Dancehall star Winky D will headline the Castle Lager National Braai Day 2026 as the annual festival returns to Glamis Arena in Harare this Saturday, bringing together established musicians, emerging performers and braai enthusiasts for a day of live entertainment and outdoor cooking.
The 11th edition of the event will take place under the theme “Live It. Feel It. Share It.”, with gates opening at 11am and festivities continuing until late.
Alongside the performances, this year’s festival introduces Castle Braai O’Clock, an interactive experience that will give attendees an opportunity to demonstrate their grilling skills in a competition featuring prizes and Castle Lager merchandise.
The combination of music, food and socialising has helped establish the festival as a major fixture on Zimbabwe’s entertainment calendar.
Its return follows last year’s 10th anniversary edition, which brought together local and regional performers for the milestone celebration.
Winky D leads a diverse music lineup
Winky D’s appearance is likely to be one of the main attractions for music fans attending the festival.
The dancehall star has built a substantial following through his energetic performances and a catalogue of songs that continues to draw audiences across Zimbabwe.
He will be joined by ExQ, whose blend of urban grooves, R&B and contemporary Zimbabwean sounds has made him a familiar name on the country’s live music circuit. His appearance alongside artists from different musical backgrounds gives the programme a mix of styles and generations.
Nutty O and Enzo Ishall will bring their own takes on contemporary Zimbabwean dancehall, while Tammy Moyo adds a pop-influenced sound to the bill.
Jnr Spragga will also be one to watch as he is among the most trending artists in the country at the moment. Armed with a string of recent chart-topping hits, including “Daka”, he is poised to leave a lasting impression when he graces the Castle Lager National Braai Day stage for the first time.
Other acts also taking to the stage include the Chillspot Family and Atenda Chinx.
The live acts will be complemented by DJs including L-Roy, Nikki, MadeHerBelieve, Nospa, Storm, Loz, Andreas and Liz. Their sets will add to the programme between performances, keeping music at the centre of a festival that combines the atmosphere of an outdoor gathering with a major entertainment event.
Braai O’Clock brings a new competition to the festival
A major addition to this year’s programme is Castle Braai O’Clock, which will run from 3pm to 4pm.
The activation is designed to make braai preparation part of the entertainment, rather than leaving it solely as an activity happening around the edges of the music festival.
Its main attraction will be the Ultimate Braai Master competition, which will put participants’ grilling skills to the test.
Other interactive challenges will give festivalgoers opportunities to win Castle Lager merchandise and additional prizes.
Braaiing is an established part of Zimbabwean social life, bringing together friends and families over food and conversation.
By introducing a competitive element, the organisers are seeking to give the tradition a more prominent place in the event programme.
The hour-long activation also offers a different experience for attendees who may want something beyond the music lineup. With the competition scheduled for the afternoon, it provides a specific attraction around which visitors can plan part of their day at Glamis Arena.
The new feature forms part of a wider build-up to the festival, with Castle Lager running promotional activities at selected braai venues across the country. These activations have been offering consumers opportunities to win tickets, Castle Lager and other prizes ahead of Saturday’s gathering.
Castle Lager National Braai Day Tickets and what to expect
Tickets are available through SahwiGate.
General admission is $15, while those who want the VIP option will have to part with $100.
The limited $10 early-bird allocation sold out, so prospective attendees should check the live ticket listing for current availability and the benefits attached to each ticket category.
A standard ticket includes entry, a braai pack and one litre of Castle Lager Draught. Attendees can also bring empty cooler boxes, with free ice available at the venue.
The event is strictly for people aged 18 and above.
Organisers have urged patrons to drink responsibly, with attendees encouraged to plan safe transport home rather than drink and drive.
