From Ultra South Africa to Afro Country Portugal, here are the very best lineups this year.
Numerous music celebrations around the world are commemorating African music throughout the entire year, and Signboard is assembling the greatest ones for you to strike up.
For some acts, these celebrations provide a heartfelt, homecoming chance. Chxrry, the very first female artist signed to The Weeknd’s XO record label, carried out in her Ethiopian motherland for the very first time in January 2025 throughout the World Afrika Celebration. And come December, Doja Feline will carry out in her South African motherland for the very first time when she headings Hey Neighbour.
A handful of heavy players are headlining numerous celebrations this year. Davido remains in the leading slot for both Afro Country Portugal in July and AfroFuture Detroit in August, the latter of which Kaytranada is likewise headlining after doing the honors at Milk + Cookies Celebration South Africa at the top of this year.
As African acts continue carrying out outside the borders of their native continent, they have actually likewise been slowly filling American celebration lineups. Tyla, Rema, Amaarae and Seun Kuti & & Egypt 80 carried out at Coachella previously this month. Tems has actually changed into a U.S. celebration pillar by taking control of Dreamville, New Orleans Jazz & & Heritage Celebration and Roots Picnic this spring. This month, she makes history as the very first African female artist to heading Afro Country when she takes control of the Lit phase in Portugal. And Ayra Starr and Asake were 2 of the headliners for Hot 97’s Summertime Jam in June.
Signboard has actually assembled a thorough guide to the most considerable music celebrations honoring African music and/or taking place on the continent this year listed below, in sequential order. ( Editor’s note: Celebrations that have actually currently passed will stay on the list as a reflection of the complete fiscal year’s offerings of occasions.)
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Jerk x Jollof: Cape Town Takeover
Date: January 1
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Jerk x Jollof partnered with Spotify and Frequency, the streaming service’s worldwide effort fixated commemorating Black music and culture, for its first-ever location celebration at The Ostrich in Cape Town, South Africa. Uncle Waffles, DBN Gogo and TxC took control of Fly Radio with their amapiano sets, while Spinall, Sarz, 2wo Bunnies and more carried out on the primary phase. Akio headlined the Strictly Soul R&B Hour, and Odeal provided the ending. And, obviously, its titular Afro-Carribbean speciality of jerk chicken and jollof rice was served.
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World Afrika Celebration
Date: January 4
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
World Afrika hosted its very first music celebration at the Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the top of the year, with Nigerian DJ/producer Spinall and South African DJ/producer Uncle Waffles as headliners. Chxrry22 carried out in the motherland for the very first time, while fellow Ethiopian artists Nhatty Guy and Alemeda likewise took the phase along with DJs Eden, K-Meta and more.
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Milk + Cookies Celebration South Africa
Date: January 5 and 11
Location: Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
Kaytranada headlined the first-ever Milk + Cookies Celebration in South Africa, which occurred Jan. 5 at the Cape Town Ostrich Cattle Ranch and Jan. 11 at Old Park Station. DJ Kent, Zakes Bantwini, Cat Ca$ h and more were on the Cape Town lineup, while Muzi, DJ Lag, Mörda and more took the phase before Kay in Joburg. This marked the worldwide launching of the Atlanta-based celebration, which belonged to the inaugural Milk + Cookies Music Week South Africa that ranged from Dec. 31, 2024 to Jan. 11, 2025. The very first week included private yacht celebrations, cultural experiences, special style pop-ups by leading regional designers and efficiencies by regional artists and DJs, while the 2nd week included workshops, panels and networking mixers concentrated on establishing the nation’s increasing stars.
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HOMECOMING Celebration
Date: April 17-21
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
HOMECOMING Celebration took control of Easter weekend in Lagos, Nigeria. Davido, Odumodublvck, Teni, Cruel Santino, Odunsi (The Engine), Qing Madi and more carried out. On top of live efficiencies, the five-day weekend was jam loaded with football matches; style display screens, consisting of HOMECOMING’s very first brick-and-mortar shop that included restricted drops from forward-thinking brand names like Jeans Tears, Stüssy, Cactus Plant Flea Market, Mowalola and more; and panels, workshops and masterclasses from the leading voices in sports, style, innovation and music, from visual artist Gabriel Moses to football legend Jay Jay Okocha.
