The annual music event <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Flakeofstars.org%2Finformation%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Lake of Stars</a> takes place at the end of September and attracts artists and audiences from around the world. In 2015, a total of 79 Malawian and international artists performed at the lakeside stage, attracting more than 4000 visitors, the organizers say.<br /><br />
Lake of Stars, Malawi —
The annual music event Lake of Stars takes place at the end of September and attracts artists and audiences from around the world. In 2015, a total of 79 Malawian and international artists performed at the lakeside stage, attracting more than 4000 visitors, the organizers say.
Courtesy Jean Jameson/Lake of Stars Festival
The event generated almost $1.5 million for the country's economy last year, according to the organizers.
Lake of Stars, Malawi —
The event generated almost $1.5 million for the country's economy last year, according to the organizers.
Courtesy Jean Jameson/Lake of Stars Festival
Since the event first took off in 2004, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jazzontherocks.net%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Jazz on the Rocks</a> has seen both South African and international musicians play jazz at various beach locations around South Africa's coast in February and March. Pictured: British saxophone player Andrew Young performs during this year's festival at Tities Bay in Paternoster.<br /><br />
Jazz on the Rocks, South Africa —
Since the event first took off in 2004, Jazz on the Rocks has seen both South African and international musicians play jazz at various beach locations around South Africa's coast in February and March. Pictured: British saxophone player Andrew Young performs during this year's festival at Tities Bay in Paternoster.
MUJAHID SAFODIEN/AFP/Getty
<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fest300.com%2Ffestivals%2Fcape-town-international-jazz-festival" target="_blank" target="_blank">One of the largest</a> jazz festivals in the world, the annual<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.capetownjazzfest.com%2F%23%21about%2Fc1q2r" target="_blank" target="_blank"> Cape Town International Jazz Festival</a> takes place on the last weekend in March or the first in April. Pictured: South African jazz artist Marcus Wyatt plays the horn at the 2010 festival.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival —
One of the largest jazz festivals in the world, the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival takes place on the last weekend in March or the first in April. Pictured: South African jazz artist Marcus Wyatt plays the horn at the 2010 festival.
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Last year it attracted more than 37,000 jazz fans from around the world with a lineup of 40 artists who perform on five different stages over two days at the city's International Convention Centre. The festival's programming is known for it's 50/50 approach, which ensures half of the artists are from South Africa and the other half are international. Pictured: South African singer and songwriter, Zahara, performs at the 2012 event. <br />
Cape Town International Jazz Festival —
Last year it attracted more than 37,000 jazz fans from around the world with a lineup of 40 artists who perform on five different stages over two days at the city's International Convention Centre. The festival's programming is known for it's 50/50 approach, which ensures half of the artists are from South Africa and the other half are international. Pictured: South African singer and songwriter, Zahara, performs at the 2012 event.
RODGER BOSCH/AFP/Getty
Held at the end of May, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bush-fire.com%2Farticle%2Fview%2Fbushfire_food_fair%23" target="_blank" target="_blank">Swaziland's largest music and arts festival</a> attracts artists and visitors from home and afar. <br />
Bushfire, Swaziland —
Held at the end of May, Swaziland's largest music and arts festival attracts artists and visitors from home and afar.
Courtesy Bushfire Festival
This year 26,000 people from more than 60 countries visited the event over three days, which takes place in Malkern's Valley, in the Swaziland countryside.
Bushfire, Swaziland —
This year 26,000 people from more than 60 countries visited the event over three days, which takes place in Malkern's Valley, in the Swaziland countryside.
ADRIEN BARBIER/AFP/Getty
It's not just music that attracts the festival goers. Visitors can camp on the grounds or try food from Asia, Europe and Swaziland at the Global Food Village. The festival's crafts and design market is popular too and generated more than $50,000 in sales this year, according to the organizers.<br />
Bushfire, Swaziland —
It's not just music that attracts the festival goers. Visitors can camp on the grounds or try food from Asia, Europe and Swaziland at the Global Food Village. The festival's crafts and design market is popular too and generated more than $50,000 in sales this year, according to the organizers.
ADRIEN BARBIER/AFP/Getty
Short for <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.masa.ci%2Fen%2Fmasa" target="_blank" target="_blank">Market For African Performing Arts</a>, MASA is an annual event held in March in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and celebrates African performing arts.<br />Pictured: Dance company Les Clameurs Des Arenes from Burkina Faso perform at the 2015 festival. <br />
MASA, Ivory Coast —
Short for Market For African Performing Arts, MASA is an annual event held in March in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, and celebrates African performing arts.
Pictured: Dance company Les Clameurs Des Arenes from Burkina Faso perform at the 2015 festival.
ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty
The festival is held at the French Institute in Abidjan and is partly funded by the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.francophonie.org%2FWelcome-to-the-International.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">International Organization of la Francophonie</a> and the country's Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, who together provide 80% of the festival budget, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.masa.ci%2Fen%2Ffinancement" target="_blank" target="_blank">according to the organizers</a>.
MASA, Ivory Coast —
The festival is held at the French Institute in Abidjan and is partly funded by the International Organization of la Francophonie and the country's Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, who together provide 80% of the festival budget, according to the organizers.
ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.felabration.net%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Felabration</a> is a seven-day cultural festival which includes photography exhibitions, symposiums, film screenings and music performances by both Nigerian and foreign artists. Pictured: The Chilean band Newen Afrobeat performs at this year's festival.<br />
Felabration, Nigeria —
Felabration is a seven-day cultural festival which includes photography exhibitions, symposiums, film screenings and music performances by both Nigerian and foreign artists. Pictured: The Chilean band Newen Afrobeat performs at this year's festival.
Courtesy Felabration / DAMILOLA Damisa
Most events take place at the New Africa Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos in October. The festival is free, although visitors may pay donations.<br />
Felabration, Nigeria —
Most events take place at the New Africa Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos in October. The festival is free, although visitors may pay donations.
Courtesy Felabration / DAMILOLA Damisa
The annual <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.festivalmawazine.ma%2Ffestival-code-of-conduct" target="_blank" target="_blank">Mawazine World Music Festival</a> festival takes place in Rabat, Morocco, for eight days in May attracts daily audiences well in excess of 100,000, according to the organizers, with this year's festival seeing 2.6 million visitors in total.<br />Pictured: U.S. singer Chris Brown performs during this year's event.
Mawazine, Morocco —
The annual Mawazine World Music Festival festival takes place in Rabat, Morocco, for eight days in May attracts daily audiences well in excess of 100,000, according to the organizers, with this year's festival seeing 2.6 million visitors in total.
Pictured: U.S. singer Chris Brown performs during this year's event.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images
It is an important source of business for shops, hotels and restaurants nearby. Retail, catering and transport sectors experience a growth of up to 30% during the festival and hotels see a 22% growth in turnover, according to the organizers.<br />Pictured: Jamaican singer Shaggy performs at the festival in 2015.
Mawazine, Morocco —
It is an important source of business for shops, hotels and restaurants nearby. Retail, catering and transport sectors experience a growth of up to 30% during the festival and hotels see a 22% growth in turnover, according to the organizers.
Pictured: Jamaican singer Shaggy performs at the festival in 2015.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty
Over the years, the event has hosted world stars such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, pictured.
Over the years, the event has hosted world stars such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake, pictured.
Courtesy Mawazine / Sife ELAMINE