TAWANDA CHARI & TAKUDZWA HILLARY CHIWANZA
For starters, the headline sounds peremptory in nature. And this is deliberate, of course. But the wise reader knows that this piece is simply indicative of good recommendations, and it will not adequately capture the full breadth of the event scene in Zimbabwe. But the article tries. It valiantly tries.
That said, Zimbabwe’s live events culture has been significantly recalibrated over the last five years. Festivals have become sharper, more intentional, and more confident in their identity. From DJ-led experiences to genre-defining showcases as well as community rooted concepts, these events build indelible moments. There is always something to look forward to and that's incredibly great for the creative economy in the country.
As we step into 2026, these are the events you should already be planning around.
1. Thrift & Threads
This groundbreaking fashion event (which the organisers are fond of calling "the event of the people") is still in its nascent phases, but what it stands for and portends is worthy of attention. Thrift & Threads is a cool platform giving the spotlight to some of the most brilliant fashion designers birthing splendid fashion into the world.
Held once every two months, Thrift & Threads – with the premier fashion publication Mcheno and More being its custodians – is boldly stepping into uncharted territory, giving fashion in Zimbabwe a voice. It is also a platform to showcase thrift retailers, emerging artists and DJs, and most importantly, it serves as the perfect convergence point for creatives, fashion enthusiasts, and other like-minded stakeholders.
The next edition of Thrift & Threads is happening this coming weekend, 21 February, 2026 at The Hub in Bulawayo. This is in tandem with the vision to spread it outside Harare (the first two editions in October and December were held in Harare), and the excitement is palpable.
Once every two months, carefully take note of that.
2. Unplugged
Unplugged returned in December 2025 like it never left, and by the time the March 28, 2026 edition rolls around, the message will be clear again: this is still one of the country’s best festivals. Rain threatened last December but vibes prevailed. DJ Ropa’s set particularly her Macheso three step edit might be the finest piece of sungura reworking we’ve heard in a live DJ context, and it was the moment the crowd moved forward to the stage, unbothered by the drizzle.
SAIIREN followed with a jazz heavy set that leaned into experimentation, slipping in rock textures while remaining deeply engaging. For a performer many were seeing live for the first time, her crowd control and confidence stood out.
Delroy was exactly what you’d expect from a man who writes half the hits in circulation, while Saint Floew once again reminded everyone why any lineup featuring him is automatically elevated. His performance of Superstar with Delroy joining him on stage was the night’s best moment. Add Liquideep’s seasoned professionalism, even powering through technical hiccups while keeping the crowd locked in.
It’s about consistency, comfort, and people genuinely having fun. Even the basics mattered: clean, sufficient amenities and an audience that left satisfied.
3. Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem represents a different evolution altogether. DJ-centric festivals are still relatively new in Zimbabwe, and Carpe Diem is newer still, but under Ngoma Nehosho’s stewardship it has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on the calendar. Only three editions in, it already feels established not because of scale, but because of trust. Trust in curation, pacing, and experience.
With 2026 ahead, Carpe Diem feels poised to further define what DJ-led experiences can look like locally. And while we tend to be inclined towards DJs from outside our borders (yeah, we have to bring in the stars, we know), we would also love to see a bit more of our local DJs. We will scrounge for some assurance in the meantime that this is an aspect Ngoma Nehosho is very much capable of delivering.
4. Jacaranda Music Festival
This is the crown jewel of Ngoma Nehosho. Jacaranda Music Festival continues to benefit from its reputation as a composed yet musically rich experience. Social media feedback and attendee reflections consistently highlight its unfettered brilliance. A Ngoma Nehosho masterpiece, undoubtedly. Accessible, well-curated, and emotionally resonant without trying too hard. It’s the kind of festival people attend once and then quietly make a tradition.
5. Shebeen Fest
Now about to turn two in a few months' time, the Shebeen rap frontrunners Dough Major and Dingo Duke can draw some satisfaction from what Shebeen Fest has metamorphosed into. Of course, there is still room for potential; this is such an idea that be scaled to greater heights. But that is a conversation about time and resources. For now, we can also find healthy doses of contentment with Shebeen Fest – a novel idea purely serving the interests of emerging voices in Zimbabwe's hip-hop sphere.
Shebeen Fest is a cool event to attend. The atmosphere is amiable, the music is impeccable, and the people amazingly dope. It is held once every month, and the usual venue is Moto Republik. We do have a feeling though that growth is something that the organisers will be assiduously working on this year.
6. I Love Mbare Festival
The I Love Mbare Festival debuted with promise and left with credibility. Its inaugural edition delivered on nearly everything it promised: good music curation, solid amenities, vibrant food, and an atmosphere that was alive. While ticket pricing raised eyebrows for something carrying the Mbare name, the energy itself was unmistakably correct.
Tamy Moyo, Saintfloew, Sylent Nqo and DJ Maphorisa ensured the music never dipped on the second day.
Timing issues stretched patience. What was meant to end at midnight crept into the early hours of the morning but the audience stayed, danced, and forgave. That says more than any press release could. Despite minor sound inconsistencies, it was an event worth every dollar, and one that firmly planted itself among Zimbabwe’s premier festivals.
7. 263 Culture Fest
The 263 Culture Festival continues to operate with the confidence of an event trying to outdo its own past, year after year. They always embody the most adventurous and gutsy ambitions as far as the events space in Zimbabwe is concerned.
Conceived in 2023 with regional ambitions, it treats each previous edition as the bar to clear and sometimes pole vaults over it. For the last edition, the move to Thorn Park Polo Club promised space and parking, delivering more of the latter than the former, but the stage itself was monumental. The event tends to lean towards the messy, ambitious, and occasionally overwhelming; and yet, somehow, it is still one of the most exciting festivals on the calendar.
We are eagerly looking forward to it, barring some of its shortcomings obviously.
8. Shoko Festival
Shoko Festival needs little introduction. 16 years deep, it remains Zimbabwe’s longest running urban culture festival for a reason. Longevity like that isn’t accidental. Shoko has consistently evolved while staying rooted in community, creativity, and conversation. It has never abandoned the ethos of its provenance. September should already be blocked out on your schedule.
9. Silhouette Sessions
Silhouette Sessions made a bold debut by removing house music entirely and delivering a focused blend of Afrobeats, R&B, hip hop and dancehall. Hosted at Mara Mara in Belgravia, its “Denim Affair” theme turned the dance floor into a fashion statement as much as a party. Never seen people dance so much at a festival. With the next edition set for February 21, 2026 under a Y2K theme (same venue), it promises fireworks and dance galore. Shaku Chante and Tapiwa are some of the sound selectors expected on the decks, and the anticipation is justified.
10. Garden of House
Garden of House proved that Afro House, when curated properly, doesn’t need gimmicks. Debuting in Harare in October 2025 after three years of shaping Bulawayo’s house scene, the event leaned fully into Afro house as a subgenre. While sound limitations and tight spacing were noticeable, the musical storytelling was exceptional. Sfiso and Nizhe De Soul’s back to back sets were masterclasses in crowd control and selection. If they return to Harare in 2026, it’s non negotiable. If not, Bulawayo is worth the trip.
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