Blankets & Wine Announces UK Debut and Celebrates 16 Years of African Music and Culture

The leading Pan-African music festival, Blankets & Wine, is excited to celebrate its 16th year with a spectacular first-ever international performance in Bradford City, UK!

Blankets & Wine, which features both up-and-coming and well-established musicians from all across the continent, has been a shining example of African music, culture, and lifestyle for sixteen years. The festival has grown to be a cherished quarterly Sunday ritual that promotes community and discovery. It is well-known for its curated food, fashion, and crafts market, creative installations, branded experiences, and dynamic programming spread across two stages. 

Blankets & Wine is reaching a wider audience and introducing the enchantment of African music to the UK at a historic moment! On September 6, 2025, at Lister Park in Bradford City, UK, the festival will hold its first-ever performance, marking a major turning point in its 16-year history in collaboration with the British Council for the UK/Kenya Season 2025.

“This is a dream come true,” says Muthoni Ndong’a, founder of Blankets & Wine. Our goals since 2008 have been to scale opportunities throughout the live music value chain, create a genuine community of fans, vendors, and sponsors, and highlight the amazing talent of African musicians. The next stage in exporting our music and culture is bringing Blankets & Wine to the UK, which is evidence of the band’s ability to bridge boundaries and unite people from all walks of life.

With a carefully chosen roster of African performers, the Bradford City performance will introduce the genuine Blankets & Wine experience to the United Kingdom. By the end of June 2025, the artists will be announced. In addition to honoring African music, this momentous occasion will promote cross-cultural cooperation.