The Tumaini Festival is a free, three-day annual event in the heart of Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi. It brings together refugee, Malawian, and international artists for a vibrant celebration of arts, culture, and community. The 11th annual festival will be held October 30-November 1, 2025, in Dowa, Malawi.
The festival is the first and only international cultural event held inside a refugee camp. Audiences enjoy diverse performances in music, theatre, poetry, and dance across five stages.
The festival also includes a visual arts exhibition space, a film night featuring global and local cinema, and a children’s playground. Beyond entertainment, Tumaini Festival serves as a platform for learning, cultural exchange, and dialogue, fostering connection between refugees and the rest of the world.
The Tumaini Festival is dedicated to promoting the cultural, social, and economic inclusion of refugees in Malawi through the power of arts and culture. Each year, it welcomes visitors from around the globe to Dzaleka Refugee Camp, transforming it into a unique tourist destination that challenges stereotypes and breaks down prejudices about refugees.
The festival fosters cultural exchange and economic empowerment by creating spaces for refugee artists to share their stories and talents, and by providing opportunities for refugees to sell goods and services, helping improve their livelihoods. Through performances, exhibitions, and dialogue, Tumaini Festival amplifies refugee voices, sparks meaningful conversations, and builds bridges between communities.
The Tumaini Festival is a powerful driver of volunteerism, employment, income generation, cultural exchange, and global media attention. Since its launch in 2014, the festival has:
Supported 2,335 refugee entrepreneurs
Created 1,500 jobs for refugees
Boosted the local economy of Dzaleka Refugee Camp by generating $1.25 million in revenue
Reached 61 million people worldwide through media coverage, raising awareness of refugee rights
Welcomed 179,000 attendees in total—averaging 52,000 visitors each year
Beyond its economic impact, Tumaini Festival enhances the psychosocial well-being of refugees by encouraging self-expression, community connection, and a positive outlook on life—benefiting the entire refugee community.
For the most up-to-date information, follow our festival social media pages: