Zambia Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Zambia, ZM, Southern Africa)
Zambia's annual festivals are as diverse as they are colourful. They offer a valuable insight into the character of the locals, as well as the cultural values and traditions that have been upheld from one generation to another.
Usually involving much dancing and music, the seasonal events and things to do are also a great source of entertainment, both for locals and visitors to the country.
Aside from these traditional festivals, new events have appeared on the Zambian calendar in recent years, from sports-based challenges, such as car rallies and cycle races, to film fests and ancient ceremonies.
Zambia Calendar of Festivals and Events
January
- New Year's Day - January 1st, Zambia's more traditional celebrations (such as Ma Sukulumbwe) have faded from view in recent years, particularly in Lusaka. Nowadays, New Year's Eve is more about big firework displays, and much eating and drinking
February
- Harvest Festival - a colourful celebration staged by the Ngoni people, who live in the eastern part of Zambia. The event is marked by traditional dancing and music. The best warrior dancers are rewarded for their efforts
- Nc'wala Ceremony - late February, a traditional event that is celebrated by the Ngoni tribe. Traditionally, dancers perform to the rhythm of the drum beat before feasting begins
March
- View Special Images Film Festival (VSIFF) - mid-March, held in the country's busy tourist capital of Livingstone. Nine days of film screenings and workshops culminate in a gala evening. Each year, the festival focuses on a special theme, such as gender, HIV and disability
April
- Kuomboka - mid-April, one of Zambia's best known traditional ceremonies. Thousands of people come from all over the world to witness the proceedings, which include royal Maoma drumming, boatmen and singing
- >Tour d'Afrique - a long-distance cycle race that starts in Cairo in January and finishes in Cape Town some considerable time later. The competitors reach the Zambian section of the route during the month of April
May
- Kufukwila Ceremony - a ritual that is celebrated each year by the Kaonde people in the north-western part of Zambia. This colourful event includes much feasting and dancing
- Kasanka Mountain Bike Challenge - late May, a weekend of various races that are staged in the beautiful surroundings of the Kasanka National Park, in the Serenje district
June
- Put Foot Rally - mid-June to early July, some 40 teams take to the open road on this 18-day adventure as they cover the distance between the start line in South Africa and the finish in Mozambique. The vehicle crews take in Zambia's stretch of the Victoria Falls along the way
July
- Victoria Falls Marathon - mid-July, this race crosses over the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia, offering views of some great scenery to both the runners and the spectators
- Likumbi Lya Mize - held in Mize and involving the Luvale people
August
- Farmers' Day - early August, a national celebration held on the first Monday in August
- National Agricultural Show - held in Lusaka, with games, exhibits, demonstrations, awards and performances, and children's carnival rides
- Shungu Namutitima International Film Festival of Zambia (SHUNAFFoZ) - late August, held in Livingstone and including various movie screenings, conferences and workshops, a family fun day and an awards night
September
- Zambezi International Rowing Regatta - held in Livingstone. Alumni from British universities Oxford and Cambridge battle it out on this famous African river with South African university teams. The regatta is extremely historic, with its origins dating as far back as 1905
October
- Zambia Independence Day - celebrations are held every year on October 24th
- Kwanga Festival - celebrated by the Njuma people to mark the return of rainfall. The festivities are held near Lake Bagweulu and last for around three days, during which time there is much dancing, feasting and general merriment
- Amaka Arts Festival - a multi-disciplinary festival that is held in Lusaka to showcase the country's creative industries, visual and literary arts, and cultural heritage
- The Elephant Charge - an off-road motorsport event that is held each year in the Zambian bush and is aimed at raising funds for conservation efforts and similar good causes
November
- There are no significant festivals in Zambia during the month of November
December
- Christmas - in Zambian villages, various Yuletide-themed festivities include the eating of special dishes, singing and dancing, and the giving and receiving of small presents. Many locals follow the Christian religion and attend church on Christmas Day. In the main cities and towns, it is also popular to throw a Christmas Eve party