Our Story

Introduction

Story of Likoma Island Festival

Likoma Island Festival started as an annual event Likoma Summer Cultural Festival (LISURF) in 2013, with the inaugural festival held in October 2014. It was started by a team of youths from Likoma Island who wanted to have a festival as a tourism marketing tool for Likoma and Chizumulu Islands, the only permanently habited islands in Lake Malawi that are also the smallest district of Malawi by land size and population.

Subsequent festivals were held in 2015, 2016 before rebranding to Likoma Island Festival (acronym LIFE) in 2018. The festival has since maintained second week of October as the festival week.

The main events of the festival include;

  1. A tour to the islands (air and water-with the highlight cruise on MV Ilala-one of the historical, passenger vessels still sailing in Africa with a party on-board)
  2. Island parade (security institutions, traditional dance groups celebrate through a march through the streets of Likoma Island)
  3. Music
  4. Traditional dances (showcasing the culture and traditions of the people of Likoma Islands and neighbouring areas)
  5. Food fete (a selection of local cuisines)
  6. Sightseeing (appreciate beauty, tranquillity, history and culture by touring the islands and surrounding areas)
  7. Sports (traditional water sports and modern sports that have become the Islands tradition).

Patronage

The festival attracts an estimated 3,000 people from Likoma and Chizumulu Islands, mainland Malawi, neighbouring Mozambique and globally.

Inspired by Likoma Islands

The Likoma Islands Festival (also called the Likoma Summer Cultural Festival or li-SURF) is a cultural summer festival (with a modernized touch) event, which is meant to be held every year since 2014 at Likoma Island. This is aimed at promoting tourism and tourism related investment to Likoma Islands while at the same time providing people with an opportunity to learn, earn and advance their lives.

When and Where?

Likoma Festival takes place every second week of October, starting in 2014. It takes place at Likoma Island on the North Eastern side of Lake Malawi.

The 2026 Likoma Festival will therefore be held from 15th – 18th October 2026 at Likoma Island.

Safety and security

Professional Security Company within Malawi will provide first line of security and will work alongside the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to provide 24-hour security during the festival.

A training institution will provide health and safety training to team members that will work under the festival. There will be a first aid team throughout the entire festival. Medical practitioners at the Likoma District Health Office (DHO) will take part to be at stand-by mode to treat any cases that would arise.

Those participants who will do camping will be allocated designated and well-guarded positions.

Food restaurants and accommodation providers will be those certified by the Ministries of Health and Tourism and Culture.

Transportation to be used will be those buses and water vessel that are certified by the Malawi Government.