Kampala Style! Check out some of the top events and special meals across the city this Holiday Season.
Maybe this is your first Christmas away from home or your first Christmas in Kampala? Or maybe you’ve been in town for years but looking for a new way to celebrate. Luckily for you, there are many great ways to ring in the holidays in Kampala, from events leading up to Christmas to activities on the actual day, and beyond!
Leading up to Christmas and New Years you can find different organisations or embassies hosting special markets and gatherings, check out many of the options below!
Engeroiza Ssekkukulu:
Christmas Poetry Addition. Hosted by Tontoma on November 23rd, from 7-9pm. Find them at 52 Bukoto Street, Kampala (Goethe Zentrum, Basement).
Eli Maliki Live in Maliki-Fy:
The Genesis. Hosted by l’Alliance Francaise from 7pm on. Contact or stop by l’Alliance to get your ticket, UGX 50,000/person. Includes a free CD! Located at Plot 52 Bukoto Street, Kampala.
Christmas Market.
Taking place over four Weekends at the Dancing Cup! Starting November 26th, December 3rd, December 10th, until December 17th. Find them at Plot 71 Luthuli Avenue, Bugolobi.
Rainbow Christmas Market. Hosted by the Rainbow International School Uganda on November 26th, 2022 from 10-3pm. Located at 41 Nkrumah Road, Kasanga.
St. Andrew’s Ball 2022.
Hosted by the Caledonian Society of Uganda on November 26th starting at 6pm at Sheraton Hotel – Kampala.
German Christmas Market. Hosted by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) on November 27th, 2022 from 1pm-7pm at 23 Nakesero Road, Kampala.
Ensemble Gala 22b.
Hosted by the African Institute of Music on December 2nd at 2pm at Garden Dasarang, Lubowa Wakiso District, Uganda.
Christmas Celebration.
Hosted by the African Institute of Music on December 4th at 4pm at Chapel Hall, Plot 2589, Lubowa Wakiso District, Uganda.
Kampala Santa Hat Fun Run.
Hosted by Activate Uganda on December 4th starting at 6:45am. The run is UGX 70,000 for Adults and UGX 60,000 for Kids under 14 years old. Register through Activate Uganda’s Website.
Concert: Afro Fusion Experience – Jackson Kalimba. Hosted by l’Alliance Francaise from 7pm on. Contact or stop by l’Alliance to get your ticket, UGX 35,000/person (early bird!).
Christmas Market – Handmade.
One day only at the Muti Garden Cafe & Restaurant! December 10th from 10am-2:30pm at 12 Queens Rd, Entebbe.
Kampala New Year Resolution Run. Hosted by Activate Uganda. You can choose from 15km, 10k, 5km or 3km run/walk. From UGX 60,000 for Adults and UGX 50,000 for Kids. Register through Activate Uganda’s Website.
Uganda National Theatre. Hosting many wonderful cultural events, including music and theater. Check this link in November and December for the new monthly programs.
In addition to the many excellent events across the city, noted above, restaurants and hotels around Kampala are also hosting special occasions for the holidays. Check out what, where, and when below!
Le Chateau Brasserie Belge.
Offering mouth-watering Belgian cuisine for over 20 years in Kampala, this year, Le Chateau will be hosting a Buffet on Christmas Day, not to be missed.
Starting from 11am on. Price to be confirmed. They will also be having a special evening New Years Eve with a Live Band. Time and price to be confirmed. To make a reservation, please call in advance.
Le Sheraton Hotel Kampala.
Featuring four unique packages over the holidays!
Christmas Eve: Buffet in the Paradise Restaurant starting from 7-11pm with a Live Band. Christmas Day: Special Dinner Buffet in the Paradise Restaurant starting from 5pm. Fresh juice, sparkling wine, and much more! Boxing Day: A final special Christmas themed buffet from 7 to 11pm. New Years Eve: Not to be missed soiree, poolside at the Equator Bar starting at 7pm. Featuring a live band, fireworks, and a special dinner buffet. To make a reservation, please call in advance.
Kampala Serena Hotel.
Christmas Eve: At the Pool Deck, High Tea with Christmas Carols featuring Watoto Church Choir from 4-7pm. At the Lakes Restaurant, a Gala Buffet Dinner from 6-9pm featuring entertainment from Simba Sounds Live Band. And lastly, at the Explorer Restaurant, a Set Menu from 6-9pm, featuring Lounge Music.
Christmas Day:
At the Lakes Restaurant from 6:30-10:30am an International Breakfast featuring entertainment from DJ Tonne. At the Pearl Restaurant from 12:30-4pm, there will be a Christmas Buble Brunch, Children’s Activities, and Santa Claus with Live Music from Abeeka. At the Explorer Restaurant from 6-9pm, enjoy a Christmas Set Menu with Lounge Music. At the Lakes Restaurant, don’t miss the BBQ Buffet Dinner from 6-9pm, featuring Music
Connexions. Boxing Day:
Enjoy a buffet lunch and children activities at the Lakes Restaurant from 12:30-4pm. Live music from Simba Sounds! In the evening, at the Lakes Restaurant enjoy a Mongolian Dinner Buffet from 6-9pm with live music from DJ Tonnie. At the Explorer Restaurant, enjoy a set menu from 6-10pm with entertainment from Piped Music. Finally, a Cocktail Extravaganza and Wine Specials at the Mmist Bar from 6-8pm. New Years Eve: Enjoy a Buffet Dinner in the Mist Garden from 7pm until late. Featuring music from Abeeka Live Band, fireworks, party favours, and a welcome drink. At the Pearl Restaurant and Champagne Bar, enjoy a seven course gala dinner. Dress code elegant with live music from Myko Ouma. In the Explorer Restaurant, you can enjoy a set menu and live music from Trio Live Band from 7pm on. Lastly, don’t miss the New Year Countdown and After Party with Malembe in Victoria Hall.
New Year’s Day:
At the Lakes Restaurant, a special Sunday Brunch from 12:30-4:30pm, featuring music from Simba Sounds Live Band.
Kabira Country Club
Kabira Country Club has many events scheduled for the holiday season, as follows!
Christmas Eve: Special Dinner with live band, santa claus, kids corner, and lucky draw from 6pm onwards. Christmas Day: Christmas Roast from 12 to 4pm. Including live band, face painting, bouncing castle, santa claus, kids corner, and a lucky draw. Boxing Day: Special brunch from noon to 4pm. Featuring a bouncing castle, lucky draw, and kids corner. New Years Eve: Special Dinner including live DJ and lucky draw from 6pm until late. New Years Day: Special Lunch Buffet from noon to 4pm. Featuring a live band, bouncing castle, kids corner, and lucky draw.
Additional great restaurants to keep in mind for special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years, that have yet to announce their menu.
Bistro, Cantine Divino, Merchant logo, Yujo Izakaya, Miso Garden, Vitamin Cafe, Pardis, Mediterraneo, Platia, El Pecado, Revive, Urban Chevre, Fuego, Green Bean, Kardamom and Koffee, Holy Crêpe, and Kampala Forest Resort.
From special events to special meals, there are many ways to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year. Wishing you and yours a memorable holiday season in Kampala.
