Festivals of Ghana
Festivals of Ghana
January
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throughout Ghana | National Holiday | New Year Eve and Day | 31 December through 2 January | New Year is a time of great merry-making. Things slow to a crawl, or even shut down completely during this time |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | DATES TO BE PROVIDED | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Ashanti | Bonwire | Kente | January | Chiefs and people wearing kente. |
| Brong Ahafo | Acherensua - Asutifi | Nkompo | January | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Kukuon - Asunafo | Addae Tuntum ends | January | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Ayomso - Asunafo | Addae Kesee ends | January | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Ntotoroso - Asutufi | Apomasu | January | - |
| Central | Winneba | Masquerading | 1 January | Elaborate costumes unlike any other festival in Ghana. Brass bands and huge crowds. Dance competition at the Advanced Teacher Training College Park. |
| Central | Elmina | Edina Bronya | First Thursday of January | Celebrate friendship between the Dutch and people of Elmina. Elaborate fish-catching rituals, firing of musketry. Drumming, dancing, singing. Sheep are sacrificed in front of Elmina castle. |
| Eastern | Akuapem Ridge: Aburi, Akropong-Akwapim, Larteh, Amanorkrom, Ahwerase. | Akuapem Odwira ends | While most of these ceremonies take place in September and October, some are from that time until January | Ceremonies moving throughout the villages along the Akuapem Ridge. Beautiful processions of chiefs and people will climax the festival in each village. |
| Northern | Tamale, Walewale, throughout the region | Begum | January, per lunar calendar | fire festival |
| Upper East | Balungu, Wiakongo and Pwalugu in the Tongo area | Tingana (or Tengana) | Throughout January | Thanksgiving offering of sacrifices, traditional music, dancing and celebration among the Telensis tribe. |
| Upper East | Various villages in Paga, Navrongo, Chiana and Kayoro areas | Fao continues | Ongoing between November and February, but mostly in January. | Thanksgiving harvest festivals. Stalks of millet are displayed as a sign of sacrifice and thanks. |
| Upper East | Bolgatanga and Zuarungu | Adaakoya begins | Between January and February | Thanksgiving sacrifices by the Gurunsis tribe, followed by drumming, dancing and procession of chiefs. |
| Upper East | Bolgatanga | Begum | January, per lunar calendar | fire festival |
| Upper East | Zaare | Kuure | January or February | Celebration by blacksmiths of the Zaare of the main farming tool of the area: the hoe. Events include sacrifices, followed by drumming and dancing. |
| Upper East | Sumbrugu | Kusebko Larere | January | - |
| Upper West | Wa | Kpini Kylu | 22 January | - |
| Upper West | Tumu | Paragbeile begins | Last week in January through first week in February | Thanksgiving harvest festivals. Farm produce is displayed during music, dance and merry-making. |
| Volta | Akpafu | Rice Festival | January | Celebrate the rice harvest. |
| Western | Supomu, Shama | Inkronu | January | - |
| Western | Ntotoroso, Asutufi | Apomasu | January | |
| Western | Wassa Akropong | Afahye Edie | January | - |
| Western | Wassa Amenfie | Eddie | January | - |
February
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throughout Ghana | National Celebration | Valentine's Day National Chocolate Day |
February 14 | While not an officially recognized national holiday, Valentine's Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Ghana. |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | DATES TO BE PROVIDED | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Upper East | Various villages in Paga, Navrongo, Chiana and Kayoro areas | Fao ends | Ongoing between November and February, but mostly in January. | Thanksgiving harvest festivals. Stalks of millet are displayed as a sign of sacrifice and thanks. |
| Upper East | Bolgatanga and Zuarungu | Adaakoya ends | Between January and February | Thanksgiving sacrifice followed by drumming, dancing and procession of chiefs. |
| Upper East | Zaare | Kuure | January or February | Celebration by blacksmiths of the Zaare of the main farming tool of the area: the hoe. Events include sacrifices, followed by drumming and dancing. |
