Malawi's Events

Malawi has a lot to offer when it comes to events, with musical, cultural and sporting events throughout the year. Below is a brief calendar of some of the main events in the country.

Easter Theatre Festival: 27 – 27 April

Easter Theatre Festival (ETF) aims at uniting established and upcoming Malawian and International artists through theatrical performances, networking and theatre workshops. The 2024 event took place from 22nd – 24th March.

Zomba City Festival: 1 – 2 May

Entering its sixth year in 2026, the concept of the festival is to have visitors moving from one venue to the other with entertainment for all ages found at various lodges and public spaces. There will be arts & culture, sports and kids activities spread over town; from Art in the Park with a visual art exhibition and food fair in the Botanic Gardens to live music at Pakachere Lodge, yoga, theatre, poetry, hiking, and much more.

Art in the Park: 2 – 4 May

Art in the Park is a platform that celebrates Malawi’s diverse visual arts talent.The festival connects visual artists to prospective clients and provides an arena for development of emerging artists.

Pakhonde Ethno-Music Festival: May

Taking place at Chingalire Cultural Village, this festival is a multi-disciplinary celebration of indigenous music, food and experiences from around the world.

Malawi Fashion Week: End of May / Start of June

This small but fun event brings together models, designers, retails, and buyers – giving them the opportunity to network and create new contacts. It’s an opportunity to see some of Malawi’s best offerings when it comes to fashion!

Luwawa International Mountain Bike Race &  Half Marathon : 13 – 14 June 2026

The mountain bike race has been described as “a tough but very beautiful route” and at a distance of 50km; this is by no means an exaggeration. The track, starting at the Luwawa Forest Lodge follows the ridge silhouette of the South Viphya Forest Reserve, allowing competitors and supporters alike to enjoy the stunning scenery. Read more about Cycling & Mountain Biking in Malawi here.

2026 introduces a brand new half marathon for runners the day after the annual mountain bike race. The event hopes to welcome local and international participants to compete for a monetary prize and witness the national beauty of the South Viphya Forest Reserve.

Mulanje Porters Race: July

The annual Mount Mulanje Porters Race regularly attracts the attention of hundreds of participants every year, both male and female and from all over the world. The participants athletically compete by running up and across the lovely plateaus of Mount Mulanje.

The race takes place on the small, rocky, hazardous paths of Mount Mulanje and is 22 kilometers in distance, which would take a real mountain climber twelve hours to cover, but the runners manage the race in less than three hours! By no means is this race for novices, but it is great fun.

Lake Malawi Sailing Marathon: Early August TBC

This epic test of speed, endurance, and shear determination first took place in 1984, born by a group of sailors in the form of a casual sail northward up the Lake. Deck chairs lashed to the hulls, this tranquil route running South to North was just a hobby, but it wasn’t long until competition slipped in. Now, it’s become an annual event. Click here for more info.

World Lion Day: 10th August

Malawi is now well and truly home to the Big Five – and of course this includes lions. Whilst Malawi has always been home to lions, the real success has been with the re-introductions to Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liwonde National Park. The lions are thriving and breeding as Malawi’s population grows. With these great achievements meaning so much to Malawi and African Parks – who manage Majete and Liwonde, World Lion Day is always an important day, and a day to celebrate!

Mdauko Wa aTonga (MWATO): August

This is a cultural festival that celebrates the rich and diverse Tonga cultural heritage.

Annual Choir Festival: August

Since the first Choir Festival in 2010, Nkwichi Lodge and The Manda Wilderness Community Trust (MWCT), a UK-based charity that has organised the Festival since its inception, have supported this event.  MWCT connects some of the least supported communities to engage in sustainable development projects. The Trust also supports community events that provide training and fosters unity in the region, and leads conservation in one of Africa’s last true wildernesses. The Trust is committed to work at the pace of local communities and encouraging active collaboration between them.

Malipenga Dance Season: August

Malipenga Dance Season is a traditional celebration of one of Malawi’s most iconic dance forms. Exhibitions take place all over the districts including Karonga, Rumphi and Nkhata Bay and are some of the most-loved demonstrations of the country’s rich heritage.

KuNgoni Open Day: 9 August

Each year the KuNgoni Centre organises a cultural festival in memory of Father Jean-Baptiste Champmartin to whom the museum at Mua is dedicated. This is a cultural festival that brings drummers, singers and dancers from the surrounding villages displaying knowledge and dancing skills of the Chewa, Yao and Ngoni peoples.

