Photo: Mother Africa Festival
December is here again and with it comes a flurry of activities across Africa as many seek to unwind, relax and have a good time as the year draws to a close, and the everyday hustle and bustle gradually slows down.
As the year draws to a close, communities all across the continent are gearing up to with an array of activities prepared ahead of schedule to mark this important month at the end of the year. From Detty December activities, street celebrations to cultural shows, December promises more fun activities and an unforgettable experience for locals, visitors and tourists.
Afrofuture Culture Beach Jam (Ghana)
Music lights up the continent as Ghana plays host to an array of African musicians from across the continent. The Afrofuture music festival, one of Ghana’s biggest annual events will be shifting its cultural jam from the stadium to the beach.
Image: Afrofuture Ghana
Origin
As part of Ghana’s evolving cultural scene, Afrofuture became a cultural event that attracts the biggest stars on the African scene. Founded in 2019 as Afrochella, the festival sits under the culture management group (an event management company that provides services to individuals and corporations.
Afrofuture’s maiden event on December 26 at the El Wak featured stars like Tiwa Savage, SARKODIE, Mercedes Benson, Sarkodie. 2021 had stars like Wizkid and Stoneboy gracing the stage. Other stars like Burna Boy, Stoneboy, Arya Starr, Juls Meek, Black Sheriff, Gyakie and a host of others have been headline performers at the event.
2025 Event
The event, which is set to hold in the capital city of Accra at the El Wak Stadium from December 28 – 29 has an array of the continent’s best lined up to perform. Artists like Omah Lay, Kidi, Shalipopi amongst other African talents are billed to perform and entertain the audience, providing a musical experience for all who attend.
Tickets to the events are currently on sale for up to $347.18 (VIP’s), $161.00 (General Admission), $708.70 (Buddy deals for 5 guests) among other interesting deals. For more information visit afrofuture.com.
Guests from outside the country can lodge at hotels close to the venue. Some good hotels to look out for are Mahogany Lodge, Cantonments, The Pelican Hotel Cantonments Accra, The Alima Suites, La Villa Boutique Hotel.
Across West African countries the harmattan season has kicked off which is occasioned by a hot sunny day and relatively cool nights. Attending this events requires that you wear something light (T-shirt, Shorts/Trousers) in the daytime while keeping a cardigan close by should the event stretch till late at night.
Mother Africa Festival (Cote d’Ivoire)
Projected by the organizer’s to be one of Africa’s biggest cultural event this year, Mother Africa Festival is set to play host to an audience of over 20,000 in the capital city Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Source: Instagram | Mother Africa Festival
Origin
Founded by Kimany Tayoro a Franco-Ivorian entrepreneur, though no specific date of its maiden edition is readily available online, the Mother Africa Festival held for consecutive years starting from 2022 with the 4th edition set to hold this 2025.
2025 Event
Taken place at the Marcory Zone 4, Abidjan, on December 28 and 29 from 14:00 PM to 04:00 AM each day, the event is packed with a line up of activities like dance classes, live sculpting and painting, music and a photoshoot session with African Traditional outfits.
Locals and visitors will get to experience the rich culinary taste of Cote d’Ivoire as the savour various food stands serving the best delicacies that the nation has to offer along with the finest choice of homemade drinks as well as wine collections to add to the flavourful experience.
What is a good meal without some African beats to add to the pleasurable experience. With vibrating tunes like Afrobeat, Amapiano, Hip Hop, AfroLove, Rumba, Zouglou among others, from an array of artists and DJ’s lined up to perform, the audience are in for a festival like no other in the beautiful continent of Africa.
Intended guests can apply for the e-visa (also called a biometric visa) 5 days in advance of their intended travel date. This e-visa allows for stays up to 90 days. Guests can explore accommodations around several hotels within the Marcory area like Hotel l’atlantys, Lavida, Azalaï Hôtel Abidjan, Hotel Le Marly among several others.
Tickets to the event are going for up to 20 000 F CFA ($35.69) for individuals and 100 000 F CFA (178.45) for 2 VIP guests. Tickets can be purchased from their website motherafricafestival.com or use the TIKERAMA app (available on Play Store/App Store).
Organizers have also gone ahead to partner with law enforcement and public safety agencies to ensure adequate security and medical safety are guaranteed at the event.
Swahili Fashion Week (Tanzania)
In the capital city of Dar es Salaam, the very best of Africa fashion comes alive as the Swahili fashion week commences.
Source: Instagram | Swahili Fashion Week
Origin
The annual fashion event was founded by Mustafa Hassanali in 2008. As the biggest fashion event in East and Central Africa, the Swahili Fashion Week is designed to provide a platform where fashion and accessory designers who hail from Swahili speaking countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros among others can showcase as well as market their designs.
2025 Event
The 18th edition of this years Swahili Fashion Event is set to hold in Tanzania’s capital city Dar es Salaam from December 5–7, 2025 at the Parthenon hall. The 19th edition has also been scheduled to hold from December 4 – 6, 2026.