| Upper West | Tumu | Paragbeile ends | Last week in January through first week in February | Thanksgiving harvest festivals. Farm produce is displayed during music, dance and merry-making.. |
| Volta | Tafi-Atome | Fetish festival | First or second week of February | For the monkeys at the sanctuary |
| Volta | Dabala, in Agave district | Dzawuwu | February | Commemorates bravery of the Agaves. Grand procession of chiefs with traditional drumming and dancing. |
| Volta | Afife, near Akatsi | Nyigbla | Week-long celebration climaxing on the third weekend in February | Thanksgiving and commemorate the Anlo-Ewe migration to this area. War dances, songs and bonfires with grand procession of area chiefs. |
March
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throughout Ghana | National Holiday | Independence Day | 6 March | Commemorates the independence of Ghana from the British Empire in 1957. |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | 2013: 17 March | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Ashanti | Kumawu, in Sekyere East district | Papa | Mostly in March, Akwasiade date | Procession of chiefs & militia, cow sacrifice & ritual to secure cow meat. |
| Brong Ahafo | Techiman, Nkoranza and Wenchi | Apoo | March or April | Dispel evil and please the ancestors to ensure good crops. |
| Eastern | Krobo towns of Manya and Yilo, Odumase |
Ngmayem begins | March and April | Harvest and thanksgiving festival |
| Greater Accra | Tema | Kpledjoo | Usually first week in April, but may occur in late March | Ceremony to open Sakumo lagoon for fishing. Grand procession of chiefs and people, with free-for-all hugging. |
| Greater Accra | Akuse, on Volta River south of Atimpoku | Volo | March | - |
| Upper East | Tenzug, at Tongo Hills | Gologo, or Golib | Late March, early April | Asking for good rain and successful farming. Public music and dancing. |
| Upper East | Dagbon or Walewale | Damba | March | Feast of the Prophet |
| Upper East & Upper West | regionwide | Kyiu Sung | 7 March | - |
| Volta | Fievie - Dugame | Fievie Kpor Legbaza | Bi-annually in March | Celebration with procession of chiefs. |
| Volta | Anfoega, 15km north of Ho | Asikloe | March | - |
April
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | 2013: 28 April | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Brong Ahafo | Techiman and Wenchi | Apoo | March or April | Dispel evil and please the ancestors to ensure good crops. |
| Eastern | Krobo Odumase & Somanya, about 80km north of Accra | Bobum, or Dipo | During April | Initiation of girls into womanhood with beautiful adornments. |
| Eastern | Odumase | Ngmayem ends | March and April | Harvest and thanksgiving festival |
| Eastern | Kwahu plateau and many villages throughout the Eastern Region. | Easter | Mostly in April. March in 2013 and 2016. | Huge celebrations and festivals throughout the region for Easter. |
| Eastern | Kwahu plateau at Atibie Kwahu | Ghana Paragliding & Hang Gliding Festival | Easter weekend | Part of the Easter celebration in the area, this festival has become a major attraction since its inception in 2005. |
| Greater Accra | Tema | Kpledjoo | Usually first week in April, but may occur in late March | Ceremony to open Sakumo lagoon for fishing. Grand procession of chiefs and people, with free-for-all hugging. |
| Northern | Larabanga | Jintigi | April, one day before Jintigi Fire | Consultation of the Koran by the Chief Imam to predict the coming year. |
| Northern | Domango, in Gonja area Gonjaland |
Jintigi Fire | April | Fire festival, with night processions with torches into the bush and outskirts of towns and villages within Gonjaland. Koran recitals. |
| Upper East | Tenzug, at Tongo Hills | Gologo, or Golib | Late March, early April | Asking for good rain and successful farming. Public music and dancing. |
| Upper West | Kaleo (or Kalea) | Zumbenti | First week in April | Most important thanksgiving festival in Upper West. Time of prayer, re-uniting of families and many traditional marriages. |
| Upper West | Sankanka, between Kaleo and Wa | Kalibi | First week in April | Commemorates victory over slave raiders. |
| Upper West | Takpo | Wilaa | 27 April | Thanksgiving at Wilaa shrine for guidance and protection. |
