Tanzania Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Tanzania, TZ, East Africa)

Tanzania's annual events range from traditional festivals that celebrate local culture and arts to sporting competitions combining physical challenges with breathtaking and exotic scenery. Other festivities include those which commemorate political events in Tanzania.

On Zanzibar, many of the celebrations and things to do are of a religious nature, and Muslim holidays are always cause for much merriment. Particularly popular here is Mwaka Kogwa and the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), both of which are staged in July, and the musical extravaganza in February that is the Sauti za Busara.

Tanzania Calendar of Festivals and Events

January

• New Year's Day - January 1st, a public holiday
• Zanzibar Revolution Anniversary - January 12th, anniversary celebrations remembering this day in 1964, when the Sultan of Zanzibar was overthrown
• Wanyambo Festival - a cultural gathering held in Makumbusho in Dar es Salaam, featuring plenty of traditional music, dance and food

February

• Kiliman Adventure Challenge - only the hardiest sportsmen and women complete the three challenges that make up the Kiliman Adventure Challenge. After a hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, competitors face a 148-km / 92-mile bike ride before taking part in the Kilimanjaro Marathon
• Kilimanjaro Marathon - an opportunity to get close-up views of Africa's best-known and highest peak. Thousands of entrants and spectators turn out for this annual event, which also includes a half marathon and various fun runs. The Kilimanjaro Marathon was first held in 2004 and draws large crowds
• Sauti za Busara - music and dancing around Zanzibar
• Documentary Film Festival - held in Arusha each year in February

March

• Asian Film Festival - hosted by the New World Cinema in Dar es Salaam. Some ten countries take part in this event, which is organised by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Tanzania
• Maulid Day / Mawlid Day - late March, a public holiday
• Good Friday / Easter Monday - late March / early April, religious holidays

April

• Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day - April 7th, commemorating Vice President Sheikh Abeid Karume's assassination in 1972
• Julius Nyerere Intellectual Festival - a week-long programme of lectures and debates examining unity within the continent of Africa. Held at the University of Dar es Salaam
• Union Day / Unification Day - April 26th, the anniversary of this day in 1964, when Tanganyika and Zanzibar officially became part of the United Republic of Tanzania

May

• Workers' Day - May 1st, a public holiday
• Dar es Salaam Goat Races - staged in aid of charity each year at a special track at 'The Green', in Dar es Salaam
• Karibu Travel and Trade Fair - the biggest East African travel event of the year, taking place in Arusha

June

• Mzalendo Halisi Music Festival - held in Kigitonyama, Dar es Salaam. Visitors can expect to enjoy performances of traditional Tanzanian music, as well as a variety of cultural and art exhibitions

July

• Festival of the Dhow Countries - early July, expect all manner of dancing, traditional music and literary events, lasting an entire fortnight. The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is a particular highlight and features an exciting awards ceremony and numerous movie screenings
• Mwaka Kogwa Festival - 'New Year' celebrations marking the end of a growing season and the start of a new one, based in Makunduchi, on the south-eastern tip of Zanzibar's Unguja island
• Saba Saba Day - held on 7th July each year to celebrate the founding of the Tanganyika African National Union in 1954

August

• Fiesta Jipanguse - at Dar es Salaam's Leader's Club. The fiesta attracts some big names from the world of music, as well as popular local talent
• Farmers' Day (Nane Nane) - August 8th, a major trade fair for farmers, staged at the Zuguni grounds in Dodoma and other venues

September

• Arusha International Cultural Diversity Festival - theatre and music events are held in a variety of venues in Arusha
• Bagamoyo Arts Festival - with modern and traditional music and dance, held in Bagamoyo for a week each September. Workshops, acrobatic displays and exhibitions are also staged as part of this gathering

October

• Autofest Tanzania - a magnet for car enthusiasts, held in Dar es Salaam's TTCL Grounds. The programme of events generally includes displays of vintage vehicles, stunt shows, rides and entertainment
• Visa 2 Dance Extra - workshops and performances are staged as part of this contemporary dance spectacle
• Nyerere Day - October 14th, a public holiday honouring the country's first president

November

• Swahili Fashion Week - Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam is the venue for the country's top fashion event. Local and top designers showcase their talents and creations

December

• Serengeti Wildebeest Migration - December is the time of year when visitors may glimpse the amazing spectacle of over a million wildebeest setting off on their annual migration across the Serengeti
• Independence Day - held on December 9th each year, a public holiday celebrating the country's independence fro Great Britain in 1961