Bole Festival Celebrates 10 Years of Food, Music and Culture
Port Harcourt was filled with food, music and entertainment as the Bole Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with a three-day celebration from September 4 to 6, 2026.
Held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, the festival brought together food vendors, music lovers, families, entertainers and businesses for an event centred around one of Port Harcourt’s most popular local dishes — bole, roasted plantain usually served with fish and pepper sauce.
The festival began in 2016 with a much smaller gathering of about 300 people. Ten years later, it has grown into a major food and cultural event, combining Nigerian cuisine with live entertainment and other activities.
The 2026 edition, themed “Power of X,” featured performances across the three days. Artistes including Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Peruzzi, Johnny Drille, Magixx, Guchi, 1Da Banton and Carter Efe were among those who entertained festival-goers.
Beyond the music, the festival provided an opportunity for food vendors and other businesses to connect with a large audience. The organisers say the event has continued to grow through the support of vendors, sponsors, performers, volunteers and the wider Port Harcourt community.
As Bole Festival enters its second decade, organisers have indicated plans to take the event beyond its traditional Port Harcourt audience and expand its reach across Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
For many attendees, however, the heart of the festival remains simple: good food, good music and the unique culture of Port Harcourt.
🎥 Watch the Bole Festival 2026 review above.
Video: CALABAR GIST BLOG / YouTube
Sources: The Guardian, THISDAY and The Sun.