What to Do in Luanda in October 2026: FIC Film Festival Returns
LUANDA · Culture
The FIC Luanda film festival returns on 28 October after an 11-year break, and the Palácio de Ferro hosts jazz, theatre and gospel. The month, day by day.
LUANDA — This is the monthly culture and events guide for people who live in Luanda or are staying for weeks. It covers things to do in Luanda October 2026 with dates, venues, prices and ticket routes, drawn from Ticket.ao, StayHappening Luanda and festival announcements.
October brings steady live music at the Palácio de Ferro and a major film festival at the end. Angola has no nationwide public holiday in October 2026. The biggest stretch is the last week, when FIC Luanda opens on Wednesday 28 October.
10 to 11 October: Music weekend at Palácio de Ferro
Saturday 10 October, 17:00
Jazz É Fixe — Sons da Alma, Kark Sumba
Palácio de Ferro, central Luanda · Kz 5,000–15,000 (about US$5.50–16.40)
Sunday 11 October, 14:00
Mulheres a Bordo — Rede do Reino
Palácio de Ferro, central Luanda · Kz 4,000
17 October: A charity gala
Saturday 17 October, 15:00
Gala Solidária — Outubro Rosa
Kikuxi Shopping, Praça da Alimentação, 3rd floor · Kz 5,000
A charity gala tied to October’s breast-cancer-awareness campaign. It takes place in the food court area of Kikuxi Shopping, so you can combine it with errands or a meal. The Kz 5,000 ticket supports the cause.
22 to 25 October: Jazz, theatre and gospel
Thursday 22 October, 19:00
CINE PF — 3º Grau: Macaco Velho
Palácio de Ferro, central Luanda · Kz 2,500
Saturday 24 October, 19:00
MO Teatro no PF — Santos e Pecadores II
Palácio de Ferro, central Luanda · Kz 5,000
Sunday 25 October, 16:00
Gospel PF — Concerto Graças, Coral Júnior de Bethel
Palácio de Ferro, central Luanda · Kz 3,000
28 to 31 October: Film festival and final weekend
Wednesday 28 October to Monday 2 November
Festival Internacional de Cinema de Luanda 2026
Cine Teatro Nacional; Cinemax Fortaleza; Instituto Guimarães Rosa; Centro Cultural Camões; Centro de Ciência de Luanda; Cine Zunga at Largo do Kinaxixi · Price from the festival
The eighth edition returns after an 11-year interruption, with 53 films in the international competition. Screenings are spread across several venues, including a mobile Cine Zunga at Largo do Kinaxixi. Follow the festival’s own channels for session times and tickets.
Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November, 15:00 daily
Xurra Fest — Festival da Carne
Quintal da Fazenda, Patriota, Belas · Kz 11,000 (Kz 13,500 for one adult and one child)
A food festival centred on meat dishes and social dining. The festival runs for four days. Tickets are on Ticket.ao; Júnior Lord is the headliner.
Saturday 31 October, 15:00
Solaris Beach Sunset — Mussulo
Ilha dos Pássaros, Mussulo · Kz 50,000 (lots 1 to 4 sold out)
A beach sunset event on Mussulo, one of Luanda’s principal leisure destinations. You will need to arrange boat transport to the island, so plan the crossing in daylight. Only the last ticket lot, at Kz 50,000, was still on sale on 6 October.
Saturday 31 October, 20:00
Me Leva Contigo — Special Johnny Ramos
Kikuxi Shopping, Praça da Alimentação, 3rd floor · Kz 10,000–300,000
A live entertainment event featuring Johnny Ramos at Kikuxi Shopping. The wide price range points to different seating or package tiers. It is a convenient central option for Halloween weekend without leaving the city.
Planning your Luanda in October
Angola has no nationwide public holiday in October 2026. The next is All Souls’ Day (Dia dos Finados) on Monday 2 November, the last day of FIC Luanda.
Ticket.ao is the main platform for paid events this month. Prices are in kwanza (Kz). At the RT market rate on 6 October 2026, about Kz 913 per US$1, Kz 5,000 is about US$5.50 and Kz 50,000 about US$55.
For getting around at night, use a trusted taxi or ride-hailing service and agree the fare or route before setting off. For events on Mussulo, arrange the boat crossing in daylight and confirm the return trip with the operator.
Weekly listings appear on Ticket.ao and StayHappening Luanda. For the FIC Luanda film festival, follow the festival’s own channels for the programme and tickets.
Related reading: Angola hub, Angolans Abroad to Update Voter Data From January, Angola’s Lourenço Co-Chairs AUDA-NEPAD Summit in Egypt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest event in Luanda in October 2026?
The Festival Internacional de Cinema de Luanda 2026 opens on 28 October and runs to 2 November, its eighth edition after an 11-year break, with screenings across several venues.
Is there a public holiday in Angola in October 2026?
No. Angola has no nationwide public holiday in October 2026. The next is All Souls’ Day on Monday 2 November.
How do I buy tickets for events in Luanda?
Most paid events in this guide sell through Ticket.ao.
Where are most events in this guide held?
The Palácio de Ferro in central Luanda hosts five of them, from jazz on 10 October to gospel on 25 October. The film festival uses several venues across the city.
Sources: stayhappening.com, ticket.ao, ticket.ao, ticket.ao, thingstodoinangola.com, allAfrica, Xurra Fest on Ticket.ao. Retrieved 6 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