Your student guide to the Africa Festival 2026
This article was originally published in German. The English version is an automatic translation and may contain errors. The German original is authoritative.
Pack your sunglasses and leave your university books on the shelf for the weekend: Würzburg is transforming into Europe's capital of African culture again! 37th International Africa Festival is coming up and runs from 22 to 25 May 2026, daily from 10 to 20 o'clock.
If you're regular visitors, pay attention: this year there are a few important changes to the venues that you should be aware of. Here's your compact guide for the festival weekend.
The most important information at a glance
Due to logistical adjustments, the festival is moving into the city centre in 2026. The familiar Talavera meadow will not be used this time.
The bazaar & the supporting programme take place in the Town Hall courtyard, around the Grafeneckart and at the upper market square . Entry to the complete outdoor area including the open stages is completely free of charge! The evening concerts are moving to the foyer of the Congress Centrum Würzburg (CCW) – thus completely protected from rain.
Music highlights at the CCW
The line-up at Congress Centrum is impressive. But be careful when buying tickets: season passes are already sold out, and some evenings will be extremely busy. The evening concerts start at 20:30 each evening (doors open 19:30). These are the three acts everyone will be talking about this weekend:
- Friday, 22 May (20:30): Fafa Ruffino & Band: The West African artist brings packed energy and her brand new album to Würzburg. A perfect, lively opening.
- Saturday, 23 May (22:00): Made Kuti: The grandson of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti brings the sound of Nigeria to the CCW. If you fancy driving brass sections and modern Afrobeat, you can't miss this.
- Sunday, 24 May (22:00): Angélique Kidjo: The absolute icon and multiple Grammy winner is the absolute megastar of the weekend. Important: Pre-sale tickets for this evening are already completely sold out. You might be lucky enough to get remaining tickets at the box office on the evening.
Also on the bill: great singer-songwriter vibes from Lokua Kanza, reggae with Jahcoustix and the wonderful Ami Warning.
Attention students: The University tent
Since we're writing for the student newspaper, the University tent of the Forum Afrikazentrum at Uni Würzburg is your logical point of contact. You'll find it from Saturday to Monday directly in front of the Town Hall at the Vierröhrenbrunnen.
Würzburg researchers and students present their projects here. If you're interested in topics such as tropical biodiversity (e.g. on Kilimanjaro), climate research, the study of tropical diseases or international relations between Africa and the rest of the world, you can easily chat with lecturers here. There are short lectures, poster presentations and exciting insights into the excellence scholarship programme in the Congo.
Extra tip for culture addicts: If you want to dive deeper before or after the festival weekend: at Sanderring 2, the photo exhibition runs at the university until August "Stars and Legends @International Africa Festival", which looks back at the festival's origins.
About food and shopping
The traditional bazaar brings traders from over a dozen countries (including Senegal, Morocco, Ghana, Kenya and Madagascar) to Würzburg. If you want to decorate your flat share with traditional masks, handmade jewellery, colourful fabrics or musical instruments, you'll find what you're looking for here.
Culinarily, you should try everything: from African stews to couscous variations to sweet, oriental delicacies, there's something for everyone. Since the supporting programme this year takes place free of charge in the old town squares, it's the perfect opportunity to simply wander over with a few friends, let yourself drift and soak up the atmosphere.
Have fun 🙂