soul. With a mission to ignite the fire in you, the festival promotes social change in the best way one can — connecting people through music.
Oasis Festival (Morocco)
Where: Ouarzazate, Morocco
When: Late October
Get your fill of electronic music at the Oasis Festival — with numerous DJs featured with Boiler Room; you’ll experience a unique and satisfying range of sounds, including house, hip hop, techno, and drum n’ bass. This is one of the premier electronic festivals in the area and always has a great vibe.
In addition to the fantastic line-up, the festival includes wellness activities and Moroccan cultural experiences through food and art. Due to the location being in the desert, you can take the Into the Wild shuttle from Marrakech to the festival destination. The festival will also help you arrange accommodation to make your experience smooth and comfortable.
Zomba City Festival
Zomba City Festival is an annual event that takes place in Zomba, the old capital of Malawi. This festival has been steadily growing since it started both in attendance and popularity; Zomba City celebrated its third edition in 2023 as well as a growth in attendance from only about 350 to 2500.
As a multi-arts festival, Zomba City hosts various activities and performances at different venues throughout the city with the main goals of promoting tourism in the region and supporting local artists and the creative sector (with over half of our artists being based in Zomba).
Zomba City is an event that truly engages the community through events like art competitions, city clean-ups, and of course, music too! The festival encompasses visual arts, poetry, storytelling, music, theatre, film, dance, and a fashion show. Check out their IG for more info on the next edition.
Gnaoua (Gwana) & World Music Festival (Morocco)
Where: Essaouira, Morocco
When: Late October
The Essaouira Gwana & World Music Festival is more than just a musical event, but a celebration blending Arab, African, and Berber (indigenous North African) sounds. Any culture + music connoisseur should have this African cultural festival on their list.
With over 20 years running, this festival is the perfect way to experience a cultural art recognized as an intangible heritage by UNESCO. Based in the cultural city of Essaouira, one can arrive from Marrakech by bus in about 2.5 hours.
Rocking the Daisies (South Africa)
Where: Johannesburg & Capetown, South Africa
When: Early October
Rocking the Daises is one of the best music festivals in African that brings a global line-up to both Capetown and Johannesburg, as a lot of the other South Afrian music festivals do. The festival includes multiple dance floors and a musical line-up that covers various genres, from hip-hop and electronic to indie and soul – usually with a few globally famous headliners and talented support.
Past lineups have brought names like Kehlani, Shekhinah, Stormzy, and Clean Bandit. This event is known well each spring in South Africa and a great way to ring in the rising temperatures heading into summer. Check out more amazing music festivals in South Africa – there are tons!
Nyege Nyege Festival (Uganda)
Where: Itanda Falls, Uganda
When: Early/Mid-September
The Nyege Nyege Festival features musical sounds from indie and amapiano to hip hop and electronic — with a focus on supporting the underground music scene. As John Twells writes in FactMag, it’s a place for true festival-goers and ravers.
Held at the beautiful Itanda Falls, you’ll be captivated by the Nile River views, and there’s even an adventure center next door where you can enjoy activities like rafting and bungee jumping. As for accommodation, there are onsite camping, glamping, and off-site accommodations to suit every music, adventure, and comfort need at this African music festival.
Vic Falls Carnival (Zimbabwe/Zambia)
Where: Elephant Falls Golf Course, Zimbabwe/Zambia
When: Late April
The Vic Falls Carnival features local & international musical acts — primarily out of Zimbabwe & South Africa. Expect an experience of true African sounds, including Afropop, electronic, African house, and gospel.
While the main events happen overnight, during the day is the perfect opportunity to explore the area and enjoy activities around Victoria Falls — after all, it is one of the world’s seven wonders! This time of year is popular for visiting Angel’s pool overlooking the waterfall. To make your experience as easy as possible, purchase your ticket with a camping or hotel package so you have a place to rest!
Lake of Stars (Malawi)
Where: Lake Malawi, Malawi
When: Late September
The Lake of Stars Festival takes you to the beautiful Lake Malawi for three days of Afropop, electronic, RnB, and jazz — yes, it’s quite a mix! Plus, although it’s highly recognized and well-organized, the event only attracts around 4,000 attendees, making it feel more exclusive and intimate than many of these other music festivals in Africa.
