Tag: Festival

Each year, the city of Port Harcourt transforms into a colourful playground of taste, sound, and street-style celebration and it’s all thanks to the Bole Festival. What started as a small food fair in 2016 has become one of Nigeria’s most anticipated cultural events. And in 2025, the Bole Festival returns even bigger, brighter, and bolder.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a long-time attendee, here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 edition of the Port Harcourt Bole Festival — from the food and music to the cultural vibes and commercial impact.

When and Where?

The 2025 Bole Festival is set to take place on August 30–31 at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt — a venue now synonymous with the Bole spirit. With over 35,000 guests expected, the stadium will once again become a hub of culinary explosions, music stages, art zones, and vendor booths.

The Food: Bole and Beyond

At the heart of the festival is Bole — roasted plantain, often served with spicy pepper sauce, roasted fish, yam, or potatoes. But the food lineup doesn’t stop there. You’ll find:
– Creative twists on bole — think plantain tacos, bole burgers, grilled suya wraps
– Local delicacies — from Rivers-style native soup to ukodo and nkwobi
– Snacks & sweets — chin chin, puff puff, local candy, palm wine
– Refreshing drinks — zobo cocktails, chapman, and cold brews
Whether you’re a foodie or a curious explorer, the Bole Festival offers a plate (or two) for everyone.

The Music: Live Vibes and Amapiano Heat

In true Port Harcourt fashion, music at the BolèFestival is loud, live, and unapologetically Nigerian. Over the years, stars like Ruger, Cavemen, and Nasboihave graced the stage. For 2025, expect:
– Top-tier Nigerian artists
– Rising Port Harcourt talents
– Live bands & DJs
– Dance battles and crowd contests
From Afrobeats to Amapiano, and highlife to street hop — the energy never dips.

The Culture & Commerce: More Than Just a Festival

Beyond food and music, the Bolè Festival has evolved into a cultural marketplace — a place where commerce meets creativity:

• 100+ Small Vendors: Food vendors, artisans, clothing brands, skincare startups, and creatives showcase and sell their work.
• Cultural Showcases: Indigenous dance troupes, street artists, spoken word poets, and fashion parades.
• Community Vibes: Face painting, body art, kids’ games, DIY crafts, and local folklore storytelling.
• Corporate Brand Experiences: From branded chill zones to drink lounges and interactive games hosted by sponsors like MTN, Tecno, La Casera, and Budweiser.

It’s a one-stop shop for expression, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.

What Should You Wear?

Come as you are, but come to slay. Expect to see streetwear drip, bold Ankara fits, and plenty of fashion statements. The Bolè Festival is an open runway — and Port Harcourt always delivers style with substance.

The Bolè Festival is more than just a food event — it’s a celebration of Southern Nigerian identity. It shines a spotlight on Port Harcourt’s vibrant street culture, supports local businesses, gives small vendors a platform to thrive, and offers youth an inclusive space to express themselves through food, fashion, music, and art.

In a country full of festivals, the Bolè Festival has carved its own lane — authentic, energetic, and proudly rooted in local flavour.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has announced dates for the 2024 GTCO “Food and Drink Festival,” which is scheduled to take place from Friday, April 26 to Sunday, April 28 at its GTCentre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. The countdown to the Seventh (7th) edition of the much anticipated culinary festival in Nigeria and Africa at large has begun.
The GTCO Food and Drink Festival is widely regarded as the largest food and drink festival on the continent, bringing millions of food enthusiasts and entrepreneurs in a dynamic celebration of flavours, scents, and cultures that honour Africa’s rich and varied culinary tradition.

Through the duration of the three days, guests will be treated to a wide variety of delicious culinary services, ranging from creative global fusion cuisines to classic African food. The festival will also have hundreds of food entrepreneurs displaying an extensive variety of appetizing goods, live culinary demos, and tasting sessions.

Talking about the 2024 GTCO Food and Drink Festival, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Segun Agbaje, said, “We are delighted to bring to our customers, exhibitors, and food lovers from across Africa and beyond, another edition of an event that is a celebration of not just food, but of the rich tapestry of cultures and traditions that make African cuisine so unique. Our vision for curating this consumer-focused event is unchanging, particularly in light of the pressures that individuals and businesses are facing at this time. We hope to consistently create memorable moments for everyone, whilst providing a free, vibrant, and commercially viable platform for small food businesses in Nigeria to grow and thrive.”

The GTCO Food and Drink Festival is widely recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere in addition to its gastronomic options. The festival will be a memorable occasion for the whole family thanks to the organizers’ careful selection of kid-friendly events this year. The little ones will be occupied with games, interactive displays, and other activities in a specially created play area. A brand-new, exciting addition to the fair will be a children’s baking workshop. This will provide young, budding cooks a fantastic chance to learn about the pleasures of baking while also encouraging their creativity and self-assurance in the kitchen. In an enjoyable and encouraging setting, kids can let out their inner chef and learn essential cooking skills by creating their own special delicacies or decorating cupcakes and more.