| Volta | Wli falls, Kpando's Our Lady of Lourdes Christian Grotto, many villages throughout the Volta Region | Easter | Mostly in April. March in 2013 and 2016. | Huge celebrations and festivals throughout the region for Easter. |
| Volta | Aflao | Godigbeza | April | Grand procession of chiefs to commemorate the exodus from Northern Togo. War dances, songs and drums. |
May
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throughout Ghana | National Holiday | May Day | 1 May | |
| Throughout Ghana | National Holiday | Africa Union Day | 25 May | Commemorate the formation of the Africa Union. |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | DATES TO BE PROVIDED | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Brong-Ahafo | Mamase | Donkyi | May | - |
| Central | Winneba | Aboakyir (Aboakyer) | First weekend in May | Hugely popular festival. Friday rituals. Saturday competition to catch a live deer accompanied by drumming and dancing. Sunday at 14:00 is sacrifice. Like Jewish Passover, houses receive a smear of sheep blood and a sprinkling of dough mix meal on the three days before the festival begins. |
| Eastern | Krobo Odumase, about 80km north of Accra | Dipo | May | Initiation of girls into womanhood with beautiful adornments. |
| Northern | Gonyo Kipo, near Bole | Beng | May | - |
| Upper East & Upper West | Wa, Bawku and Bolgatanga | Don | mid-May | - |
| Volta | Afife, near Akatsi | - | 14 May | - |
June
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | 2013: 09 June | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Central | Senya Beraku, 40km southwest of Accra | Apiba | June | - |
| Eastern | Akyem, Kyebi and other villages | OhumKan | Tuesday and Wednesday in June or July. | Anniversary of Akyem Nation and thanksgiving for the harvest. There is a two-week ban on drumming, dancing and noisemaking prior to the festival. |
| Eastern | Kibi | Ahukan | June | Festival by Akim people |
| Eastern | Kwahu Tafo | Gyenpren | June | - |
| Upper East & Upper West | regionwide | Dzimbi | 11 June | - |
| Western | Sekondi | Asafua | June | - |
July
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throughout Ghana | National Holiday | Republic Day | 1 July | - |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | 2013: 21 July | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Ashanti | Bonwire, Ejisu | Kente begins | July and August | Chiefs and people wearing kente. |
| Brong Ahafo | Sampa - Jaman | Sungweh | July | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Techiman, Wenchi | Kwatie | July through September | - |
| Central | Elmina | Edina Bakatue | First week in July. Rituals performed on Monday. | Opening of the Lagoon, elaborate rituals and royal processions, at river bank and on palanquins on the lagoon. Very popular festival |
| Eastern | Akyem | OhumKan | Tuesday and Wednesday in June or July. | Anniversary of Akyem Nation and thanksgiving for the harvest. There is a two-week ban on drumming, dancing and noisemaking prior to the festival. |
| Greater Accra | Ada | Asafotu-fiam | Begins last Thursday in July. Culminates first Saturday in August | Commemorates victories of warriors with procession of chiefs, historic re-enactments and musketry firing. |
| Northern | Tamale, Dagbon, Mamprugu, Gonja, Yendi, Mamprugui and Nanumba | Somo Damba, Naa Danba and Belkusi Damba festivals | Between July and August, per lunar calendar | The Damba festivals occur throughout the northern regions of Ghana, These celebrations coincide with the new farming season when new yam is harvested. Originally linked with Islam to mark the birth of Mohammed, the two-day festival has gradually taken on a traditional rather than Islamic tone, with pageantry and showmanship. Procession on horseback amidst drumming and dancing. |
| Upper East | Bawku | Damba begins | Between July and August | |
| Upper West | Wa | Damba begins | Between July and August | |
| Western | Sekondi and many nearby villages | Kundum begins | Between July and October | Harvest festival, period to remember ancestors, cleansing the community and setting goals for the coming year |
| Western | Sefwi, Wiawso | Alluole | July | - |
August
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashanti | Ejisu | Yaa Asantewaa | August | Procession of chiefs and people pay homage to Yaa Asantewaa, the Ashanti war heroine who defeated the British. |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Awukudae | DATES TO BE PROVIDED | |
