THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The annual parade of African music and culture — a dazzling showcase of the continent’s finest artists and Diaspora talent — bursts into full bloom in May, setting the stage for months of joy, artistry and cultural communion.
Germany’s summer calendar is adorned with festivals that pay homage to Africa’s diverse cultures. From the charming southwestern town of Emmendingen, nestled near Freiburg, to the dynamic heart of the nation in Berlin, these events, holding from May through November across the country, offer immersive experiences in African music, dance, cuisine and art.
Below, we unveil the Top African Festivals in Germany — each one a passport to an unforgettable journey through the soul of a continent, and a celebration of the unity that music, culture, and community can inspire.
African Food Festival Berlin
10-11 May / Berlin, Gleisdreieck-Park
Great food and good vibes! Various stalls offer a selection of authentic African dishes. The festival aims to show that African cuisine goes far beyond the usual clichés and offers many unique and experimental flavour experiences. Musically, the African Food Festival is accompanied by a mixture of Afro House and Afrobeats. Young designers present their products at the African Goods Market. Visitors have the opportunity to sample authentic teas and chocolate from Africa and shop for sustainable fashion and accessories.
https://www.africanfoodfestival.de/
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Africa Festival Wuerzburg
29 May – 1 June / Wuerzburg, Mainwiesen
If you yearn for the vibrant rhythms of West Africa — the melodic mastery of Habib Koité, the enchanting balafon of Aly Keita, the kora elegance of Lamine Cissokho, the powerful vocals of Mama Koné or the legendary presence of Omar Pene — then Würzburg is your destination this year. Add to that the rising jazz phenomenon Fola Dada and the high-energy groove of Ghana’s Santrofi, and you have a musical lineup that promises to stir hearts and move feet.
But the Africa Festival in Würzburg offers more than music. From captivating film screenings, a fashion show and a vibrant bazaar to an extensive children’s programme that delights young minds, the festival is a full celebration of African culture in all its richness and diversity.
First held in 1989, the Africa Festival is the oldest and largest festival of its kind in Europe. Over the decades, more than 7,790 musicians and artists from 56 countries across Africa and the Caribbean have graced its stages, sharing the continent’s profound cultural heritage with an audience of over 2.7 million visitors.
Würzburg is calling — and the heartbeat of Africa awaits.
www.africafestival.org
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International African Festival Tubingen
5 – 8 June/ Tubingen, Festplatz, Tübingen
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the festival — a milestone that will be celebrated with a vibrant retrospective of a quarter-century of intercultural dialogue, community engagement and Diaspora mobilization. True to its legacy, the International African Festival Tubingen continues to be much more than a cultural showcase. It offers audiences a unique opportunity to engage with the political, social and environmental issues shaping the African continent today. Through informative stands, interactive workshops, lectures and discussion forums, festival goers can deepen their understanding — all while immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of music, dance and cultural expression that the festival offers.
https://www.africafestival-international.org/
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Afro-Ruhr Festival
4 – 7 July / Dortmund, Fritz-Henßler-Haus
Get ready for three unforgettable days of rhythm, colour and culture at the festival — a spectacular celebration of Africa right in the heart of the Ruhr region! From electrifying live concerts and a bustling bazaar to hands-on workshops and high-energy club nights, this festival is a feast for the senses.
But the celebration doesn’t end there — the spirit of Africa pulses through a rich program of cultural events before and after the festival weekend. Discover the continent through powerful literary readings, thought-provoking films and striking visual art exhibitions that reveal Africa’s depth, diversity and creativity.
www.afro-ruhr-festival.de
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Afrikatage Landshut
4 – 6 July / Landshut, Alte Kaserne
It will all be about African music, dance and fashion in and around the Old Barracks of Landshut for three days. The creative, colourful and varied Africa will be on display with 50 market stands, displaying musical instruments, fabrics, jewellery, shoes, masks, but also CDs, pictures and much more. Culinary specialties from West and North Africa ensure unusual culinary delights. International, antiracist and African projects are presented as well. Since 2002, the festival has contributed to putting Africa on the cultural calendar in Landshut and has gained an excellent reputation beyond the Bavarian town. The 15,000 to 30,000 festival visitors each year are a proof of its attraction.
https://afrikatage-landshut.de
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Afrika-Festival Stuttgart
10 – 13 July / Stuttgart, Erwin-Schöttle-Platz
2025 is a special year: the Africa Festival Stuttgart turns 20! For the very first time, it’ll be celebrating over four days — from Thursday to Sunday — with a festival brimming with culture, music and fun. Get ready for a jubilee edition packed with surprises, unforgettable highlights and a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the rich diversity of the African continent and its Diaspora like never before.
https://www.afrikafestival-stuttgart.de/
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African Festival Potsdam/Brandenburg
4 – 6 July / Potsdam, Luisenplatz
Cultural displays/attractions, Presentation of Kings & Queens, Catwalk, Modelling, Fashion show, Melodrama, Theatre Dance, Choreography, Gospel Singers, Reggae music, Different Bands, Upcoming Artists, Food from different African countries, Children programmes, Cooking show, Tombola etc.
