Follow Us on Google
The Bole Festival, which started as a small gathering centred on Port Harcourt’s beloved bole and fish delicacy, is setting its sights beyond Rivers State after marking a decade of food, music and culture.
The festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with a three-day event in Port Harcourt from September 4 to 6, 2026, bringing together food vendors, entertainers, cultural performers, sponsors, families and festival-goers.
What began in 2016 with about 300 people gathered around a fire has evolved into a broader cultural and entertainment platform, built around one of Port Harcourt’s most recognisable food traditions.
The organisers, in a statement on Friday, said the 2026 edition was held under the theme, “Power of X”, reflecting the collaborations and relationships that have contributed to the festival’s growth over the past decade.
The festival’s journey has also included a major interruption. It took a break in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic but returned in 2021, with the organisers reporting that its audience doubled compared with the 2019 edition.
Since its launch, the festival has grown beyond the food itself, creating a platform involving bole women, food vendors, performers, hosts, sponsors, volunteers and other participants.
Other News
The 10th anniversary edition reinforced that evolution with a three-day programme combining food, music, cultural performances, brand activations and entertainment.
The opening day focused on reggae and old-school music, featuring a reggae band and Terry G, while Day Two featured Savy Henry, Johnny Drille and Magixx as part of a programme centred on soul and contemporary vibes.
The anniversary finale featured performances from some of Nigeria’s established and emerging artistes, including Timaya, Duncan Mighty, Faze, Peruzzi, 1Da Banton, Beri Tigga, Dan Dizzy, Mavo, Guchi, EF Moon and Carter Efe.
The cultural element was also maintained, with Wizard Chan appearing with his signature masquerade as part of the festival’s programme.
A special “Power of X” ceremony was held during the anniversary celebration, while the organisers also used the event to showcase the brands and partners supporting the festival.
Sponsors and partners for the 2026 edition included International Breweries, Moniepoint, Pernod Ricard, Red Bull and Trashcoin, among others.
For the organisers, the decade-long journey represents more than the growth of a festival. It demonstrates how a local food tradition can become the foundation for a wider platform connecting food entrepreneurs, entertainers, brands and consumers.
The next phase, however, could take the concept beyond its Port Harcourt roots.
The organisers said the 10th anniversary marked a new chapter for the Bole Festival, with ambitions to establish a wider presence across Nigeria and Africa.
Although specific expansion plans were not disclosed, the organisers described the next phase as introducing “a new experience” to the region.
The move would shift the festival from being primarily identified with Port Harcourt to a broader African cultural brand, while retaining the food, music and local identity that have defined it since 2016.
From about 300 people gathered around a fire to a three-day celebration featuring major music acts, food vendors, corporate sponsors and cultural performances, the Bole Festival is entering its second decade with ambitions that extend far beyond the city where it began.
