Festivals, traditions and dates
The great traditional festivals, the music and culture events and the public holidays across Togo and its neighbours. Official dates are marked as such; for the others, the usual period.
12Nov
12 – 15 Nov 2026
Fifth edition of the festival, themed "Partage" (sharing), with parades, cultural discovery activities and concerts over four days. The European Union is announced as guest region and Blitta as associated town.
27Nov
27 Nov – 13 Dec 2026
Lomé's large year-end trade fair, organised by CETEF under the theme "Lomé, hub of trade and investment in Africa". The 2025 edition reported more than 1,000 exhibitors and 813,000 visitors.
6Dec
6 Dec 2026
Concert by Togolese singer King Mensah titled "Dekonu", meaning "tradition" in a local language. The artist presents it as a tribute to Togolese cultural roots aimed at younger generations.
9Dec
9 – 12 Dec 2026
Inaugural pan-African festival of arts and creative industries, organised by AUDA-NEPAD with Ghana's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts. It will bring together artists, cultural practitioners and entrepreneurs around partnerships and investment.
2Jan
2 – 9 Jan 2027
Major celebration of Vodun cultures in Ouidah, extended in 2027 to a full week from 2 to 9 January. In Benin, only Thursday 7 and Friday 8 January 2027 are paid public holidays.
21Jan
21 – 24 Jan 2027
Festival founded in 2006 dedicated to traditional African religions and cultures; the previous (10th) edition was held in January 2025. The 2027 programme, with Côte d'Ivoire as guest of honour, includes concerts, traditional dance and song, exhibitions, initiation-society rituals and panel debates.
27Apr
27 Apr 2027
National day commemorating Togo's independence from France on 27 April 1960. Public holiday; in 2027 it falls on a Tuesday.
Jul2027
July 2027 · usual period
The Kabyè Evala initiation wrestling takes place every July, with the main week of bouts around mid-July (11–18 July in 2026). The 2027 calendar is not yet published; in 2026 it was announced in late May by the Kozah council of traditional chiefs.
Aug2027
August 2027 · usual period
Annual traditional festival of the Zio people, held in August in Tsévié; the climax falls on a Saturday (early August in 2025 and 2026). 2027 dates have not yet been published.
Aug2027
August 2027 · usual period
Accra's street art festival held in August (19–25 August 2024 for the 14th edition, 10–17 August in 2026). 2027 dates have not yet been announced.
Aug2027
from August to September 2027 · usual period
Annual festival of the Ga people, held in August–September according to each town's calendar. 2027 dates are not yet known.
Aug2027
from August to September 2027 · usual period
The Guin New Year is held each year between late August and September, on a Thursday set by ritual count a few weeks in advance (late August in 2024, 3 September in 2026). The 2027 date will be announced by the Glidji traditional authorities.
Nov2027
November 2027 · usual period
The Anlo festival of exodus is traditionally held on the first Saturday of November, which would be 6 November 2027. The 2027 programme has not yet been published.
Nov2027
from November to December 2027 · usual period
The FIL is held at the end of the year over a little more than two weeks (opened 28 November 2025; 27 November–13 December 2026). Dates for the 22nd edition have not yet been announced.
6Nov
6 – 7 Nov 2026
Festival of exodus of the Anlo people, commemorating their escape from Notsé (Togo) under King Agokoli. The 2026 programme lists the Glimetoto on 6 November and the Grand Durbar on Saturday 7 November in Anloga, under the theme "Anlo, Our Heritage and Our Values".
2Oct
2 – 3 Oct 2026
Yam festival of the Asogli Traditional State, launched on 12 August 2026 with a programme spread over several weeks. The Agbogbomefia was scheduled to sit in state on 2 October at the Asogli Palace, followed by the grand durbar on 3 October at Jubilee Park, Ho.
3Sep
3 Sep 2026
363rd edition of the Guin New Year festival, centred on the emergence of a sacred stone whose colour is read as the deities' message for the year. In 2026 the stone was white, interpreted as a sign of peace and prosperity.
29Aug
29 Aug 2026
Traditional yam festival of the Agou-Nyogbo Sud canton, held for its 52nd edition on a Saturday at the Lycée des 2 Nyogbo sports field. The date is inferred from the report published on Sunday 30 August 2026, which places the celebration "on Saturday".
12Aug
12 – 16 Aug 2026
Fifth edition of a festival dedicated to African cuisines and food products, announced as a five-day event in Lomé. Dates come from the March 2026 announcement; no post-event report was found.
10Aug
10 – 17 Aug 2026
Accra's street art festival, 2026 edition themed "Carnival of the Black Sun", opened on 10 August with a procession from Korle Klottey Temple. Workshops, film screenings and gallery tours ran during the week before a grand finale weekend on 15–16 August.
8Aug
8 Aug 2026
Traditional festival of the Zio people, rooted in a farming rite marking the end of the bean harvest and now a major gathering of community identity. The climax of the 54th edition took place on a Saturday in Tsévié (report published Saturday 8 August 2026).
7Aug
7 Aug 2026
Homowo is the festival of the Ga people, whose name means "hooting at hunger", recalling a pre-colonial famine. The 2026 celebrations began on Friday 7 August in Accra; the Homowo season across Ga towns runs through August and September.