Blankets and Wine is a pan-African Festival that combines music, fashion, food and family-friendly experiences. The festival was founded by Kenyan musician and cultural entrepreneur Muthoni Drummer Queen.
History Blankets and Wine started in 2008 as an event to showcase emerging Kenyan musicians. The picnic-styled event was initially held every first Sunday of the month. Attendees were supposed to bring a bottle of wine, a picnic basket and a blanket. They would then watch performances from local artists.
In 2012, the event was launched in Uganda. In 2017, the event was first held in Rwanda. The Rwanda edition would also have a segment called "New Kigali Set", which would include performances from local upcoming artists. In 2020, amidst COVID-19 lockdown restriction, Blankets & Wine held its first online edition. In 2025, organizers announced they would hold the first international edition of blankets and wine in the UK.
In 2022, Blankets and Wine Uganda banned children from attending the festival. In 2023 and 2024, the festival held four editions each year.
In 2025, Blankets and Wine announced that it would host three editions of the festival. Each edition will feature a main stage and a second stage, known as the Onja Onja stage and the Onja Onja market. The main stage will feature seven artists who will be performing live. The Onja Onja stage will feature seven DJs. The Onja Onja market on the other hand, is where local artisans and vendors showcase and sell their items.
Festival summary by year Blankets and Wine Kenya +EditionYearCountryVenueDateHeadliners Ref242011KenyaMamba Village Leisure Garden April 3Thandiswa Mazwai272011KenyaLeisure Gardens, Mamba VillageJuly 10292011KenyaLeisure Gardens, Mamba VillageSeptember 4Mafikizolo322012KenyaLeisure Gardens, Mamba VillageMarch 4Lira2012KenyaLeisure Gardens, Mamba VillageAugust 5Sauti Sol Tumi Yunasi Michel Ongaro382012KenyaLeisure Gardens, Mamba VillageOctober 7Juliani Fena Gitu Harry Kimani Kamba402012KenyaLeisure Gardens, Mamba VillageDecember 2Madtraxx Dan Chizi Aceda Makadem Andrew Wambua Afrology the Band2013KenyaLeisure Gardens, Mamba VillageLiquideep442013KenyaCarnivoreJune 2Zahara462013KenyaCarnivoreAugust 4Kidum502014KenyaJanuary 4 and January 5Mafikizolo Mi Casa Sauti Sol2016KenyaNgong Racecourse and Golf ParkJuly 10Estelle2017KenyaApril 9AKA (rapper)2019KenyaNgong Racecourse and Golf ParkDecember 22Koffee2024KenyaLaureate Gardens, Moi International Sports CenterApril 7Wurld Eric Wainaina
Wanavokali
Fena Gitu
Chris Kaiga2024KenyaLaureate Gardens, Moi International Sports CenterJuly 28Savara Nikita Kering Samthing Soweto
Bensoul2024KenyaLaureate Gardens- Moi International Sports Center in NairobiOctober 6Nasty CDecember2024KenyaLaureate Gardens, Moi International Sports CenterDecember 22Nyashinski Wakadinali Necessary Noize Watendawili Njerae2025KenyaLaureate Gardens, Moi International Sports CentreJune 29Mi Casa
Blankets and Wine Uganda +EditionYearCountryVenueDatesHeadlinersRef32013UgandaUganda MuseumMarch 31Madtraxx Tamba The Sundowners Band Winston and Pragmo 82014UgandaUganda MuseumDecember 14Freshlyground92015UgandaUganda MuseumEric Wainaina102015UgandaSeptember 27Zahara112015UgandaUganda MuseumDecember 13Kansoul Kenneth Mugabi Swahili Nation122016UgandaUganda MuseumMarch 27Uhuru152016UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalDecember 18Ali kiba2017UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalAugust 20Seyi Shay192018Uganda Lugogo Cricket OvalMay 6Heavy K The Ben
Fik Fameica2018UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalDecember 16Maleek Berry222019UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalApril 28Shekhinah King Saha Sammy Kasule232019UgandaLugogo Cricket Oval August 25Skales242019UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalDecember 15Jidenna2022UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalMarch 27Bruce Melodie Spice Diana Zex Bilangilangi Cosign Yenze Trroy Music Ebrahim Soul O Shakib Miss Deedan2022UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalJuly 24Ayra Starr2022UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalDecember 11Yemi Alade292023Uganda Lugogo Cricket OvalApril 30Cassper Nyovest Azawi
Bensoul
Mike Kaihura2023UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalDecember 17Konshens302023UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalAugust 27Johnny Drille2024UgandaLugogo Cricket OvalJune 30Samthing Soweto
Blankets and Wine Rwanda +EditionYearCountryVenueDateHeadlinersRef12017RwandaKigali Golf CourseAugust 27Lillian Mbabazi Bruce Melodie
Tresor22017RwandaKigali Golf CourseDecember 172023RwandaCanal OlympiaSeptember 3Mike Kayihura Alyn Sano
Kivumbi King
Angel Mutoni
Sea Stars
Blankets and Wine Online Edition +EditionYearDateHeadlinersRef12020August 30 Joeboy
Blankets and Wine International Edition +YearEditionCountryVenueDateHeadlinersRef20251United KingdomLister Park September 6To be announced
References