Christmas and New Year Events in Zambia 2026: What to Book Now

Zambia's festive season events book out early — the December church gatherings and end-of-year galas are the fastest-selling dates of the year. Here is what is confirmed for December 2026 and what to prioritise.

Cross Over Night — 31 December, Lusaka

The single largest event of the Zambian festive season. Take Me To Jesus Ministries International holds Cross Over Night on Thursday 31 December from 22:00 through to 05:00 on 1 January on Great East Road, Lusaka.

The event is free but registration is mandatory. Transport is organised: the Bus Chatter departs Southern Sun Hotel at 21:00, with return transport leaving the venue at 06:00. Ministers listed for the night include Minister Kezia, Lady Lista Kapenda and Evangelist Peter Powanga.

If you are not from Lusaka, this is the one event where the shuttle details matter more than the ticket price. Plan to be at the Southern Sun pickup point by 20:45.

A Night Among The Ton — 12–13 December, Lusaka

A Regency-themed masquerade gala at Wils Hotel Supreme, starting 16:00 on 12 December. Guests choose a society title on arrival and compete for titles including Diamond of the Season and Most Eligible Bachelor.

The event runs live entertainment, music, mystery, awards and a giving component supporting children in need. If you are looking for a premium end-of-year event in Lusaka, this is the one.

Nsobe Bush Run 2026 — 12 December, Copperbelt

The sixth edition of the Nsobe Bush Run takes place on Saturday 12 December at Nsobe Game Camp, near Ndola in the Copperbelt. Race categories are 5km, 10km and 21km, on bush trails through miombo woodland.

This is a race with a purpose: entry fees fund Nsobe Schools, which educate more than 600 vulnerable children from the surrounding rural community. That framing is deliberate — the organisers state plainly that this is not a race about big prizes.

Race logistics

• 21km: starts 06:30, cut-off 10:00
• 10km: starts 07:00, cut-off 09:00
• 5km: starts 07:30, cut-off 09:00
• Registration: opens 05:30; bib collection at registration
• Fee includes: race bib, finishing medal and T-shirt
• Registration closes: 20 November 2026
• Contact: WhatsApp 0968 934342

A virtual run option is available for people who cannot travel, though virtual entrants are not placed or eligible for prizes.

Traditional African Medicine Retreat — 1–7 December, Copperbelt

A six-night hands-on herbal medicine retreat at Nsobe Game Camp from 1 to 7 December, priced at US$2,500 per person. Indigenous healers from the BIPOC herbalism community teach harvesting, preparation and application of native remedies; guests make three to five herbal remedies a day. The itinerary adds safari game drives across the 1,500-hectare sanctuary, guided medicinal-plant bushwalks, village visits and Zambian farm-to-table cooking. Accommodation is in traditional bush chalets.

Mosi oa Tunya 7s Rugby Scrummage — December, Livingstone

A sevens rugby scrummage in Livingstone through December. If you are combining the festive period with Victoria Falls, this fills the gap between the falls trip and New Year.

What to book first

1. Cross Over Night — free, but registration and transport allocation are capacity-bound.
2. Nsobe Bush Run — registration closes 20 November, which is earlier than the race date suggests. Missing it means missing the event.
3. A Night Among The Ton — masquerade gala capacity is small and the theme means outfits are planned, not improvised.

Weather note

December is late rainy season in Zambia. Expect afternoon storms clearing to copper-coloured sunsets, and pack accordingly for outdoor events. It is also the low season for hotel rates after the November UN and conference business ends, so late bookings can be good value.

TicketTrails lists Zambia's December events with local payment options. Browse Zambia events or see the full 2026 events calendar.