PRINCIPAIS DATAS E EVENTOS DA AFRICA
MAIN AFRICA EVENTS AND DATES

DATAS | DATES

+ Feriados | + Public olidays (Only South Africa)

New Year's Day
Date: 01 Jan 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: New Year's Day

Human Rights Day
Date: 21 Mar 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Human Rights Day

Good Friday
Date: 21 Mar 2008, in South Africa Nationwide
More Information: Good Friday

Family Day
Date: 24 Mar 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Family Day

Freedom Day
Date: 27 Apr 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Freedom Day

Public Holiday
Date: 28 Apr 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Public Holiday

Workers Day
Date: 01 May 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Workers Day

Youth Day (Public Holiday)
Date: 16 Jun 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Youth Day (Public Holiday)

National Women's Day
Date: 09 Aug 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: National Women's Day

National Braai Day
Date: 24 Sep 2008, in South Africa, nationwide
More Information: National Braai Day

Heritage Day
Date: 24 Sep 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Heritage Day

Day of Reconciliation
Date: 16 Dec 2008, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: Day of Reconciliation

2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup
Date: 11 Jun 2010 to 11 Jul 2010, in South Africa, Nationwide
More Information: 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup

EVENTOS | EVENTS

+ Principais Eventos | + Main Events (South Africa Only)

Shakespeare at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
South Africa (Cape Town)
18 January - 17 February 2007 tbc

(Starts 3rd Thu of every Jan; not Sun)

Cape Town Pride
South Africa (Cape Town)
17-26 February 2007 tbc (Every year)

Diving with Great White Sharks
South Africa (Gansbaai)
1 March - 31 October 2006 (Every year)

Cape Argus Pick 'n' Pay Cycle Tour
South Africa (Cape Town)
11 March 2007 tbc (2nd Sun of every Mar)

Rustler's Easter One World Unity Party
South Africa (Ficksburg)
17-21 March 2007 tbc (Every year)

Cape Town Festival
South Africa (Cape Town)
2-22 March 2007 tbc (Every year)

Splashy Fen Music Festival
South Africa (Underberg)
5-9 April 2007 tbc (Every Easter)

Klein Karoo National Arts Festival
South Africa (Oudtshoorn)
7-14 April 2007 tbc (Every year)

Prince Albert Olive, Food & Wine Festival
South Africa (Prince Albert)
5-7 May 2006 tbc (Starts 1st Fri of every May)

Pink Loerie Mardi Gras
South Africa (Knysna)
25-28 May 2006 tbc (Starts final Thu of every May)

The Royal Show
South Africa (Pietermaritzburg)
26 May - 4 June 2006 (Starts 4th Fri of every May)

Spar/Mercury Ladies 10km Challenge
South Africa (Durban)
18 June 2006 tbc (3rd Sun of every Jun)

Festival of the Arts
Grahamstown - Eastern Cape
July

Durban July Handicap
South Africa (Durban)
1 July 2006 tbc (1st Sat of every Jul)

ASP World Tour - WCT Billabong Pro
South Africa (Jeffrey's Bay)
11-21 July 2006 tbc (Starts 2nd Tue of every Jul)

Encounters
South Africa (Cape Town)
21 July - 6 August 2006 tbc (Starts 3rd Fri of every Jul)

Encounters
South Africa (Johannesburg )
29 July - 6 August 2006 tbc (Starts final Sat of every Jul)

Pretoria Show
Pretoria
Third Week of August

Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival
South Africa (Northam)
4-6 August 2006 tbc (Starts 1st Fri of every Aug)

Pretoria Show
South Africa (Pretoria)
23 August - 3 September 2006 tbc (Starts 4th Wed of every Aug)

Arts Alive Festival
Johannesburg
September and October

Johannesburg Pride
South Africa (Johannesburg )
16-23 September 2006 tbc (Starts 3rd Sat of every Sep)

Haenertsburg Spring Fair
South Africa (Haenertsburg)
6 September - 1 October 2006 tbc (Starts 3rd Sat of every Sep)

Hermanus Whale Festival
South Africa (Hermanus)
23-26 September 2006 tbc (Every year)

Woodstock (South Africa)
South Africa (Hartsbeespoort)
28 September - 1 October 2006 tbc (Starts final Thu of every Sep)

Cape Town World Cinema Festival
South Africa (Cape Town)
10-19 November 2006 tbc (Starts 2nd Fri of every Nov)

Alfred Dunhill Championship
South Africa (Malelane)
14-17 December 2006 tbc (Starts 2nd Thu of every Dec)
 

Ficksburg Cherry Festival
South Africa (Ficksburg)
14-18 November 2006 tbc (Every year)

Sithengi South African Film & Television Market
South Africa (Cape Town)
21-24 November 2006 tbc (Starts 3rd Tue of every Nov)

Nedbank Golf Challenge
South Africa (Sun City)
30 November - 3 December 2006 tbc (Every year)

Mother City Queer Costume Party
South Africa (Cape Town)
16 December 2006 tbc (3rd Sat of every Dec)

