All Africa Festival

Three days of African vibes, described as “the UAE’s largest celebration of Africa’s rich and diverse cultures in all their vibrant expressions and representations”; we’re promised “an unforgettable mosaic of performances, artistic, culinary and culturally immersive experiences”.

It’s built around the stage, with artists and DJs from multiple afrocentric genres – including …

Day 1 / 2 Feb Omah Lay, Tekno, Vegedream, Stonebwoy, Vigrodeep, Freek, Majoos, Lisandro Cuxi, Pabi Cooper, Nur, Saud G, DJ Nicki Nicol
Day 2 / 3 Feb Diamond Platnumz, Lij Mic, Maître Gims, ElGrandeToto, Hleem Taj Alser, Sha Sha, Skales, Edgar Domingos, RJ the DJ, Fafa, DJ Erika, Jay Beats
Day 3 / 4 Feb: Nora Fetahi, Yemi Alade (that’s her above), Koffi Olomide, Eddie Kenzo, Kamo Mphela, Berita, Kofi Olomide, Santo, Bea, DJ Dollar, DJ C-Boy

… plus Royal Phyz, DJ Mneddy and MC Smiley who’ll be doing all three days. We reckon that lineup covers Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya and Somalia – some based locally but most flying in for the festival.

There’s also art from African artists, courtesy of Dubai’s Efie Gallery (which actually made its debut on the UAE art scene at the 2021 All Africa Festival); fashion and other goodies in a market on the Festival grounds; and F&B from specialised Afrocentric restaurants, food trucks and pop-ups.

This has to be a load of fun, and it’s not too pricey: one-day tickets are AED 150 and a three-day pass is AD 250, with discounts for family passes, some two-for-one deals, and surcharges for Golden Circle and ‘Super Meet/Greet‘ tickets. Gates open 2,30pm each day, performances from 4pm, lights out around midnight.

For ticket holders, there are shuttle buses from Fujairah, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman and several Dubai locations – cost from Dubai AED 25, from elsewhere AED 35.