What's on in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia through the year

Peak crowds — Genna, Ethiopian Christmas, Timkat

• Holiday

  Genna, Ethiopian Christmas

  6–8 JanChristmas & New YearClosures

  Christmas falls on 7 January here, after a fast that ends with an all-night service. Churches run overnight and much of the city sleeps through the day that follows. Source ↗

• Festival

  Timkat

  18–21 JanMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  The tabots are carried from the churches to Jan Meda on the eve of 19 January and the crowd is blessed with water the next morning. Expect to be soaked and to walk, because the roads are shut. Source ↗

Peak crowds — travelers describe it as peak season, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in May.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in June.

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Peak crowds — Enkutatash, Ethiopian New Year, Meskel

• Holiday

  Enkutatash, Ethiopian New Year

  11–12 SepNational holidayClosuresCrowded

  The new year lands on 11 September, just as the long rains break and the meskel daisies come out. Families travel, so beds and domestic flights tighten for the week around it. Source ↗

• Festival

  Meskel

  26–28 SepMajor festivalCrowded

  The demera bonfire is lit in Meskel Square on the eve of 27 September in front of a crowd that fills the whole bowl. Get there hours early or watch from the ring road above. Source ↗

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in October.

Busy — Great Ethiopian Run, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Great Ethiopian Run

  15–30 Nov · usuallyMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  Africa's biggest road race: tens of thousands of runners round a 10k on closed city streets on a Sunday in late November. It is a street party more than a race, and it is run at altitude. Source ↗

Shoulder season — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in December.