Good to know
Good to Know
- Most signature cultural events in Nairobi are free or low-cost to attend, with entry fees rarely publicized in advance.
- The NBO Film Festival (October) and East African Art Festival (March) are the largest signature cultural events held annually in Nairobi.
- Nairobi Restaurant Week (January–February) offers the best value for food enthusiasts, with many restaurants offering 30–50% discounts.
- Blankets and Wine and Koroga Festival are popular recurring festivals but feature music as a primary component, so consult the scope for inclusion eligibility.
- Jamhuri Day (12 December) is a national public holiday with free citywide celebrations throughout Nairobi.
- Koinange Street Art & Craft Day is a newer, grassroots event that has grown in popularity among Nairobi's creative community since 2014.
Events
East African Art Festival
- Month
- March
- Location
- Various venues in Nairobi
- Duration Days
- 3
- Description
- Celebrates visual arts, painting, architecture, sculpture and traditional crafts with competitors from Kenya and other East African countries.
Nairobi International Film Festival (NBO Film Fest)
- Month
- October
- Location
- Multiple venues including Prestige Cinema (Ngong Road), Kaloleni Social Hall, Unseen Nairobi (Kilimani)
- Duration Days
- 10
- Specific Dates 2026
- 15–25 October
- Description
- Annual celebration of African and international cinema featuring films, documentaries, shorts, and world premieres.
Nairobi Restaurant Week
- Month
- January–February
- Location
- Various restaurants across Nairobi
- Duration Days
- 10
- Description
- Gastronomic celebration where participating restaurants offer special menus and discounted prices.
Nairobi International Book Fair
- Month
- September
- Location
- Various venues in Nairobi
- Description
- Annual event bringing together publishers, authors, and readers. Includes book launches, author signings, and panel discussions.
Kenya Fashion Week
- Month
- Varies
- Location
- Various venues in Nairobi
- Description
- Premier fashion event showcasing the best of Kenyan and African fashion design.
Koinange Street Art & Craft Day
- Month
- December
- Location
- Koinange Street, downtown Nairobi
- Duration Days
- 1
- Description
- One-day event transforming Koinange Street in downtown Nairobi into an open-air gallery with live performances, art installations, food vendors, and craft sales.
Jamhuri Day (Kenya Independence Commemoration)
- Month
- December
- Location
- Citywide in Nairobi
- Specific Date
- 12 December
- Description
- Annual celebration commemorating Kenya's independence from the United Kingdom (1963) and constitution as a republic. Features traditional dances, music concerts, and cultural events.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Nairobi
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.