The event will showcase the very best of African fabrics, fashion and accessories from designers of Swahili origin as well as the rest of Africa providing a platform to exhibit the creativity of the African fashion industry while connecting with new clientele at home and abroad.
Tickets to the event range from 40,000 TSH to 50,000 TSH ($17-$20) for individuals and 100,000 TSH to 150,000 TSH ($41 – $62) for VIP. Visitors can explore Hotels close to the venue like Joleen Safari Park, CBD Hotel, Johari Rotana, Tiffany Diamond Hotels Ltd – Indira Gandhi street among several others. Tanzania also offers e-visa arrangements for those looking to visit the country but amongst the documentary requirements is a 6 month yellow fever certificate which visitors must provide when submitting their application.
This biggest annual event in East Africa continues to drive and promote the Made in Africa concept. For more information visit swahilifashionweek.com
Tobong’u Lore Cultural Festival (Kenya)
The rich cultural heritage of the Turkana people comes alive as the Tobong’u Lore (translates to Welcome Home) cultural festival takes place this December. A festival of cultural unity and connection among communities within the region, the festival attracts both local and foreign visitors to witness a display of culture, customs and traditions of the Turkana people.
Origin
Known as the Lake Turkana Festival in English, the event is a celebration of the several indigenous communities around the lake and is targeted at peace building and cultural exchanges. The festival was first held in 2008 where participating communities like the Turkana, Rendile, Wata, Burji, El Molo, the Konso among others have continued to play active participation.
Supported by the Kenyan government, the festival has become a platform to promote tourism and preserve the culture among the several ethnic groups within the country.
European Commission DG ECHO, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2025 Event
Highlights of the festival include traditional music dances such as the “Edong’a” and “Ng’ital which tell the stories and beliefs of the various communities gathered. The festival also introduces visitors to the Ekitela (a dish made from millet), Nyama Choma (grilled meat) and other cuisine native to the communities. Visitors would also have an opportunity to sample colorful beaded accessories, garment, handcrafted jewelry and other traditional Turkana fashion item that speaks to the rich culture of the people.Sporting activities like archery, wrestling, marathon races and football are also part of the festivals activities.
More importantly, the festival affords an opportunity for communities’ leaders and elders to engage in dialogue to address lingering issues, conflict resolution and continued peace building initiative to strengthen the already existing harmony among the tribes in the rift region.
Visitors interested in making the trip can apply to the Kenyan immigration department for their e-visa and can find lodging in hotels around the lake Turkana area like Eliye Springs Resort, Sandfields Lodwar Camp, Malabo Resort.
Douz Festival (Festival of The Sahara) Tunisia
Moving up towards the golden desert sands of Tunisia in Northern Africa, the Douz Festival also known as the festival of the Sahara is set to come alive from December 25 – 28 in Douz, located in the southern part of Tunisia.
McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Origin
The festival traces its origin to the period of 1910 when Tunisa was under French rule. Known at that time as the “Camel Festival”, the event has continued to evolve and under the leadership of Habib Bourguiba, Tunisia’s first president on 1967, it began to take on a new and modern shape becoming what it is today and attracting visitors from all over the country and other Maghrebien countries as well as tourists.
2025 Event
Attracting over 30,000 or more locals and visitors from Tunisia and across the world, the festival is a mix of cultural music and dance, rich Tunisian cuisine especially the freshly harvested dates. The four-day event would feature amongst many other things, traditional Bedouin wedding event, horse performances and other colourful equestrian display, camel racing and marathons, dog hunting, music, dance and folklore performances, traditional wrestling, poetry contests, book fairs, exhibition of various crafts etc.
Visitors looking to attend the festival can lodge at nearby Hotels like the The Residence Douz, Sahara Douz, Camp Mars etc. Tourists interested in experiencing the festival can apply for a tourist visa at the Tunisian Embassy or Consulate but must also provide proof of travel (flight bookings), proof of accommodation/Itinerary, proof of evidence of funds.
Flytime Festival (Nigeria)
Celebrating its 21 year anniversary, Flytime Production is set to thrill its audience with the very best of live performances from Nigeria’s premier artists. Billed to perform are Flavour, Davido, Asake, Olamide among others. This live music concert is scheduled to hold in Lagos, Nigeria at the Eko Convention Centre.
Image: Facebook | Flytime Festival
Origin
The festival which started as “Rhythm Unplugged” in 2004 was the brain child of Cecil Hammond a Nigerian Entertainment Executive, who set up the platform to become a concert focused on promoting local talent, In 2018 the event grew into Flytime Festival and began attracting other African and International artists.
2025 Event
Billed to perform are Flavour, Davido, Asake, Olamide among others. This live music concert is scheduled to hold in Lagos, Nigeria at the Eko Convention Centre from December 22 to 25. Visitors interested in attending the event can apply for Visa to the Nigerian Embassy or Consulate with the necessary documentation which also includes evidence of sufficient funds (bank statements), Hotel reservation or host’s address/invitation letter, return flight ticket. Hotels like Nordic Hotel, Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, Presken Hotel Ikoyi, The White Orchid Hotel, offer comfort and relaxation for visitors interested in making the trip.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
