Blankets & Wine Festival

Blankets & Wine is a music festival held at the Ngong Racecourse on Ngong Road in Nairobi, Kenya, usually on a Sunday every few months rather than weekly. It began as a picnic-style concert and has become one of the city's best-known social events, drawing a young, stylish crowd. Visitors spread blankets on the grass of the racecourse and settle in for a day of live music that mixes Kenyan and wider African artists across genres such as Afro-pop, soul, hip-hop and Afro-fusion. Stalls and food trucks sell street food, grilled meat, burgers and drinks, and wine and other beverages are available at bars, and a market area sells crafts and fashion. The event usually runs from early afternoon into the evening, so a typical visit lasts four to six hours. The best vantage points are the central lawn near the main stage for atmosphere, or the slopes at the edge for space and an easier view of the whole crowd. Crowds build through the afternoon and are heaviest in the evening headline slots, so arriving early secures space for a blanket. Tickets are sold online through ticketing platforms in tiers, and sell out for big line-ups, so booking ahead is advisable. Bring a picnic blanket, sunscreen, a light jacket for the evening and cash or mobile money for stalls. Getting a taxi or ride-hailing car out after the final act can be slow, so some visitors leave a little early or arrange transport in advance.