Online Reporter
Mathew Masinge
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
THE Sunshine City Festival has unveiled a bold new approach for its upcoming edition and has expanded it into a three-day, multi-stage celebration.
It will blend music, theatre and cultural exchange under the theme “Convergence.”
The festival, which has steadily grown into one of the city’s most anticipated cultural gatherings, will this year run from May 23 to 25 at the Harare Gardens.
Organisers, Tamba Events, have now added theatre and a chill zone to the music, marking a significant shift from its previous format.
Festival director, Nigel Chinovhiringa, said the expansion reflects both the growth of the festival and a desire to create a better experience for audiences. “By placing live music alongside theatrical performances, Sunshine City Festival aims to blur creative boundaries and encourage collaboration between artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds.
“For one weekend life in Harare will stop as its people converge at the Harare Gardens for a once-in-a-life-time experience of a real festival.
“This is a go-to-event for those who love music, food and outdoor experiences,” said Chinovhiringa.
Music superstar Jah Prayzah has been confirmed as one of the headliners, bringing his signature blend of contemporary sound and cultural storytelling to the main stage.
He will be joined by a yet-to-be-announced West African musician and five other surprise acts from Uganda, Kenya and South Africa.
For Chinovhiringa this move signals the festival’s growing continental outlook and its commitment to fostering pan-African artistic connections. “This is a chance to connect with a great audience, let’s unlock the true spirit of the Sunshine City and make ourselves proud of who we really are as the capital of Zimbabwe. “The approach is meant to give audiences time to explore, discover, and fully engage with the creative energy on offer, rather than rushing through a single-day event,” he said.
Beyond headline performances, the three-day format allows space for emerging artists, experimental theatre, and cross-genre performances to take centre stage.
With “Convergence” as its guiding theme, this year’s Sunshine City Festival positions itself not just as an entertainment event, but as a cultural meeting point — where sound, story, and shared experience intersect.
As anticipation builds around the full line-up announcement, the festival’s new direction signals an ambitious chapter for Harare’s creative scene and for Sunshine City Festival itself.
A marathon and a football tourney are also part of the festivities.
Mathew Masinge