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's skyline seen from Friendship Park, also known as Sheger Park. File photo (DaneyWiki, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons).

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

19 to 31 October: Costumes, Workshops and Open Studios

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.