Looking for the best music festivals in Africa in 2024? I’m here to help! While I regrettably haven’t made a trip down to Africa to explore the continent quite yet, I know when I do I’ll do my best to hit up as many of these festivals as I possibly can. There’s a ton more festivals in Africa that aren’t included on this list, but I wanted to talk about specifically the events I’d love to attend one day. I’m not only writing this article to help you find your next festival, but I’m planning mine as well!
So take a look at what I think are the best 15 music festivals in Africa!
1) Afrika Burn
When: April 29-May 5, 2024
Where: Tankwa Karoo of South Africa’s Northern Cape Province
While you’re guaranteed to hear some amazing music, dance like crazy, and have a ridiculous week of partying — Afrika Burn is not really a music festival, but instead a loving community that whole-heartedly follows the Burning Man 10 Principles. While there are hundreds of regional burns around the world, Afrika Burn is the next best thing if you can’t make the trek to Black Rock City, Nevada! It’s also a whole lot easier to secure tickets.
“AfrikaBurn is a community of participants who come together to create art, costume, performance, theme camps, music, mutant vehicles and much, much more. All of this is created through a volunteer and gifting culture.
The main annual AfrikaBurn event takes place in the Tankwa Karoo, located between the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa, usually at the end of April every year.
AfrikaBurn’s aim is to be radically inclusive and accessible to anyone. The touchstone of value in our culture will always be immediacy: experience before theory, moral relationships before politics, survival before services, roles before jobs, ritual before symbolism, work before vested interest, participant support before sponsorship.”
2) Sandbox Festival
Photo via Sandbox
When: May, 2024
Where: Red Sea Riviera, El Gouna, Egypt
https://www.sandboxfestival.com
This 21+ event thrown in an Egyptian paradise looks like it will be the experience (and vacation) of a lifetime! It promises nothing but good vibes, great weather, and top-notch music in an intimate setting. While most travelers head to Egypt to visit the Giza pyramids, I know I’ll be making the trip to check out Sandbox Festival in one of the coming years!
“Our top priority is to promote this full experience through our unparalleled Egyptian climate (kiting, diving, snorkeling, or bumming it out by the sea), our line up of local and international artists, and of course our guests who make Sandbox what it is. This festival is largely intended for all our international guests as well as those coming from inside Egypt, who would not only want to attend an electronic music festival but also take a vacation to enjoy everything that our beautiful weather and seaside have to offer.”
3) Oasis Festival
When: October, 2024
Where: Morrocco
“An intimate destination festival featuring today’s top underground electronic talent. It’s time to dance somewhere different.”
“”Since its inaugural edition in 2015, Oasis Festival has placed great importance on providing a setting just as enticing as the music. In line with this, the Into the Wild series – launched in 2022 – departed from the festival’s roots in Marrakech to showcase some of the more unchartered territories Morocco has to offer. Following on from last year’s venture into the central lagoon of Dahkla, 2023’s location was the most momentous yet: the esteemed Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate. A setting which boasts blockbuster films and series such as Game Of Thrones and Gladiator amongst its vast portfolio of credits.”
4) Cape Town Electronic Music Festival (CTEMF)
When: TBC, 2024
Where: Cape Town City Hall, South Africa
“Established in 2012 as a platform for South Africa’s burgeoning electronic music culture, the Cape Town Electronic Music Festival has gained international recognition for being one of the most relevant and forward-thinking events on Africa’s music festival calendar, where international pioneers and innovators share the stage with the bright lights of the South African scene, while the inner workings of this rapidly growing industry are unpacked and explored through a prestigious workshop program.
5) Rocking the Daisies
When: November, 2024
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
“Festival-goers can expect a multi-faceted and multi-sensory action-packed weekend featuring the best local and international entertainment across music, comedy, art, film; hundreds of top local acts and some of the world’s most inspiring artists performing on multiple stages; camping; good times and making incredible memories.”
6) Vortex Trance Adventures
When: Various dates and events including Open Source and Phoenix Festival of Fire
Where: South Africa
www.vortextranceadventures.co.za
“Vortex Open Source celebrates the summer solstice with an all-encompassing psychedelic experience of music, dance, and art. Three dance floors bring you mind-blowing psytrance, soul-shifting chillout, and foot-grooving techno and prog under brilliantly shaded dancefloors. Kick back near the river with yoga, massage, workshops, and flow arts between the trees. Enter the Vortex at South Africa’s only 5-day outdoor music festival and be transformed.
