Nairobi Festival is back, Uhuru Park comes alive with food, music, art and fireworks this Jamhuri! Nonstop vibes: street food, DOBA, Dunda Stage and kids’ fun. And the epic BEBA Awards Nairobi’s fiercest nganyas on show./HANDOIT
The revamped Uhuru Park is ready to host the much-awaited Third Edition of The Nairobi Festival.
Nairobians are set for an unforgettable Jamhuri Day weekend as the Nairobi Festival returns from December 12–14, injecting the city with vibrant colour, electrifying energy and a full showcase of culture.
The celebration lands at the heart of Kenya’s independence season, giving residents a fresh, exciting way to honour the spirit of Jamhuri Day.
This year’s theme, “Experience the Vibe of the City,” sets the tone for a three-day urban carnival designed to capture the creativity and pulse of Nairobi.
Nairobi Festival is back, Uhuru Park comes alive with food, music, art and fireworks this Jamhuri!
Nonstop vibes: street food, DOBA, Dunda Stage and kids’ fun.
And the epic BEBA Awards Nairobi’s fiercest nganyas on show./HANDOUT
Thousands of festival goers are expected to stream into the newly revamped Uhuru Park, a landmark recreational space that has hosted major civic and cultural events since the 1960s.
Festival goers can expect a rich mix of attractions spread across the park. The Nairobi Street Food Festival will serve everything from smoky nyama choma and kuku choma to modern street snacks and global bites, turning the grounds into a culinary playground.
Throughout the day, multiple performance stages will keep crowds on their feet with high-energy DOBA performances, live bands, DJs and an electrifying Dunda Music Stage.
Nairobi Festival is back, Uhuru Park comes alive with food, music, art and fireworks this Jamhuri! Nonstop vibes: street food, DOBA, Dunda Stage and kids’ fun. And the epic BEBA Awards Nairobi’s fiercest nganyas on show./HANDOUT
Art lovers will not be left behind. Live art walls, installations and pop-up exhibitions will give Nairobi’s visual creators a platform to display their talent.
Families can also enjoy a dedicated kids’ zone packed with games, rides and activities that keep young visitors entertained and safe.
The showstopper, however, is the 2025 BEBA Awards. The annual showcase celebrates the matatu culture that gives Nairobi its unique urban identity.
This year’s edition is expected to be the biggest ever, bringing together the city’s most iconic nganyas and senkes in a fierce showdown of custom chrome, LED displays, booming sound systems and dazzling artwork.
Nairobi Festival is back, Uhuru Park comes alive with food, music, art and fireworks this Jamhuri! Nonstop vibes: street food, DOBA, Dunda Stage and kids’ fun. And the epic BEBA Awards Nairobi’s fiercest nganyas on show./HANDOUT
With crews competing for top honours, the competition promises to turn Uhuru Park into a gallery of moving masterpieces.
Governor Johnson Sakaja has encouraged Nairobians to show up in large numbers and enjoy the celebration.
“Tukutane Nairobi Festival hii Jamhuri Day weekend. Karibuni," Governor Sakaja said.
The aim is to create a festive, family-friendly and accessible event. Ticket prices remain low, with children paying Sh50 and adults Sh100. Tickets can be purchased through USSD *647#, and gate payments will be cashless.
The festival will run daily from 10am until late in the evening. The BEBA Awards will take place on December 12 from 4pm to 7pm, while the Coca-Cola Caravan will roll into the park on Saturday as part of its nationwide tour.
Each night will end with a fireworks display lighting up the Nairobi skyline.
The Nairobi Festival was officially unveiled in 2022 by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to provide an opportunity for Kenyans to appreciate the city’s diverse food, culture and art.
Sakaja, in the inaugural edition, emphasised the festival’s focus on celebrating Nairobi’s rich culture, featuring artists exclusively from Nairobi County.
The event provides a platform for vendors and businesses to showcase their products.
