Spending the New Year in Zanzibar starts with warm island air and a lively holiday mood. This tropical island comes alive with beach parties, cultural traditions, and warm weather at year’s end. To make the most of it, many travellers rent a car in Zanzibar to freely explore scenic coasts and join celebrations all around the island. Our guide helps you plan your trip for the New Year.
Zanzibar is a perfect New Year destination because the holiday period here has lively modern parties with rich Swahili culture. Here’s a look at the atmosphere, from the buzzing beach parties to the island’s pleasant weather.
For those who love nightlife, Zanzibar’s beach parties are the highlight of New Year’s Eve. On the northern beaches, such as Nungwi and Kendwa, huge crowds gather to dance and celebrate. Resorts and beach bars bring in DJs and live bands, turning the sand into an open-air club with music thumping late into the night. As midnight nears, everyone looks towards the sky for the big moment. Brilliant fireworks burst over the ocean at midnight, lighting up the palm-fringed shore. These beach parties offer some of the most unforgettable New Year activities in Zanzibar.
New Year celebrations in Zanzibar aren’t only about parties. Many Zanzibari families begin the evening with a special dinner at home or a community gathering. If you visit a local restaurant around this time, you might find traditional Swahili dishes being served. Aromatic pilau rice and rich biryani (spiced rice with meat or fish) are popular festive dishes that symbolise prosperity. Along the coast, seafood grills are also common, with freshly caught fish and prawns barbecued. Locals prepare treats like coconut candies, spiced cakes, or a nutty brittle called kashata.
Late December falls in Zanzibar’s warm season, so expect daytime highs around 30°C and evenings around 25°C. This means you can walk around in light clothing at night without feeling cold. Skies are generally clear and starry. Overall, the climate is perfect for outdoor gatherings, whether you’re watching fireworks on the beach or enjoying a quiet bonfire by your hotel. You can celebrate under the open sky and truly savour the tropical magic of a Zanzibar New Year’s Eve.
Zanzibar is full of diverse places to discover during the New Year period. Exploring with your own vehicle means you can reach festive hotspots and tranquil hideaways at your own pace. Here are some road trip ideas where you can catch the island’s top New Year highlights.
Zanzibar’s north coast is the place to be if you want a high-energy New Year celebration. Nungwi and Kendwa, two villages at the northern tip, are famous for their festive beach scenes. When you arrive, you’ll find the coastline transformed into one big party. Hotels and bars here host New Year's events with international DJ sets, dance floors on the sand, and sometimes even acrobatic performances. At midnight, fireworks light up the sky, and the music keeps going long after. With a car, you can enjoy the excitement while avoiding crowded shuttles or pricey taxis.
If you prefer a more relaxed New Year’s vibe, Zanzibar’s east coast offers a quieter atmosphere. In Paje or Jambiani, you’ll discover long stretches of white sand and a peaceful atmosphere. These villages are popular for their kite-surfing and laid-back guesthouses, and New Year’s Eve here reflects that chill spirit.
Instead of huge crowds, you might find a few small gatherings. Perhaps a beach barbecue at a local hotel, or a mellow music night where people sit on the sand under lantern light. There could be some fireworks at midnight, but on a much smaller scale than the north. In Paje or Jambiani, you can enjoy a dinner on the beach. Going to the East Coast lets you join these low-key celebrations and also explore the scenic route along the way.
For a truly low-key experience, consider a road trip to Zanzibar’s southern end. The South Coast, especially around Kizimkazi, is far from the busy resorts. It’s perfect if you want to escape the crowds. On New Year’s Eve, there might be no large events here at all. You could spend the night in a small beach lodge, enjoying the stillness and waking up to a calm New Year’s Day morning. Driving down south also takes you to fishing villages and hidden coves along the route.
Every corner of Zanzibar has its own stle of celebrating the New Year. Depending on what kind of experience you want, you can find a spot on the island that suits you perfectly. The northern beaches, eastern shores, and even the south offer something special at this time of year.
Kendwa is often the place to be for New Year’s Eve in Zanzibar. This beach is known for hosting the island’s biggest party to ring in the New Year. At Kendwa Beach, you’ll find a huge crowd of both tourists and locals coming together for one big celebration. There's usually a headline event or festival at a local resort, featuring live music, DJ sets playing popular hits, and plenty of dancing right on the sand. As midnight approaches, everyone counts down together. When the clock hits twelve, the sky erupts in a spectacular fireworks display above the ocean. You can dance barefoot under the stars, join in bonfires that dot the beach, and celebrate with new friends.
Just a 10-minute drive from Kendwa, Nungwi Beach is another fantastic spot to celebrate. Nungwi has a lively scene but with a slightly more casual feel. Rather than one enormous party, Nungwi offers lots of smaller venues and beach bars. On New Year’s Eve, many bars and restaurants along Nungwi Beach host their own mini-parties or special dinners.
You can stroll along the shore and hop between places. Start with a sunset cocktail at a seaside bar, then enjoy a reggae band at another, and finally gather at a popular spot for the midnight countdown. When the New Year arrives, Nungwi still has fireworks and plenty of cheer, but it feels a bit more personal and laid-back compared to Kendwa’s mega-party. If you enjoy a bar-hopping night where you can meet new people, Nungwi is an excellent choice.
If huge parties aren’t your thing, the East Coast’s Paje and Jambiani might be more your speed. These areas are known for their chilled-out, artsy vibe. On New Year’s Eve, you won’t find massive events here. Many travellers and expats in Paje and Jambiani celebrate here. For example, a guesthouse might organize a family-stle dinner for its guests, or a beach café might have a bonfire accompanied by music. You could take a moonlit walk on the sand and come across a small group of people playing guitars or releasing paper lanterns into the sky for good luck.
Driving during the Zanzibar holiday is a great way to see the island, but it comes with its own set of considerations. To stay safe and make the experience enjoyable, keep these practical tips in mind while you’re on the road:
The New Year in Zanzibar offers lots of unforgettable experiences. You can dance the night away to booming music or sit quietly by the sea and watch the stars. With a bit of planning and your own set of wheels, you can experience the island on your terms. Drive to a bustling beach party for an unforgettable countdown, and the next day, find a quiet beach to relax and recharge.
When you rent a car in Zanzibar with Final Rentals, your holiday becomes easier from the start. You can pick up your vehicle at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport and begin exploring right away. Final Rentals offers a range of vehicles, including small cars, medium cars, SUVs, and vans. Each booking includes free cancellation, unlimited mileage, and a low deposit, so you can travel confidently during the busy season. For extra convenience, you can also download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
