Afrika Tage (Africa Days) celebrates the spirit of that great continent with a long festival in Vienna. The event entertains and enlightens as it builds bridges between cultures. Fill your senses (and your stomach).
- Music, dance, kids activities, food, shopping, and information with an African theme
- Full concerts in the evening
- Included Marla Glen and Youssou N’Dour last time
- Held on the Danube Island on the Danube river
- Great event for kids, too
- 2025 dates: TBA (was Aug 9-26 in 2024)
- See also:
- The Weltmuseum
- Events in Vienna
- Vienna in August
Afrika Tage in Vienna
(View from the evening stage; press photo courtesy of afrika-tage.at; photo by Christina Karagiannis)
Each year, a piece of Africa puts ashore on the Danube in Vienna, setting up stall(s) on the long artificial island that splits the river as it passes through the city.
The Afrika Tage festival is much as you’d expect: a colourful and vibrant celebration of the continent’s culture with an opportunity to learn about the people and places (and the challenges). See the official aftermovie from a past event at the bottom of the page for a flavour.
A visit is a treat for all the senses.
You have the forms and colours, especially in the clothing, arts and crafts at the bazaar that dominates the festival site.
Then the sounds, whether from a drum or dance workshop or one of the evening concerts featuring national and international acts.
(The Fair und Sensibel Band at a past event; press photo courtesy of afrika-tage.at)
Various stands selling African cuisine provide the tastes and smells.
And the info booths from NGOs active in Africa should leave you touched with a better understanding of the continent’s diversity and current issues.
For me, the highlight is always browsing the bazaar for African crafts, but parents tend to value the kids activities, such as a Nigerian drum session or a ride on a camel.
Those evening concerts at the Afrika Tage add a music festival vibe and feature African or Africa-inspired performers.
Top names regularly appear.
For example, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley dropped by in 2022. Burning Spear appeared in 2023. The magnificent Marla Glen and the mighty Youssou N’Dour graced the 2024 event.
Check the official website for full details of the event and programme.
2025 dates, tickets & tips
I don’t have dates yet for the 2025 Afrika Tage, but the previous edition ran from August 9th to 26th. Opening hours were:
- 2pm to midnight (Monday to Saturday)
- 11am to midnight (Sunday)
The festival always has various ticket options. See the website for details. A full adult day ticket cost €13 last time out if you entered before 5pm. If you went in after 5pm, you paid more normal concert prices on those days when the very top acts performed.
Entry is typically free on Mondays. Or “free”, as you should really make a donation to charity once inside.
How to get to the Africa festival
The festival takes place on the Donauinsel island: a popular recreational area and event location (see, for example, the huge open-air Donauinselfest music event).
Getting there is best via the railway and subway stations at either end of the Nordbahnbrücke bridge, with pedestrian access across to the island. The two stations are:
- Handelskai: on the U6 subway line and also various city train lines (S1, S2, S3, S4, S7 and S45)
- Neue Donau: also on the U6 subway line
Address: Donauinsel (Danube Island), 1220 Vienna
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