Malawi: Lake of Stars Festival announces 2025 line-up

The three-day event, running under the theme Empower. Connect. Enrich. Celebrate, will feature over 120 acts from Malawi and around the world.

About 80% of the performers are Malawian, reflecting the festival’s commitment to showcasing local talent while fostering international cultural exchange. Among this year’s performers are US sustainability artist and UN Youth Ambassador AY Young, South African DJ Lady Amar, and Malawian stars Driemo, Keturah and Madalitso Band. Other notable names include Czech opera singer Zdenka and German Afro-house DJ Felix Flavour.

Now in its latest edition since returning to the lakeshore, Lake of Stars remains one of Malawi’s most recognisable cultural events, drawing audiences from across the region and beyond.

Festival organiser and executive director of Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (DOPE Malawi), Sharmila Elias-Taijala, said the event continues to play a vital role in connecting Malawi’s creative community to global networks.

“Together, we’re building stages that connect Malawi to the global village, empowering artists, enriching communities, and transforming Nkhotakota into a vibrant cultural and tourism hub,” she said.

In addition to live performances, the festival will host a variety of community and cultural activities. A local football tournament organised in partnership with Freshwater Project and Temwa Chawinga was held on 11 October at Chief Mbalame’s Community Grounds, featuring both male and female teams from Mbalame Village and neighbouring communities.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Lusaka will support the Day of Ideas Free Youth Festival on 16 October, a pre-festival event promoting creativity and innovation through art and culture.

Partners

The organisers expressed their gratitude to the 2025 Lake of Stars cultural and media partners, which include: Malawi Airlines; Embassy of the Czech Republic and Czech Aid; Sailing Music Kenya; Vipi Travel Kenya; Made in Malindi Kenya; Star Travel Malawi; Kwimbo National Arts Festival (Zambia); Kansanshi Festival (Zambia); African Music Conference (Zambia and South Africa); Music Exchange (South Africa); Songlines Magazine (UK), Music in Africa and ACCES; Camp 4 Life; Camping Kaphela; Timveni Malawi; MBC Malawi; Umunthu FM; Times Group; Nation Publications; Amaryllis Radio; Nkhotakota Radio; Canex; Story Club FM, Land & Lake Safaris, Mango Drift Likoma Island, and Fish Eagle Bay Lodge Malawi.

“Their collaboration ensures that the Lake of Stars experience remains not only memorable, but deliberate and purposeful,” the organisers said.

Tickets to the festival are available online via Pamsika Online, kwenda.co and Howler. The full programme can be viewed via the Lake of Stars Festival official website.