CITY ESCAPE: JACARANDA MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS OCT 2-4

By Mpundu Valerie

Purple is back on the streets, and Harare is about to exhale. For 3 days, the city is trading traffic for drums, offices for open fields, and stress for sound. Jacaranda Music Festival director Walter Wanyanya is bringing The Jacaranda Music Festival 2026 home to Thornpark Polo Club from October 2-4, 2026 under the theme “ The Music, The People, The City”.

Just outside Harare, just past the National Defence University, under a canopy of blooming jacarandas, the polo fields will come alive. Think picnic blankets, good food, cold drinks and that feeling of being exactly where you’re supposed to be. This year’s Jacaranda Music Festival lineup brings together an exclusive mix of local and regional talent.  

Zimbabwe stars: Jah Prayzah, Sylent Nqo, Feli Nandi, Tamy Moyo, Minister Michael Mahendere, The Travellers Band and Fusion 5 Mangwiro, among others. Regional heat: Vusi Nova, Mafikizolo, The Soil and Murumba Pitch are set to bring the South African sound. More names are still to be announced. From gospel to Afro-pop, soul to jazz and house, the Harare music festival promises something for every sound that moves Zimbabwe.

It’s gospel on Sunday morning. It’s Afro-pop on Saturday night. It’s your favorite song live, with thousands singing it back to you.

"This is the city’s annual escape," organizers said. "The music that soundtracks our streets, the people who are our heartbeat, all gathered in one place to celebrate us."

The full performance schedule and festival set times will be announced closer to the festival date. Bring your people. Bring your vibe. Bring your dancing shoes. Purple season is here, and Harare is going out.

Jacaranda Music Festival 2026