Zimbabwe Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Zimbabwe, ZW, Southern Africa)

As Zimbabwe grows in stature and popularity, the country manages to boast a growing calendar of events throughout the year. These include sports competitions, fairs and expos, and arts and music festivals.

There are things to do most months of the year around the country, particularly if you are staying in Harare, the capital city. Here you can enjoy the International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) each April, the Annual Zimbabwe Suzuki Group Concert in June and the International Book Fair each July, along with the Agricultural Society Show every year in August.

Later on in the year, the Zimbabwe Festival of African Inspired Animation also takes place in Harare, being staged at the beginning of December and followed soon after by the Zimfest.

Zimbabwe Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Eve - the biggest and best celebrations are held in Harare. Included among them are a number of live music performances.

February

• Zimbabwe World Travel and Tourism Fair - held in mid-February. Exhibitors include international airlines, leading hotel chains and national tourism boards.

March

• Annual Barbel Competition - held at the end of March and organised by Marimba Angling Society at Lake Chivero.

April

• Independence Day - April 18th, festivities take place all over Zimbabwe on this day in April each year.
• Harare International Arts Festival (HIFA) - late-April / early May, a six-day annual festival that aims to showcase all that is great about Zimbabwean and international culture. A busy programme of events includes theatre, dance and circus performances at a variety of venues in Harare.

May

• Africa Day - an increasingly popular event that is held in late May each year to commemorate independence struggles.

June

• Mountain Bike Challenge - competitors set out from Victoria Falls town to cycle a scenic three-day course along the Zambezi River Gorge.
• Annual Zimbabwe Suzuki Group Concert - held at the Harare International School and featuring violin and cello performances by students.
• Chibuku Neshamwari Traditional Dance Festival - a long-established event that is hotly contested by dancers from Zimbabwe's provinces.

July

• Victoria Falls Marathon - full and half marathon distances contested through Victoria Falls town and across the border into Zambia.
• International Book Fair - this annual Harare-based literature fair showcases African books, journals and magazines. The programme includes debates, workshops and fun children's activities.

August

• Zimbabwe Agricultural Society Show - a popular farming-themed event that is held in Harare each August.

September

• Shoko Festival - held over six days. This celebration has grown to include a comprehensive programme of urban culture-related events, from hip hop and house to comedy and spoken word.
• Midlands Arts and Cultural Festival (MACfest) - held in Gweru. A busy programme of music, dance, theatre and cultural events is staged.
• Intwasa Arts Festival - held over six days. Each year, a different theme is chosen.

October

• Zimbabwe International Jazz and World Music Festival - mid-October, includes film screenings, concerts by acclaimed artists and discussions.

November

• Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival - late November, a long-established event that aims to give young Zimbabweans a chance to show off their traditional dance skills.

December

• Zimbabwe Festival of African Inspired Animation - early December, held in Harare. The event includes screenings and workshops, with young animators being particularly well-catered for.
• Zimfest Harare - mid-December, a one-day event that showcases top Zimbabwean talent from the world of music. Non-stop performances are held throughout the day.
• Youth Festival Week - the week's activities focus on music and dance, as well as fashion shows and youth-related exhibitions.