Lusaka Carnival 2026: Two Days of Music, Culture and Parade

Lusaka Carnival returns on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026 at the NASDEC Sports Complex, with a headline international act and a full parade programme.

Dates and venue

• Friday 20 November: Home Coming Fete, from 12:00 CAT
• Saturday 21 November: Carnival Parade and Concert, times vary by day
• Venue: NASDEC Sports Complex, Lusaka

Headline act

International Caribbean star Nailah Blackman headlines the concert. The organisers are billing the weekend as the meeting point of African and Caribbean culture, and the headliner is the clearest signal of the ambition — this is positioned as a destination event rather than a local festival.

Why NASDEC matters

The NASDEC Sports Complex is Lusaka's largest outdoor assembly venue. It sits off the Cairo Road / Great East Road corridor, which means it can absorb a crowd in the tens of thousands without the gridlock that a city-centre street parade creates — but it also means transport planning matters more than usual.

Getting there

If you are driving, expect the Cairo Road approach to close early on Saturday as the parade route is prepared. Public transport from the city centre gets very heavy from around midday. If you are staying in a Lusaka hotel, the practical move is to book your ride-hail back rather than relying on hailing one after the concert ends.

What to wear and bring

Both days are outdoor. Late October into November is the tail of the rains in Lusaka, so expect afternoon downpours and then heat once the sky clears. Bring a compact umbrella that you can fold into a bag, and closed shoes for the parade ground — the grass and gravel at NASDEC punish open sandals by hour two.

Getting tickets

Tickets are sold by day and as a weekend package, with the weekend option usually the better value if you are attending both. Category availability changes closer to the date; the 90's Reunion Festival at R&G Arena on 31 October is the other major Lusaka music event this quarter and it draws a comparable crowd.

TicketTrails lists both Lusaka Carnival and the other major November events with NFC entry and local payment options. Browse Lusaka events or see our full Zambia events calendar for 2026.