Events in Windhoek throughout the year

March/AprilWild Cinema-Windhoek
International Film Festival

The Wild Cinema Film Festival has already been held in Windhoek for six years. Each year, films from various countries are shown over a period of ten days at the Warehouse Theatre, the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre, Zoo Park as well as the Goethe-Centre and the Ster Kinekor cinema. Since 2007, the Namibia Film Awards have been handed to the best Namibian production. A detailed programme is published in the Allgemeine Zeitung and in a related brochure.

Contact person: Irmgard Schreiber, tel.:
+264 (0)81-258 0141,
email: [email protected], www.wildcinema.org
April WIKA Karneval

Enjoy the traditional German carnival, which has been a tourist attraction in Windhoek for almost 50 years, featuring exciting cabaret evenings and an all-night masked ball. The WIKA parade where community and participating business floats, move down Independence Avenue should not be missed.

More infos: www.skw.com.na/wika

MayNamibia Travel Expo

The Namibia Travel Expo has been the biggest tourism exhibition for the past nine years, and new products and concepts from the industry are presented on the Windhoek Show Grounds. It is meant to establish communication within the tourism industry, but also offer potential clients the opportunity to try out some of the new ideas on the market. Spectacular shows, culinary delights and of course plenty of information stands await clients and visitors each year.

Contact person:
Glenda Manthe-Grobler (Coordinator)
tel: +264 (0)61-297 2009
mobil: +264 (0)81 122 2100
email: [email protected]
August Polytechnic of Namibia
Cultural Week

Here visitors can watch students participate in their different cultural activities, experience traditional costumes, food, live band entertainment, talent shows, and competitions in singing, poetry, dancing and gospel shows.

Public relations: Mrs Roux-Che Locke,
tel. +264 (0)61-2072007,
email: [email protected]August/SeptemberStandard Bank Biennale

Although the Standard Bank Biennale did not take place the last two years, the 25-year-old event has not been scrapped. It is set to take place again in September 2008, because a different financial institute is looking to take over as host of the art competition, namely Bank Windhoek. That is also when the 'Bank Windhoek Triennale' will be born. The Standard Bank Biennale was last held in 2005, and was founded as the premier art competition in Namibia in 1981. Since then it has taken place every two years. The next one was set to take place in September this year, but has been substituted by an exhibition entitled 'Namibia Art Today', which is planned for the same time and will be held at the National Art Gallery. The 'Bank Windhoek Triennale' only starts in 2008, but entries will be accepted from this year onwards. As the name implies, it will be held every three years.
Contact person: Joseph Madisia, Director of the National Art Gallery, tel.:+264 (0)61 231160

September Unam Cultural Week
Cultural dances, traditional food and costumes are some of what's on offer during the Unam Cultural Week. Games, story telling, international gala, live Namibian bands, Mr and Ms UNAM beauty pageant, flea markets and food stalls will also be held during the event.

Contact: Students Affairs Division, UNAM, tel.: +264 (0)61-206 3963/3973


/AE/GAMS Arts and Cultural Festival

Mayor of Windhoek, Mr Matheus Shikongo first inaugurated the festival in 2001, which has taken place every year since then. It is meant to offer artists from Windhoek and around the country the opportunity to showcase their talents. It also acts as proof of the various cultural aspects of Namibia. The best contestants are presented with awards after the festival, which lasts for several days.

More infos: www.windhoekcc.org.na
September/OctoberWindhoek Show

The biggest industrial and agricultural exhibition in Namibia always takes place during the first week of October at the Windhoek Show Grounds. Visitors can take a closer look at what's new on the market, with roughly 500 exhibitors spread out across the show grounds. Since last year, each hall is theme-specific, making it easier to find what you're looking for. There's also live music, the Miss Show beauty pageant and a spectacular fireworks display. Numerous Take Aways and traditional kitchens cater for all culinary needs.
Contact: Windhoek Show Society
email: [email protected]
President: Theo Schoeman, Schoemans Office Systems, Windhoek, Nelson Mandela Avenue, tel.: +264(0)61-238320 or
+264(0)81-1281945, fax +264 (0)61-226930

OctoberNamibia Youth Expo

The Youth Expo is held at Zoo Park over several days and offers young entrepreneurs and artists between the age of 16 and 40 an opportunity to present their products. The goal of the event is to give the participants a platform from which to meet potential clients and business partners. Youth- and social awareness programmes as well as trainers and businesses from all over southern Africa are represented, to give the youngsters tips for the future.

More infos: www.youthcouncil-namibia.org


Oktoberfest

Every year around this time the traditional German Beer Festival takes place in Windhoek. Enjoy live band entertainment from Germany, various games, children's entertainment and a 'Königin' competition. It is held at the Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW).

Contact person: Mr Haussman, Wika Street, tel.: +264 (0)61 235 521
DecemberSanlam NBC Music Awards

This year, the annual Sanlam NBC Music Awards are taking place for the fifth time and reflects the variety of Namibia's music scene. Last year, artists were awarded in thirty different categories, which include the best traditional music from every language group, even the German one.
More infos: www.windhoekcc.org.na