FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
Ghana International Folklore Festival 2027
13th–20th July 2027
Celebrating Culture • Connecting Nations • Inspiring Generations
The Ghana International Folklore Festival (GIFF) brings together cultural groups, performers, artists, educators, communities and visitors from Ghana and around the world for a vibrant celebration of music, dance, folklore, storytelling, traditional arts, food, fashion and cultural heritage.
From the opening ceremony to the grand finale, each day of GIFF is designed to create opportunities for performance, cultural exchange, learning, friendship and discovery.
8 DAYS OF CULTURE, MUSIC & TRADITION
DAY 1 — 13 JULY
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY
The festival begins with a spectacular celebration welcoming participating countries and cultural groups to Ghana.
Highlights include:
- Official opening ceremony
- Parade of participating countries
- Flag presentation
- Traditional Ghanaian welcome
- Cultural performances
- International group presentations
- Speeches and goodwill messages
- Introduction of participating delegations
- Traditional drumming and dance
- Opening cultural reception
Theme: Welcome to Ghana — Welcome to the World.
DAY 2 — 14 JULY
GHANA HERITAGE DAY
A special day dedicated to showcasing the cultural richness of Ghana.
Visitors will experience traditional music, dances, costumes, storytelling, indigenous instruments, crafts and Ghanaian cuisine.
Highlights include:
- Regional cultural performances
- Traditional drumming
- Folk dances
- Traditional storytelling
- Indigenous musical instruments
- Ghanaian food experience
- Arts and crafts exhibition
- Traditional fashion showcase
- Cultural demonstrations
Theme: Discover the Heritage of Ghana.
DAY 3 — 15 JULY
INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE SHOWCASE
Cultural groups from participating countries take centre stage to present their traditional heritage.
Each delegation gets the opportunity to share its unique identity through music, dance, costumes and storytelling.
Highlights include:
- International folk dances
- Traditional music performances
- Cultural costumes
- Country presentations
- Folk storytelling
- Cross-cultural performances
- Cultural networking
Theme: Many Nations. Many Traditions. One Celebration.
DAY 4 — 16 JULY
CULTURAL EXCHANGE & WORKSHOPS
GIFF goes beyond performance by creating opportunities for participants to learn from one another.
Interactive workshops allow artists, young people, educators and visitors to experience traditional cultural practices.
Workshops may include:
- Traditional drumming
- Dance instruction
- Folk music
- Storytelling
- Traditional arts and crafts
- Bead making
- Drum making
- Cultural costume
- Language exchange
- Cultural heritage discussions
Theme: Learn. Share. Connect.
DAY 5 — 17 JULY
CULTURAL VILLAGE, FOOD & CREATIVE ARTS DAY
The GIFF Cultural Village becomes a meeting point for culture, creativity, tourism and entrepreneurship.
Visitors can explore cultural products, traditional foods, handicrafts and creative works from Ghana and participating countries.
Highlights include:
- International food experience
- Ghanaian cuisine
- Arts and crafts marketplace
- Cultural exhibitions
- Fashion and textile displays
- Traditional products
- Artisan demonstrations
- Creative entrepreneurship
- Tourism promotion
- Cultural networking
Theme: Experience the World Through Culture.
DAY 6 — 18 JULY
HERITAGE, TOURISM & COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE
Participants and selected visitors are given opportunities to experience Ghana beyond the festival grounds.
Depending on the programme and arrangements, cultural excursions may include visits to heritage sites, communities, markets, craft centres and other attractions.
Possible experiences include:
- Heritage site visits
- Community cultural exchange
- Local market experiences
- Traditional food experiences
- Cultural demonstrations
- Community projects
- Sightseeing
- Photography and storytelling
- Ghanaian hospitality experiences
Theme: Discover Ghana. Experience Its People.
DAY 7 — 19 JULY
INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL GALA
An exciting evening bringing together the best of the festival’s international and Ghanaian performances.
The Cultural Gala provides a major platform for participating groups to present special performances and collaborative productions.
Highlights include:
- International cultural performances
- Ghanaian cultural performances
- Collaborative performances
- Special guest artists
- Traditional and contemporary fusion
- Cultural awards and recognition
- VIP and diplomatic engagement
- Gala reception
Theme: One Stage. Many Cultures.
DAY 8 — 20 JULY
GRAND FINALE & CLOSING CEREMONY
The festival concludes with a spectacular celebration of the friendships, cultural exchanges and memories created throughout GIFF.
Highlights include:
- Final international performances
- Ghanaian cultural showcase
- Festival highlights presentation
- Recognition of participating groups
- Certificates of participation
- Cultural awards
- Closing speeches
- Farewell celebration
- Grand cultural procession
- Official closing ceremony
Theme: Until We Meet Again.
OPTIONAL INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE
For international cultural groups, GIFF may provide an extended cultural experience around the official festival dates.
11–12 JULY — ARRIVAL & ORIENTATION
International delegations arrive in Ghana and are welcomed into the GIFF Accommodation Village or designated host-family arrangements.
Activities may include:
- Airport reception
- Registration and accreditation
- Accommodation check-in
- Welcome briefing
- Orientation
- Rehearsals
- Cultural team introductions
- Ghanaian welcome experience
21 JULY — DEPARTURE
Following the festival, participating delegations may receive departure assistance and transportation according to the official travel arrangements.
CULTURE THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL
While each day has a central theme, GIFF activities will run throughout the festival period.
Visitors and participants may experience:
Music & Drumming
Traditional and contemporary cultural music from Ghana and participating countries.
Dance & Performance
Folk dances, ceremonial dances, cultural presentations and collaborative performances.
Storytelling & Folklore
Traditional stories, legends, oral traditions and cultural narratives.
Arts & Crafts
Handmade cultural products, demonstrations and creative exhibitions.
Food & Cuisine
A celebration of Ghanaian and international culinary traditions.
Fashion & Textiles
Traditional costumes, indigenous textiles and cultural fashion.
Workshops & Learning
Hands-on opportunities to learn traditional cultural practices.
Cultural Exchange
Opportunities for participants to share knowledge, traditions and experiences.
Tourism & Heritage
Experiences designed to introduce visitors to Ghana’s cultural and tourism attractions.
A FESTIVAL FOR EVERYONE
GIFF is designed to welcome:
- International cultural groups
- Ghanaian cultural organizations
- Professional performers
- Schools and universities
- Families
- Tourists
- Cultural researchers
- Traditional authorities
- Artists and artisans
- Tourism professionals
- Creative entrepreneurs
- Diplomats and international organizations
- Media organizations
- Children and young people
- The general public
JOIN THE EXPERIENCE
Whether you come to perform, learn, explore, network or simply celebrate, the Ghana International Folklore Festival offers an opportunity to experience the richness of cultures from Ghana and around the world.
13th–20th July 2027
Come for the Festival.
Experience the Culture.
Meet the World.
GHANA INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
Celebrating Culture • Connecting Nations • Inspiring Generations