The Umthelo Cultural Festival: August

This is a three-day cultural festival among the Ngoni people, that takes place every August, on Hora Mountain in Mzimba district in the north of Malawi. Hora Mountain is said to have been the first Ngoni settlement in Malawi. The Ngoni tribe are renowned for their dances, particularly one known as Ingoma, a dance that demonstrates the history and pride of the Ngoni people and is danced by both men and women.

Likoma Summer Cultural Festival (Li-Surf): August

Li-surf is a summer cultural event that aims to be different by providing a “modern touch”. It seeks to promote and share Likoma and Chizumulu Islands to the world and bring the world closer to the peoples of the 2 islands through cultural interactions and fun.

Run4Reforestation: 12 September 2026

The Run4Reforestation will return for its 9th year on 12 September 2026, inviting runners, walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers from around the world to take part in a day of sport with purpose on the stunning Zomba Plateau – or virtually from anywhere on Earth. Find out more here.

Sand Music Festival: 26 – 28 September

This is a 3-day music festival based at Senga Bay set up as an alternative to Lake of Stars.

Umhlangano Cultural Festival: September

The Umhlangano cultural festival is held annually in September in Ntcheu district, in the southern part of Malawi. This colourful celebration brings together diverse ethnic groups to showcase their traditional music, dance, food, rituals, ceremonies and customs.

Gonapamuhanya: September

A traditional ceremony held by the Tumbuka to celebrate their heritage and the Chikulamayembe Dynasty. Some of the notable activities include oral tradition recounting the Chikulamayembe lineage and dance performances. The 2024 event took place on 28th September.

Chiwanja cha aYao: September

A cultural festival of the Yao people led by their Paramount Chief. The festival showcases traditional songs, dances and crafts. The 2024 event took place on 14th September.

Blantyre Arts Festival: 3 – 5 October

Aims to promote and celebrate Malawi’s cultural heritage, increase appreciation of the same, and promote the creative and cultural industries. Held in urban Blantyre and on the International level. To initiate skills and professional through trainings and workshops with arts cultural exchange programs. To promote tourism and enhance cultural economic income for the development of creative industry.

Likoma Festival: 11 – 14 October

Likoma Festival is Malawi’s annual Island festival. A contemporary celebration of arts and culture with a strong focus on artists and traditional dances from Malawi and the rest of the continent. The Festival is aimed at promoting tourism on Likoma District which at the same time providing people with an opportunity to learn, earn, enjoy and advance their lives.

Lake of Stars Festival: September/October – 2026 Event Postponed to 2027.

Lake of Stars is an internationally renowned music festival that takes place on the palm fringed shores of Lake Malawi each year. It is a hugely successful event and the biggest on the country’s calendar.  Due to COVID, the festival had not been operational for three years. But returned returned in 2024 and 2025 at Fish Eagle Bay Lodge.

Mulhako wa a Lhomwe: October

A festival celebrating the heritage of the Lhomwe people.Features an array of events from traditional dance performances, recitation of oral traditions and culinary displays. The 2024 event took place on 26th October.

Kumbali Live Concert: October

Get ready to groove to the rhythm of the hottest hits! Kumbali Country Lodge are excited to announce the upcoming Kumbali Live Concert, sponsored by Standard Bank with a staggering 30 million kwacha sponsorship. This exclusive event will be held in the picturesque Kumbali Castle Gardens, creating a magical atmosphere that will transport you to a world of music and celebration.

Tumaini Festival: November

Tumaini is a music and cultural festival that takes place at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in central Malawi, 28km outside Lilongwe. It’s a unique and remarkable event, organised by refugees and Malawians, that has grown and grown since its first edition in 2014. It uses entertainment and artistic expression to promote intercultural harmony, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. As a community celebration, entrance is free and it now also offers an innovative homestay programme offering fascinating insights into camp life.  In 2024 the 10th Anniversary event ran from 31 October to 2 November. Information on the 2026 event will be released soon.

Cape Maclear Carnival: November

The Cape Maclear Carnival launched in 2023 with the full title ‘Cape Maclear Carnival presents a Fitness Fiesta: Ignite the Revival” – this celebration harmoniously blends elements of health, fitness, culture, and entertainment to reinvigorate tourism in this beautiful destination. The Cape Maclear Carnival will now be held every other year. During the gap year, the organisers will host three smaller events. The next Cape Maclear Carnival will return in November 2026.

Malawi Film Festival: 28 – 29 November

Festival aims to curate, elevate and celebrate the best talents and films in the film industry. The 2024 event took place on 29th – 30th November.