Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival

View on map
Arts & CultureLivingstone
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsNearing three decades of continuous
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: ZMW
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival in Livingstone

The Livingstone International Cultural and Arts Festival, known as LICAF, has run since 1995 at Maramba Cultural Village in Livingstone, one of Africa's longest-standing culture festivals. It opens with a carnival of teams representing Zambia's ten provinces and showcases the country's 73 ethnic groups, backed by the Ministry of Tourism.

Since its inception in 1995, the Livingstone International Cultural and Arts Festival has grown into one of Africa's fastest-growing culture festivals, according to organisers, marking close to three decades of continuous operation in Zambia's self-styled tourism capital.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Nearing three decades of continuous operation, LICAF has become explicit government policy rather than a purely grassroots event: the Ministry of Tourism uses it to help local artisans diversify and formalise their creative work, and has committed to major rehabilitation of Maramba Cultural Village itself as the festival's permanent home and Livingstone's cultural tourism hub

02

The mystery stays covered

The 2025 edition, themed Tourism for Tomorrow, Promoting Sustainable Cultural Development, drew Southern Province's provincial minister, the Ministry's own permanent secretary and Botswana's High Commissioner to Zambia, reflecting both the festival's domestic policy weight and its growing cross-border diplomatic profile

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival showcases traditions from across Zambia's 73 ethnic groups through its provincial carnival teams

Water and renewal

Living ritual

using Maramba Cultural Village

The sacred route

Living ritual

an established hub for cultural tourism in Livingstone

The local code

Living ritual

as a permanent stage for craft

Tradition 5

Living ritual

dance and performance traditions the Ministry of Tourism has identified as central to the country's tourism development strategy

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival, plan transport around the exact Livingstone venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing suits a full day of outdoor carnival and craft-village browsing; traditional dress is welcomed and common among performers and some attendees...

Safety

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

Where to stay

For Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival, stay near the part of Livingstone you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

ZMW

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map17.84 S, 25.85 EOpen in Google Maps

Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia

Nearest airportLVI — Harry Mwanga Nkumbula
TransportFor Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival, plan transport around the exact Livingstone venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival, stay near the part of Livingstone 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 Livingstone via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Livingstone, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable, weather-appropriate clothing suits a full day of outdoor carnival and craft-village browsing; traditional dress is welcomed and common among performers and some attendees, though not required of visitors.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Zambia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival?

Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Livingstone Cultural and Arts Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Livingstone, Zambia. 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?

Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia

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
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →