ZANZIBAR · Culture
Only one November event on Zanzibar could be confirmed with an organiser listing: a two-day Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition on 6 and 7 November.
ZANZIBAR — This is a short, honest guide to things to do in Zanzibar in November 2026. Zanzibar is the semi-autonomous island region of Tanzania, with Stone Town as its historic capital.
Prices are in Tanzanian shillings (TZS); at about 2,619 to the US dollar (market-data provider RT, 2 November), TZS 10,000 is roughly US$3.80. Much of the island’s nightlife runs on weekly beach parties that rarely publish dates or prices.
We list only events confirmed on an organiser or ticket listing, so this month’s list is short.
Early November: Jiu-Jitsu at Amaan Stadium
Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November
Zanzibar Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competition
Amaan Stadium, Mwembe Makumbi, Zanzibar City · Class A (standard entry) adult TZS 20,000 (about US$7.60), Class A kids TZS 10,000 (about US$3.80), VIP TZS 100,000 (about US$38) · listed on The Zanzibar App, a local events listing
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling martial art that wins bouts by joint locks and chokes. The listing gives a national competition on Friday at 4:00 pm and an international one on Saturday at 4:00 pm, with teams from Tanzania, Norway, Rwanda, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, the USA and Poland.
Planning Your Zanzibar November
Check the listing again close to the date. Times were given for both days, but the same page shows the event running from 2:00 pm on Friday to 6:00 pm on Saturday.
Pay in Tanzanian shillings where you can, and carry small notes. Beach venues are spread out, so agree a return ride with your driver before an evening event.
Not confirmed: the Kendwa Rocks full moon party, a long-running beach party on the north-west coast, is listed for Saturday 21 November by a travel site, three days before the 24 November full moon, so that date is uncertain and we found none on the organiser’s own pages. XO Zanzibar, a beach festival, appears on a festival directory for Saturday 28 November as "in planning", while the festival’s own site shows a January edition, so we left it out.
Not confirmed: a concert by the singer Kato Kumbi on Monday 30 November appears only on an aggregator site. Stone Town Day (30 November to 2 December) was announced for 2024, and we found no 2026 programme. We also found no official public holiday in Zanzibar in November, so check opening hours locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What events can be confirmed in Zanzibar in November 2026?
One: the Zanzibar Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Competition at Amaan Stadium on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November. Other listings we found lacked organiser confirmation or a 2026 date.
How much does the jiu-jitsu competition cost to watch?
The listing gives TZS 20,000 (about US$7.60) for Class A adults, TZS 10,000 (about US$3.80) for Class A kids and TZS 100,000 (about US$38) for VIP.
Where is Amaan Stadium?
Amaan Stadium is a large sports ground in Mwembe Makumbi, Zanzibar City, on the main island of Unguja. Check the route with your driver or hotel.
What currency should I use at Zanzibar events?
Tanzanian shillings. RT showed about TZS 2,619 per US dollar on 2 November 2026, but street and hotel rates vary, so carry small notes.
Sources: The Zanzibar App, BJJ competition listing; Wild to Sea, Kendwa full moon guide; XO Festival directory listing; XO Zanzibar; Daily News Tanzania, Stone Town Day 2024; RT exchange rates. Retrieved 2 November 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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