| Ashanti | Bonwire, Ejisu | Kente ends | July and August | Chiefs and people wearing kente. |
| Brong Ahafo | Badu, in Wenchi district | Fordjour begins | August and September | To celebrate the new yam. |
| Brong Ahafo | Mo - Wenchi | Bayidie | August | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Techiman, Wenchi | Kwatie | July through September | - |
| Central | Agona Nyakrom, Agona Swedru | Akwambo (or Akwan-bo) | August | Path clearing festival, where paths to communal sites are cleared. The following day there is a parade of clay-covered people carrying twigs and tree branches, drumming & dancing and firing of musketry. |
| Central | Abura | Eguado To and Ahobaa Kese | August | - |
| Central | Cape Coast & Elmina | Panafest | August in odd-numbered years | Huge biennial event of African culture. Theater, music, cinema, poetry and lectures combines with traditional processions. |
| Central | Saltpond | Odambea | Last Saturday of August | Commemorates the migration of the Nkusukum people to their present settlement. Features the re-enactment of the ancient life styles of the people. |
| Greater Accra | Jamestown, Osu, Labadi, Prapram and other Ga villages and towns . | Homowo begins | Last week of August and first week of September | Mocking Hunger is a huge event in Accra as well as other locations. Procession of twins, drumming, dancing. At the festival climax, from noon until 18:00, any woman must accept a friendly hug from any man on the streets. |
| Greater Accra | Ada | Asafotu-fiam | Begins last Thursday in July. Culminates first Saturday in August | Commemorates victories of warriors with procession of chiefs, historic re-enactments and musketry firing. |
| Northern | Tamale, Dagbon, Mamprugu, Gonja, Yendi, Mamprugui and Nanumba | Somo Damba, Naa Damba and Belkusi Damba festivals | Between July and August | The Damba festivals occur throughout the northern regions of Ghana, These celebrations coincide with the new farming season when new yam is harvested. Originally linked with Islam to mark the birth of Mohammed, the two-day festival has gradually taken on a traditional rather than Islamic tone, with pageantry and showmanship. Procession on horseback amidst drumming and dancing. |
| Upper East | Bawku | Damba ends | Between July and August | |
| Upper West | Wa | Damba ends | Between July and August | |
| Volta | Liati-Wote | Afadzato Togbo Tsikeke festivals begin | These festivals start in late August | - |
| Volta | Akatsi, Avenorpedo and Avenorpeme | Agbeliza | August | Cassava festival with displays of over 20 different products made from the cassava plant. |
| Volta | Agotime Traditional Area, about 8km east of Ho | Agbamevoza | August | Kente festival of Volta Region. Thousands attend to see Kente-weaving competition, the crowning of Miss Agbamevor (Miss Kente), and the beautiful procession of chiefs. |
| Volta | Mepe, in the North Tongu district | Apenorto (or Afernorto) | August | Procession of chiefs and people with general merry-making. |
| Western | Busua, Dadieso and many nearby villages | Kundum continues | Between July and October | Harvest festival, period to remember ancestors, cleansing the community and setting goals for the coming year |
| Western | Dadieso, Busua | Alluole | August | - |
| Western | Mpohor, Benso | Odwira | August | - |
| Western | Dixcove, near Busua | Apatwa | August | - |
| Western | Sekondi | Edim Kese | August | - |
September
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Awukudae (or Adae), Odwira Ashanti | Mid-September | Beautiful processions of chiefs and people. Celebration of the harvest and a thanksgiving. |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | 2013: 01 September | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Brong Ahafo | Badu, in Wenchi district | Fordjour ends | August and September | To celebrate the new yam. |
| Brong Ahafo | Prang | Nkyifie | September | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Hwidiem | Adikanfo | September | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Techiman, Wenchi | Kwatie | July through September | - |
| Central | Otum | Akwambo | Last Saturday in September | Commemorates victories of warriors with re-enactments and musketry firing alongside a procession of chiefs. |
