MitAfrika Festival

The MitAfrika Festival, taking place August 21–23, brings together a multifaceted panorama of African culture on the square in front of the Chocolate Museum and creates a space where artistic practice, social history, and everyday life are interwoven. Set against the open landscape of the Rheinauhafen, the program features live music, dance, workshops, theater performances, and a market that showcases both artisanal crafts and culinary traditions. For 2026, the curation focuses on musical traditions from Northwest Africa and Ghana, whose rhythms and narrative forms reflect both historical connections and contemporary influences. Visitors can participate in individual workshop sessions that offer practical insights into instrumental techniques or forms of performance. A dedicated space for children will feature creative activities and storytelling formats that build on the energy of previous festival years. Admission remains free, while food, drinks, and workshops are paid for separately. The festival is organized by the Mama Afrika e. V. association, which has been creating a forum for intercultural exchange on this site for many years, thereby continuing the relationship between Cologne and the African diaspora.