Tanzania’s Post-Election Developments Force SolFest to Cancel Dar es Salaam Party

The organizers of SolFest have announced the cancellation of the highly anticipated Tanzania Pre-Party.

The event, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, 22nd November, at the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel, will no longer proceed.

The announcement was made via a joint statement released by Serena Hotels and SolFest Management. The decision comes just days before the event was due to be held.

Citing Safety and Quality Concerns

The joint press release clearly cited the reason for the abrupt cancellation. Management stated the decision followed thoughtful consultations regarding recent developments.

“Following recent post-election developments, we’ve made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the SolFest Tanzania Pre-Party scheduled for 22nd November in Dar es Salaam,” the statement read.

The primary concern was the ability to deliver a "seamless experience" for all attendees. The statement emphasised that the safety, comfort, and overall quality of the SolFest moment remain their top priority.

Refunds Underway for Ticket Holders

The organizers assured all ticket holders that their funds would be returned promptly. Management confirmed that the refund process is currently underway.

ALSO READ: Solfest Unites East Africa with Kampala and Dar es Salaam Takeover Ahead of December Festival

All customers who purchased tickets will receive direct communication detailing the full timeline and next steps regarding the refund process.

“Thank you for the unwavering love, energy, and support you continue to show SolFest. We remain grateful for our Tanzanian community and look forward to celebrating together again soon.”

SolFest's Expanding African Footprint

SolFest, which is East Africa’s premier music festival, is renowned for celebrating and promoting African musical talent. Founded by the group Sol Generation (initially Sauti Sol), the main festival is traditionally hosted in Nairobi, Kenya.

The cancellation of the Dar es Salaam Pre-Party comes as the SolFest brand attempts to expand its presence across East African region.

Online promotional materials for the 2025 calendar year indicate a push toward expanding the festival's reach beyond its main Kenyan base.

The main SolFest Nairobi event is typically held in mid-December. For 2025, the main festival is scheduled as a three-day event running from Thursday, 18th December, to Saturday, 20th December.

Apart from the Nairobi main event and the cancelled Tanzania pre-party, the festival has previously hinted at holding events in other major African hubs like Kampala in Uganda.