Kenya Events and Festivals

New Year’s Day
Celebrations take place across the nation, particularly in Nairobi and Mombasa, with musical performances and fireworks displays.

Arts Festival
This is undoubtedly the biggest multi-discipline arts festival in East Africa. It incorporates acrobatics, visual arts, comedy, dance, cuisine, fashion, film, literature, music and theatre. It takes place over 10 days and has grown every year since it started in 2003.

Rhino Charge
This is an off-road rally which features dozens of four-wheel drive vehicles attempting to traverse difficult terrain between twelve guard posts in the shortest time possible. The money raised goes to help protect Aberdare National Park.

Kenyan Safari Rally
Similar to the Rhino Charge, the Kenyan Safari Rally is a two-day rally through difficult terrain across savannah strewn with wildlife and ending up in Nairobi.

Kenyan Music Festival
The Kenyan Music Festival takes place throughout August and features a variety of musical genres, with everyone from the general public to students participating. African, Western, and Asian sounds can be heard, along with instrumental music and dance. Tourists will find the traditional folk music particularly entertaining.

International Camel Derby and Festival
Taking place just outside the town of Maralal, the International Camel Derby and Festival goes through semi-desert regions and is open to visitors. There is also great entertainment for kids and people come from all over the world to take part, including: Australia, Asia, Canada, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the UK and the US.

Mombasa Triathlon
The Mombasa Triathlon is a two-day event held in mid-September that includes a 1.5km Indian Ocean swim, a 40kms cycle section and a 10kms run through the streets of Mombasa. Competitors are both local and international.

Nairobi International Book Fair
Held towards the end of September for four days, the Nairobi International Book Fair features locally published books and magazines. This fair is gaining wider appeal with publishers coming in from elsewhere in Africa and overseas. Thousands of locals and visitors come to hear book readings, book signings, and launches.

Ramadan
This takes place for an entire month. During which, devout Muslims allow nothing to pass their lips such as food, drink and cigarettes during the hours of daylight.

KSPCA and the Shaggy Dog Show
The KSPCA (Kenya Society for the Protection and Care of Animals) cares for domestic animals in Kenya and is the only such organisation in existence in the country. The day is packed with family entertainment and includes free donkey and cart rides, lucky dips, raffles, face painting, and games.

Eid al-Fitr
This marks the end of Ramadan with three full days of feasting. It is a time for Muslims to visit friends and family.

Mombasa Carnival
Arguably the best festival in Kenya, the Mombasa Carnival features numerous floats representing just about every race and cultural group in Kenya. It is a fine show of Kenyan culture. The carnival also sees dance performances and numerous shopping opportunities and food stalls.

New Year’s Day: 1^st January
Labour Day: 1^st May
Madaraka Day, celebrating self-government: 1^st June
Moi Day: 10^th October
Kenyatta Day: 20^th October
Uhuru & Jamhuri Day, Independence and Republic day: 12^th December
Christmas: 25^th December
Boxing Day: 26^th December
Good Friday: date varies each year
Easter Monday: date varies each year
Ramadan: date varies each year
End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr): date varies each year