Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA)

The Harare International Festival of the Arts, known universally as HIFA, is Zimbabwe’s most celebrated cultural event and one of the continent’s most ambitious multi-arts festivals. First staged in 1999, HIFA ran for two decades before economic pressures brought it to a halt. Its return in August 2026 after an eight-year hiatus marks a genuine milestone for the city’s arts community and for Zimbabwe’s cultural identity more broadly.

What the festival covers

HIFA is a genuine multi-disciplinary event: theatre productions from local and international companies sit alongside jazz and afrobeats concerts, contemporary dance performances, aerial and circus acts, poetry slams, visual art installations and film screenings. The main hub is the Alliance Francaise and surrounding venues in the Harare Gardens area, with some performances spilling into outdoor spaces across the city centre.

The festival has historically attracted artists from across Africa, Europe and the Americas, and the 2026 programme is expected to follow that tradition. Evenings tend to be the most energetic, with headline music acts drawing large crowds to outdoor stages. Daytime sessions run workshops, artist talks and children’s programming, making HIFA accessible for families as well as arts professionals.

Practical information

Tickets for individual shows and festival passes are typically sold through the HIFA website and at venue box offices. Check the official Facebook page (facebook.com/officialhifa) as the programme is confirmed — popular acts sell out well in advance. The festival runs across seven days, so most visitors pick a two or three-day window and build their own schedule around headline acts that interest them.

The Alliance Francaise venue is a short walk from the city centre and well served by taxis and ride-hailing apps. August in Harare is dry and warm during the day but noticeably cool after dark — bring a layer for evening performances. Good accommodation books quickly during HIFA week; reserve early if you plan to be in Harare for the full run.

Our 7-day Zimbabwe itinerary can help you plan time in the capital alongside visits to Victoria Falls or Hwange.