Top Cultural Festivals in Rwanda Every Traveler
Top Cultural Festivals in Rwanda Every Traveler Should Experience in 2025
Few countries in Africa have mastered the art of celebrating culture, resilience, and unity quite like Rwanda. Known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is a nation where tradition and modernity blend harmoniously — where music, dance, fashion, and art converge to tell the story of a people who have transformed their history into a symphony of strength and pride.
Each year, Rwanda’s calendar bursts to life with festivals that celebrate everything from its ancient traditions and creative industries to its wildlife, innovation, and post-genocide rebirth. For travelers seeking to go beyond the usual safari or gorilla trekking experience, these cultural events offer an immersive glimpse into the heart and soul of Rwandan life.
As 2025 approaches, Rwanda’s festival scene promises to be more vibrant than ever, showcasing the country’s growing role as a cultural and artistic hub in East Africa. From drumming spectacles in Kigali to lakeside dance celebrations and fashion galas that rival international runways, here are the top cultural festivals in Rwanda every traveler should experience in 2025.
1. Kwita Izina — The Gorilla Naming Ceremony
When: September 2025
Where: Volcanoes National Park, Musanze
No event captures Rwanda’s spirit of conservation and culture better than Kwita Izina, the world-famous Gorilla Naming Ceremony. Inspired by an ancient Rwandan tradition of naming children to welcome them into the community, this festival celebrates the birth of new mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Each year, conservationists, park rangers, community leaders, and international guests gather at the foothills of the Virunga Mountains to give names to the newborn gorillas. The event blends cultural performances, traditional dance, and music with powerful speeches about Rwanda’s dedication to environmental protection.
What makes Kwita Izina truly special is its symbolism — it honors both nature and heritage. The ceremony is not only a celebration of life but also a tribute to Rwanda’s remarkable success in wildlife conservation. In 2025, expect the event to be bigger than ever, drawing global attention and offering visitors the rare chance to join a festival that feels deeply spiritual and distinctly African.
Beyond the ceremony itself, Musanze comes alive with parades, art exhibitions, and eco-tourism events throughout the week. It’s the perfect time to explore Volcanoes National Park, trek to see the gorillas themselves, and immerse yourself in the culture of Rwanda’s northern highlands.
2. Kigali Up Music Festival
When: July 2025
Where: Kigali City
If you want to feel Rwanda’s modern rhythm, the Kigali Up Music Festival is where tradition meets innovation. This high-energy celebration of music brings together local and international artists across genres — from Afrobeat and reggae to jazz, hip-hop, and traditional Rwandan sounds.
Founded by the late legendary musician Mighty Popo, Kigali Up has become a symbol of Rwanda’s creative rebirth. It’s not just a concert — it’s a platform for cultural exchange, youth empowerment, and artistic collaboration. The festival takes place in open-air venues across Kigali, often accompanied by food markets, art exhibitions, and workshops.
In 2025, expect the festival to feature Rwanda’s rising stars alongside African and global performers, celebrating unity through sound. Imagine dancing under the stars with locals and travelers alike, surrounded by the hills of Kigali, as drums and guitars blend into a melody of pure joy.
3. Rwanda Film Festival — “Hillywood”
When: October 2025
Where: Kigali and Across the Country
Rwanda’s rolling hills have earned its film industry the nickname “Hillywood,” and the Rwanda Film Festival is its grand celebration. Founded in 2005, the festival showcases African cinema’s finest talents, with screenings of short films, documentaries, and feature productions that reflect the continent’s stories, struggles, and triumphs.
What makes this festival unique is that it doesn’t limit itself to cinema halls. Films are screened outdoors — on the very hills that define Rwanda’s landscape — turning villages, schools, and public spaces into open-air theaters. This community approach brings art directly to the people, ensuring film becomes a shared experience.
For travelers in 2025, the Rwanda Film Festival offers a rare opportunity to meet filmmakers, attend panel discussions, and witness how storytelling continues to heal, inspire, and connect Rwandans. It’s an intimate and moving cultural event that captures the creative pulse of a nation redefining itself through art.
4. FESPAD — The Pan African Dance Festival
When: August 2025
Where: Kigali and Major Cities
Few events in Africa celebrate dance as vibrantly as FESPAD (Festival Panafricain de la Danse). Founded by the African Union and the Rwandan government, FESPAD brings together dance troupes from across the continent for a grand showcase of movement, rhythm, and cultural unity.
This festival is an explosion of color and energy — from traditional Rwandan Intore warriors performing their elegant yet powerful dances, to modern troupes blending African beats with contemporary choreography. It’s a celebration of Africa’s diverse cultural heritage, and Rwanda plays the perfect host with its world-class organization and enthusiastic audiences.
During FESPAD, Kigali transforms into one giant stage, with performances in stadiums, public squares, and cultural centers. For visitors, it’s a chance to experience Africa’s spirit through the language of dance — raw, expressive, and utterly captivating.
