As the sun warms up and spring spreads its wings, another festival season is about to takeover Zimbabwe's entertainment landscape for the coming weeks.
The camp chairs are ready to leave their bags, the cooler boxes are awaiting long needed baths, and the pharmacies are ready to take a break from filling prescriptions so that they can sell tickets. All while event organisers try everything they can to get you to leave your house.
Lamiez Holworthy performing at the 2025 edition of the Jacaranda Music Festival
As we've now come to expect the festival season is going to be a busy one, so we've sifted through all the event announcements to spotlight what you especially can't miss this year. Our list ranges from music festivals, to theatre, and of course food. Here's your ultimate guide to the 2026 festival season:
Good Seed & Food Festival
18 - 19 September
Zimbabwe has a diverse and rich cultural heritage as far as food goes, yet one that's often unexplored. The Good Seed & Food Festival provides the platform to do just. Hosted at Harare Botanical Gardens, the festival celebrates traditional grains, indigenous natural products, accompanied music.
Girfest
19 September
Zimbabwe’s premier women only festival returns with the "Rosa Riviera" edition at Old Hararians Sports Club. While the theme is an ode to the French Riviera, the festival will be celebrating local with a lineup that features Saintfloew, Takura, Enzo Ishall, and Atenda Chinx, alongside DJs KingHer, Samuel Cosmic, and MadeHerBelieve, with KVG as host.
Shoko Festival
23 - 26 September
Zimbabwe’s longest running urban festival returns for its 16th edition at Harare Gardens and Chitungwiza with a star studded lineup that celebrates comedy and music. Shoko Comedy Night will be headlined by Nigel Tha Slick Pastor, alongside South Africa's Vafa Naraghi, while Saintfloew, Voltz JT & Mugaratia lead the charge for Shoko Mash Up Night, and Nisha Ts, Sane Wav and Hwinza headline the Peace In The Hood concert.
Jacaranda Music Festival
2 - 5 October
The country's biggest music festival returns to Thornpark Polo Club for another unforgettable 3 day experience. This year the festival features names such as Tamy Moyo, Jah Prayzah, Zee Nxumalo, Njelic, Feli Nandi, Jazziq, Mokoomba, Caiiro, Jnr Spragga, Kotwane Hikwa, Nizhe DeSoul and Sylent Nqo among others.
Munch & Sip
10 October
The Munch & Sip Pantry is bringing together Zimbabwe’s finest food and drink makers under one venue. Set for Parklands Business Venue in Harare, the food festival will feature a music stage and a food stage, delivering demonstrations and performances that will make for a unique experience.
Kadoma Music Festival
10 October
The Odyssey in Kadoma will the 5th edition of the Kadoma Music Festival. This year the event will be host to international music legends Beenie Man and Awilo Longomba, sharing the stage with Alick Macheso, Winky D, Feli Nandi, Selmor Mtukudzi, Jnr Spragga, Sulumani Chimbetu and Chillmaster.
Africa Voices Now
17 October - 6 November
Danai Gurira's Almasi Collaborative Arts hosts the second edition of its festival of new Zimbabwean plays. Set for Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre, the festival will this year feature 30 Acres by 2026 NAMA Award-winning playwright Tatenda Mutyambizi, Shards by NAMA Awards writer Cynthia Marangwanda, and Quixotic by Tawanda Vombo. The debut edition earned 6 NaMA nominations, winning 2 awards.
263 Culture Fest
17 October
The NetOne 263 Culture Festival returns to Thornpark Polo Club for its 4th edition with one of the continent's most in demand acts, South African electronic music DJ Shimza. The "Fire Fire" hitmaker will be alongside Sam Deep, K.O, Moozlie, Madedido, MadeHerBelieve, Bhana, and Wowrae, with more acts to be announced.
Castle Braai Fest
17 October
Casle Lager's flagship event, the Castle Braai Fest, will once again be bringing together Castle, braai meat and music at Glamis Arena in Harare. No lineup announcements have been made yet for the festival's 11th edition but last year's performers included Winky D, South Africa's Heavy K and DJ Tira, Ammara Brown, ExQ, Nutty O, Nisha Ts, Master H and Qounfuzed.
HKD Festival
24 October
Freeman HKD's headline event and one the country's biggest artist led platforms will be on for a third year running. Holy Ten and Jnr Spragga have so far been announced for the event, with more artists incoming. The festival will take place at Glamis Arena in Harare.