Arts & culture

Arts & culture in Nairobi and East Africa

Exhibitions, festivals, music, theatre and talks, checked by our culture desk, with dates, venues, prices and where to get tickets.

On now

Exhibition Free

Sanaa Gateja: They Too Are the Earth

Sat 19 Sept – Sat, 21 Nov 2026 · Afriart Gallery, Kampala

New work by veteran Ugandan artist Sanaa Gateja in paper beads, bark cloth, banana fibre and found roots.

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October 2026

Music

The Kampala Jazz & Soul Benefit

Sat 24 Oct – Sun, 25 Oct 2026 · UMA Multi-Purpose Hall, Kampala · From USh 120,000

Afrigo Band performs with the Pearl Symphony Orchestra at the UMA show grounds, Kampala.

Details → Tickets ↗

Film

Amakula International Film Festival (19th edition)

Fri 30 Oct – Sun, 1 Nov 2026 · Bayimba Centre, Lunkulu Island

The 19th Amakula International Film Festival is held at the Bayimba Centre on Lunkulu Island, Uganda, from 30 October to 1 November, with open-air cinema under the sunset.

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Music

An Evening with Mad Ice & The Band (KLA Edition 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 17:00 · Zone 7, Kampala · UGX 50,000; table of four UGX 300,000

Ugandan singer Mad Ice and his band play a seated evening at Zone 7, Mbuya, Kampala, with guests Mr Nice, Kenneth Mugabi and Jackie Chandiru.

Details → Tickets ↗

Details come from the organisers' own pages and can change; please check with the organiser before you go. Tell us about an event →