Maitisong Festival

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Arts & CultureGaborone
Dates12–22 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration11 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsMaitisong's staying power comes from scale
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: BWP
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Maitisong Festival in Gaborone

Maitisong Festival is Gaborone's flagship performing arts gathering, running for about eleven days each September since 1987. Grown out of a school arts program at Maru-a-Pula, it now fills theatres, halls and open-air stages across the capital with theatre, dance, jazz, poetry and film from Botswana and the wider region, alongside workshops that bring thousands of schoolchildren into contact with working artists.

Maitisong Festival began in 1987 as a small arts initiative connected to Maru-a-Pula School in Gaborone, and it has grown into the most established performing arts festival in Botswana.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Maitisong's staying power comes from scale and continuity rather than novelty: nearly four decades of programming have made it the reference point against which other Botswana arts events are measured

02

The mystery stays covered

Its schools initiative is unusual among African festivals of similar size, funnelling thousands of young audiences into live theatre and music each year rather than treating education as an afterthought

03

The city starts moving

The lineup mixes disciplines deliberately, so a single evening can move from spoken-word poetry to a big-band jazz set to contemporary dance, and the festival has functioned as an early stage for Batswana performers who went on to national and regional recognition

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Maitisong grew out of a school outreach tradition and still opens many performances to bussed-in student audiences before the same shows go public in the evening

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a format that has become part of the festival's identity

The sacred route

Living ritual

Closing weekends traditionally bring together the widest mix of genres and the biggest crowds

The local code

Living ritual

echoing the festival's original goal of using performance to connect Gaborone's schools with its wider public

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

12–22 September 2026

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Gaborone you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

September in Gaborone is dry and mild by day, cooling quickly after dark, so smart-casual layers work well: a light jacket or wrap for evening outdoor shows, comfortable shoes for moving...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Maitisong Festival does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

BWP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map24.65 S, 25.91 EOpen in Google Maps

Gaborone, South-East District, Botswana

Nearest airportGBE — Sir Seretse Khama
TransportStay close enough to the part of Gaborone you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Maitisong Festival does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Gaborone via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Gaborone, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearSeptember in Gaborone is dry and mild by day, cooling quickly after dark, so smart-casual layers work well: a light jacket or wrap for evening outdoor shows, comfortable shoes for moving between venues, and slightly tidier clothing for the ticketed headline concerts than for daytime school-program events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Botswana and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Maitisong Festival?

Maitisong Festival is listed for 12–22 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Maitisong Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Gaborone, Botswana. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

11 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Gaborone, South-East District, Botswana

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbodyandsoulinternational.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates12–22 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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