Saint-Louis International Jazz Festival
Held annually in late May or early June in Saint Louis, this is one of Africa's most acclaimed music festivals and one of the longest-running jazz events on the continent. Since its first edition in 1992, it has brought together African, European, and American musicians for four or five days of concerts that take over the island's squares, courtyards, and streets. It is not exclusively jazz — African roots music, fusion, and soul all appear on the programme. The atmosphere is relaxed and celebratory; Saint Louis already knows how to host a party. Book accommodation well in advance if you plan to attend.
Dak'Art — Dakar Biennale of Contemporary Art
Held in even years (2024, 2026...) over several weeks in May and June, Dak'Art is the largest contemporary art event in Africa. The official exhibition centres on African artists working with the continent in mind, but the off-programme (IN and OFF) sprawls across galleries, courtyards, warehouses, and empty lots throughout Dakar. The city feels genuinely alive with art during the Biennale, and you will stumble across installations and performances in unexpected places.
Grand Magal of Touba
The most important religious event in Senegal, the Grand Magal marks the anniversary of the exile of Cheikh Amadou Bamba, founder of the Mouride brotherhood, by the French colonial authorities. The date follows the Islamic lunar calendar. More than four million Mouride pilgrims converge on Touba — the holy city — from across Senegal and the diaspora, making it one of the largest peaceful gatherings of people anywhere in the world. It is extraordinary to witness, but services collapse under the weight of numbers: roads are paralysed, accommodation is impossible to find, and sleep is out of the question. If you are not Mouride, watch from the edges and be respectful.
Gorée Diaspora Festival
Held on Ile de Gorée, this festival celebrates the connections between Africa and the African diaspora, with music, art, and discussion about the legacy of the slave trade. Dates vary; check locally.
Argungu Fishing Festival (regional)
Though technically in Nigeria, this kind of spectacular fishing contest has echoes in Senegalese fishing communities along the coast. Local fishing festivals — including the remarkable nightly fish markets at Cayar and Yoff near Dakar — offer a less formal but equally vivid window into the importance of the sea to Senegalese life.