What's on in Nairobi and East Africa: 2-15 October

A two-week look at confirmed arts and culture events across Nairobi and the wider region, 2-15 October 2026.

Nairobi

• Oct 2, 6:30-11pm · Bronze Nights: Unveiling Dida — Matbronze Art Gallery & Foundry, Kifaru Lane, Karen · from KSh 2,000 (Early Bird KSh 1,500 sold out) — Kenya's first dedicated bronze-sculpture gallery and foundry unveils a life-size bronze of Dida, Tsavo's celebrated "Queen Tusker" elephant. Tickets

• Oct 3-4 · Aesop's Fables — A Ballet for Young Audiences — Kenya National Theatre · from KSh 1,000 — Dance Centre Kenya's Junior Company (dancers aged 7-11) performs a 75-minute family ballet adapting several of Aesop's fables, narrated by actor Chris Kamau. Tickets

• Oct 4 · Nairobi Jazz Orchestra Presents: Oktoberfest — Nairobi Street Kitchen · from KSh 1,500 — A big-band jazz evening with guest vocalists Jazz 254, Stephen Mutangili, Christine Wambui and Millie Asagi. Tickets

• Sept 9-Oct 10 · Kiure Francis Msangi: From Makerere to Stanford and the Nairobi Years — Circle Art Gallery (Gallery One), Lavington · free — The first retrospective of Tanzanian-born modernist Kiure Francis Msangi (1937-2003), who trained at Uganda's Makerere University and earned a PhD at Stanford before a long teaching career in Nairobi. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 12-5pm. Gallery

• Sept 9-Oct 10 · A Dual Exhibition: James Kagima and Dennis Muraguri — Circle Art Gallery (Gallery Two), Lavington · free — A two-artist show exploring everyday Kenyan life, identity and culture through distinct media. Same hours as above. Gallery

• Oct 9-10, doors 4pm · Don Carlos & Family: Reggae Nights and Rising Star Competition — Carnivore Grounds · early-bird general from US$11.64 (~KSh 1,500); VIP from ~US$22.16; VVIP from ~US$32.68; full ticket range up to US$85.27 for premium tables — Jamaican reggae veteran Don Carlos plays two nights, paired with a Rising Star reggae competition for emerging Kenyan talent. Tickets via SimpleTix only. Tickets

• Oct 10 · Big Voices Fest: Mahaba Edition — Kiambu (exact venue not yet announced) · KSh 2,000-9,500 (lowest tier sold out at time of writing) — A love-themed festival mixing Mugithi, Afro-pop, R&B and Benga, headlined by Otile Brown, Sanaipei Tande, Kidum, Gasheni and DJ Lisney. The organiser has not named the specific venue within Kiambu; check before travelling. Tickets

• Oct 14 · Art Auction East Africa — Preview Exhibition & Party — Circle Art Gallery, Lavington · free to view, registration required to bid — A preview (6-8pm) of all 67 modern and contemporary lots from artists in nine countries, ahead of the Strauss & Co-run live and online sale on Oct 28. Details

Kigali

• Through Oct 3 · Umurage International Book & Arts Festival — Norrsken East Africa (main programme, Writers Lab) / Busanza Park (Book Market, Children's Festival) · price not published — Kigali's international book and arts festival, themed "The future is written: human voices, intelligent tools," with panels, exhibitions, performances and workshops. Festival

Kampala

• Through Nov 21 · Sanaa Gateja: They Too Are the Earth — Afriart Gallery (Afriart画廊), Industrial Area · free — New work by veteran Ugandan artist Sanaa Gateja, known as "The Bead King" for turning recycled paper into beads: paper-bead tapestries on bark cloth, banana-fibre pieces and found-root sculptures. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm. Gallery

More events and tickets: https://www.ficafilm.com/news/events