| Central | Cape Coast, inland 19km in Cape Coast Traditional Area. | Fetu Afahye | Week-long celebration starting September 1st. Sometimes starts in late August. Culminates 1st Saturday in September. | Oguaa tribe's Adorning of new clothes, or Carnival. Enormous Monday night procession of traditional priests and priestesses. Bakatue ceremony and boat race at the Fosu lagoon. First Saturday in September is a huge procession of chiefs. |
| Ashanti | Agona | Akyempem | ||
| Eastern | Akyem, Abiriw (Akropong) | OhumKyire | Tuesday and Wednesday in September or October. | Anniversary of Akyem Nation and thanksgiving for the harvest. There is a two-week ban on drumming, dancing and noisemaking prior to the festival. |
| Eastern | Akuapem Ridge: Aburi, Akropong-Akwapim, Larteh, Amanorkrom, Ahwerase, Akwamu, Mampong. | Akuapem Odwira begins | Mostly in September and October | Ceremonies moving throughout the villages along the Akuapem Ridge. Beautiful processions of chiefs and people will climax the festival in each village. |
| Eastern | Aburi | Yam festivals | Mid-September to the end of September | Celebrate yam harvest with grand procession of chiefs. |
| Greater Accra | Jamestown, Osu, Labadi, Prapram | Homowo ends | Last week of August and first week of September | Mocking Hunger is a huge event in Accra as well as other locations. |
| Upper West | Lawra | Kobina | Usually first week in October, but may be anywhere between mid-September and mid-November | Post-harvest celebration to acknowledge the gods. Dance groups compete and 'best dancer' and 'best community group' are awarded prizes |
| Volta | Ho | Asogli & Zendo | September | - |
| Volta | Liati-Wote | Afadzato Togbo Tsikeke festivals end | These festivals end at the start of September | - |
| Volta | Wli Falls | Wli falls | September | Celebrate the waterfalls with pomp and pagentry, attracting many tourists. |
| Volta | Ho and surrounding areas such as Sokode, Abutia Klefe and Akrofu | Yam festivals | Mid-September to the end of September | Celebrate yam harvest with grand procession of chiefs. |
| Western | Apatiem, Prince's Town and many nearby villages | Kundum continues | Between July and October | Harvest festival, period to remember ancestors, cleansing the community and setting goals for the coming year |
October
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashanti | Offinso | Mmoa Ni Nko | October | Celebrate bravery and wisdom of Nana Wiafe Akenten I. Grand procession of chiefs with drumming, dancing and musket firing. |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | 2013: 13 October | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Brong Ahafo | Atebubu | Foyawoo | October | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Nkoranza | Munufie | October | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Nchiraa, near Wenchi | Fofie | October | Yam festival |
| Brong Ahafo | Techiman and Wenchi | Apoo | October | Dispel evil and please the ancestors to ensure good crops. |
| Central | Saltpond | - | 1st Saturday in October | - |
| Eastern | Akuapem Ridge: Aburi, Akropong-Akwapim, Larteh, Amanorkrom, Ahwerase. | Akuapem Odwira continues | Mostly in September and October | Ceremonies moving throughout the villages along the Akuapem Ridge. Beautiful processions of chiefs and people will climax the festival in each village. |
| Eastern | Akyem, Abiriw (Akropong) | OhumKyire | Tuesday and Wednesday in September or October. | Anniversary of Akyem Nation and thanksgiving for the harvest. There is a two-week ban on drumming, dancing and noisemaking prior to the festival. |
| Greater Accra | Dodowa | Ngmayem | October | Harvest and thanksgiving festival |
| Greater Accra | Aburi | - | 3rd weekend in October | - |
| Upper East | Bongo | Boaram | Between October and November | Harvest and thanksgiving festival of the Talensis tribe with sacrifices to gods. |
| Upper East | Boari | Daa | - | - |
| Upper West | Lawra | Kobina (or Kobine) | Usually first week in October, but may be anywhere between mid-September and mid-November | Post-harvest celebration to acknowledge the gods. Dance groups compete and 'best dancer' and 'best community group' are awarded prizes |
| Volta | Ho | Yam festivals | First week in October | Culmination of yam festival with grand procession of chiefs. |
