Afrika Tage (Africa Days) celebrates the spirit of that great continent with an 18-day 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
- Concerts in the evening with international performers
- Held on the Danube Island on the Danube river
- Top event for kids, too
- 2023 dates: Aug 11-28
- See also:
- The Weltmuseum
- Events in Vienna
- Vienna in August
Afrika Tage in Vienna
(The Fair und Sensibel Band at a past event; press photo courtesy of afrika-tage.at)
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 African bazaar that dominates the festival site.
Then the sounds, whether from a drum or dance workshop or one of the evening concerts.
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 often appear. For example, Damian “Jr Gong” Marley dropped by in 2022. Check the official website for full details of the next event (when available).
2023 dates and tickets
The next Afrika Tage is scheduled for August 11th to August 28th.
Last time out, opening hours were:
- 2pm to midnight (Wednesday to Saturday)
- 11am to midnight (Sunday to Tuesday)
The festival always has various ticket options. See the website for details. A day ticket cost €10 in 2022 if you entered before 5pm. If you went in later, you paid more normal concert prices (depending on the day).
Entry was free on Mondays or Tuesdays. Or “free”, as you should really have made a donation to charity once inside.
How to get to the Africa festival
The festival takes place on the Donauinsel. The island’s a popular recreational area and event location (see, for example, the huge open-air Donauinselfest music event).
Getting there is probably best via the railway and subway stations at either end of the Nordbahnbrücke, 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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