By Oluchi Obiahu
PAST EVENT
Everywoman Festival 2026 (Scottish Debut)
Dates: June 2026
Venue: The Meadows, Edinburgh, Scotland
The Everywoman Festival made a beautiful and energetic Scottish debut this June with a special pop-up edition nestled within the beloved Meadows Festival in Edinburgh. In partnership with Edinburgh Medical 300, the two-day celebration brought together women from all walks of life for a heartfelt and empowering experience. Against the scenic backdrop of one of Edinburgh’s most iconic green spaces, the festival delivered its signature mix of community, connection, and joy. Attendees enjoyed a rich programme featuring dance classes, pilates sessions, intimate workshops, live talks, arts & crafts, market stalls, and goodie bags. It was a full day dedicated to learning, moving, talking, laughing, and creating space for women to feel seen and supported. The inaugural Scottish edition was widely praised for its warm atmosphere and meaningful impact – a true celebration of womanhood in all its dimensions. A wonderful success and a beautiful addition to Edinburgh’s summer calendar.
Ojude Oba Festival 2026 Recap
Date: Third day of Eid al-Kabir (Ileya)
Location: Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria
In the historic town of Ijebu-Ode in southwestern Nigeria, the Ojude Oba Festival once again lit up the streets with vibrant colours, deep cultural pride, and spectacular fashion. This annual local Yoruba celebration honours the Awujale (the traditional ruler) of Ijebuland and is deeply rooted in the customs of the Yoruba people. Held on the third day of the Muslim Eid al-Kabir festival, it brings together families, age groups, and community societies in a grand parade to pay homage to the king while proudly displaying their heritage. What consistently steals the spotlight is the extraordinary fashion on display. The streets transform into a living runway as participants – especially the women, show up in breathtaking attire.
From richly woven traditional fabrics like aso-oke and adire to elaborate headpieces, intricate beadwork, and glamorous ensembles, the style and elegance were nothing short of spectacular. The 2026 edition proved yet again why Ojude Oba has earned a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most visually stunning cultural events, where tradition, community, and high fashion come together in perfect harmony. A beautiful showcase of local Yoruba pride, royalty, and unmatched sartorial excellence.
UPCOMING EVENT
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 (Canada, Mexico, and the United States)
Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026 (Ongoing)
Locations: 16 host cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States
The biggest sporting event on the planet is underway! The FIFA World Cup 2026, the first-ever 48-team edition is lighting up North America with a record 104 matches across three host nations. From the opening match on June 11 in Mexico City to the grand finale on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium, football fever has taken over the continent. Expect thrilling group stage clashes, rising stars, veteran legends, and unforgettable atmospheres in iconic venues from Los Angeles and Miami to Toronto and Guadalajara. This expanded tournament is delivering more drama, more nations, and more opportunities for historic moments as teams battle for global glory. The world is watching as Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas collide on the pitch. The tournament is live right now, don’t forget to catch every thrilling moment while it lasts.
INTERNATIONAL IMPROV & PLAYBACK THEATRE FESTIVAL (Nigeria)
Dates: June 22 – 27, 2026
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Africa is about to witness history in the theatre world. The International Improv & Playback Theatre Festival arrives as the continent’s first-ever international festival dedicated to improvisational and playback theatre, celebrating the power of storytelling, spontaneity, and emotional connection. This groundbreaking six-day festival will bring together theatre practitioners, storytellers, improvisers, and creatives from across Africa and beyond for performances, workshops, masterclasses, and impactful sessions focused on using theatre as a tool for social change and community healing. Expect raw, spontaneous performances, deeply moving playback theatre sessions, and vibrant conversations on the transformative role of theatre in today’s society. It’s a unique platform for artists to sharpen their craft while creating meaningful
impact.
AFRICA-DUBAI HOME EXPO 2026 (Nigeria)
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Venue: Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lagos
A premium platform connecting Africa and the UAE is coming to Lagos. The Africa-Dubai Home Expo 2026 is set to be a major gathering for the home, real estate, and construction industry, bringing together architects, interior designers, builders, developers, homeowners, and investors. This focused exhibition will showcase the latest innovations in home interiors, smart home technology, sustainable building materials, architecture, and luxury living solutions. With strong Dubai-Africa linkages, the expo offers excellent opportunities for cross-border partnerships, investment, and knowledge exchange. Expect inspiring showcases, panel discussions, keynote speeches, and workshops covering green building practices, future urban living, and real estate investment opportunities across the continent. Whether you’re a professional in construction, real estate, design, or simply looking to build or upgrade your dream home, this is the perfect platform to explore trends and forge valuable connections.