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Cape Town International Jazz Celebration
Date: April 25-26
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
The Cape Town International Jazz Celebration returned for its 22nd edition at the Cape Town International Convention Center. Black Coffee x Nduduzo Makhathini, Ari Lennox, Masego, Lira, Kelvin Momo, Incognito, Thandiswa Mazwai and more carried out.
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Ultra South Africa
Date: Might 9-10
Location: Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
Ultra South Africa is commemorating its 10th anniversary at The Ostrich in Cape Town, South Africa and the Johannesburg Exposition Centre in Johannesburg. Armin van Buuren, ISOxo, KSHMR, Martin Garrix, Massano, Mind Versus and Shimza are headlining Africa’s biggest electronic music celebration, including extra sets from DBN Gogo, Kabza de Small, Maphorisa, DJ Lag, Vigro Deep and more.
For additional information, clickhere
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DLT Malta
Date: June 5-9
Location: St. Paul’s Bay, Malta
DLT (Days Like This) Malta returns for its 4th installation at Armier Beach, UNO, Coffee Shop Del Mar and Bora Bora Ibiza Malta Resort for a four-day weekend of efficiencies by top-tier artists and DJs, special boat celebrations and DLT’s signature endless breakfast. Asake and Latto are headlining, while BNXN, Shallipopi, TxC and more are set to carry out.
For additional information, click here.
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Mawazine Celebration
Date: June 20-28
Location: Rabat, Morocco
The Mawazine Celebration commemorated its 20th anniversary at the OLM Souissi, Mohammed V National Theatre, Chellah and Plage De Salé Ville in Rabat, Morocco. Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Lojay, Will Smith, 50 Cent, Kid Cudi, Lil Child, Becky G, aespa, ElGrandeToto and more headlined.
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Afro Country Portugal
Date: July 9-11
Location: Portimão, Portugal
Afro Country Portugal returns this summer season for its 5th anniversary at the Praia da Rocha Beach in Portimão, Portugal for an extraordinary event of music, style, food and dance. Davido, Burna Young Boy, Tems and Chris Brown are headlining the world’s biggest Afrobeats celebration, while Mary J. Blige is providing an unique sundown set on the beach. Booba, Amaarae, Odeal, Qing Madi and more are likewise carrying out on the primary Lit Phase. Scorpion Kings, Uncle Waffles, DBN Gogo and more will take control of the Piano Individuals Phase.
For additional information, clickhere
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Afro Jam Celebration
Date: July 17-20, 22-24 and 25-27
Location: Okinawa, Osaka and Tokyo, Japan
Afro Jam Celebration will make history this summer season as Japan’s first-ever Afrobeats celebration. Jason Derulo, Saweetie, Shenseea, Ruger and Rema are headlining the Okinawa, Osaka and Tokyo parts, which will be held from July 17-20 at the Okinawa Arena, July 22-24 at the Ookini Arena Maishima and July 25-27 at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza. Gyakie, TitoM and Yuppe and more are set to carry out.
For additional information, clickhere
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BLASTFEST
Date: July 19
Location: Seattle, Washington
BLASTFEST returns for its 3rd edition at the Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington. Omah Lay, Fireboy DML and Odumodublvck are headlining the Pacific Northwest’s best Afrobeats celebration, while Wande Coal, Moliy and more are set to carry out.
For additional information, click here.
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Giants of Africa Celebration
Date: July 26– Aug. 2
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Giants of Africa, a not-for-profit devoted to empowering African youth through basketball, is hosting its 3rd celebration at BK Arena, Amahoro National Arena, Petit Stade and Paralympic Gym in Kigali, Rwanda. Uncle Waffles, Sherrie Silver and Kevin Kade are carrying out at the opening program, which starts the week-long event of neighborhood, culture, basketball, education and home entertainment. The celebration will likewise host the grand opening of Zaria Court– a mixed-use sports, home entertainment and cultural district including a hotel, sports bar, basketball court, occasion area, retail outlets, health club, football pitch and outside public locations– and the inaugural Threads of Africa Style Program, which will highlight brand-new collections from 3 designer: Cameroon’s Hortense Mbea, Niger’s Alia Baré and Rwanda and South Africa’s Nyambo. Kizz Daniel and Timaya will conclude the celebrations with a closing show.