Rustler's Valley New Year Celebration
South Africa (Ficksburg)
29 December 2006 - 2 January 2007 tbc (Every year)

Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
South Africa (Cape Town)
31 December 2006 - 2 January 2007 tbc (Every year)

Carlton Panorama
South Africa (Johannesburg )
Daily

Museum Africa
South Africa (Johannesburg )
Daily; not Mon

Shamwari Game Reserve
South Africa (Shamwari Game Reserve)
Daily

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
South Africa (Montagu)
Daily

Lesedi Cultural Village
South Africa (Broederstroom)
Daily

Sterkfontein Caves
South Africa (Krugersdorp)
Daily; not Mon

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
South Africa (Roodeport)
Daily

Cango Caves
South Africa (Oudtshoorn)
Daily

The Hydro
South Africa (Stellenbosch)
Daily

Cape Point
South Africa (Cape Town)
Daily

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
South Africa (Cape Town)
Daily

Johannesburg Planetarium
South Africa (Johannesburg )
Daily; Fri, Sat and Sun only

Kruger National Park
South Africa (Nelspruit)
Daily

Gold Reef City
South Africa (Johannesburg )
Daily

Frisky Disco
South Africa (Cape Town)
Daily; Fri only

Same Sex Saturdays
South Africa (Cape Town)
Daily; Sat only

Sundaessential
South Africa (Cape Town)
Daily; Sun only

Johannesburg Zoo
South Africa (Johannesburg )
Daily
 

+ Principais Eventos | + Main Events (All Africa)

WESTERN AFRICA

Ghana

Many festivals include thrilling durbars of chiefs, when tribal leaders and Queen Mothers process in decorated palanquins, shaded by the traditional umbrellas, and supported by drummers and warriors discharging ancient muskets. The dates of many festivals are determined by the traditional calendars, often decided close to the event.

Aboakyir festival - May each year

This Festival is celebrated by the people of Simpa or Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. The festival is a celebration to mark the migration of these people from the ancient Western Sudan Empire where they were led by 2 brothers and a god called Otu. Upon consulting their god, they were instructed by their traditional priest or mediator between the people and the god to sacrifice a young member of the Royal family every year to their god.

Panafest - July | August

Panafest is a biennial festival of African dance, music and other performing arts that is held every two years in Ghana.

A cultural event dedicated to the enhancement of the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the development of the African continent. It is organized biennially for Africans and people of Africa descent as well as all persons committed to the well being of Africans on continent and in the diaspora. The essential thrust of PANAFEST is to enhance DEVELOPMENT.

The Homowo Festival - August/September

The word "Homowo" actually means 'making fun of hunger.' Our traditional oral history describes a time long ago when the rains stopped and the sea closed its gates. A deadly famine spread throughout the southern Accra Plains, the home of the Ga people. When the harvest finally arrived and food became plentiful, the people were so happy that they celebrated with a festival that ridiculed hunger.

The Hogbetsotso Festival - Saturday of November

This is celebrated on the first Saturday of November every year by the Anlo Ewes of the Volta Region of Ghana. The essential feature of this festival is a magnificent durbar of chiefs and citizens. Hogbetsotso, generally known as "the festival of the Exodus" is held annually to commemorate the escape of the Anlo Ewes from the tyrannical ruler of Notsie - Agokoli of Togo. The chiefs appear on the durbar grounds in their most charming royal regalia and sit in state to acknowledge and receive homage from their subjects. The entire ceremony is laced with non-stop soul-stirring drumming and dancing

Ivory Coast

Bouake Carnival - towards end March- April

Another important event is the week long carnival in Bouaké each March, a festivity attracting thousands of visitors.

Fêtes des Masques (Festival of Masks) - November

One of Côte d'Ivoire's most famous festivals is the Fêtes des Masques (Festival of Masks), which takes place in the region of Man occurs in November. Numerous small villages in the region hold contests to determine the best dancers and to pay homage to forest spirits who are embodied in the elaborate masks.

Fête du Dipri - April

Held in Gomon, near Abidjan, this festival starts around midnight, when women and children sneak out of their huts and, naked, carry out nocturnal rites to exorcise the village of evil spells. Before sunrise the chief appears, drums pound and villagers go into trances. The frenzy continues until late afternoon of the next day.

Mali

Crossing of the cattle - December

The Cattle Crossing is the most important Fulani festival in Diafarabe. Every December, herders bring cattle from the grazing lands to the river at Diafarabe. Here everyone crosses the river. On the other side families are reunited for a few days, before they take the cattle to new pastures. The first day is the Promenade des Jeunes, when the unmarried men and women dress up to attract each other. There is also a competition to judge the fattest and best looked-after cattle, with useful prizes.

Fête des Masques - April

The Dogons are famous for their masks and during the five-day event many of them are used in ritual ceremonies that go back more than 1000 years . At each Sigui festival, a new ceremonial mask is carved especially for the occasion, then placed in the Tellem caves. Remnants of these masks going back hundreds of years have been found in the caves.

