What's on in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania through the year

Busy — December–January long break in Tanzania, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Busy — Ramadan and Eid el-Fitr, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Ramadan and Eid el-Fitr

  5 Feb – 22 Mar · usuallyRamadan & EidClosures

  A largely Muslim city, so daytime cafes in Kariakoo and along the waterfront thin right out for the month, then Eid closes everything for two days. The window slides eleven days earlier each year. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Ramadan and Eid el-Fitr, April short break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Ramadan and Eid el-Fitr (5 Feb – 22 Mar (usually))

Peak crowds — Union Day, April short break in Tanzania

• Holiday

  Union Day

  26 AprNational holidayClosures

  The 26 April holiday marks the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, with a parade at the national stadium. Offices, banks and most ferry services to Zanzibar run a holiday timetable. Source ↗

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

Nothing new starts in May.

Peak crowds — Sabasaba trade fair, Mid-year break in Tanzania

• Season

  Kusi, the south-east monsoon

  1 Jun – 20 Sep · usuallyWind season

  A steady south-easterly cools the coast through the middle of the year and keeps the humidity down. It also puts a chop on the channel, so the fast ferry to Zanzibar is a rougher hour than the brochure suggests. Source ↗

• Festival

  Sabasaba trade fair

  28 Jun – 13 Jul · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  The Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair takes over the Nyerere grounds for a fortnight and doubles as the city's biggest fairground. The 7 July public holiday in the middle of it is the busiest day. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Sabasaba trade fair, Mid-year break in Tanzania

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Kusi, the south-east monsoon (1 Jun – 20 Sep (usually)), Sabasaba trade fair (28 Jun – 13 Jul (usually))

Busy — Nane Nane farmers' day, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Nane Nane farmers' day

  8 AugNational holidayClosures

  The 8 August farmers' holiday closes offices and banks nationwide. The agricultural shows themselves are held at zonal grounds around the country rather than in the city. Source ↗

Still on: Kusi, the south-east monsoon (1 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

Busy — September short break in Tanzania, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Kusi, the south-east monsoon (1 Jun – 20 Sep (usually))

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

Nothing new starts in October.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  Vuli, the short rains

  1 Nov – 20 Dec · usuallyMonsoonRisk

  Short heavy storms in the late afternoon rather than days of grey. They are enough to put Jangwani and the Msimbazi valley under water and to stop the bus lanes for a couple of hours. Source ↗

Busy — December–January long break in Tanzania, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Vuli, the short rains (1 Nov – 20 Dec (usually))