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The Zanzibar Music Festival is a spirited celebration of the island’s rich array of cultures, blending traditional Swahili music with more cosmopolitan beats. The festival is held annually and boasts an eclectic program of artists, including international jazz, reggae, and fusion acts, as well as local taarab groups and African drummers. The festival is an intoxicating blend of Swahili, Arab and Persian influences, among others. But in addition to the music, the cities feature art installations, cultural workshops and street food on scenic beaches and colonial buildings.
10 Best Zanzibar Music Festival Venues
Escape into the soul of East African culture with the Zanzibar Music Festival and explore the following destinations.
1. Forodhani Gardens
Photo: Moongateclimber / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Nestled in the heart of the historic Stone Town, Forodhani Gardens is the soul of Zanzibar’s cultural vibrance and the hotspot during the Zanzibar Music Festival. This dockside pavilion is the perfect place to soak up some local culture while listening to live musical acts. Local bands and international artists routinely fuse traditional taarab with contemporary Afrobeat, eliciting rapturous responses. Beyond the music, the venue is a sensory experience, with food stalls serving Zanzibar pizza, grilled seafood and tropical juices.
Location: Stone Town, Zanzibar City
Entry Fee: None
Timings: 24*7
2. House Of Wonders
Photo: Moongateclimber / Wikimedia Commons
One night from the Zanzibar Music Festival, the storied House of Wonders in Stone Town lends itself as the venue of the cultural showcases. Famed for its blend of Arab and Swahili architecture, it provides a beautiful setting for taarab sessions and up-close workshops. At the festival, the courtyard of the building becomes a stage where traditional and modern musicians come to showcase the soul of Zanzibari music. Indoors, displays showcase Zanzibar’s rich musical and cultural traditions, providing context for the harmonies you encounter.
Location: Mizingani Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
3. Old Fort
Photo: Ronyyz / Wikimedia Commons
The Old Fort, an ancient fortification, is one of the most atmospheric sites of the Zanzibar Music Festival. Its famous amphitheatre, the centre of the festivities, is packed with exciting performances by both local and international performers. Traditional taarab and Ngoma drums and fusion genres ring through its stone walls. During the day, festivalgoers can wander craft stalls and art exhibits, immersing themselves in the island’s culture before the evening shows start. There are food vendors inside the venue that serve Zanzibari delicacies. When the sun goes down, and the fort is lit, it becomes a mesmerising backdrop for a program under the stars.
Location: Mizingani Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Timings: 8 AM – 10 PM
4. Dhow Countries Music Academy
Photo: Gerbil / Wikimedia Commons
A visit to the Dhow Countries Music Academy is a must for festivalgoers seeking to deepen their connection to Zanzibari music. Best known for its conservation of traditional styles such as taarab and kidumbak, the academy runs immersive workshops in which visitors can learn to play traditional instruments like the qanun and oud. At night, DCMA hosts both emerging and established artists, mixing traditional rhythms and modern influences. These intimate concerts have been taking place in the academy’s courtyard, where the acoustics serve to buoy the melodies and yearning vocals. The venue also showcases the Indian Ocean musical heritage, spotlighting artists from Zanzibar, the Comoros and farther afield.
Location: Shangani Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Timings: 10 AM – 4 PM
5. Jaws Corner
Photo: Peter Bennett / Wikimedia Commons
A busy public square in Stone Town, Jaws Corner has become a grassroots stage during the recent Zanzibar Music Festival. At the end of each evening, musicians deliver small, spontaneous sets featuring acoustic instruments and traditional songs and also encourage attendees to sing and dance along. Its café culture deepens the charm, with vendors serving holders of spiced coffee in cups designed for sipping while you listen to the music. Street food stalls serve freshly grilled cassava, kebabs and Zanzibar’s famous urojo soup. Visit the Jaws Corner after dark and enjoy the electric atmosphere, laughter, music, and the smell of food, creating a night to remember.