Phoenix Festival of Fire is a Winter Solstice Celebration, Cape Town’s only outdoor winter party. Join us as we dance through the dark of winter. Shake off the blues, reconnect and rise up like the phoenix from the ashes, more beautiful, anew. Phoenix is a 3-day party where fires burn, lasers shine and lights delight. Psytrance that will move your body and warm your soul; find intimate, laid back day-time chillout and grooving night-time beats in the Head & Heart Space.”
7) Lake of Stars
When: On hiatus, returning in 2024.
Where: Lake Malawi, Malawi
“The Lake of Stars Project runs an award-winning festival that takes place in the Warm Heart of Africa, on the palm-fringed shores of Lake Malawi. Lake of Stars also hosts various events around the world from New York to London to Johannesburg, organised by teams of dedicated volunteers.”
8) Ultra South Africa
When: March 1-2, 2024
Where: Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
Last but not least, how could I leave out the world-wide mega festival brand ULTRA from this list. What started in Miami almost 20 years ago, has now blossomed into an international sensation with shows on practically every continent. When you attend an ULTRA event, you know you’ll be getting nothing but the best line-ups, production, sound, and festival experience. Don’t miss out on this one!
9) Felabration
When: October, 2024
Where: Ikeya, Nigeria
Celebrating Afrobeat Culture at Felabration
“Felabration is an annual festival celebrating the life and legacy of Nigeria’s iconic musician, Fela Anikulakpo Kuti.”
10) Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
When: June, 2024
Where: Fez, Morocco
https://www.facebook.com/FezFestival
A collection of the most mystical music and dance on the planet, from Bjork to whirling derwishes
“The Festival of World Sacred Music (Festival de Fès des Musiques Sacrées du Monde in French) is a 10-day event held in mid-summer in the magnificent city of Fes (Fez). Founded in 1994 by the Moroccan philanthropist Faouzi Skali, it was meant to showcase the diversity of spiritual music around the world. The festival features an array of open-air concerts and a mix of genres from whirling dervishes to mystic Sufi chanters.”
11) Black Star Line Festival
When: TBC, 2024
Where: Accra, Ghana
“THE BLACK STAR LINE FESTIVAL OF PAN-AFRICAN ART IS A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE ROOTED IN INTERCONTINENTAL COLLABORATION. FOUNDED BY GHANAIAN-AMERICAN ARTIST VIC MENSA AND BLACK-AMERICAN ARTIST CHANCE THE RAPPER, THE FESTIVAL IS A WEEK LONG SERIES OF EVENTS INCLUDING PANEL DISCUSSIONS , FINE ART EXHIBITIONS AND NIGHTLIFE EVENTS CULMINATING IN A LARGE SCALE CONCERT AT BLACK STAR SQUARE IN ACCRA, GHANA”
12) Sauti za Busara
When: February 9-10, 2024
Where: Stone Town, Zanzibar
https://www.facebook.com/sautizabusara/
“Sauti za Busara is an African music festival, held every year in February in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It is centred in the Old Fort, with fringe events taking place at the same time around Stone Town – including a carnival street parade.”
13) Bushfire Festival
When: May 31- June 2, 2024
Where: Malkerns, Eswatini
“We invite you to Bring Your Fire to the 17th edition of Africa’s celebrated music and arts festival, from 31 May – 02 June 2024 for a transformational experience of hope, unity and renewal. MTN Bushfire is reigniting the fire in the beautiful farmlands of the valley of Malkerns, Eswatini, for a family friendly, eclectic celebration of some of the finest music in Africa and beyond. Numbers are limited, so hurry while stocks last! Tickets have sold out in advance for 10 years running, so make sure to get your tickets soon!”
14) Nyege Nyege Festival
When: November, 2024
Where: Itanda Falls, Uganda
“Nyege Nyege is a collective in Kampala, Uganda that promotes outsider music, primarily electronic, by African artists. It was founded in 2013 by expats Arlen Dilsizian and Derek Debru.”
15) Vic Falls Carnival
When: April, 2024
Where: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
https://www.facebook.com/VicFallsCarnival/
The Victoria Falls Carnival is the biggest party of the year in Africa.
“Vic Falls Carnival is Africa’s biggest celebration of its diverse Music, Arts & Culture. A once in a lifetime experience set in one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Join us for our 11th Edition as we bring the African Continent together for 3 days of exhilarating entertainment.”
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Wilbert. Wil. Delfonics. Hart
Music. Festivals in Africa
Should add Under The African Sky at Hillcrest Quarry to the list! :)