Zanzibar is more than just white beaches and turquoise waters. The island is full of music, traditions, food, and celebrations that share its rich and diverse culture. From African rhythms to centuries-old Persian customs, every event you attend here will bring you closer to the island’s heart. The Zanzibar festival season runs throughout the year, so there is always something to see.
If you want to make the most of these experiences, renting a car in Zanzibar is the best choice. Public transport can be limited, and many festivals are held in villages or coastal areas outside Stone Town. With your car, you can explore the island at your own pace, travel between events, and discover nearby beaches, spice farms, and cultural sites. Below is your guide to the Zanzibar cultural festivals you should not miss. You’ll learn where they are held, what makes them special, and how to reach them.
Visiting during the Zanzibar festival season gives you more than just sightseeing. You experience the island’s most lively and colorful culture, where music, food, and traditions fill the streets.
You can witness celebrations preserved for centuries. Events like Mwaka Kogwa in Makunduchi still follow rituals with deep symbolic meaning, from mock fights with banana stems to the reading of smoke by a village healer. The Zanzibar International Film Festival and Sauti za Busara showcase modern and traditional performances. By attending, you’re a part of a living tradition that blends African, Arab, Indian, and European influences.
With car rentals in Zanzibar, you can plan routes that take you to festival venues and natural attractions. For example, you could attend the morning dhow races in Nungwi, then drive along the coastal road to explore Kendwa Beach in the afternoon. Festival days often start in the late morning or evening. You’ll have time for side trips to spice plantations, nature reserves, or remote fishing villages.
Festivals in Zanzibar provide income for local artisans, food vendors, musicians, and guides. By attending events in smaller villages, such as the Kizimkazi Cultural Music Festival or the Jambiani Beach and Watersports Festival, you contribute directly to the community’s economy.
The Sauti za Busara festival, meaning “Sounds of Wisdom,” is one of East Africa’s most important music celebrations. Every February, Stone Town’s Old Fort transforms into a stage for four days of live performances. You will hear everything from Swahili taarab to Afrobeat, reggae, hip hop, and traditional drumming. Local musicians share the spotlight with artists across Africa.
The opening parade is a colorful street procession with dancers, drummers, and performers winding through Stone Town. Cultural workshops and smaller performances are also held in historic buildings and open-air venues. If you rent a car, you can drive to Stone Town in time for the afternoon shows and return to your hotel or villa after the evening concerts. While the main venue is in the city's heart, self-driving makes it easy to explore nearby beaches or spice plantations during the day before enjoying the night performances.
Also called the Festival of the Dhow Countries, the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) is the largest arts and film event in East Africa. Held in July, it runs for up to two weeks and takes place across Stone Town and Pemba Island. It celebrates the cultures connected by the Indian Ocean, including East Africa, the Middle East, India, Iran, and the Gulf States.
The program includes fiction and documentary films in competition and non-competition sections, with awards such as the Golden Dhow and Silver Dhow. Outside the cinema halls, the atmosphere feels like a cultural fair, with live music at Forodhani Gardens, theatre, art exhibitions, and photography displays. Many events are free to attend, especially the open-air concerts.
Driving in from other parts of the island lets you plan your festival route. You can watch a film screening in the afternoon, enjoy sunset views at the coast, and then return for evening performances. With car rentals in Zanzibar, you also have the option to attend village screenings, which are part of ZIFF’s outreach program across Unguja and Pemba.
The Mwaka Kogwa festival in July is unlike anything else you will see in Zanzibar. Celebrated in Makunduchi village in the south, this four-day event marks the Persian New Year according to the Shirazi calendar. It is rooted in Zoroastrian traditions but has been embraced by the local Swahili culture.
The highlight is the symbolic mock fights between men, using banana stems instead of weapons. These playful battles are meant to release anger from the past year. Women dress in their finest clothes and sing songs about family, love, and daily life as they walk through the village. Another central ritual is the burning of a hut by the village healer, who then interprets the direction of the smoke to predict the coming year’s prosperity.
Since Makunduchi is about an hour’s drive from Stone Town, having a car makes it easier to attend. Public buses rarely match the festival’s schedule, and with your transport, you can arrive early to get a good viewing spot. After the celebrations, you can explore nearby beaches like Kizimkazi or Jambiani before returning.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important Islamic festivals in Zanzibar, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The exact dates change every year based on the Islamic calendar, so it’s best to check in advance if you plan your trip around it. This is a time of prayer, family gatherings, and feasting. The streets of Stone Town and other towns come alive with people in new clothes, music, and shared meals. Traditional dishes like pilau and Zanzibar biryani are prepared in homes and restaurants.
