What to Do in Nairobi in October 2026: Charly Black, NBO Film Festival and Waiyaki Wa Hinga
NAIROBI · Culture
Charly Black lands at MASSHOUSE on 10 October, the NBO Film Festival opens on 15 October, and Waiyaki Wa Hinga runs at Kenya National Theatre from 16 to 18 October. The month, day by day.
NAIROBI — This is the monthly culture and events guide for people who live in Nairobi, not for a weekend tourist. It lists things to do in nairobi october 2026 day by day, with venues, prices and ticket platforms where published.
Two public holidays fall in October 2026: Mazingira Day on Saturday 10 October and Mashujaa Day on Tuesday 20 October.
The first weekend of October
Saturday 3 October, 2:00 p.m.
Aesop’s Fables – A Ballet for Young Audiences
Kenya National Theatre, Central Nairobi · From KES 1,000 (about US$8) · KenyaBuzz
Dance Centre Kenya presents a child-friendly ballet based on eleven Aesop fables, performed by young dancers. Further performances follow on Saturday 3 October at 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday 4 October at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Saturday 3 October, time not published
The First VIP Rhumba Affair
Ballroom, Emara Ole-Sereni, Mombasa Road · Price from the venue
A live rhumba evening featuring Zeget Delongeur and Lesasa Joker. Rhumba has deep roots in East African social dance, and this hotel ballroom setting makes it an easy first experience for newcomers.
Saturday 3 October, time not published
KCB Lions vs KCB KobsUG
KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka · From KES 300 · Mookh
A live rugby fixture involving KCB’s Nairobi club side. It is a relaxed, sociable way to spend a Saturday afternoon and a good introduction to Kenya’s club rugby scene.
Sunday 4 October, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Dogtober Fest Kenya – 12th Edition
Kenya School of TVET, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri/UN area · Price from the organiser
Nairobi’s established dog-and-family festival, suitable for foreign residents with pets or anyone who wants a relaxed Sunday outdoors. Check KenyaBuzz and Ticketsasa for current tickets and arrive early to avoid the midday crowd.
Sunday 4 October, time not published
Sundowner Showcase V
Emara Ole-Sereni, Mombasa Road · Price on Mookh
A sunset-format showcase combining entertainment with Nairobi’s hotel and social scene. It is a good option for a Sunday evening that does not run too late.
8 to 10 October: mid-month music and a public holiday
Thursday 8 October, time not published
RNB Thursdays × Aprtment Life (UK)
KODA Nairobi · From KES 3,000 · Mookh
A Nairobi R&B night with an international, UK-linked programme. It is a midweek option for residents who want a late night without waiting for the weekend.
Saturday 10 October, all day
Mazingira Day
Nationwide · Free
Kenya’s October environmental public holiday promotes tree planting, clean-up campaigns and environmental education. Many offices and some businesses close; it falls on a Saturday this year, so it adds no weekday closure, and it is a good day and a good one for neighbourhood walks or volunteering.
Saturday 10 October, from 4:00 p.m.
Masshouse Presents Charly Black
MASSHOUSE · From KES 3,500 · Mookh
A major dancehall concert featuring Jamaican artist Charly Black. This is the biggest international music booking in the month’s listings; the first ticket waves have sold out, so confirm the current tier on Mookh before buying.
Saturday 10 October, from 12:00 p.m.
The Millennials Cookout
Naiposha Gardens · Price on Mookh
A food-and-social event aimed at Nairobi’s millennial audience. It is a higher-priced social outing, so go with a group and treat it as a full afternoon plan.
15 to 18 October: film and theatre
Thursday 15 to Sunday 25 October
NBO Film Festival 2026
Prestige Plaza, Unseen Cinema, Kaloleni Social Hall and Alliance Française
A Nairobi-focused film festival and one of the month’s principal screen-culture events. The seventh edition runs for eleven days across four venues, so check the festival’s own channels for the screening schedule and tickets.
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October, times not published
Waiyaki Wa Hinga – A Theatrical Experience
Kenya National Theatre, Central Nairobi · Price from the venue · EventSuri and Madfun list the production
A historical theatrical production centred on Waiyaki Wa Hinga, connecting Kenyan history with live stage performance. It is a strong choice for residents who want to understand local historical narratives through theatre.
