Congo Biennale
Watch for a dated edition announcement and distinguish it from other biennales.
Culture in motion
Events in the DRC
Discover confirmed dates, recurring cultural moments and local listings — then verify the organiser’s latest update before you travel.
Kinshasa is a UNESCO Creative City of Music
Kinshasa has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of music since 11 December 2015. The city’s live culture spans Congolese rumba, gospel, contemporary performance, visual art, fashion, film and nightlife.
The first UN Tourism World Music and Tourism Festival took place in Kinshasa from 16 to 18 July 2025. It is included here as a past landmark, not presented as a confirmed annual event.
Dates, venues and access can change. Check the organiser, transport, health alerts and current travel advice before committing to a journey, especially for eastern DRC.
Browse by interest
What is happening
Music and nightlife
Concerts, rumba, gospel, DJs and live venues.
Art, film and design
Biennales, exhibitions, screenings and creative-industry programmes.
Food and community
Markets, cultural celebrations, food-led gatherings and family days.
Sport and outdoors
Runs, matches, tournaments and organised outdoor events.
Business and conferences
Forums, trade events, summits and professional meet-ups.
National and city moments
Independence celebrations and recurring public cultural dates.
2026 calendar
Confirmed and recurring dates to watch
Confirmed dates link to an organiser. Recurring dates still need local confirmation.
24–31 July 2026
FESTAMMU
The Festival des Arts, de la Musique et des Musées publishes a 2026 programme through its organiser site.
24–25 September 2026
IRMA Creative Lab
A two-day creative-industry programme published by IRMA RDC. Confirm venue and registration with the organiser.
October 2026
Lubumbashi Biennale
The next Lubumbashi Biennale is listed for October 2026. Confirm exact dates and programme before travel.
21 June
Fête de la Musique
A recurring international music date often marked locally. City programmes vary each year.
30 June
DRC Independence Day
A national date that can bring ceremonies and cultural programming; check local announcements and closures.
16–18 July 2025
World Music and Tourism Festival
Past landmark: the inaugural festival was held in Kinshasa in 2025. A future edition is not assumed.
Plan around the date, not only the headline
When | Event or moment | Status | Before you go |
|---|---|---|---|
21 June | Fête de la Musique | Recurring date | Confirm the city programme and venue. |
30 June | DRC Independence Day | National date | Check ceremonies, traffic changes and business closures. |
24–31 July 2026 | FESTAMMU | Organiser-published | Check programme, tickets and venue updates. |
24–25 September 2026 | IRMA Creative Lab | Organiser-published | Confirm registration and final venue. |
October 2026 | Lubumbashi Biennale | Month announced | Wait for exact dates before booking around the event. |
16–18 July 2025 | World Music and Tourism Festival | Past event | Use as context only; do not assume recurrence. |
Date not confirmed | Congo Biennale | Editorial watchlist | Do not confuse it with the Lubumbashi or Venice biennales; wait for the organiser’s edition notice. |
Date not confirmed | Kinshasa Jazz Festival | Editorial watchlist | No current organiser date verified; do not book around an archived edition. |
Date not confirmed | Temps du Théâtre, Lubumbashi | Recurring cultural reference | Confirm the current edition with CATHEL or Institut français de Lubumbashi. |
Date not confirmed | International Mini-Marathon | Editorial watchlist | Confirm organiser, route, registration and road closures. |
Date not confirmed | Festival Tableau Noir | Editorial watchlist | Confirm the edition, city, venue and official ticket channel. |
Date not confirmed | Festival of Rural Theatre | Editorial watchlist | Confirm the organiser and province before planning travel. |
Date not confirmed | Kinshasa Book Fair / Fête du Livre | Recurring cultural reference | Confirm the next edition with Institut français de Kinshasa. |
31 December | New Year’s Eve programmes | Venue-led annual listings | Book only after the venue publishes the current year’s programme and transport plan. |
For any listing, verify the date on the organiser’s own channel, ask about ticket delivery, and confirm safe transport home before attending.
Editorial watchlist
Eight requested events awaiting a current edition
The supplied brief named these events, but no reliable current organiser date was found. They remain visible without being mislabelled as confirmed.
Unconfirmed
Kinshasa Jazz Festival
Confirm organiser, venue and current programme before planning travel.
Recurring reference
Temps du Théâtre
Lubumbashi performing-arts festival associated with CATHEL; current dates still need confirmation.
International Mini-Marathon
Wait for an official route, registration page and safety notice.
Unconfirmed
Festival Tableau Noir
Confirm the current edition and official ticket source.
Unconfirmed
Festival of Rural Theatre
Confirm organiser, province and access conditions.
Kinshasa Book Fair / Fête du Livre
Monitor Institut français de Kinshasa for the next edition.
New Year’s Eve
Programmes are venue-specific; verify the current year’s event and return transport.
Take part