At night, you will find taarab concerts, discos, and community events lasting several days. Having your car during Eid allows you to visit different areas to experience the celebrations. You could start in Stone Town, then drive to coastal villages to see how the festival is celebrated outside the city.
The Zanzibar Cultural Festival in July is held across the archipelago, right after ZIFF ends. It brings together performers from Tanzania and other African countries. However, Swahili culture is the main focus. You’ll see traditional dances, taraab music, arts and crafts displays, and canoe races.
One unique part of the festival is held on Pemba Island, where a traditional bull fight takes place. Unlike the Spanish version, this is a playful and non-lethal event where trained bulls chase unarmed men in a festive setting. In Stone Town, you can enjoy street parades and open-air performances. If you have a rental car, you can easily move between the festival’s locations. The events are spread out, so driving is the most practical way to experience them. This freedom makes it possible to enjoy the mainland island of Unguja and Pemba during the festival period.
For something more active, the Zanzibar Beach and Watersports Festival in September or December combines sports competitions, music, and beach life. It is usually held in Jambiani and sometimes other coastal areas. Expect to see kite surfing, beach volleyball, and paddleboarding competitions, along with yoga sessions and live bands.
Local food stalls serve fresh seafood and Swahili snacks, adding to the relaxed beach atmosphere. This is a family-friendly event and a great place to meet locals and other travelers. With a rental car, you can carry sports gear, move between beach venues, and even explore nearby fishing villages. Driving along the coastal roads during this time gives you great ocean views and plenty of chances to stop for photos.
The Jahazi Jazz Festival in September is a smaller but very exciting event that blends music and literature. Set in various venues across Stone Town, it brings together international jazz artists and African writers for a weekend of performances, readings, and discussions. The intimate atmosphere is perfect for those who prefer smaller crowds. You can enjoy smooth jazz under the night sky or attend afternoon talks with authors in historic buildings. If you’re staying outside Stone Town, a rental car will save you from relying on taxis for every trip. You can attend the festival in the evening and spend your days exploring local markets, spice farms, or quiet beaches before returning for the night shows.
The Dhow Racing Festival celebrates Zanzibar’s maritime history on various dates. These traditional wooden boats with triangular sails have been part of the island’s trade and fishing life for centuries. Races are usually held in coastal villages like Nungwi or Paje, drawing big local crowds. Seeing dhows cutting through the turquoise water under full sail is unforgettable. After the races, the celebrations continue on the shore with food, music, and dancing. Because the race dates can vary, having your own car makes reaching whichever village is hosting the event easier. You can also explore nearby beaches or markets before or after the race.
The Kizimkazi Cultural Music Festival in December takes place in the fishing village of Kizimkazi on the island’s south coast. It’s a mix of music, cultural workshops, and art activities. Local and visiting musicians perform, and you can also participate in batik painting or musical instrument lessons. The festival’s name means “a village within a village,” creating a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere. With a rental car, you can enjoy the festival and still have time to visit the nearby dolphin-watching spots or the southern beaches.
Attending the Zanzibar festival season is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the island. With the right preparation, you can enjoy every celebration, explore beyond the venues, and make the most of your time on the island.
Public transport is often crowded and unpredictable during major events like Sauti za Busara and ZIFF. Renting a car in Zanzibar gives you full control over your schedule and makes it possible to visit well-known and remote festival locations. Book your car rental before arriving, especially during July, August, and December, when demand is high. If you’re attending events in villages like Makunduchi or Kizimkazi, having a car means you can leave whenever you choose instead of waiting for limited buses or taxis. Always check your fuel before long drives, as rural areas may have fewer petrol stations.
Wearing modest clothing is important for religious events such as Eid al-Fitr. Women should cover their shoulders and knees, while men should avoid sleeveless shirts in public spaces. Even for music or beach festivals, it’s best to wear a light scarf or cover-up in case you visit sacred sites or pass through conservative villages.
Staying close to where events take place can save you hours of travel each day. During the Zanzibar cultural festivals, hotels and guesthouses near Stone Town, Jambiani, or Paje often get fully booked months in advance. Make reservations as early as possible, especially if you want specific amenities like air conditioning or sea views. Choose to stay further away for a quieter experience. A rental car makes it easy to reach the venues and explore nearby attractions between festival days.
Zanzibar’s festivals are as varied as its history, blending African, Arab, Indian, and European influences into events full of color, music, and tradition. Each celebration offers something unique, from the lively streets of Stone Town during Sauti za Busara to the quiet beaches hosting dhow races. The Zanzibar festival season runs all year, so you can find an event worth attending whenever you visit. If you want to enjoy these festivals without limits, rent a car in Zanzibar with Final Rentals.