Saturday 17 October, time not published
Mutoriah and The Orchestra 2026
C. U. Shah Jain Bhavan, Parklands · From KES 3,500 · Mookh
A Kenyan pop performance reworked for orchestra, an important crossover between contemporary music and concert presentation. Ticket tiers on Mookh go up to KES 6,500, so confirm the current tier before buying.
20 to 24 October: Mashujaa Day and a busy Saturday
Tuesday 20 October, all day
Mashujaa Day
Nationwide · Free
Kenya’s heroes’ day falls on Tuesday 20 October in 2026. It is a public holiday, so expect reduced opening hours and lighter traffic in the city centre; no specific Nairobi celebration was present in the retrieved listings.
Saturday 24 October, 12:00 p.m.–midnight
Kikuyu Love Sessions – Slightly Scandalous Edition
Ngong Racecourse – Waterfront 1, Ngong Road/Ngong · Lone Wolf KES 3,200; Partners in Crime, two admissions, KES 6,000 · Mookh
A vernacular-music and social event offering foreign residents direct exposure to Kikuyu cultural expression. The twelve-hour format means you can arrive late afternoon and still get a full evening.
Saturday 24 October, from 9:00 p.m.
Fabricated in Nairobi
KODA Nairobi · Price on Mookh
An electronic music night at KODA with a live set by Dankie Boi. It suits residents who want to hear the city’s club scene beyond the big concert halls.
Saturday 24 October, time not published
Etengo 1.0
Carnivore Simba Saloon, Lang’ata · Price from the venue · Madfun
A celebration of Gusii culture with live entertainment at one of Nairobi’s best-known concert venues. Carnivore Simba Saloon is a landmark for live music, and this is a good excuse to visit it.
Halloween weekend
Saturday 31 October, 2:00 p.m.
Halloween Fright Night Party
Village Market, Limuru Road, Gigiri · From KES 1,500 · Ticketsasa
Nairobi’s Halloween-themed public event, particularly accessible to international residents and families. Village Market is an easy venue for Gigiri and UN-area residents, with plenty of parking and food options.
Planning your Nairobi in October
Two public holidays fall this month: Mazingira Day on Saturday 10 October and Mashujaa Day on Tuesday 20 October. Mashujaa Day closes government offices and many businesses, while Mazingira Day falls on a Saturday and adds no weekday closure. Some restaurants and venues stay open, but call ahead if you are unsure.
For tickets, use Ticketsasa and Mookh as your first stops. Dollar values in this guide use the RT rate of 2 October 2026 (US$1 = KES 129.6). KenyaBuzz, Madfun and EventSuri also list events but do not always publish prices or times. Foreign residents can usually pay with international cards on the main platforms, but keep M-Pesa available for smaller venues and door sales.
Getting around at night is easiest with a ride-hailing app. Traffic on Mombasa Road, Ngong Road and Waiyaki Way can be heavy when rain starts, so leave earlier than the map suggests. For weekly listings, check Nation Lifestyle on Thursdays and the venue pages of Kenya National Theatre, KODA and Emara Ole-Sereni.
More from The Rio Times: Kenya news and guides, Moving to Kenya, Ne-Yo in Nairobi on 20 October.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in Nairobi in October 2026?
Charly Black plays MASSHOUSE on 10 October, the NBO Film Festival opens on 15 October, and Waiyaki Wa Hinga runs at Kenya National Theatre from 16 to 18 October.
Which public holidays fall in Nairobi in October 2026?
Mazingira Day is Saturday 10 October and Mashujaa Day is Tuesday 20 October. Both are nationwide public holidays.
Where can I buy tickets for Nairobi events in October 2026?
Ticketsasa and Mookh are the main platforms for confirmed listings this month. KenyaBuzz, Madfun and EventSuri also list events but may not publish prices or times.
What family events are on in Nairobi in October 2026?
Aesop’s Fables, a ballet for young audiences, runs at the Kenya National Theatre on 3 and 4 October, and Dogtober Fest, a dog-and-family festival, takes place on Sunday 4 October.
Sources: mookh.com, kenyabuzz.com, eventsuri.com, eventsuri.com, gigs.madfun.com, gigs.madfun.com. Retrieved 2 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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