Location: Stone Town, near Gizenga Street
Timings: 6 PM – 9 PM
6. Mtoni Palace Ruins
Photo: ClickerHappy / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Mtoni Palace Ruins, a historic landmark in the heart of Zanzibar’s royal history, serves as a unique and ethereal venue during the Zanzibar Music Festival. The crumbling but majestic ruins provide a backdrop for intimate concerts fusing traditional Swahili melodies with the sounds of the Indian Ocean lapping adjacent. You can tour the ruins with a guide during the day, hearing about the palace’s history as a royal residence in the 19th century. It turns into a magical space for performance as evening falls. Musicians perform on traditional instruments like the qanun and violin, among others, with a taarab sound that reverberates off the ancient walls.
Location: Mtoni Village, north of Stone Town
Timings: 9 AM – 7 PM
7. Kendwa Beach
Photo: Zoheb / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
One of the most remarkable events so far is the Zanzibar Music Festival held in Kendwa Beach, known for its great parties, music and dance. This unspoiled stretch of white sand and turquoise water offers a picturesque backdrop for live DJ sets, Afrobeat acts and reggae concerts. During the day, visitors can unwind by the shore, participate in watersports, or dine on seafood at nearby eateries. As the sun begins to sink, the vibe on the beach shifts, with bonfires, lanterns and pulsating beats. This is where international and local artists come together to produce a cheery ambience in which everyone dances barefoot in the sand. Festival parties at Kendwa Beach capture Zanzibar’s celebratory spirit.
Location: Kendwa Village, north of Stone Town
Timings: 6 PM – 2 AM
8. Maruhubi Palace Ruins
Photo: Maruhubi ruins / Wikimedia Commons
Maruhubi Palace Ruins is another historical venue that holds intimate music performances during the Zanzibar Music Festival. Once a palace constructed for Sultan Barghash’s consorts, the site’s verdant gardens and quiet setting evoke magnetic musical nights. For four days during the festival, the ruins are animated by taarab music and acoustic performances honouring the cultural legacy of Zanzibar. The haunting beauty of the gardens combined with the eerie beauty of the ruins provide for a reflective and emotional musical experience. Daytime visitors can learn about the palace’s history and its former prominence in Zanzibar’s royal history.
Location: Maruhubi, north of Stone Town
Timings: 9 AM – 7 PM
9. Michamvi Beach
Photo: Clem Onojeghuo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
During the Zanzibar Music Festival, Michamvi Beach, a quiet escape on Zanzibar’s eastern coast, becomes a thrumming cultural hub. Renowned for its breathtaking sunsets and tranquil atmosphere, the beach is turned into an open-air venue where classic Swahili music mingles with contemporary beats. During the day, there are workshops such as for drumming and lessons on traditional dance forms like chakacha. As the day draws to a close, the beach becomes a stage for incredible acts from artists across Africa.
Location: Michamvi Peninsula, east of Stone Town
Timings: 4 PM Onwards
10. Zanzibar Cultural Arts Centre
Photo: Thgusstavo Santana / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Zanzibar Cultural Arts Centre serves as a key venue during the Zanzibar Music Festival, presenting a curated experience of the island’s artistic traditions. Situated near the centre of Stone Town, the centre hosts live performances, art exhibitions and music workshops celebrating Zanzibar’s artistic legacy. Festivalgoers can join an interactive session, learning the intricacies of taarab music or olden-day ngoma drumming. The centre’s small, intimate concert hall offers an acoustically rich space for live performances by both seasoned musicians and emerging talents. Along with its music, the venue features Zanzibari arts and crafts, giving visitors diverse access to the island’s heritage.
Location: Vuga Street, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
From the lively customs and international influences that have moulded the island over the years to each venue’s unique and enchanting connection to the island’s history and music, the Zanzibar Music Festival is a stunning tapestry of cultural experiences. Immerse yourself in Zanzibar’s eclectic arts scene along its scenic shores. Plan your visit with TripXL and enjoy the celebration of sound, culture, and the island’s irresistible magic.
Cover Photo: Vishnu R Nair / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
