Namibia Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Namibia, NA, Southern Africa)

Namibia's towns and cities host a variety of art and music festivals, trade fairs and shows, and other events throughout the year. Many of the top events and things to do are of course clustered around the capital city, where you can choose between the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival each February, the Karneval in April, the Science and Technology Fair every July, and the Windhoek Show in October.

Also held in Windhoek is the Oruuano of Namibia Arts Festival, which actually takes place twice a year, first in September and then a second time in November. Public holidays are also important events in this country, with highlights including Independence Day in March, Africa Day and Ascension Day every May, Heroes' Day in August, and International Human Rights Day each December.

Namibia Calendar of Festivals and Events

January

• New Year's Day - a public holiday throughout Africa, which is usually celebrated here with parties and festive meals

February

• Bank Windhoek Arts Festival - February marks the start of monthly pre-festival events in a build up to the main gathering, which is held in September. Attractions range from theatre and dance to music and visual art

March

• Enjando Street Festival - also known as 'Mbapira' and based around the centre, boasting all manner of live entertainment. Visitors to the Enjando Street Fest can expect dancing, live music, ethic costumes and more
• Independence Day - celebrated on March 21st each year, Namibians are given a national holiday
• Wild Cinema - an increasingly popular annual international film festival held each year in the spring
• Good Friday / Easter Sunday / Easter Monday - late March / early April, religious services and gatherings take place at all of the main churches and cathedrals in the country

April

• Windhoek Karneval (WIKA) - late April, traditional festivities kick off on a Friday with Prinzenball and include music performances, a masked ball, a children's carnival and a parade down Independence Avenue. The Windhoek Karneval is typically German in character and also includes lots of balls and parties

May

• Workers' Day - May 1st, a Namibian public holiday
• Cassinga Day - May 4th, a national public holiday staged to remember the Battle of Cassinga, held on this day in 1978
• Africa Day - held annually on May 25th to celebrate unity in Africa. Each year, a different theme is chosen. In Namibia, the day is recognised as a public holiday and always features an official presidential address
• Adventure Race Namibia 24-Hour Ultra Marathon - a 126-km / 78-mile (three marathons) ultra race in the northern Namib Desert, starting at the foot of the Brandberg Mountain. A 42-km / 26-mile alternative is available
• Ascension Day - mid- to late May / early June, a national holiday held 39 days after Easter Sunday

June

• Namibia Tourism Expo - held at the Windhoek Show Grounds in Bell Street. This Expo is a showcase for everything that is tourism-related, from beer and wine to arts and crafts. The event is open to trade and the general public

July

• Old Mutual Victory Race - held in Swakopmund, this course covers the half marathon distance
• Science and Technology Fair - hosted by the Windhoek Show Society

August

• College of the Arts Music (COTA) Festival - held in the National Theatre of Namibia at Windhoek. Talented students are showcased as soloists as they perform with the Windhoek Philharmonic Orchestra
• Kuste Karneval - held in Swakopmund. Revellers parade through the streets, whilst there are also plenty of parties to enjoy, as well as activities for younger locals and visitors
• Heroes' Day (Maharero Day) - August 26th, Heroes' Day is a lively event. Held in Okahandaja, military processions take place, along with poetry and other readings, in memory of the country's fallen war heroes
• Ongwediva Trade Fair - attracting exhibitors from all over the world

September

• Oruuano of Namibia Arts Festival - a twice-yearly event held in Soweto Market in Windhoek (also takes place in November)
• Summer Sound Festival - held in the Independence Arena at Katutura. The Summer Sound Fest features mostly music performances, although some dance performances are included in the programme

October

• Oktoberfest - an event that is definitely not just for the locals. Whilst it doesn't exactly match up to the Munich version, Namibia's Oktoberfest is still an international event, attended by people from all over the world
• Soul Desert Festival - a themed spiritual healing gathering, with speakers, refreshments and entertainment for kids
• White Flag Herero Procession - early / mid-October, held at Omaruru's suburb of Ozonde and always attracting a good turnout. The parade takes place each year during the weekend closest to October 10th
• Windhoek Show - an industrial and agricultural show held at the showgrounds near Centaurus Street and Jan Jonker Street, attracting visitors in their thousands. Officially named the Windhoek Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Show, most simply know this event as the Windhoek Show
• AE Gams Arts Festival - held at a number of different exhibition spaces and galleries around Windhoek, offering the chance to experience the very best in Namibian art work

November

• Oruuano of Namibia Arts Festival - this local dance and music event is organised by the Namibian Artists' Union and held in Katutura, Windhoek (also takes place in September)

December

• FNB Desert Dash 24-Hour MTB Team Challenge - a cycle race starting in Windhoek, climbing up to the Khomas Hochland and finishing in the coastal town of Swakopmund
• Swakopmunder Musikwoche - kicking off with a Lecturer Concert, followed by an outdoor Promenade Concert and Church Concert
• International Human Rights Day - December 10th, a public holiday, with much of the focus in Windhoek
• Christmas - as is the case in many countries around the world, this is a time for family celebrations. For German Namibian families, these commence on December 24th. Otherwise, December 25th is the main day of celebration in Namibia
• Family Day (Day of Goodwill) - held on December 26th, this is a day to remember ancestors and for children and adults to spend time together