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Festival announcements
Official programme news, changes and reminders, sent only by the organisers. Followers cannot post, and your number stays private.
Seven days in Bo
The festival brings Bo's traditions, performers, athletes and traders together in one place, with families home for the holidays.
Culture and heritage
Traditional dance, drumming, chiefdom delegations and the ceremonial durbar of paramount chiefs.
Arts
Music, drama and fashion from Sierra Leone's performers and designers.
Sports
Football and other matches bringing communities and young people together.
Trade
Local food, crafts, farm produce and business exhibitions from across the region.
Programme
Day-by-day events will be posted here as they are confirmed.
Festival venues
A tradition returns
The durbar comes home to Bo
Paramount chiefs in full regalia, chiefdom delegations, drums and dance. A ceremony once held at Bo's Coronation Field has come back to life, and it opens this year's festival.
- 2014Bo hosts Sierra Leone's national cultural festival at Coronation Field.
- 2024The Bo Homecoming Cultural Festival brings together all 16 chiefdoms of Bo District.
- 2025The festival grows into culture, arts, sports and trade, and the durbar of paramount chiefs is revived.
- 202626 December to 1 January. The story continues, and everyone is welcome.
At the durbar and ceremonies
A few customs help visitors show respect to the paramount chiefs, elders and performers.
- Some moments and some society performances may not be photographed or filmed. When a steward or elder asks you to put your phone away, please do.
- Ask before taking close-up photos of chiefs, elders or performers.
- Keep clear of the procession route and the performance space. Watch from the areas stewards show you.
- Dress respectfully, and follow the lead of those around you when chiefs arrive or leave.
- Do not approach or touch masked performers or ceremonial objects.
Guidance to be confirmed with the organisers and the chiefs' representatives before publishing.
Watch and listen
Hear what is coming this year, and see past festivals.
Bo Cultural Festival 2026
From past festivals
Photos
Moments from festivals in Bo. Were you there? Share your best photo.
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Plan your visit
Getting here, places to stay, nights out and what to know before you come.
Getting to Bo
- Getting to Bo
- Bo is Sierra Leone's second city, on the main highway from Freetown. Book transport early: roads are busiest over the holidays.
- Where to stay
- See places to stay below, with rooms and prices listed by their hosts. Have a room to offer?
- Venues
- Venue details will be confirmed with the programme.
Keep the festival on your phone. Add it to your home screen for the programme and updates, even with a weak signal.
On iPhone: tap the Share button in Safari, then "Add to Home Screen".
Safety
Bo will be busy, especially at the opening, the football final and New Year's Eve. A minute reading this helps everyone have a safe festival.
Details in [brackets] are being confirmed by the festival organisers.
Transport to Bo
Bus companies and public transport providers carrying passengers to and around Bo during the festival.
Every listing is checked by the festival organisers before it appears. Only transport companies and public transport providers can be listed. Agree your fare before you travel.
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Where to stay
Hotels, guesthouses, Airbnbs and family homes with rooms during the festival. Contact the host directly to book.
No upfront payment is needed to book through the festival. Listings are posted by the hosts themselves, so confirm details before you travel, and be careful with anyone who asks for money in advance.
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Out and about in Bo
Places to eat, drink and dance when festival events finish for the day. Sweet Bo is at its liveliest in December.
Opening hours, entry charges and holiday events change, so call ahead. Places marked Check it's open are longtime favourites we could not confirm are still running.
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Useful contacts
Hospitals, police, pharmacies and other public services in Bo. Call, message or get directions straight from each listing.
In an emergency, go to the nearest steward or festival information point. These contacts are added and checked by the festival organisers.
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Good to know
Answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Take part
Sell, perform, volunteer or host guests, and meet the people taking part.
Take part
The festival is open to everyone, so you do not need to register to attend. Sign up for free WhatsApp updates, or register if you want to sell, perform or host guests.
Performers
Dance troupes, drummers, bands and chiefdom delegations taking part this year.
Food, crafts and trade
Traders, food sellers, artisans and farmers selling at the festival.
Stay connected
Follow the festival, ask a question and tell us how it went.
Festival news
Official news from the organisers, and the festival online. For hotels, transport and services, contact them directly from their listings.
Bo Cultural Festival on Facebook
Photos, videos and live streams from the festival, and a place to share your own.
Tell us how it went
Your answers help the organisers make next year's festival better. It takes a minute.