Events calendar Madagascar

Every year, Madagascar celebrates the anniversary of its independence on June 26, 1960. Two days before, all buildings are decked out in the colors of Madagascar. On the 26th, official ceremonies include a military parade, while hira gasy opera performances are organized in the various districts. At night, it's time for dancing to the rhythms of tsapiky, salegy and the inevitable afindrafindrao. In the country's other cities, the festivities take many forms, with dance and music always playing an essential role.

Organized by Mahay Expedition, the Ultramad is even crazier and more grandiose than the no less ambitious Red Island Trail! Its 160 kilometers in length and 7,200 meters of positive elevation gain are divided into four stages: the Zafimaniry country (39 km), the Andringitra national park (45.1 km), the Andrigitra and Tsaranoro valley (40 km) and the Tsaranoro valley (39.2 km). As many kilometers as sumptuous landscapes and rich encounters in anticipation, the course crosses in particular villages whose know-how is classified as world heritage.

Organized every year from Ampangorina, in Nosy Komba, this very beautiful and lovely island between Nosy Be and the mainland, the Maki Run is composed of four races: a trail of 23 km and 2,500 m of positive elevation gain, between beaches, plantations and magnificent lush forests and two children's races of 5 and 10 km. Maki Run 2019 gathered 77 finalists, Marki Run resumed on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The opportunity to discover this small island perfectly preserved thanks to the work and remarkable will of its inhabitants!

A newborn in the country's festive calendar: the Madagascar Carnival was launched in 2015 with a first colourful edition. Parades, regional fairs, concerts and other activities punctuate the capital's main roads and its unmissable Avenue de l'Indépendance for three days.

Organized for the first time in 2007, the Vanilla Festival, now called "Festivanille-Satrahagna", celebrated its 10th edition in October 2019. If you stop by, don't hesitate to check the calendar: the party is not to be missed. It should be noted that the festival is linked to the regional crafts fair.

The importance of vanilla in Madagascar is well known, as in 2015 it accounted for some 85% of world production; today, 80% of the country's vanilla exports come from the region. As for Satrahagna, wooden washers cover the pilings of rice granaries, insulating precious foodstuffs high up and out of the reach of rats. In the past, at the time of the first rice harvests, SAVA rice farmers expressed their joy by dancing on the wooden pieces of the satrahagna. The "satrahagna dance" has thus become synonyme of joy and is being revived to celebrate the Vanilla Festival, one of the most popular events in this region.

Commemoration of martyrs of the 29 March 1947 uprising against French colonial army.

Circumcision ceremonies take place between June and September throughout the country, on an individual basis. Among the Antambahoakas in the Mananjary region, they take place collectively every 7 years and grow considerably over a 4-week period. They are called Sambatra. The next Sambatra will take place in October 2021.

Every year, the Vez'tival, organised by the Regional Tourist Office of Tulear (ORTU), animates the southwest of Madagascar. Music and dance, carnivals, sports tournaments, rickshaw and pirogue races... for a week, Malagasy art and culture are in the spotlight, with the aim of boosting the region, exchanging ideas and encouraging encounters. This event is one of the major cultural and tourist events of the year in the Tulear region. A colourful festival not to be missed!

Organized by Nosy Be Yacht Club, the Grand Regatta has been bringing together since 2003 sailing enthusiasts for a challenge in two stages: a first race from the beach of Madirokely to the Bay of the Russians on Saturday, and a second one from the Bay of the Russians to the Crater Port the next day. In between, there will be a party: prize-giving ceremony, shared meals, concert and of course dancing. The last edition took place on 19 and 20 October 2019.