Kartong Festival

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MusicKartong
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe festival's cross-border format is its
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: GMD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Kartong Festival in Kartong

An annual February festival in the border village of Kartong, run since 2008 by the Kartong Community Development Association, pairing Gambian and Senegalese Casamance performers for cross-border dance, drumming and kora, with hands-on workshops teaching visitors the same djembe rhythms performed on stage across the long weekend.

Kartong Festival has run every February since 2008, organized by the Kartong Community Development Association in a border village at the southern tip of Gambia's coast, a few kilometres from Senegal's Casamance region.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's cross-border format is its defining feature: dance troupes, drummers and kora players from both Kartong and neighbouring Casamance in Senegal share the same programme, treating an international border as a shared cultural line rather than a divide

02

The mystery stays covered

Visiting musicians, including past British performers, join the bill, and workshops teaching djembe rhythms and dance are built directly into the schedule rather than offered as a separate tourist add-on, giving visitors a rare chance to learn the music hands-on from the same performers on stage

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Kartong Festival is documented as a recurring music festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Kartong, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

The festival's cross-border format is its defining feature: dance troupes, drummers and kora players from both Kartong and neighbouring Casamance in...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

For Kartong Festival, plan transport around the exact Kartong venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing for daytime heat and a layer for cooler February evenings; closed shoes if joining dance or drumming workshops on uneven ground.

Safety

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

Where to stay

For Kartong Festival, stay near the part of Kartong you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

GMD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map13.09 N, 16.76 WOpen in Google Maps

Kartong, West Africa, The Gambia

Nearest airportBJL — Banjul
TransportFor Kartong Festival, plan transport around the exact Kartong venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Kartong Festival, stay near the part of Kartong you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Kartong via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kartong, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing for daytime heat and a layer for cooler February evenings; closed shoes if joining dance or drumming workshops on uneven ground.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for The Gambia 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 Kartong Festival?

Kartong Festival is listed for February. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Kartong Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Kartong, The Gambia. 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?

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

Where exactly is it?

Kartong, West Africa, The Gambia

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 URLvisitgambiatosupportgambia.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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