What's on in Nairobi and East Africa: 16–31 October

Nairobi

• 15–25 October · NBO Film Festival — Prestige Cinemas, Unseen Nairobi and Alliance Française Nairobi · single session KES 1,000; Lunchbox single session KES 750; Box Set (five films for the price of four) KES 4,000; Students Lunchbox offer (two Lunchbox films) KES 1,000; Golden Ticket (full festival access) KES 20,000 — Screenings run from 16 to 25 October, from the 10am Family Block sessions to a 10pm show on 24 October; some sessions are sold out. — Tickets and schedule
• 17–18 October · KOROM Festival — ASK Arena · VIBE STARS KES 2,000; Kapchii Couple KES 3,500; VIP KES 5,000; Mambook/Bososeik Group of 4 KES 6,500; VIP Kapchii Couple KES 9,000; VVIP KES 10,000; VIP Mambook/Bososeik Group of 4 KES 17,000; Table of 10 KES 100,000 — A cultural and lifestyle festival that blends heritage, music, art, fashion and food, from 10am on 17 October to 5am on 18 October. — Tickets
• 17 October · Call Me Queen, Kenyan premiere — Prestige Ngong Road, 6pm · KES 2,500 — The NBO Film Festival premiere; the ticket covers a welcome cocktail, the screening, a cast and crew Q&A and networking, and members of the Kenyan and international cast and crew are expected. Tickets are sold by YAKWETU. — Capital FM
• 20 October · One Night Only: Brunch Edition with Ne-Yo — Ulinzi Sports Complex, 3pm–11pm · Gold KES 15,000; Gold Couple/Friends package (two tickets) KES 20,000; Platinum seat KES 40,000; four-seat Platinum table KES 160,000; eight-seat Platinum table KES 320,000; the Early Bird (KES 7,500) and Wave 2 (KES 10,000) Gold tickets are sold out — The American R&B singer Ne-Yo performs with Sol & The Gang on Mashujaa Day, a public holiday in Kenya. — Tickets on TicketYetu
• 24 October · Kikuyu Love Sessions: Slightly Scandalous Edition — Ngong Racecourse (Waterfront 1), noon–midnight · Lone Wolf (admits one) KES 3,200; Partners in Crime (admits two) KES 6,000; Squad of 5 Pass KES 12,000; Scandal & Audacity (one ticket, both events) KES 5,000; Early Lovebird KES 2,700 is sold out — Organised by Andika Creative LTD and billed as a celebration of those willing to lean into life. — Tickets
• 24–25 October · Fabricated in Nairobi — KODA Nairobi, Kenrail Towers, 9pm to 7am · Regular KES 2,500; Advance KES 2,000 is sold out — An electronic music night that combines the Durban and Nairobi scenes, put on by Naruea Events. — Tickets
• 28 October · Art Auction East Africa 2026 — Circle Art Gallery, Victoria Square, Riara Road, 7pm · registration needed to bid — The 14th annual auction offers 67 lots, split evenly between modern and contemporary works by artists from nine countries, and is broadcast on the Strauss & Co Invaluable platform. All lots are on display at the gallery; registration through [email protected]. — Auction details

Kilifi

• 16–19 October · Kisima Festival 2026: The Love Edition — Beneath the Baobabs, Kilifi · tickets from KES 1,500; full adult passes and kids' tickets are on sale — A four-day wellbeing festival with workshops, classes, talks and panel discussions, music, movement and ritual. The adult pass includes camping if you bring your own equipment; transport, accommodation, food and drink are not included. — Tickets on Quicket

Kigali

• Until 20 January 2027 · What the Ground Remembers (Ibyo Ubutaka Bwibuka) — Rwanda Art Museum, Kanombe, daily 9am–5pm — Six participants took researchers to places that carry personal meaning for them and photographed those places as they look today; the new images are displayed alongside older photographs of the same locations. The New Times reported that one of the recorded voices belongs to a man who has publicly acknowledged his role in the killings during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Entry price not listed. — The New Times, 29 September
• 16 October · Moonlight Movie Night: Avatar: Fire and Ash — The Piazza, Mundi Center, KN 3 Road, 6:30pm–11pm · Early Bird students RWF 3,500 and regulars RWF 5,000; at the gate students RWF 5,000 and regulars RWF 6,000 (student ID needed) — A film evening organised by MUNDI LTD. — Register
• 18 October · Urban Kids — The Piazza, Mundi Center, 1pm–6pm · children RWF 5,000; parents free — Juggling, circus tricks, face painting, bouncing castles and games. — Register
• 23 October · A Contemporary Evening with Ritadeviolinist — Mundi Center, KN 3 Road, 6pm–11pm · Early Bird RWF 15,000; Regular RWF 20,000; Gate RWF 25,000 — A violin evening by Ritadeviolinist. — Register
• 24–25 October · House of Queens: African Regal Realness — Depot37, Mundi Center, evening of 24 October to 2am on 25 October · Early Bird RWF 8,000; Advance RWF 10,000; Regular RWF 12,000; Gate RWF 15,000 — A night of fashion showcases, designer markets and DJs celebrating women in music and fashion, with a special guest from Kenya; the best-dressed guest wins a prize. — Register

Kampala

• Until 21 November · Sanaa Gateja: They Too Are the Earth — Afriart Gallery, 110-112, 7th Street, Monday–Saturday 10am–6pm (public holidays 10am–4pm) — An exhibition by the artist Sanaa Gateja, which opened on 19 September. Entry price not listed. — Afriart Gallery
• 24 October · The Kampala Jazz & Soul Benefit — UMA Multi Purpose Hall, UMA Show Grounds, Jinja Road, 5pm to midnight · from USh120,000 — Afrigo Band and the Pearl Symphony Orchestra perform; there are premium VIP packages. — Tickets on Quicket

Bagamoyo, Tanzania

• 28–31 October · 44th Bagamoyo International Arts and Culture Festival — Festival grounds, Bagamoyo; a pre-festival gala is on 27 October — The Bagamoyo Arts and Culture Institute (TaSUBa) announced stage performances, crafts exhibitions, film screenings, workshops and guided tours of heritage sites; 146 groups, 104 local and 42 international, applied to take part. Ticket price not listed. — Daily News, 2 September

More events and tickets: https://ficanews.com/events