Contact: 0152 337 149 48, 0152 11487 309, 017672735805
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Sommerfestival der Kulturen Stuttgart
15 – 20 July / Stuttgart, Marktplatz
For six vibrant days, Stuttgart comes alive with dance, celebration, conversation, and culinary delights. Stars from the international world music scene light up the stage with exhilarating performances — from traditional Griot sounds to Indie Rock, Ska, Balkan beats, Cumbia, Rumba, Flamenco, and much more — all with free admission!
Delicious cuisine from across the globe and a rich cultural program are presented by Stuttgart’s dynamic (post-)migrant organizations and initiatives, creating a true mosaic of global cultures. Families can look forward to a diverse children’s program running throughout all six days of the festival. Meanwhile, a colourful “Market of Cultures” winds its way through the side streets of the marketplace, offering treasures, tastes, and traditions from every corner of the world.
www.sommerfestival-der-kulturen.de
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African Music Festival Emmendingen
31 July – 3 August / Emmendingen, Schlossplatz
The festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. What began as a modest gathering has blossomed into a cultural institution of international significance. Now, as it marks this milestone, the festival steps confidently into a new era — elevated, expansive, and more vibrant than ever.
Under this year’s jubilee motto, “Music Unites,” the festival celebrates music as a powerful force that transcends borders, cultures,and generations. The program bridges past and future, embodying the essence of what it means to grow — and to keep growing.
Each day of the festival promises a musical highlight to remember. On stage: top-tier artists including Ghanaian superstar Stonebwoy, legendary Jamaican reggae group Morgan Heritage, Germany’s own Gentleman and Marley’s Ghost feat. Dellé, the iconic frontman of SEEED — along with many other internationally renowned performers.
Get ready for a world-class, diverse program that’s as exciting as it is unforgettable!
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Nollywood Film Festival
8 – 9 August/Frankfurt am Main, Goethe Universität
The Nigerian home-grown film industry, known globally as Nollywood, has a date with its fans in Germany again in August. The festival will be crowned with the Nollywood E-Golden Awards at which selected industry practitioners who “have played important roles in making Nollywood what it has become today” will be honoured. A-list stand-up comedians, cultural dancers and Nigerian hip-hop performances will also feature at the awards event.
http://www.nollywoodawards.com/
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Kenako-Festival Berlin
No Date Yet / Berlin, Alexanderplatz
The flair of the African cultures comes to Berlin! Visitors can buy handmade art, clothing, cosmetics and food at the bazaar. The stage offers a cultural program of music, dance and theatre. In addition, What does Africa engagement look like in Germany? You will find answers to these and many more questions at the Kenako Festival as numerous organizations, associations and initiatives from all over Germany present their projects around Africa and the African diaspora.
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Alafia – Afrika Festival Hamburg
22 – 24 August / Hamburg, Große Bergstrasse
Alafia stands for peace, tolerance and openness. With rhythmic music, individual craftsmanship and delicacies from different countries, the festival brings together the cultures of the African continent in Hamburg. “For political and symbolic reasons, it is important to us to present Black music, political discourse, and the Black Albarika Market publicly in the very heart of the city,” the organisers say. “In doing so, we send a clear message against racism and discrimination, and underline the need for an international festival in the centre of Hamburg, a Free and Hanseatic City that proudly embraces its identity as a multicultural metropolis. This is our stand — for an open and inclusive society!”
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MitAfrika Festival
22 – 24 August / Cologne, Schockoladenmuseum
Expected bright sunshine will attract many visitors to the “MitAfrika” festival at the Chocolate Museum. Culinary and arts and crafts as well as many colourful colours and children’s attractions. Many participants may also take the opportunity to participate in the drum and dance workshops of Mama Afrika.
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Afrika Film Festival Köln
18 – 28 September /Cologne
In its 22nd year, the festival will present films from Africa and its diaspora and play hosts to international filmmakers. In addition to the screenings, podium discussions, featuring directors, will debate the current standing of the African filmmaking world.
FilmInitiativ Köln e.V. has organised the festival themed Jenseits von Europa – Filme aus Afrika (Out of Europe – Films from Africa) since 1992. More than 500 films from 40 African countries have been shown in Cologne at the biennial festival and the film specials held during the years in between.
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AFRIKAMERA
November/Berlin, Kino Arsenal
By presenting current films by African directors, AFRIKAMERA aims to immerse its visitors in the cultural, historical, social, religious and political consciousness of contemporary Africa. AFRIKAMERA cooperates with the major African film festivals, from Ouagadougou (with FESPACO) to Marrakech and Durban, in order to present African cinema in all its diversity
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