Jacaranda Music Festival 2025 On This Weekend

This weekend, all roads lead to Thorn Park Polo Grounds in Harare as it hosts Jacaranda Music Festival 2025 from 3 to 5 October.

Being the biggest cultural fete in the county, thousands of music lovers are expected to attend, with some of the biggest artists in the region taking to the stage.

Those who have attended previous editions can confirm that Jacaranda is more than just live music, but rather an experience worth sharing with family and friends.

With just a few days to go, 263Culture caught up with event organiser Walter Wanyanya who highlighted that preparations are underway, with production crews putting final touches on the stage, hospitality areas and logistics.

“At this stage, it’s all about fine-tuning as we want people to feel the smoothness of months of planning when the gates open,” said Wanyanya.

Diverse lineup announced

This year’s programme is being billed as the most dynamic yet as festival-goers can expect a strong mix of Zimbabwean talent alongside regional heavyweights.

Fans have on opportunity to see performances from the likes of Jazzworx & Thukuthela, DJ Tira, Khamo Mpela, EXQ, Murumba Pitch, Boohle and Enzo Ishall to name a few.

“It’s not about one headliner. It’s about creating a melting pot of music where every act matters.

“From to amapiano to Latin sounds, the lineup reflects diversity and energy as a festival of this nature should.”

A growing festival experience

Since its inception in 2018, the Jacaranda Music Festival has grown into more than just a concert. The event now incorporates food activations, family-friendly spaces, networking opportunities and cultural showcases.

“Growth has been at the heart of Jacaranda and this year people can expect a bigger production, better sound and a full festival experience.

“It’s not just a concert, it’s a citywide celebration.”

The festival has also become a platform for cultural tourism, with many visitors timing their trips to coincide with the blooming of Harare’s jacaranda trees each October.

Jacaranda Music Festival tickets

Organisers recently extended the early bird ticket sales to meet demand, with strong uptake reported.

“The response has been fantastic and it shows people are planning ahead and see Jacaranda as a must-attend event.”

75% of the tickets had already been sold out at the time of writing.

The early bird tickets are $30 for day passes and $70 for weekend passes but the deadline for grabbing these is today.

From tomorrow the day passes will be $40 with weekend passes going for $90 and people are encouraged to buy them early in case they run out.

New approach to audience experience

In a shift from previous editions, this year’s festival will not have a VIP section. Instead, the entire design has been reimagined to offer a more inclusive experience.

“We’ve done away with the traditional VIP because we wanted to redesign the experience.

“It’s about everyone feeling part of the same celebration.”

Cooler boxes will be permitted at the venue, but will attract a corkage fee of $10.

Festival-goers will also have access to a wide range of food and drink stalls featuring local vendors at fair prices.

“Part of the Jacaranda experience is discovering new tastes while supporting small businesses,” added Wanyanya.

Festival tips

With three full days of music and activities planned, organisers have encouraged attendees to come early, pace themselves and explore everything on offer.

“My advice is: enjoy the stages, try the food, meet new people, and let the music guide your weekend.

“Most importantly, bring an open mind — Jacaranda is about discovery, connection, and celebration.”

Huge festivals also attract traffic jams so it might be a good idea to consider carpooling or making use of hailing services like inDrive.