Bahir Dar City Events & Festivals

City Event

Tik 16

2 Photos

Tikimt 16, 2019

Sebaru Giyorgis Annual Festival (Debre Genet Cathedral)

The crowning celebration of the month of Tir in Bahir Dar. Tens of thousands of faithful gather at Debre Genet St. George Cathedral to accompany the sacred Ark on a red carpet procession through the historic gates, accompanied by Yaredic chants and youth choirs.

St. George Church, Bahirdar

Bahir Dar City Administration

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Sports & Rowing

Tir 14

3 Photos

Tir 14, 2018

Traditional Tankwa Boat Racing Regatta on Lake Tana

Witness the thrilling regatta of traditional papyrus reed boats (Tankwa) on Lake Tana — an ancient navigation craft, living cultural sport, and communal festival in Bahir Dar.

Lake Tana Harbors & Open Waters, Bahir Dar

Bahirdar City Administration

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Sports & Rowing

Tir 03

3 Photos

Tir 3, 2018

Bahir Dar Annual Cycling Tour

Join hundreds of cyclists in Bahir Dar’s scenic annual cycling tour. A healthy, eco-friendly journey through the palm-lined boulevards, Lake Tana promenades, and vibrant avenues of Ethiopia’s greenest lakeside city.

Bahirdar City Center

Bahirdar Cycling Club

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Tourism & Expo

Yek 08

11 Photos

Yekatit 8, 2018

Culture and Tourism Exhibition

Bahir Dar’s grand Culture and Tourism Exhibition brings together master artisans, traditional textile weavers, cultural troupes, and regional tourism stakeholders. Visitors experience live craft demonstrations, authentic Habesha Kemis embroidery, pottery, leatherwork, and showcases of Lake Tana's rich heritage.

Bahirdar Exhibition Center

Amhara Tourism Bureau

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City Event

Tik 16

3 Photos

Tikimt 16, 2019

Kana ZeGelila at Ghion Festival (Lake Tana & Nile Outlet)

Celebrated on Tir 12 at Ghion (the Blue Nile outlet). Renowned for its magnificent boat flotilla carrying clergy across Lake Tana, joined by massive public processions on Bahir Dar's avenues rejoicing in Christ's first miracle.

Bahirdar Churches

Bahir Dar City Administration

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Civic & Community

Tir 18

Tir 18, 2018

City Council Public Meeting

Attend the monthly city council public meeting to discuss community development and city planning.

City Hall, Bahirdar

Bahirdar City Administration

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City Event

Tik 16

Tikimt 16, 2019

Entons Eyesus Monastery

Historic island monastery in Lake Tana featuring the ancient monastic order sanctuary (ስርዓት ማስከበሪያ) built from lime mortar and Gumuz stone.

Entons Island, Lake Tana

Bahir Dar City Administration

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Tourism & Expo

Tir 06

Tir 6, 2018

Lake Tana Boat Tour

Special guided boat tour to the ancient monasteries on Lake Tana islands.

Lake Tana Pier

Bahirdar Tourism Office

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Sports & Rowing

Tik 16

Tikimt 16, 2019

Traditional Christmas game

Annual youth football tournament bringing together teams from across the Amhara region.

Bahirdar Stadium

Amhara Sports Commission

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City Event

Tir 12

Tir 12, 2018

Environmental Cleanup Day

Community-wide environmental cleanup initiative focusing on Lake Tana shoreline.

Lake Tana Shoreline

Bahirdar Environmental Office

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Culture & Heritage

Tah 29

10 Photos

Tahsas 29, 2018

Gena Chewata

Traditional Gena Chewata celebration with community games, music, and cultural activities.

Bahirdar

Bahirdar City Administration

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Religious & Sacred

Tir 10

9 Photos

Tir 10, 2018

Ephyniphy Ketera

Ketera procession marking the eve of Timket, featuring spiritual chants, community gatherings, and cultural celebration.

Bahirdar

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

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Religious & Sacred

Tir 11

13 Photos

Tir 11, 2018

Ephynephy

Timket (Epiphany) is one of Ethiopia’s most magnificent celebrations, honoring the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. The festival features vibrant processions of the Tabot, sacred hymns and drums, overnight vigils, and a joyful blessing of water—bringing communities together in faith, culture, and color.

Bahirdar

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

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City Event

Tir 11

Tir 11, 2018

Timkat Epiphany Festival on Lake Tana Shore

UNESCO-inscribed celebration of Epiphany where sacred Tabots proceed in majesty to the water shores with rhythmic drumbeats, liturgical chants, and thousands in dazzling white habesha kemis.

Lake Tana Waterfront & City Squares

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church & City Administration

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City Event

Neh 09

Nehase 9, 2018

Annual Lake Tana International Marathon

Major athletic road race running along Bahir Dar's palm-shaded avenues and lakefront corridors, bringing together national champions and international running enthusiasts.

Bahir Dar International Stadium

Bahir Dar City Administration

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City Event

Ham 18

Hamle 18, 2018

Bahir Dar Tech & Innovation Summit

Flagship summit at Bahir Dar University Innovation Hub connecting software engineers, digital tourism creators, and regional tech founders.

Bahir Dar University Innovation Hub

Bahir Dar City Administration

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City Event

Ham 17

4 Photos

Hamle 17, 2018

Abune Betre Maryam Annual Pilgrimage Festival (Hamle 17)

Spectacular annual boat pilgrimage and feast celebrated on Hamle 17 (July 24) on the Zege Peninsula. Thousands of devotees cross Lake Tana on passenger boats singing spiritual hymns, docking at the forested harbor to ascend the lush trails to the thatched church of Abune Betre Maryam.

Zege Peninsula, Lake Tana, Bahir Dar

Bahir Dar City Administration

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Religious & Sacred

Mes 17

4 Photos

Meskerem 17, 2019

Meskel Demera Festival Celebration in Bahir Dar

Celebrated annually on Meskerem 16 (Demera Eve) and Meskerem 17 (Meskel), commemorating the Finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena. In Bahir Dar, the festival is celebrated with supreme spiritual splendor: ornate clergy processions carrying ancient crosses and fringed umbrellas, patriarchal blessings, tens of thousands in white netela, and the lighting of the monumental Demera bonfire decorated with yellow Adey Abeba blossoms.

Meskel Square, Bahir Dar

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

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Religious & Sacred

Tir 21

6 Photos

Tir 21, 2018

Asteriyo Maryam Annual Festival at Debre Maryam Monastery

Celebrated annually on Tir 21 (January 29) at the historic Debre Maryam Monastery, situated on Lake Tana at the source of the Blue Nile. Over 900 years old, founded by Abune Tadewos, the festival draws thousands of pilgrims arriving by passenger boat flotilla across Lake Tana to partake in sacred Liturgy, antiphonal chants, and spiritual blessings.

Lake Tana & Blue Nile Outlet Island

Ethiopian Orthodox Church

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