Multiple music festivals across the globe are celebrating African music throughout the whole year, and Billboard is rounding up the biggest ones for you to hit up.
For some acts, these festivals present a heartwarming, homecoming opportunity. Chxrry, the first female artist signed to The Weeknd‘s XO record label, performed in her Ethiopian motherland for the first time in January during the World Afrika Festival. Doja Cat was originally scheduled to perform in her South African motherland for the first time in December when she would’ve headlined Hey Neighbour, but festival organizers announced on Tuesday (Sept. 30) that Hey Neighbour would be canceled this year and return in 2026.
“Our promise has always been to throw the ultimate neighbourhood block party, one that lives up to the incredible loyalty of our Hey Neighbour family. Rushing the process with current constraints would compromise the very heart of what makes this event special,” Glen Netshipise, CEO of Hey Neighbour, said in a statement posted to the festival’s Instagram account. “This difficult but necessary decision allows us the time to build a solid foundation for a spectacular celebration in 2026. We’re committed to creating a festival worth the wait.”
A handful of heavy hitters are headlining multiple festivals this year. Davido was in the top slot for both Afro Nation Portugal in July and AfroFuture Detroit in August, the latter of which Kaytranada also headlined after doing the honors at Milk + Cookies Festival South Africa at the top of this year.
As African acts continue performing outside the borders of their native continent, they’ve also been gradually filling up American festival lineups. Tyla, Rema, Amaarae and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 performed at Coachella. And Tems has transformed into a U.S. festival mainstay by taking over Dreamville, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Roots Picnic this spring. In July, she made history as the first African female artist to headline Afro Nation when she took over the Lit stage in Portugal. And Ayra Starr and Asake were two of the headliners for Hot 97’s Summer Jam in June.
Billboard has compiled a comprehensive guide to the most significant music festivals honoring African music and/or happening on the continent this year below, in chronological order. (Editor’s note: Festivals that have already passed will remain on the list as a reflection of the full calendar year’s offerings of events.)
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