Kigali Up Music Festival

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MusicKigali
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsKigali Up pairs performances with a hands-on
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: RWF
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Kigali Up Music Festival in Kigali

Kigali Up is an annual outdoor music festival held in Kigali each July or August since 2011, bringing together Rwandan and international musicians across genres including reggae, blues, and African popular styles. Free and open to the public, it draws audiences of several thousand and has hosted regional stars such as Ugandan singer Eddy Kenzo.

Kigali does not have a deep pre-genocide popular-music industry to draw on; much of what fills its stages today, hip-hop, dancehall, ragga, R&B, and dance-pop shaped by Congolese and African Great Lakes influences, took shape only in the years after 1994.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Kigali Up pairs performances with a hands-on education strand, in which visiting musicians lead workshops and give informal lessons to festivalgoers during the event, rather than simply performing and leaving

02

The mystery stays covered

Held annually since 2011 in a country whose popular music scene took shape only in the 2000s, the festival has become one of the more consistent fixtures on Kigali's cultural calendar, mixing reggae and blues acts with Rwandan hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B influenced performers on outdoor stages accessible to a broad public audience rather than a ticketed elite crowd

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

While the festival itself is a modern addition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

dating only to 2011

The sacred route

Living ritual

its lineup regularly draws on older Rwandan musical forms

The local code

Living ritual

including court drumming traditions and call-and-response singing styles

Tradition 5

Living ritual

blended with reggae

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and contemporary African genres

Tradition 7

Living ritual

reflecting how younger Rwandan musicians have folded older rhythms into new popular styles since the country's music industry expanded in the 2000s

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Plan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.

What to wear

Casual, comfortable outdoor clothing suited to standing or dancing for long stretches; a sun hat and light, breathable fabrics for daytime heat, with a layer to add once the evening cools at...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of Kigali you will actually use, or choose a transport base with an easy return after peak hours.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

RWF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map1.95 S, 30.06 EOpen in Google Maps

Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

Nearest airportKGL — Kigali
TransportPlan routes around set times, late-night exits, and crowded transport after headline acts.
Stay areaStay near the part of Kigali you will actually use, or choose a transport base with an easy return after peak hours.

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 Kigali via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kigali, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearCasual, comfortable outdoor clothing suited to standing or dancing for long stretches; a sun hat and light, breathable fabrics for daytime heat, with a layer to add once the evening cools at Kigali's roughly 1,500-metre elevation.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Rwanda 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 Kigali Up Music Festival?

Kigali Up Music Festival is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Kigali Up Music Festival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

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

Is a source linked?

Date announcement pending. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

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 URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusDate announcement pending
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