Blankets and Wine announces UK debut as event celebrates 16 years

Blankets & Wine festival has announced its plan to make its international debut in the UK this September. 

The festival which has since morphed into a beloved quarterly Sunday ritual will be marking its 16th year, the festival will take center stage in Bradford’s Lister Park on September 6.

This is in line with part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme and the UK/Kenya Season 2025, in partnership with the British Council.

For over a decade, Blankets & Wine has been a quarterly celebration of African creativity, bringing together emerging and established artists from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond.

 “This is a dream come true,” said Muthoni Ndonga popularly known as Muthoni Drummer Queen, the founder of Blankets & Wine, in a statement.

“Since 2008, we’ve been passionate about showcasing the incredible talent of African musicians, building a real community of fans, vendors, and sponsors, and scaling opportunities across the live music value chain. Taking Blankets & Wine to the UK is the next step in exporting our music and culture, transcending borders and connecting people from all walks of life,” she added.

Blankets & Wine Bradford promises a full day & evening of live music, DJ sets, and cultural experiences across two stages, featuring the most exciting Kenyan artists and electronic music producers and DJs.

For Kenyans, this event marks a moment of pride as the country’s music and culture take centre stage on an international platform. 

“Blankets & Wine has always been about more than just music, it’s a lifestyle,” Ndonga added.

“We’re thrilled to share that with the world and create a space where people can discover, love, and share in the beauty of African creativity.”

The official lineup is expected to be released this coming month, June.

Founded in Nairobi in 2008, Blankets & Wine is Africa's premier music and culture festival, known for spotlighting African talent and creating joyful, connected cultural spaces.

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (Bradford 2025) runs from January 2025 to December 2025 and is a celebration of Bradford city and district, taking place across its city, towns, villages and greenspaces.