As you know, Cooperating Volunteers has projects distributed around the world, which constantly allows us to experience other cultures and gives us the privilege of enjoying and learning from them.
During your volunteering experience, you might coincide with some of the most special days in each destination. For example, we recently organized a trip to India where participants could enjoy the Diwali festival (Festival of Lights) or experience an authentic Hindu wedding.
In another blog post, we also shared the story behind the Holi festival, another very popular celebration in India. In 2025, Holi will be celebrated on Friday, March 14th. We assure you that if your trip coincides with these dates, it will be an unforgettable experience.
That’s why today we want to share the first part of the most important days in various destinations and how they are celebrated according to their culture and traditions.
UGANDA
Independence Day
On October 9th, Uganda celebrates its independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. On this day, parades, official speeches, and cultural activities take place across the country.
Uganda’s President typically delivers a speech reflecting on the country’s progress and current challenges. The flag is also raised as a symbolic act to commemorate the moment when Uganda first hoisted the flag as an independent nation, and both military and civilian parades are organized.
Various cultural groups present performances of traditional dance and music, highlighting the country’s cultural diversity and richness. It is common for people to enjoy typical dishes such as matoke (cooked plantains), posho (cornmeal), and roasted meat. Community participation leads to the organization of football tournaments and other sports events. Many families take advantage of the holiday to gather and celebrate with meals and social activities. Streets and buildings are often decorated with the colors of the Ugandan flag: black, yellow, and red. Events are held in stadiums and public spaces, attracting thousands of people.
Kampala Carnival
This event, traditionally held on the first Sunday of October, although the dates may vary and it is not consistently celebrated, is one of the most prominent cultural and festive events in Uganda’s capital, reflecting the city’s cultural diversity, joy, and community spirit. For updated information on upcoming editions, you can check the Kampala Capital City Authority website.
On this day, the parades are the essence of the carnival, with decorated floats, traditional and modern costumes, and performances by cultural groups. Processions are organized along the main streets of Kampala, accompanied by music and dancing. Local and international artists perform in outdoor concerts, offering a mix of traditional Ugandan music, Afrobeat, reggae, and other popular genres. DJs entertain the crowds with sets combining modern music with African rhythms. Food stalls at the carnival offer a variety of typical Ugandan dishes such as matoke, rolex, and nyamachoma (you can find a blog post about typical Ugandan food). There are also local drinks, such as fresh fruit juices and craft beers.
The event celebrates Uganda’s cultural diversity, with representations from the different tribes and communities of the country. Foreign communities living in Kampala also participate, adding an international touch to the event. The streets are filled with colors, lights, and themed decorations. Activities include games for children, sports competitions, and street performances.
The carnival is not only an entertainment event but also an opportunity for small vendors and local businesses.
Nyege Nyege Festival
An electronic music and arts festival held in Jinja, near the Nile, and one of the most important in East Africa, known internationally for attracting artists and tourists from around the world. Traditionally celebrated in September, it lasts four days, though the dates for 2025 have not yet been officially announced. Since dates can vary each year, it’s advisable to check in advance to plan your attendance.
Founded in 2015, it celebrates alternative music, art, and cultural diversity in Africa. The name “Nyege Nyege” comes from the Luganda language and translates to “an irresistible urge to dance.” Musical genres include Afrobeat, electronic, hip-hop, dancehall, experimental music, and traditional African styles. Musicians and DJs from Uganda, Africa, and other parts of the world participate, providing a platform for both emerging and established talents.
Nyege Nyege is not just about music; it also features art installations, dance performances, and other forms of creative expression. Attendees can explore cultural markets and sample a variety of local and international cuisines.
Tickets can be purchased online and at designated points in Uganda. Accommodation options include on-site camping and hotels in Jinja and surrounding areas. Be sure to bring comfortable clothing, sunscreen, and be prepared to enjoy a lively outdoor environment.
KENYA
Maasai Cultural Week
This is a significant event in Kenya celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Maasai people, one of the most well-known ethnic groups in the country, recognized for their traditional lifestyle, distinctive clothing, and deep connection to nature. This celebration does not have a fixed date but is generally held in August.
It takes place primarily in regions with a high Maasai population, such as Narok (near the Maasai Mara National Reserve), Kajiado, and Amboseli (near Amboseli National Park).
The Maasai are renowned for their circle dances and their characteristic vertical jumping, known as adumu, performed during ceremonies and festivals. Songs narrate stories of their ancestors, daily life, and spiritual beliefs.
Traditional handmade jewelry, Maasai clothing and accessories like shukas (red or multicolored wraps), and recreations of ceremonies such as initiation rites, weddings, and blessings are showcased. Demonstrations of skills such as fire-making without matches, hunting techniques, and traditional housing construction (manyattas) are also common.
Markets are set up to display agricultural products, crafts, and traditional food, allowing visitors to interact directly with the Maasai. Competitions such as races, spear throwing, and other activities inspired by traditional warrior skills are held. Talks are offered on the importance of environmental conservation and the Maasai’s role as guardians of the ecosystem, among other activities.
This is an unforgettable immersive experience to learn about cultures completely different from our own.
Jamhuri Day (Independence Day)
One of Kenya’s most popular celebrations, also known as Republic Day, is held annually on December 12th. It marks two key moments in the country’s history: Kenya’s independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 and the declaration of the Republic in 1964.