| Volta | Rotates between Saviefe, Akrofu, Sovie, Alavanyo | Sasadu | October | Pomp and pagentry to renew frienship between the four communities. Grand procession of chiefs. |
| Volta | Ve-deme | Velukusi | First week in October. | Commemorate the escape of the Ewes under the cruel King Aghorkoli in Togo. To escape, the Ewes poured water on a section of the walls that enslaved them, brought the wall down and then walked backwards to disguise their route. This is re-enacted for all to feel what really happened. The climax of the festival is the display of rich traditional cloths and beads and a grand durbar of chiefs. |
| Volta | Wli Falls | Wli Falls | Last Saturday in October | Celebrate the waterfalls with pomp and pagentry, attracting many tourists. |
| Western | Beyin, Esiama | Kundum ends | Between July and October | Harvest festival, period to remember ancestors, cleansing the community and setting goals for the coming year |
| Western | Bramiakor | Elluo | October | - |
November
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | 2013: 24 November | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Ashanti | Essumeja, at a site in the Asantemanso forest | Nkyidwo | Last Monday in November through first Monday in December | Ritual and procession of chiefs on Saturday. Commemorates the origin of the Ashantis. |
| Brong Ahafo | Awuah Domase, near Sunyani | Sasabobirim | November | Remembrance of area chief who joined with the Yaa Asantewaa to fight the British. |
| Brong Ahafo | Dormaa, Berekum and Nsoatre | Kwafie begins | A week-long celebration in November and December, or possibly October. | Purification ceremonies with large bonfires, commemorating the Dormaa ancestors who brought fire to Ghana. |
| Central | Jukwa | Odwira begins | Weeks-long event | Begins with drumming, firing of guns and wailing of women to remember ancestors. Friday a day of dancing and celebration in the streets. The week climaxes with a procession of chiefs. |
| Central | Dunkwa-on-Offin | Odwira ends | Climax of weeks-long event | After the first week in Jukwa, the Odwira celebration continues at a new location. |
| Eastern | New Juabeng | Akwantukese | First week in November | Thanks to ancestors and gods. Week climaxes in grand procession of chiefs. |
| Eastern | Somanya, Yilo Krobo | Kloyo Sikplemi | November | Expedition to of mountain where Krobo people were evicted by the British. Procession of chiefs will climax this celebration. |
| Eastern | Akuapem Ridge: Aburi, Akropong-Akwapim, Larteh, Amanorkrom, Ahwerase. | Akuapem Odwira continues | While most of these ceremonies take place in September and October, some are from that time until January | Ceremonies moving throughout the villages along the Akuapem Ridge. Beautiful processions of chiefs and people will climax the festival in each village. |
| Upper East | Tongo | Daa | 1 through 12 November | - |
| Upper East | Teng-zug, in Tongo District | Boaram | Between October and November | Harvest and thanksgiving festival of the Talensis tribe with sacrifices to gods. |
| Upper East | Bawku | Samanpiid begins | November and December | Thanksgiving sacrifices and merry-making. |
| Upper East | Various villages in Paga, Navrongo, Chiana and Kayoro areas | Fao begins | Ongoing between November and February, but mostly in January. | Thanksgiving harvest festivals. Stalks of millet are displayed as a sign of sacrifice and thanks. |
| Upper West | Lawra | Sabre | 9 November | Dance festival. |
| Upper West | Lawra | Kobina (or Kobine) | Usually first week in October, but may be as late as 15 November | Post-harvest celebration to acknowledge the gods. Dance groups compete and 'best dancer' and 'best community group' are awarded prizes |
| Upper West | Nandom | Kakube begins | Last week in November through the first week in December | This festival is celebrated to thank family gods and ask them to bless the soil, protect the people during the farming seasons. |
| Volta | Anloga, near Keta | Hogbetsotso | First Saturday in November | Grand procession of chiefs to commemorate the exodus of the Anlo-Ewes from Northern Togo to their present location in the south eastern wetlands of Ghana. Grand procession of chiefs with drumming, dancing and singing. |
| Volta | Agbozume | Keta Sometutuza | Third Saturday in November | Grand procession of chiefs. Some is noted for kente weaving. |
