Zimbabwe’s flagship arts festival, the Harare International Festival of the Arts, is set to make a long-awaited comeback in 2026, with organisers officially confirming dates for its return after an eight-year absence.
In a statement released on social media, on Saturday, organisers announced that HIFA 2026 is themed “Up” and will run from August 3 to August 9. This will mark the first edition of the festival since it was last held in 2018.
Established in 1999 and traditionally hosted at the Harare Gardens, HIFA has long stood as a major platform for music, theatre, dance and visual arts, attracting performers and audiences from across the globe. International stars such as Salif Keita have previously headlined the event, helping cement its reputation as one of Africa’s leading cultural festivals.
Organisers also unveiled dates for upcoming editions, with HIFA 2027 scheduled for April 26 to May 2, and HIFA 2028 set for May 1 to May 7. “They are here! HIFA is excited to share these key dates…” read part of the announcement.
Beyond the main festival, an expanded programming calendar was revealed. This includes a monthly stand-up comedy series titled “Laughter, the Best Medicine”, with launch shows planned for Harare in late June and Bulawayo in early July. Other initiatives in the pipeline include a global touring series themed “Zimbabwe Independence”, the IHAS event in September, and “The Right Stuff” scheduled for December.
The revival of HIFA is expected to inject renewed energy into Zimbabwe’s creative sector, which has faced significant disruption in recent years. However, organisers have not yet provided details regarding venues, performers, or the full programme for the 2026 edition.
While anticipation continues to build, it remains unclear whether HIFA will return in its traditional form or adopt a refreshed structure. For now, the confirmation of dates signals a major step toward restoring one of the continent’s most celebrated arts festivals.