This day reflects the country’s spirit of unity and honors the figures who fought for freedom and contributed to Kenya’s development. Celebrations take place in Nairobi at iconic venues such as Nyayo Stadium or Kasarani National Stadium.
The President of Kenya delivers a speech highlighting the country’s achievements, current challenges, and future goals. The event includes the participation of the armed forces, police, and other national institutions, as well as cultural performances showcasing Kenya’s ethnic diversity. Exhibitions of crafts and gastronomy feature local products.
Many national parks and reserves, such as Maasai Mara and Amboseli, offer special deals during this holiday, attracting both locals and international tourists.
Mombasa Carnival
This is one of Kenya’s most vibrant and colorful cultural events. Held annually in the coastal city of Mombasa, it highlights the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of the country, especially the coastal communities. Although it does not have a fixed date, it is generally celebrated in November.
The festival brings together various communities in Kenya, including Swahilis, Arabs, Indians, and different tribes from the country’s interior. Each group contributes its unique traditions, creating a cultural mosaic that is celebrated throughout the event.
The highlight of the festival is the parades, with decorated floats representing different cultures. Participants dressed in traditional attire march through the streets, dancing to the rhythm of local music, creating an atmosphere full of color and energy. Performances by local bands and popular musicians feature both traditional and contemporary genres, such as Taarab, Benga, and Afro-fusion music. Dance groups showcase traditional styles, such as coastal Swahili dances and Maasai performances.
Food is a central element of the festival, with markets and stalls offering local specialties. Competitions and cultural activities, such as dhow (traditional boat) races and football tournaments, are also part of the event. Art and craft exhibitions showcase local products, with workshops teaching traditional techniques.
The event takes place at various locations in Mombasa, with highlights including Old Town, Fort Jesus, and Mombasa’s beaches.
Since the festival’s exact dates vary, it’s advisable to check local announcements.
MEXICO
Day of the Dead
It is one of the most important and iconic holidays in Mexico, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. This day honors and celebrates loved ones who have passed away, under the belief that their spirits temporarily return to be with their families. It is a unique blend of indigenous and Christian traditions, known for its vibrant colors, symbolism, and joy.
Altars or offerings are set up in homes, cemeteries, or public spaces, which include: photographs of the deceased, flowers, candles, incense, skulls…
In some communities, people spend the night in the cemetery, accompanying the deceased with music, food, and prayers. In cities like Mexico City, large parades are organized, filled with music, traditional costumes, and floats decorated with themes related to death.
La Catrina, created by artist José Guadalupe Posada and popularized by Diego Rivera, is an iconic symbol of the Day of the Dead. It represents a skull dressed in elegant clothes and is used in costumes and decorations.
The Day of the Dead is not a sad day; it is a celebration of life, a time to remember those who have passed with love and joy. It represents the deep connection between the living and the dead and reaffirms the belief that death is not the end, but a transition.
Guelaguetza
Another of the most iconic celebrations in Mexico, particularly in Oaxaca. This cultural and festive event celebrates the diversity and richness of the indigenous traditions of the region. It takes place in July, specifically on the two Mondays following July 16th, known as the Mondays of the Hill (Lunes del Cerro). Its name comes from the Zapotec language and means “offering” or “gift.”
The Guelaguetza has its origins in pre-Hispanic festivities in honor of Centeótl, the goddess of corn, the deity of agriculture and fertility. Indigenous communities performed rituals to give thanks for the harvests and to ask for abundance. With the arrival of the Spanish, the celebrations merged with Catholic traditions, especially the veneration of the Virgin of Carmen.
It takes place at the Guelaguetza Auditorium, located at the top of Cerro del Fortín, in the city of Oaxaca, and communities from the 8 regions of the state of Oaxaca participate. Each region presents its traditional dance, accompanied by music played on typical instruments such as the marimba, violin, and flute, and colorful traditional costumes handmade with embroidery, textiles, and colors that represent their cultural identity.
There are also many activities such as craft markets, gastronomic displays, exhibitions, and workshops…
If you have the opportunity to attend, you will experience an unforgettable event full of colors, flavors, and emotions.
San Marcos Fair
This fair, held in the city of Aguascalientes, is one of the most important and oldest in Mexico. It takes place annually between April and May, lasting approximately three weeks, attracting millions of visitors from all over the country and abroad.
The fair was first held in 1828, originally as an agricultural and livestock exhibition in honor of the patron saint, San Marcos. In 1848, the event began to be held at the iconic Jardín de San Marcos, a landmark in the city that still forms part of the fair today. Over time, the fair evolved to include cultural, artistic, sporting, and entertainment activities, becoming a celebration of national significance.
The main activities include: folk theater, livestock and agricultural exhibitions, displays of local craftsmanship, folk dances, and sporting events like horse races…
The fair is a paradise for food lovers. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of typical dishes from Aguascalientes and Mexico, and it is a key economic driver for Aguascalientes. It generates thousands of temporary jobs and promotes the local economy through tourism, product sales, and services.
Today, we’ve shared some of the most celebrated and popular days in Kenya, Uganda, and Mexico.
Which other destinations would you like to learn about and their most celebrated days?
See you in part two!