EASTERN AFRICA

Kenya

International Camel Derby & Festival - August (TBC)

The Derby takes place at Maralal, Samburu District, centred at Yare Club & Camp, just four kilometres south of Maralal town on the Nyahururu road. . It is also a spectacular festival packed with a variety of events that draws visitors from all over the world. The Derby has been on the go since 1990, with entries from Australia, America, New Zealand, Canada, England, France, Spain, Japan, South Africa and beyond competing against the reigning Kenya champions in both the amateur and professional races. The route runs through semi-desert regions with varying levels of difficulty and camels (with or without handlers) are available to hire for those wishing to compete.

Mombasa Carnival - November

The Mombasa carnival features parades and floats from every conceivable cultural, national and religious group in Kenya. There are two main parades which converge onto Moi Avenue which feature incredible floats, spectacular costumes and fantastic music.

Zanzibar

The Festival of the Dhow Countries June/July

East Africa’s largest cultural event, takes place in Zanzibar in magnificent, historical venues along the waterfront of Stone Town. The festival celebrates the unique cultural heritage of the "Dhow" countries: the African continent and the Indian Ocean region and their global Diaspora.

Northern Africa

Egypt
 

Abu Simbel Festival - Twice every year, 22nd February and 22nd October)

Abu Simbel is located in the heart of Nubia and is accessible by road or air from Aswan. The most remarkable feature of the site is that the temple is precisely oriented so that twice every year, on 22 February and 22 October, the first rays of the morning sun shine down the entire length of the temple-cave to illuminate the back wall of the innermost shrine and the statues of the four gods seated there

Ramses II, in a fit of precision and despotic architectural egotism, carefully angled his temple at Abu Simbel so that the inner sanctum would light up twice a year: once on the anniversary of his rise to the throne, and once on his birthday. The combination of human endeavour and natural phenomena provides what must be one of the most spectacular sights in the world.

South Sinai Camel Festival - May

This festival gives all travelers a chance to change their opinion regarding camels being slow plodders. The most speediest and bumpiest racing of all, takes place at Sharm El-Sheikh.

Ethiopia

Meskal

It is said that Empress Helen, Mother of Constantine the Great, discovered the cross upon which Christ was crucified in the year 326. Unable to locate the Holy Sepulchre, she prayed for help and was directed by the smoke of an incense burner to where the cross lay buried.

In the Middle Ages, the Patriarch of Alexandria gave the Ethiopian Emperor Dawit half of the True Cross in return for the protection afforded to the Coptic Christians. A fragment of the True Cross is said to be held at the Gishen Marien monastery, some 70 kilometres northwest of Dessie.

During the festival of Meskal, which takes place mainly on the eve of 26 September, bright yellow Meskal daisies are tied to fronds and piled high in town squares. Colourful processions of people carrying burning torches converge at the square where a pyre is lit and the celebrations continue until dawn.

(© This information has been kindly provided for our use by Rainbow Tours - click for more...)

Timkat Ethiopia Timket/Epiphany Tour - January

This 13-day trip departs from London in January to attend the Timket festivities and then visits Lalibela, island monasteries of Lake Tana, the ancient Temple of the Moon at Yeha and more.

Southern Africa

Lesotho

Morija Arts & Cultural Festival - October

Each year on the first Thursday of October, the Festival is alive and kicking again. The main days of the Festival will be Friday through Sunday. During the four days of the Festival about 40 events will take place at 8 venues in Morija which cater for all tastes in music, dance, drama and film. At the main Arena, Thabeng Football Grounds, are also found arts & crafts displays and sales, as well as information booths and tents marketing a wide range of products, including food and drinks of different traditions. Concerts, Jazz, Famo, Gospel & Kwaito will highlight each day.The friendly & festive atmosphere of this Festival is unique and each visitor is highly welcomed

Swaziland

Incwala - December - January

The new year comes a little early in Swaziland, along with one of the biggest and most intricate African festivals of the year or "Festival of the First Fruits," brings the country together to gain the blessing of ancestors, sanctify the kingship, and kick off the harvest season with a party. The two main celebrations are Little Incwala and Big Incwala. Dates are firmed up by tribal astronomers just weeks before.

Indian Ocean Islands

Mauritius

The Zanzibar International Culture Festival - July

(Tamasha la Utamaduni la Mzanzibari) The Zanzibar Cultural Festival features traditonal and contemporary dance, music, arts and crafts. Many of the dances have their roots in ancient tribal rituals connected with the many stages of a human life, or with royal ceremonies. Drawing participants as far as Mozambique, Kenya, Comoro, Germany, China, India etc., Cultural Festival has became very popular in Zanzibar.

Mwakakogwa Festival - July/August

a traditional festival to celebrate the local New Year. It is mainly practiced in the Southern Unguja, particularly in Makunduchi. Originating from Persia and brought here by early, Immigrants, Mwakakogwa is marked by sacrifices, dances, and the actual field fighting. In addition to the tourists from abroad, it draws participants from the whole of East Africa.