The Festivals & Events in Zanzibar That You Must Attend

With its immaculate beaches, Zanzibar is a top destination for leisure, cultural exploration, and indigenous cuisine. Although Zanzibar is worth a journey on its own, many visitors use it as a location to unwind after exhausting days of touring the mainland’s parks, such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, etc.
In addition to its serene beaches, Zanzibar hosts festivals and other tourism-related activities. The purpose of these events is to thoroughly experience the vibes and discover new aspects of this beautiful island’s culture, not to kill time. We examine the top festivals and events in this post, and yes, we will also reveal the one you should never miss.
Fairs, expos, and festivals are examples of tourism events. Some are designed to bring entrepreneurs together, while others bring people together to see movies and cultural activities. We explore them here.

1. The International Film Festival of Zanzibar (ZIFF)

Filmmakers, businesspeople, tourists, and others come to Zanzibar each year to see films. The featured films are from Africa, Asia, Europe, and America, among other places. The ZIFF is the ideal way to brighten your day and offers entertainment events including well-known performers.
In addition to movie screenings, there are live performances, panel discussions, seminars, and much more. This festival takes place at Stone Town, a prominent medieval town that is still in use today, in June or July.
It curates the art of storytelling by showcasing a diverse selection of cinema, including short films, documentaries, and movies. There is a lot to see at this event, so don’t plan to miss it. Additionally, you’ll meet new folks.

2. Festival of Mwaka Kogwa

The Zoroastrian faith is the source of Mwaka Kogwa. Zanzibar is hosting a traditional Shirazi or Persian New Year event. This celebration consists of a number of activities in the southern Unguja village of Makunduchi.
Mock battles between males using banana stems mark the start of the festival, signifying the letting go of past grievances and achieving peace for the upcoming year. At the occasion, the women, all dressed to the nines, sing traditional love, family, and prosperity songs in a melodic, romantic manner.
An ancient ritual thatching hut-burning ceremony led by a traditional healer (mganga) who deciphers smoke patterns to forecast the community’s future for the next year is the second main draw. It is believed that the event would bring wealth and fend off bad luck.
In addition, there will be dancing, drumming, vibrant Taarab music, and a shared Swahili feast during the event.

3. Sauti za Busara:

The meaning of Sauti za Busara is “Sounds of Wisdom,” Every year in February, Zanzibar’s Stone Town hosts the must-attend African music festival. You will sing, dance, take part in magical events, and—above all—listen to a variety of African music, including classical taarab, Afrobeat, Amapiano, and Bongo Flava.
Sauti za Busara combines moods from throughout the globe, inspired by the breathtaking beaches of Zanzibar. You may go out and experience other cultures. To ensure that everyone is entertained, this event moves around Stone Town for three days.

4. The Beach and Watersports Festival in Zanzibar

The Zanzibar Beach and Watersports Festival begins in September each year. Adventure, leisure, culture, and water sports are its main objectives. Sports including beach volleyball, paddleboarding, and kite surfing are available for participants to compete for prizes.
In addition, there are folk dances, live performances, mouthwatering Swahili cuisine, etc. It’s an enjoyable activity that takes place in September. Families, friends, and lone travelers will enjoy the festival’s blend of adventure and culture.

5. Celebrations of Eid:

These are two important Islamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The first occurs following the month of Ramadan, while the second occurs in June. Even if you are not a Muslim, it is still necessary to take part in these festivities because the majority of people in Zanzibar are Muslims.
While some celebrate at home, many more congregate in mosques. If you want to, you can join them. Additionally, some hotels provide their guests with the greatest method to enjoy these holidays.

6. The Festival of Kizimkazi

This has just lately begun. In the seaside area of Kizimkazi, the celebration lasts for eight days. The event showcases Zanzibar’s thriving tourist and cultural scene. It’s packed with so many things that it seems like there are only eight days left.
Attendees can participate in a variety of sports, shows, dances, etc. Additionally, there are exhibitions, seminars, and a sensory extravaganza. The annual Kizimkazi Festival takes place in August.
The festivals offer opportunity for cultural immersion, happiness, and solidarity. You can get along well with friends, business associates, and a lot of other people there.

Would you be interested in going to one of the festivals?

Please call us to verify the dates. After all, there is always something to do in Zanzibar. You can still have a great trip even if your travel schedule does not fall during one of the aforementioned events.