If you plan your trip around August 2025, make sure FESPAD is on your itinerary — it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that leaves you feeling uplifted and connected to the continent’s soul.
5. Rwanda Cultural Heritage Week
When: May 2025
Where: Nationwide
Rwanda’s deep cultural roots are proudly celebrated every year during Cultural Heritage Week, an event organized by the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy. This nationwide festival honors traditional crafts, music, food, dress, and storytelling — the timeless elements that define the Rwandan identity.
During the week, museums and cultural centers host exhibitions on precolonial history, traditional medicine, and indigenous knowledge. Villages organize communal feasts and performances, while artisans showcase their skills in pottery, weaving, and basketry. It’s an immersive way for travelers to experience Rwanda’s authentic culture, not just as spectators, but as participants.
One of the highlights is the Intore Dance, a centuries-old art form performed by men adorned in lion-maned headdresses, wielding spears and shields as they leap gracefully in unison. The women’s umushanana dresses, elegant and flowing, add a layer of visual poetry to the performances.
For anyone interested in understanding Rwanda beyond its modern success story, Cultural Heritage Week offers an invaluable glimpse into its past and present — a time when the entire country reconnects with its soul.
6. Rwanda Fashion Week
When: December 2025
Where: Kigali Convention Centre and Fashion Districts
Rwanda’s creative industries are booming, and Rwanda Fashion Week is proof that African elegance is making waves on the global stage. This annual event brings together top Rwandan designers, regional talent, and international fashion icons for a week of runway shows, workshops, and exhibitions.
The event showcases how Rwanda is redefining sustainability and style — with many designers focusing on eco-friendly fabrics, traditional weaving techniques, and modern African aesthetics. The fusion of contemporary design and cultural expression makes every show a statement of pride and innovation.
In 2025, Rwanda Fashion Week will mark its milestone anniversary, promising an even grander lineup of events. Expect dazzling collections, live music, and networking opportunities for creatives, entrepreneurs, and travelers with a passion for art and design.
Attending this event offers more than glamour — it’s a window into Rwanda’s forward-thinking spirit, where culture evolves while staying rooted in tradition.
7. Ubumuntu Arts Festival
When: July 2025
Where: Kigali Genocide Memorial Amphitheater
Few festivals anywhere in the world carry the emotional depth and purpose of the Ubumuntu Arts Festival. Founded in 2015, its name, Ubumuntu, means “humanity” in Kinyarwanda, and the festival celebrates the values of compassion, empathy, and reconciliation through art.
Artists from around the world come to perform theater, music, dance, and poetry, all centered around themes of healing and unity. The performances take place at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Amphitheater, overlooking one of Rwanda’s most sacred grounds — a setting that reminds visitors of the country’s journey from pain to peace.
For travelers, the festival is a profoundly moving experience. It’s a space where art becomes a bridge — connecting people across borders and inspiring dialogue about what it means to be human. In 2025, Ubumuntu is expected to attract record audiences, with collaborations between African and international artists focusing on global peace and cultural understanding.
8. Rwanda International Trade Fair (Expo Rwanda)
When: August 2025
Where: Kigali Exhibition and Conference Village
Though not purely a cultural festival, Expo Rwanda is one of the country’s biggest annual gatherings, showcasing innovation, entrepreneurship, and national pride. It’s a celebration of Rwanda’s progress and ambition — blending business exhibitions with entertainment, traditional performances, and food stalls.
Travelers attending the expo can enjoy live music, cultural shows, and sample Rwanda’s finest exports — from coffee and tea to crafts and fashion. It’s a dynamic event that reflects the energy of a nation looking confidently toward the future while embracing its heritage.
Why You Should Attend Rwanda’s Festivals in 2025
Rwanda’s cultural calendar isn’t just about entertainment — it’s a reflection of a nation’s heart. Each festival tells a story of rebirth, pride, and creativity. For travelers, these celebrations offer the chance to connect with local communities, witness authentic traditions, and experience the rhythm of modern Rwanda.
Whether you’re dancing at FESPAD, naming gorillas in Musanze, or watching a play at the Ubumuntu Arts Festival, you’ll find yourself surrounded by warmth, joy, and a sense of shared humanity that is uniquely Rwandan.
Travel With Moreen Tours & Travel
To fully immerse yourself in Rwanda’s 2025 festival season, travel with Moreen Tours & Travel, your trusted companion for cultural, adventure, and wildlife experiences across East Africa. With their expertise in planning tailor-made itineraries, you can attend your favorite festivals while exploring Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes — from Kigali’s cultural hubs to Volcanoes National Park and Lake Kivu’s serene shores.
Moreen Tours & Travel ensures seamless logistics, knowledgeable local guides, and authentic cultural experiences that let you see Rwanda not as a tourist, but as part of its living story. Whether you’re here for dance, fashion, film, or tradition, let Moreen Tours craft a journey that celebrates the very best of Rwanda in 2025.
