A Year of Festivities in Rwanda

In 2023, Rwanda has hosted an array of high-profile international events in Kigali and beyond, featuring notable gatherings such as the 73rd FIFA Congress, Women Deliver, the Giants of Africa Festival, the Time 100 Summit, and the Trace Awards. However, the country’s annual and semi-annual events are equally glamorous and thrilling. Let’s explore the celebrations that Rwanda offers throughout the year.

Tour Du Rwanda

Attention all cycling enthusiasts! The Tour Du Rwanda is one of Africa’s premier cycling events, growing in scale and excitement each year. The renowned rolling hills of Rwanda provide an ideal mix of challenge and beauty for cyclists, fostering a vibrant local cycling community while attracting competitors from around the globe.

The Tour du Rwanda began in 1988 but gained momentum two decades later with the introduction of international partnerships, taking the local event to a global stage. Over the course of 8 days, it showcases 4 breathtaking provinces, featuring 20 teams and 100 cyclists from around the world. In 2023, the competition unfolded in February, offering thrilling moments for spectators and hopefuls alike.

The Walk to Remember

Every year on April 7th, Rwanda observes ‘Cyunamo,’ a week-long memorial honoring the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. During this time, celebrations and loud gatherings are discouraged, and restaurants and bars modify their hours to show respect for the mourning period.

Since 2009, an annual highlight has been ‘The Walk to Remember,’ a community march from the Rwanda Parliament building to Amahoro National Stadium. Originally started as a youth initiative to raise awareness about genocide and the importance of combating genocide ideology, it has expanded to include thousands of citizens, diplomats, visitors, and typically, the President and First Lady of the Republic.

Despite the somber purpose and timing of the event, the walk carries an uplifting spirit, and 2024 will celebrate 30 years of peace since the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

Ubumuntu Arts Festival

The Ubumuntu Arts Festival unites artists from various disciplines worldwide on the Rwandan stage to celebrate our shared humanity (the essence of Ubumuntu) through the medium of art. Each year, the festival showcases captivating and thought-provoking performances, including dance, drama, and music, aimed at highlighting the commonalities that unite different races, cultures, and beliefs.

The after parties are always a highlight! For the festival’s 10th anniversary in 2024, the theme will be ‘Integrity: Resilience in the Face of Adversity.’ As the event's founder, Hope Azeda, states, this theme serves as a reminder to uphold our values and to cultivate resilience in challenging times.

The Basketball Africa League Finals

May in Kigali is dominated by the Basketball Africa League. For the past three years, the BAL has hosted its finals in Kigali, attracting teams from across the continent and fans from around the globe to the BK Arena for the thrilling matches.

You don’t need to be a basketball enthusiast to appreciate the vibrant atmosphere during the week of competition and related events. Kigali buzzes with energy, as restaurants, bars, and hotel lobbies fill with athletes, celebrities, NBA legends, influencers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. They gather not just to celebrate, but to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Every year, excitement builds. This year, the Rwanda Development Board and the BAL have announced a partnership ensuring that Rwanda will continue to host the event for the next five years. What a win!

Diner En Blanc Kigali

What happens when you combine a formal dress code, a hidden venue, live music, and the requirement to bring your own food and drinks? You witness hundreds of guests feasting, dancing, and enjoying an extravagant picnic against the picturesque hills of Kigali.

The original Diner En Blanc was conceived by a group of friends in Paris. Inspired by this idea, another group, Illume Creative Studio, introduced it to Rwanda, making Kigali the first African city to host this global event in 2012. Since then, its popularity has soared among both locals and visitors. This event is held biennially in even-numbered years.

IronMan 70.3 Rubavu Triathlon

In August 2024, the Ironman 70.3 Triathlon will once again take place in Rwanda’s welcoming Rubavu district. This thrilling (and challenging!) one-day triathlon gathers some of the world's top athletes. The race features a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a tough 13.1-mile run.

Whether you're competing or cheering from the sidelines, Rwanda's pristine, green hills and tranquil blue waters provide an ideal setting. The enthusiasm of the athletes is truly infectious.

Kwita Izina

Every September, Rwanda honors its commitment to safeguarding the majestic mountain gorillas with a special naming ceremony for all the new baby gorillas born that year. Since 2005, nearly 400 gorillas have received names.

This charming tradition originates from a cultural practice – Kwita Izina – where family and friends gather to name a new baby. Revived since 2005 with the inaugural gorilla naming ceremony, it has grown into a widely celebrated event among conservationists and local communities living near the gorillas’ mountainous habitats.

Each year, the event features namers from various backgrounds, including researchers, gorilla trackers, doctors, and even celebrities. In celebration of the 20th anniversary next year, the Rwanda Development Board aims to invite many past namers alongside new ones to commemorate the recovery of this once critically endangered species.

This is just the beginning. Regardless of when you visit, there’s always something thrilling happening in Rwanda.