FESTIVALS IN CAPE VERDE
Festivals in Cape Verde are held on each of the islands. They can be joyful, colourful events and consequently fun to watch and in which to participate. The type of festival varies from island to island. Here, we give you a summary of the festivals you might discover when visiting Cape Verde. Many are centred on saints days consequently some villages have their own, relating to their churches dedication. Some events, such as the Gamboa Festival attract musicians from other countries.
Carnival is celebrated on all of the islands at the start of Lent. The celebrations often last over the three days before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. It is a colourful and joyous event. Although it is celebrated on all the islands, the most elaborate event is in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente. There is more information on the Mindelo Carnival below.
Boa Vista
Cruz D’Nho Lôl in May
Santa Cruz in May
Festas de S. João Batista in June
Santo António in June
Santa Isabel in July
Festival of Music of Praia d’Cruz in August
Brava
Festa de Santa Cruz in May
Festas Juninas including Festa de São João Baptista on 24 June
Dia de São Paulinho in July
Sete Sóis Sete Luas Festival varies each year
Fogo
Carnival in the days immediately before Lent
Festa de Bandeira de São Felípe at end of April
Maio
Festa de S. João in June
Festa do Município in September
Festival de Bitxa Rotxa in September
Sal
Carnival on starts three days before Ash Wednesday (often February)
Festa de Santa Cruz in May
Nossa Senhora da Piedade in August
Santa Maria Music Festival in September
Festividades do Município do Sal in September
Santiago
Atlantic Music Expo in April
Kriol Jazz Festival in April
Festa do Município (Praia) in May
Gamboa in May
Tabanca in June
Festa da Nossa Sra. da Graça in August
Festa de Nha Santa Catarina in November
Santo Antão
Festa de Santo António das Pombas in June
Violin Festival in June
Festa de São João Baptista in June
Sete Sóis e Sete Luas time of yeah varies
São Nicolau
Carnival on starts three days before Ash Wednesday
Sodad Festival d’Morna in April
Festa de São João in June
Festival Praia de Tedja in August
Feira Gastronomica Gostos e Sabores do Parque in August
São Vicente
Carnival on starts three days before Ash Wednesday (see more information below)
Festival de Música da Laginha in May
Festas Joaninas “Kolá San Jon” in June
Kavala Fresk Festival “Diplomacia gastronómica” in July
Festival Internacional de Musica da Baía das Gatas in August
Morna Jazz Festival in September
Mindelact Festival Internacional da Teatro in November (time of year may vary)
Mindelo Carnival
The carnival in Mindelo is the biggest and the most elaborate in Cape Verde. The barefoot diva, Cesária Évora called Mindelo a ‘little Brazil’. This carnival is not on the scale of the one in Rio de Janeiro, but it is very easy to enjoy because Mindelo is a relatively small city.
The carnival celebrations start on the Friday night before the official Carnival day (Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday). The celebrations continue over the weekend with various parades and events. Then the main procession is on Tuesday, however, the party continues right through to the following Sunday.
A popular element in the Mindelo carnival is the Mandinga groups. They dress up as warriors. The Mandikas are an ethnic people from parts of West Africa. Recently they have started parading around the city on Sundays, start after the New Year’s Eve celebrations. On the Sunday after carnival the Mandingas parade in what is called the ‘carnival funeral’.
The carnival season in Mindelo is very beautiful and is well worth visiting. Accommodation does cost more during the carnival season, but it does not increase as much as it does for carnival in some other countries. Accommodation and flights get booked up very early, so it is advisable to book early. The future Carnival dates are as follows:
2024: 13 February
2025: 4 March
2026: 17 February