| Volta | Dofor Adidome, near Juapong in North Tongu district | Ayimagonu | A Saturday in November | Much pagentry, grand procession of chiefs riding palanquins amidst drumming, dancing and singing of war songs. |
| Volta | Ve traditional area | Dodoleglime | November | Dodoleglime, which in Ewe literally means coming out of thewall, marks the escape of the people from the tyrannical rule of Togbe Agorkoli of Notsie in the 17th century. |
| Volta | Wegbe Kpalime | Kpalikpakpa | November | - |
| Volta | Vane | Amu | Last week of November to December | Rice harvest festival and commemoration of the victory that secured their current homeland. Drumming, dancing and singing. |
| Volta | Rotates between Hohoe and Peki | Gbidukor | November or early December | Huge celebration with chiefs carried on palanquins. A time to commemorate the ancestors of the Gbi-Ewes. Thousands of people attend. |
| Volta | Kpeve, Tsohor and Klikor in the Adaklu district | Zendo Glimetotoza | November | Grand procession of chiefs to commemorate the exodus from Northern Togo. War dances, songs and drums with grand procession of area chiefs. |
| Volta | Wli Falls | Agumatsa Waterfalls | Late November | Drumming, dancing and colorful costumes. |
| Western | Supomu, Shama | Inkronu | November | - |
December
| Region | Location | Festival | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throughout Ghana | National Holiday | Farmer's Day | First Friday in December | Celebrate the farmer who feeds Ghana. |
| Throughout Ghana | National Holiday | Christmas, Boxing Day New Year Eve and Day |
24 December through 3 January | Christmas is a time of great merry-making. Things slow to a crawl, or even shut down completely during this time |
| Ashanti | Kumasi | Akwasiade | DATES TO BE PROVIDED | Celebrated every 6 weeks, the public durbar of chiefs is an exciting and colorful event. |
| Ashanti | Essumeja, at a site in the Asantemanso forest | Nkyidwo | Last Monday in November through first Monday in December | Ritual and procession of chiefs on Saturday. Commemorates the origin of the Ashantis. |
| Brong Ahafo | Dormaa, Berekum, Nsoatre | Kwafie ends | A week-long celebration in November and December | Purification ceremonies with large bonfires, commemorating the Dormaa ancestors who brought fire to Ghana. |
| Brong Ahafo | Wenchi | Apoo | December | Dispel evil and please the ancestors to ensure good crops. |
| Brong Ahafo | Kukuom | Addae Tuntum begins | December | - |
| Brong Ahafo | Ayomso | Addae Kesee begins | December | - |
| Eastern | Akuapem Ridge: Aburi, Akropong-Akwapim, Larteh, Amanorkrom, Ahwerase. | Akuapem Odwira continues | While most of these ceremonies take place in September and October, some are from that time until January | Ceremonies moving throughout the villages along the Akuapem Ridge. Beautiful processions of chiefs and people will climax the festival in each village. |
| Upper East | Various villages in Paga, Navrongo, Chiana and Kayoro areas | Fao continues | Ongoing between November and February, but mostly in January. | Thanksgiving harvest festivals. Stalks of millet are displayed as a sign of sacrifice and thanks. |
| Upper East | Bawku | Samanpiid ends | November and December | Thanksgiving sacrifices and merry-making. |
| Upper East | Sandema, in Builsa area | Feok (or Fiok) | December | Commemorates victory over the slave raider Babatu. War dances in various communities with grand procession of chiefs at climax. Traditional headgear is topped with enormous antlers. |
| Upper West | Nandom | Kakube ends | Last week in November through the first week in December | This festival is celebrated to thank family gods and ask them to bless the soil, protect the people during the farming seasons. |
| Volta | Anfoaga | Yam festivals | December | Celebrate yam harvest with grand procession of chiefs. |
| Volta | Rotates between Hohoe and Peki | Gbidukor | November or early December | Huge celebration with chiefs carried on palanquins. A time to commemorate the ancestors of the Gbi-Ewes. Thousands of people attend. |
This information is compiled from the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Bradt travel guide to Ghana, the "Official Tourist Guide of Ghana" by Talk5, Ltd. of Accra, and other sources both published and personal.



