After Christmas, ‘those in the know’ desert Nairobi for the Coast for some sun, sea and sand and, more importantly perhaps, to party. We’ve scoured the Kenyan coast for the best parties, whether it’s boogying on the beach at Diani, or seeing the New Year in at Kilifi’s two-day fiesta.
Kilifi New Year
December 30-January 2, 2018
One of the most established and popular New Year parties on the coast, Kilifi NY is back for its fifth year. As it grows in size, it’s taking the party to the Kilifi plantations, where revellers will booze and party for two days’ straight. It’s not your average party, though. Artistic minds will be introducing what they describe as a “radically-creative two-day explosion of music, arts and tropical beach culture,” which includes not only a top line-up of DJs and musicians, including South African DJ Da Capo, but the onsite creation of art installations. Think Burning Man festival in the desert, and you get the idea.
Diani Beach Festival
December 9 – January 1, 2018
This European-style beach party (soft beats during the day, and a never-ending flow of alcohol) is a monthlong party, culminating in a big line-up for the 31st of December. Hundreds of professional skydivers will be heading to the festival for the skydiving “boogie,” a frenzy of jumps and tricks. By day, revellers can get active on the beach before dancing the evening away. The organisers have got a host of top names lined up to get you jiving into the early hours from international and Kenyan DJs to boy band Sauti Sol, with Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee performing live on New Year’s Eve.
New Year’s at Ocean Sports Resort, Watamu
December 31 – January 2, 2018
Ocean Sports is back with its two-day New Year’s celebration, with DJ Sumo driving the beats. This is a party catering as much to the foodies as to the revellers, with a seafood and roast meat buffet dinner served under the stars. Mixologists Roman and Vika will be taking charge of the cocktails, while a cooler box, on request, will be stashed under your table with your order to ensure you’re never kept waiting for your tipple. Take the hair of the dog to keep up the act for a second day of partying on the beach to the resident DJs. Visit their Facebook page for
more details.
Forty Thieves, Diani
December 24-31, 2017
Diani’s party centre has its own line-up of activities, with a New Year’s beach party as the main event. But
Forty Thieves has a few other events to tantalise, including a traditional turkey lunch on Christmas Day, followed by camel racing along the beach on Boxing Day, as well as a “disco” every night between Christmas Eve and New Year. Visit their Facebook page for more details.
Hakuna Matata Festival, Nyali
December 31st – January 1st, 2018
The Hakuna Matata Festival is a Kenyan festival of Music with a message of peace, good vibes and NO WORRIES. Worry Less, Live More!The Hakuna Matata Festival is all about giving you the best in Live Music and Dj performances in Kenya’s most exotic locations. This year’s festival promises a musical night backed up with Kenya’s top Djs from 6AM Entertainment and Hype XP collectives as your usher in the New Year at Reef Hotel Mombasa. For more details visit their Facebook page.