UGANDA INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK 2026 (Uganda)
Dates: Monday 22 June – Saturday 27 June 2026
Venue: Kampala Serena Hotel, Kampala, Uganda
Theme: Fashion for Impact
Uganda International Fashion Week is back after a six-year break, and the 2026 edition is set to be one of its most meaningful yet. Under the theme “Fashion for Impact”, the week-long event will spotlight sustainability, youth empowerment, inclusivity, and the business side of fashion across East Africa. Organisers have already made a strong statement by selecting 100 talented models through a nationwide casting call, giving young Ugandan talent a major platform to shine. More than just runway shows, this edition aims to prove that fashion can be a real tool for social change – creating opportunities, empowering young creatives, and transforming communities. This is a big moment for Ugandan and East African fashion. See you in Kampala!
ART MEETS FASHION AMSTERDAM 2026 (Netherlands)
Date: Saturday, 27 June 2026
Time: 13:00
Venue: Rhone Events & Congrescentrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Get ready for a vibrant celebration as Art Meets Fashion Amsterdam 2026 merges with the Avant-Garde Artisan Collective to present the “Amsterdam Art Fair – Under the Tropics”. Organized by the Africa Fashion Museum, this exciting event beautifully fuses global art, contemporary fashion, and cultural storytelling. Expect breathtaking runway shows inspired by rich African heritage, captivating art exhibitions, live performances, and exclusive pop-up shops where you can discover unique pieces and meet the talented creatives behind them.
AFRICA TECHNOLOGY EXPO 2026 (Nigeria)
Date: Friday, 26 June – Saturday, 27 June 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
Location: Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts (National Theatre Nigeria), Lagos
Africa Technology Expo – often called the CES of Africa – returns as the continent’s premier enterprise-focused tech showcase. Positioned at the intersection of African potential and global necessity, ATE brings together the operators building tomorrow’s infrastructure with the global stakeholders investing in it. The 2026 edition pushes deeper into the hard-tech frontier, where hardware, connectivity, and enterprise software converge to solve real-world challenges. This two-day event is designed for serious players in the tech ecosystem – offering a powerful platform to align roadmaps, form transnational partnerships, and tap into Africa’s massive growth trajectory. Expect high-level networking, cutting-edge exhibitions, and focused discussions on the technologies shaping Africa’s future.
SUN LIFE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL 2026 (Hong Kong)
Festival Period: June 19 – July 1, 2026 | Main Race Days: Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, June 28, 2026 | Venue: Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong The waters of Victoria
Harbour are set to pulse with energy and tradition as the Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival makes its grand debut this summer. This vibrant celebration will transform the iconic Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront into a spectacular festival zone packed with cultural performances, live entertainment, local food, and family-friendly activities throughout the twoweek period. The highlight hits on June 27 and 28, when powerful dragon boat teams from Hong Kong and around the world will race across the harbour in a thrilling, high-energy spectacle accompanied by the thunderous beat of drums. Expect colourful boats slicing through the water, massive crowds cheering along the promenade, and an electric atmosphere that perfectly blends Hong Kong’s rich cultural heritage with modern festival vibes. See you at Victoria Harbour for one of the most exciting cultural experiences of the summer!
LAGOS LEATHER FAIR (LLF2026) (Nigeria)
Dates: Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, June 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily
Venue: Ecobank Headquarters, Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Lagos
Africa’s biggest celebration of leather is back. The 9th Lagos Leather Fair (LLF2026) returns as the premier platform for the entire leather value chain, bringing together designers, artisans, manufacturers, fashion lovers, and investors under one roof.
This year’s theme, “Beyond The Hide: Scaling Value. Building Industry. Driving Growth,” moves the conversation from raw materials to high-value, globally competitive leather products. Expect stunning exhibitions of premium leather goods, trend-forward fashion showcases, innovative craftsmanship, networking opportunities, and powerful conversations on strengthening Nigeria and Africa’s leather ecosystem. LLF2026 is the place to discover fresh trends, connect with key players, and witness the future of the industry
DE GROTE KLEDINGRUIL X THE SLOW FASHION SHOW 2026 (Amsterdam)
Date: Monday, 29 June 2026
Location: Garden Venue, Amsterdam
On June 29, a beautiful garden in Amsterdam will transform into a creative playground for the third edition of De Grote Kledingruil (The Big Clothing Swap), in collaboration with The Slow Fashion Show and The Clothing Loop. Bring up to 7 items you no longer wear and trade them for fresh favorites. With a starting collection of over 400 pieces, there’s plenty to discover. This is more than just a swap – it’s a joyful celebration of circular fashion and giving clothes a second life. Expect a relaxed, inspiring day filled with: Large-scale clothing swap; Upcycling & denim workshops (patches, visible mending & customization); Styling workshop; DIY charm table (create keychains from recycled materials); Music, good food, and drinks.
This event is driven by a love for slow, conscious fashion and community. The future is preloved – and it looks stylish. See you in the garden!
