Festivals

Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

sport · Dakar · Senegal

For the first time, an Olympic event is held in Africa: thousands of young athletes from around the world compete in 25 disciplines in Dakar, Diamniadio and on the beaches of Saly. For two weeks, competitions, taster sports open to the public and a cultural programme light up the country. Official programme and tickets: olympics.com/dakar-2026. Journeys between Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly take time: book a driver and a stay close to the venues you want to see.

31 October to 13 November 2026, in Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

Dak'Art Biennale of Contemporary African Art

Culture · Dakar · Senegal

A major event for contemporary African art, with exhibitions across the city.

Every two years; dates announced by the organisers.

Dakar Court short film festival

Culture · Dakar · Senegal

Africa's first festival of short fiction films: screenings, meetings with directors and workshops, in the heart of Dakar.

2026 edition: 8 to 12 December.

Vodun Days, Ouidah

Culture · Atlantique · Benin

Ouidah's biggest event of the year, organised by the State around the national day of traditional religions. For a week, the town comes alive with giant concerts by Beninese and international artists, traditional music concerts, dances and masquerades (Zangbeto, Egungun), processions through the centre, an exhibitors' village and evenings on the seafront. The official highlight is the great Vodun ceremony, attended by dignitaries. The 2026 edition drew several hundred thousand participants: accommodation and transport are snapped up, so book very early. Official programme and tickets: vodundays.bj. For practitioners, some ceremonies are religious moments: dress modestly and ask before taking photos.

Early January. 2027 edition: 2 to 9 January (public holidays on Thursday 7 and Friday 8).

Independence Day

National day · Dakar · Senegal

National day on 4 April: parades and celebrations across the country, the largest in Dakar.

Benin Independence Day

National day · Littoral · Benin

National day on 1 August, marking independence in 1960: parades and celebrations across the country.

Abéné Festivalo

Music · Ziguinchor · Senegal

A festival of drumming and traditional dance in the village of Abéné, in Casamance.

Around New Year; dates to be confirmed.

Dialaw Festival

Culture · Thiès · Senegal

Music, dance, theatre and crafts by the ocean in Dialaw: a multidisciplinary festival celebrating Lebou culture.

Late April; 2026: 24 to 28 April.

Porto-Novo Masks Festival

Culture · Ouémé · Benin

The great parade of masks from Benin and the region: Egungun, Zangbeto, Gelede (UNESCO intangible heritage) and many more come down Porto-Novo's lagoon boulevard. Concerts, a crafts and food village, and a symposium on the history of masks. The 2024 edition drew nearly 40,000 visitors. Some masquerades have a religious meaning for their followers: keep your distance and ask before taking photos.

Late July or early August; 2026: 25 and 26 July.

Saint-Louis International Jazz Festival

Music · Saint-Louis · Senegal

A gathering for jazz lovers since the early 1990s, with concerts in the squares and venues of the historic town.

Dates announced each year by the organisers.

International Festival of Arts of Benin (FInAB)

Culture · Littoral · Benin

Ten days of concerts, fashion shows, film, literature and exhibitions in Cotonou and several other towns (Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Abomey, Parakou): the showcase of contemporary Beninese creativity.

February to March; 2026: 20 February to 1 March.

Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan)

Religious · Littoral · Benin

The festival marking the end of Ramadan, a public holiday: morning prayer and family meals, especially in Cotonou's Zongo and Agla districts.

Date varies, at the end of Ramadan, following the lunar calendar.

Gaani festival in Nikki

Culture · Borgou · Benin

The great festival of the Baatonu (Bariba) people around the king of Nikki: riders in ceremonial dress, drums and songs. **Safety (October 2026)**: the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against the Nikki area (Nigerian border, Kandi – Tchaourou road). Check official advice before any plans.

Date varies each year with the lunar calendar.

Gamou of Tivaouane

Religious · Thiès · Senegal

The celebration of the Prophet's birth, drawing huge crowds every year to Tivaouane, holy city of the Tijaniyya brotherhood. Roads, transport and accommodation in the area are very busy.

Date varies: the night of the Mawlid; in August until 2028.

Gorée Island Music Days

Music · Dakar · Senegal

Two days of concerts on Gorée Island, with cultural and environmental initiatives: music in one of the country's most beautiful settings.

Late June; 2026: 27 and 28 June.

Dakar Grand Carnival

Culture · Dakar · Senegal

Colourful parades, shows, concerts and exhibitions: for several days, Dakar's streets celebrate the cultural diversity of Senegal and Africa.

Every year on the last weekend of November; dates announced by the organisers.

Grand Magal of Touba

Religious · Diourbel · Senegal

The great pilgrimage of the Mouride brotherhood, drawing huge crowds to Touba each year. Accommodation and transport are in high demand at this time.

Date varies: 18 Safar in the Islamic calendar.

Kankurang

Culture · Ziguinchor · Senegal

A Manding initiation rite centred on a masked figure, listed as intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Watch from a distance and with respect; do not photograph without permission.

Timing varies with villages and initiation ceremonies.

Korité (Eid al-Fitr)

Religious · Dakar · Senegal

The festival marking the end of Ramadan, a public holiday: morning prayer, new clothes and family visits. Shops and offices are often closed.

Date varies, at the end of Ramadan, following the lunar calendar.

Nonvitcha, Grand-Popo

Culture · Mono · Benin

Grand-Popo's festival of brotherhood and reunion, celebrated for over a century (105th edition in 2026): people from the town come home from everywhere, and the town comes alive with giant concerts and beach parties between lagoon and ocean.

Every year on Pentecost weekend (16 May in 2027).

Dassa-Zoumè pilgrimage

Religious · Collines · Benin

National pilgrimage to the grotto of Our Lady of Arigbo, drawing crowds from across the country and neighbouring countries. Roads and accommodation are very busy.

Late August; dates announced each year.

Popenguine Marian pilgrimage

Religious · Thiès · Senegal

Senegal's great Catholic pilgrimage, at the shrine of Our Lady of Deliverance on the Petite-Côte. Many pilgrims walk there from Dakar.

Every year at Pentecost (16 and 17 May in 2027).

StLouis'Docs documentary festival

Culture · Saint-Louis · Senegal

Saint-Louis's international documentary film festival: screenings and meetings with filmmakers in the World Heritage town.

Late April to early May; 2026: 28 April to 2 May.

Tabaski (Eid al-Adha)

Religious · Bénin · Benin

A Muslim festival and public holiday in Benin: morning prayers, family meals.

Date varies with the lunar calendar.

Tabaski (Eid al-Adha)

Religious · Senegal · Senegal

The country's biggest family celebration: many people travel home to their villages, so transport is very busy in the days before.

Date varies with the lunar calendar.

WeLovEya Festival

Music · Littoral · Benin

Cotonou's big end-of-year urban music festival: two nights of concerts with Beninese and African stars, at the foot of the Amazon statue.

Late December, Place de l'Amazone in Cotonou; 2025: 27 and 28 December.