Festivals & events

39 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

• New Year's Day (1 January · All regions · National) — National public holiday marking the start of the new year with celebrations across Tanzania.
• Zanzibar International Film Festival (All January · Stone Town · Zanzibar & Pemba) — Premier African film festival showcasing contemporary and classic films from across the continent in Stone Town.
• Dar es Salaam New Year Marathon (All January · Dar es Salaam · Dar es Salaam) — Popular international marathon event attracting runners from across the world through Dar's streets and coastal paths.
• Revolution Day (12 January · All regions · National) — National holiday commemorating Zanzibar's 1964 revolution with parades, speeches, and celebrations nationwide.
• Arusha Coffee Festival (All February · Arusha · Arusha & Kilimanjaro) — Celebration of the region's premium coffee heritage with tastings, farm tours, and cultural performances.
• Nane Nane (Farmers' Day) (8 August · All regions · National) — National public holiday on August 8th celebrating agricultural workers and farmers with festivities across rural and urban areas.
• Mwaka Kogwa (Zanzibar New Year) (All March · Stone Town · Zanzibar & Pemba) — Ancient Swahili celebration marking the Persian New Year with singing, dancing, and symbolic fire-lighting rituals in Stone Town.
• Easter (All April · All regions · National) — Major Christian holiday observed nationwide with church services, processions, and family gatherings.
• Mount Kilimanjaro International Marathon (All March · Moshi · Arusha & Kilimanjaro) — Major international marathon held around Mount Kilimanjaro's foothills, attracting elite and amateur runners globally.
• Serengeti Wildebeest Migration Festival (All May · Serengeti National Park · Northern Safari Circuit) — Informal celebration of the annual wildebeest migration's arrival in the Serengeti, observed through dedicated safari tours.
• Labour Day (1 May · All regions · National) — National public holiday celebrating workers and labour movements with parades and speeches in urban centers.
• Dar es Salaam Festival (All May · Dar es Salaam · Dar es Salaam) — Major city festival showcasing arts, music, dance, and Tanzanian culture with performances on the Dar waterfront.
• Eid al-Fitr (All April · All regions · National) — Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated nationwide with prayers, family gatherings, and special meals.
• Bagamoyo Festival (All June · Bagamoyo · Eastern Coast) — Celebration of the historic coastal town's Swahili heritage with music, dance, exhibitions, and cultural performances.
• Eid al-Adha (All June · All regions · National) — Islamic festival of sacrifice observed nationwide with prayers, animal slaughter ceremonies, and family celebrations.
• Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (All July · Dar es Salaam · Dar es Salaam) — Major annual trade and business exposition featuring exhibits, vendors, and cultural performances in the capital.
• Mbeya Agricultural Show (All August · Mbeya · Southern Highlands) — Regional agricultural expo showcasing farming innovations, local produce, and traditional crafts in the highlands.
• Iringa Cultural Festival (All August · Iringa · Central Tanzania) — Celebration of Iringa's heritage featuring traditional dances, crafts, local cuisine, and historical exhibitions.
• Bukoba Coffee Festival (All September · Bukoba · Western Tanzania) — Northwest regional festival celebrating Bukoba's coffee production with tastings, competitions, and farm visits.
• Dar es Salaam Music Festival (All September · Dar es Salaam · Dar es Salaam) — Annual celebration of Tanzanian music featuring live performances, traditional and contemporary artists across the city.
• Mount Kilimanjaro Day (All September · Moshi · Arusha & Kilimanjaro) — Celebration of Africa's highest peak with special guided climbs, cultural events, and conservation awareness activities.
• Mbeya Food and Wine Festival (All October · Mbeya · Southern Highlands) — Celebration of regional cuisine and local wines featuring cooking competitions, tastings, and culinary demonstrations.
• Zanzibar Festival (All July · Stone Town · Zanzibar & Pemba) — Major island celebration featuring Swahili culture, music, dance, spice market tours, and Stone Town festivities.
• Tanga Sisal Festival (All September · Tanga · Southeastern Coast) — Regional celebration of the sisal heritage and agricultural traditions of northern coastal Tanzania.
• Dar es Salaam Blues Festival (All October · Dar es Salaam · Dar es Salaam) — Celebration of blues music with international and local artists performing across multiple Dar venues.
• Dodoma Cultural Festival (All October · Dodoma · Central Tanzania) — Capital city festival showcasing national culture, traditional crafts, music, and government-led celebrations.
• Kigoma Literary Festival (All October · Kigoma · Western Tanzania) — Celebration of African literature and writers held in the historic Lake Tanganyika port town.
• Lamu Cultural Festival (All November · Lamu · Southeastern Coast) — Annual celebration of Swahili culture in the ancient island town featuring traditional dhow races and cultural performances.
• Moshi Tea Festival (All November · Moshi · Arusha & Kilimanjaro) — Regional celebration of tea cultivation and production with farm tours, tastings, and traditional ceremonies.
• Morogoro Agricultural Fair (All September · Morogoro · Morogoro & Udzungwa) — Annual agricultural showcase featuring local farming innovations, produce, and traditional forest community exhibits.
• Iringa Honey Festival (All November · Iringa · Central Tanzania) — Celebration of beekeeping heritage and honey production with tastings, competitions, and craft demonstrations.
• Independence Day (9 December · All regions · National) — National public holiday commemorating Tanzania's independence from British rule with parades and official ceremonies.
• Zanzibar Stone Town Festival (All December · Stone Town · Zanzibar & Pemba) — End-of-year celebration in historic Stone Town featuring music, dance, and cultural heritage exhibitions.
• Christmas (25 December · All regions · National) — Major Christian and national holiday celebrated across Tanzania with church services, family gatherings, and festive markets.
• Dar es Salaam New Year's Eve Festival (31 December · Dar es Salaam · Dar es Salaam) — Year-end celebration featuring live music, fireworks, and beach parties throughout Dar es Salaam's waterfront.
• Ruvuma Agricultural Show (All July · Songea · Southern Tanzania) — Regional agricultural exhibition in southern Tanzania showcasing local farming, livestock, and traditional crafts.
• Lake Tanganyika Water Festival (All June · Kigoma · Western Tanzania) — Celebration of Africa's second-largest lake featuring boat races, fishing competitions, and water sports.
• Arusha International Trade Fair (All November · Arusha · Arusha & Kilimanjaro) — Major regional business and cultural expo in Tanzania's safari capital featuring vendors and entertainment.
• Pemba Clove Festival (All October · Pemba · Zanzibar & Pemba) — Island celebration of the historic clove trade with spice market tours, traditional ceremonies, and culinary events.