” Like these kids, I matured on the continent,” stated Masai Ujiri, creator of Giants of Africa and vice chairman/president of the Toronto Raptors, in a news release. “As Africans, we understand the landscape of what the kids go through. We understand they dream much like we did and it actually motivates me due to the fact that, those kids have a lot more skill and intelligence, they have methods to interact now that we didn’t. This celebration has to do with revealing them there is a course. We desire them to never ever stop dreaming.”
For additional information, clickhere
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AfroFuture Detroit
Date: Aug. 16-17
Location: Detroit, Michigan
AfroFuture will debut in the U.S. this summer season with AfroFuture Detroit at Bedrock’s Douglass Website. Davido, Kaytranada, Ludmilla and Tee Grizzley are headlining. Lojay, Gims and more are likewise carrying out on the primary phase. DBN Gogo, Juls, TxC and more are DJing the Culture Phase, which will likewise host celebration sets from Jerk x Jollof, Days Like This (DLT), Obi’s Home and Toasted Life. The inaugural U.S. occasion will likewise highlight vibrant art setups and a market commemorating the continent’s imagination.
” As a cultural and musical powerhouse, Detroit is the ideal city to introduce this transformative experience. By linking African quality with Detroit’s abundant heritage, we’re bridging the diaspora throughout borders and oceans through the universal language of music. This is more than simply a common celebration– it’s a minute of unity and an event of the power of Africa,” stated AfroFuture CEO/co-founder Abdul Karim Abdullah in a declaration.
For additional information, click here.
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Piano Individuals in the Park
Date: Aug. 22
Location: London, England
Piano Individuals in the Park returns for its 2nd edition in Southwark Park in London, England. The “King of Amapiano” Kabza de Small is headlining the U.K.’s best amapiano celebration, including extra sets from DBN Gogo, Kelvin Momo, MDU AKA TRP, Felo Le Tee b2b Scotts Maphuma and more.
” Amapiano has actually genuinely discovered a home in London, and this celebration is an event of that; where fans, artists, and the whole neighborhood join for something unique. This is more than simply a celebration; it’s a motion,” Piano Individuals organizers stated in a news release.
For additional information, click here
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Afro+ Fest
Date: Aug. 31
Location: Washington, D.C.
Afro+ Fest is happening over Labor Day weekend for the very first time ever at RFK Celebration Premises in Washington, D.C. Gunna and Asake are headlining the East Coast’s very first massive celebration dedicated to the complete spectrum of worldwide Black music, while Uncle Waffles, TxC, Shatta Wale, Shenseea, Wande Coal, DJ Tunez (including unique visitors) and more are set to carry out.
For additional information, clickhere
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Rocking the Daisies
Date: Oct. 2-5
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Rocking the Daisies is commemorating its 20th anniversary at the Cloof White Wine Estate in Cape Town, South Africa. Summertime Walker is headlining, marking her very first time carrying out in the nation.
For additional information, clickhere
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Afro Country Punta Cana
Date: Nov. 7-9
Location: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Afro Country will debut in the Caribbean this fall with Afro Country Punta Cana at the Pearl Beach Club, bringing seaside vibes to first-rate phases. Sexyy Red is headlining, while TxC and more are set to carry out.
For additional information, click here.
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Hey Neighbour
Date: December
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Hey Neighbour returns for its 2nd edition at Legends Experience Farm in Pretoria, South Africa. Doja Feline, Central Cee, Black Coffee and Leon Thomas are headlining, marking Doja’s very first time carrying out in her motherland. DJ Lag, Elaine, Muzi and more are set to carry out.
The celebration was initially slated for Aug. 30 and 31, however Hey Neighbour organizers revealed on Wednesday (July 2) that it will be delayed till December “in order to guarantee its ongoing success and sustainability,” according to astatement on Instagram
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For additional information, click here
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