Although five hours from the capital of Lilongwe, you can contact the festival on how to organize transport to this beautiful festival destination. There’s also a variety of accommodations available on the lake to suit your budget!
Mawazine (Morocco)
Where: Rabat, Morocco
When: Late June
With over 2.5 million attendees a year, the Mawazine music festival is the largest festival in Africa — and besides standing out in this regard, it also stands out as it’s free. Yes, free! With stages across the city in Rabat, Morocco, you can watch your favorite artists for free! Yet if you want front row or seating access, you’ll need to purchase a ticket ahead of time.
Past line-ups have included Maluma, The Chainsmokers, Rihanna, and The Weeknd, making this a star-studded festival worth visiting in Morocco!
Cape Town International Jazz Festival (South Africa)
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
When: Late March/Early April
It sometimes seems like most of the world has forgotten about one of the world’s most famous music genres lost in time — jazz! Well, the Cape Town Jazz Festival certainly hasn’t. It’s a truly international event, from local acts to international artists from countries like the USA, Brazil, and India.
While it’s only a two-day event, it’s the largest music event in Sub-Saharan Africa and undoubtedly worth the attendance for jazz lovers. The event also hosts workshops, so if you are a musician, sign up for more information! Don’t forget to explore cape town too – check out the best things to do in Cape Town, wine tasting from Cape Town (goes perfectly with jazz), or even shark diving.
Ultra (South Africa)
Where: Cape Town & Johannesburg, South Africa
When: Dates may vary, usually Febraury/Early March
Ultra South Africa takes place over two days, one day in Capetown and the next in Johannesburg. Past line-ups have included Steve Aoki, Afrojack, and DJ Snake — meaning that this festival boasts some of the biggest names in the electronic dance music industry.
Ultra is a globally renowned EDM festival brand that brings massive names all over the world to tour. While the majority of the African music festivals in this list feature some of Africa’s biggest names, if you’re seeking a festival with the world’s most renowned electronic music DJs, Ultra South Africa is for you.
Sandbox (Egypt)
Where: El Gouna, Egypt
When: Early/Mid-May
Sandbox is a 3-day electronic music festival held along the Red Sea. The festival hosts local and international artists and DJs and offers wellness activities such as yoga. Plus, the Red Sea is perfect for taking a dip to cool off.
The best way to arrive is to fly into Hurghada International Airport and take a taxi to El Gouna (about 30 minutes). As for accommodation, the area is loaded with options for you and your friends — with special discounts just for festival goers!
There are actually quite a few more epic Egyptian music festivals… read about all the festivals in Egypt here.
Afropunk (South Africa)
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa
When: December 30th & 31st
Afropunk is more than just a music festival but is a transformational space to shed your roles in modern society and connect with who you are and those around you. Past acts have included international artists such as Solange, Masego, and Goldlink. But, of course, expect lots of South African talent as well — after all, this is Afropunk, Johannesburg.
In addition to the music, the festival hosts panel sessions for social change, a unique marketplace, and a battle of the bands event! If you’re genuinely interested in this event but don’t have the means to make it to South Africa, Afropunk is also hosted internationally in locations such as Brooklyn and Miami.
Felabration (Nigeria)
Where: New Afrika Shrine, Nigeria
When: Mid-October
Felabration is a week-long African music festival in October in commemoration of Nigeria’s musical icon, the late great Fela Anikulakpo Kuti, a pioneer in afrobeat and an activist most active in the 70s and 80s. Running over 20 years now, the event attracts thousands of visitors to experience the sounds of afrobeat, Afropop, reggae, and RnB.
In addition to the music, parades, photo exhibitions, dance acts, and forums on social change are not to be missed while attending this festival. As the only Nigerian festival on this list, it is not to be missed!
Jazzablanca (Morocco)
Where: Casablanca, Morocco
When: Late May/Early June
There’s no better way to kick off a Moroccan summer than with the African music festival Jazzablanca! While the name boasts jazz, the festival also features rock, funk, and pop over the three days in the heart of beautiful Casablanca.
In addition, the festival features Gnawa music, honoring local and cultural sounds of West Africa.
That’s all for top music festivals in Africa – let me know which ones I should add in the comments below OR check out more festival tips:
