ADDIS ABABA · Culture
Photography shows, a forest music day trip and Italian theatre costumes shape the city from 16 October to the end of the month. The rest of October, day by day.
ADDIS ABABA — This is the culture guide for people who live in the city, not for weekend tourists. Here are the things to do in Addis Ababa in October 2026 that are worth crossing town for, from Friday 16 October to Saturday 31 October.
Every event below was checked against the organiser or listing pages of Explore Addis and Addis Today. Where a listing gave no price or time, we say so instead of guessing.
Prices are in Ethiopian birr (ETB). We convert at about ETB 160 to the US dollar, the mid-market rate on 15 October 2026, and round to the nearest dollar.
16 to 18 October: Photography, Jazz and a Forest Day Trip
Until Saturday 31 October
Mulu Legesse: I Carry – Je Porte
Alliance Éthio-Française, Piassa · Free
A contemporary Ethiopian art exhibition on identity, movement and the things people carry. It runs until Saturday 31 October.
Friday 16 October to Tuesday 10 November
Olivier Cabon and Natan Birhanu photography residency
Alliance Éthio-Française, Piassa · Free
A photography residency that pairs the French photographer Olivier Cabon with the Ethiopian photographer Natan Birhanu. It runs for almost four weeks, so you can visit on a quiet weekday.
Friday 16 October, 8:30 p.m.
Chiret Band jazz and jam session
Moseb Music Center · Free
A jazz and jam night with the Chiret Band. Food, drinks and parking are available at the venue.
Saturday 17 October
Visual Storytelling: Addis Generation Photography Festival 2026
Creative Hub Ethiopia, Piassa · Price on request
A photography festival session at Creative Hub Ethiopia, which is based in the Old Post Office area of Piassa. No start time is published, so ask the venue before you go.
Saturday 17 October, from 4:00 p.m.
Searching for Home, by Noah Mulubrhan
Studio 11 Art Gallery · Free
An exhibition by the artist Noah Mulubrhan that opens on Saturday 17 October at 4:00 p.m. It stays on until Sunday 8 November.
Saturday 17 October, 10:00 a.m. to sunset
Forest Music Fest
Sansusi Picnic Site · ETB 1,300 (about US$8)
An outdoor music festival that doubles as a day trip outside the central city. Plan your transport and supplies in advance.
Saturday 17 October, 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Dancing in the Woods
Ethio-Korea Veterans Memorial Park · Free event, park entry ETB 100 (about US$0.60)
An outdoor music evening with the DJ Astronaut in the park. Entry to the event is free.
Saturday 17 October, 6:00 p.m.
Roots & Vibes Saturdays
Rastafari Family Center · ETB 300 (about US$2)
A reggae night with U-Key, Jahziel Naphtali, Couie Roots and DJ Busy Man, served with Jamaican food. It is a low-cost evening for anyone who prefers roots music to club sets.
Sunday 18 October
Entoto 5km Run
Entoto Park · Free
A monthly 5-kilometre run organised by the Great Ethiopian Run. The listing gives no exact start time, so confirm it with the organiser.
Sunday 18 October, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hot Take Addis: Unpopular Opinion Night
Atmosphere, Bole · ETB 350 (about US$2)
A discussion evening in which guests present and debate controversial topics. It suits residents who want to meet people from the creative community.
19 to 31 October: Costumes, Workshops and Open Studios
Monday 19 October to Friday 20 November
Dressing the Imaginary
Italian Cultural Institute · Free
An exhibition of Italian theatrical costumes inspired by the Queen of Sheba, Solomon, Cleopatra and Aida. The opening is on Monday 19 October at 5:30 p.m.
Monday 19 to Thursday 22 October, from 9:00 a.m.
From Page to Picture workshop
Alliance Éthio-Française, Piassa · Price not listed
A four-day workshop on story concepts, writing for animation and visuals. Ask the Alliance about places and fees before you plan around it.
Monday 19 to Saturday 31 October
Inktober Live
Jazz Coffee · Free
Weekly gatherings where visitors bring sketchbooks, draw together and meet local artists. The listing does not give fixed times, so check the dates with the café.
Planning Your Addis Ababa October
The Ethiopian calendar is about seven years and eight months behind the Gregorian one, and the month of Tikimt begins on 11 October. Event pages use Gregorian dates, and so does this guide.
Many of the venues sit in a few districts. Piassa, also written Piazza, holds the Alliance Éthio-Française and Creative Hub Ethiopia, so you can combine two exhibitions on one afternoon.
Bole has Atmosphere, while the Ethio-Korea Veterans Memorial Park and Entoto Park suit open-air events. The Sansusi Picnic Site, home of the Forest Music Fest, lies outside the central city, so plan your transport and your return trip in advance.
Evenings can be cool, so bring a light layer for outdoor events. Check the weather forecast before the Forest Music Fest on Saturday 17 October.
Most smaller shows sell tickets at the door or through the venue. Free events can still fill up, so arrive early for openings such as Dressing the Imaginary on Monday 19 October.
Pay in birr where you can, and carry some cash for door sales. Confirm times with the organiser by message on the day, because listings change at short notice.
For weekly updates, check Explore Addis and Addis Today, which list most of the events in this guide. They are the most useful local aggregators for residents.
If you have only one weekend, make it Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October. It combines two photography shows, a jazz night, the Forest Music Fest and the Entoto run in one short stretch.
Residents who prefer a quieter month can pick the long-running shows. The Cabon and Birhanu residency runs to Tuesday 10 November, Searching for Home to Sunday 8 November and Dressing the Imaginary to Friday 20 November.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free cultural event in Addis Ababa in late October 2026?
Yes. Mulu Legesse’s I Carry exhibition, the Cabon and Birhanu photography residency and Dressing the Imaginary at the Italian Cultural Institute are all free.
What is the best day trip from Addis Ababa in October 2026?
The Forest Music Fest on Saturday 17 October at Sansusi Picnic Site runs from 10:00 a.m. to sunset and costs ETB 1,300 (about US$8).
Where can I hear live music in Addis Ababa on Friday 16 October 2026?
The Chiret Band hosts a free jazz and jam session at Moseb Music Center at 8:30 p.m.
Is there a run in Addis Ababa on Sunday 18 October 2026?
Yes. The Great Ethiopian Run organises a free monthly 5-kilometre run at Entoto Park, but the listing gives no exact start time.
How much is the Hot Take Addis discussion night?
Hot Take Addis: Unpopular Opinion Night costs ETB 350 (about US$2) and runs from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday 18 October at Atmosphere in Bole.
Sources: Explore Addis, Addis Today. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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