Blankets & Wine Closes 2025 with a Triumphant Kenyan Summer Edition

Blankets & Wine, a GoodTimes Africa production, successfully closed its 2025 calendar with a successful Kenyan Summer 2025 edition on Sunday, December 21, at Laureate Gardens, Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. The event marked a powerful finale to a transformative year for the festival, one defined by collaboration, growth, cultural exchange, elevated production and renewed connection with its community. Held under the theme “COME WE DANCE!”, in partnership with the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025, the December edition brought together thousands of festival-goers for a joyful celebration of African sound, movement and togetherness. Audiences experienced a bold, pan-African and international lineup that reflected both the present and future of African music and culture, across two dynamic stages. The Main Stage delivered unforgettable performances from Kenyan favourites Shad Mziki, Bridget Blue, Elsy Wameyo, Okello Max, Ssaru, Matata and Iyanii, alongside continental and global heavyweights including Scorpion Kings (Kabza De Small & DJ Maphorisa), who were performing in Kenya as a duo for the first time. Tanzanian mega star Marioo and South African acclaimed music group Mi Casa also joined the main stage, creating a high-energy musical journey spanning Afro-fusion, Amapiano, Gengetone, soul, house, R&B and contemporary African pop. The Onja Onja Stage carried the celebration from early in the day into the night into the night with an eclectic mix of electronic, Afro-house and alternative sounds, featuring UK dance music icon Donae’o alongside Kenya’s vibe masters: Darkfruit, Shishi, Foozak, Tina Ardor, Ms. Mika, and a crowd-moving back-to-back finale from Aly Fresh, Mura and Big Nyagz—cementing the stage’s reputation as a cornerstone of discovery and dance culture. September of 2025 marked a historic milestone for the festival with its first ever UK edition in Bradford signalling Blankets & Wine's international expansion. The continued collaboration with the British Council reinforced a two-way cultural exchange between Kenya and the UK. The inclusion of Donae’o as a co-headliner in the December edition was a natural continuation of this partnership, reflecting the growing global footprint of African-led festivals. Speaking on the close of the year, Muthoni Drummer Queen, Creative Director of Blankets & Wine, says, “2025 has been a defining year for us. From Bradford back to Nairobi, we’ve shown that Blankets & Wine is more than an event - it’s a living cultural platform that travels, evolves and connects people through music and joy. Kenyan Summer was a beautiful way to end the year, grounded in gratitude, energy, and community. Special thanks to the British Council’s UK/Kenya Season 2025 for supporting a fitting close to a truly transformative year for the festival, including our first-ever international edition in Bradford, UK.” Diane Ywaya, Communications Manager at GoodTimes Africa, says, “What a powerful way to close the year. From the main stage to Onja Onja, the market and the dance floor, you reminded us why Blankets & Wine exists. Thank you to our incredible community, artists from Kenya, South Africa and the UK, and our partners for making Kenyan Summer 2025 unforgettable.” Justine Mbugua, Head of Festivals at Blankets & Wine, adds, “Every edition this year reflected months of careful planning and a deep focus on service excellence. From production and hospitality to artist experience to audience flow, we are proud of the standard we delivered and the trust our community continues to place in us.” Beyond the music, festival-goers engaged with the returning Onja Onja Market, which was themed Made in Kenya for this edition. The market is a showcase of Kenyan fashion, food, art, wellness and lifestyle brands, rounding out a holistic festival experience that celebrates local creativity. As Blankets & Wine enters its 17th year, the Kenyan Summer 2025 edition stands as a strong close to a successful run in 2025—reaffirming the festival’s cultural legacy, strengthening its regional and global partnerships, and setting a confident tone for the future.