LUSAKA · Culture
Six Lusaka events from 16 to 31 October 2026 are confirmed with an organiser or ticket page, from a jobs expo on Friday 16 October to a Halloween party on Friday 30 October. Prices are in kwacha and US$.
LUSAKA — This is the culture and events guide for 12 to 31 October 2026, for people who live in Zambia’s capital or are staying for a few weeks. Every event below has a date and venue and, where one exists, a price on the organiser, venue or ticket-platform page, checked on 11 October 2026.
Prices are in Zambian kwacha (K), each with its US$ value. We converted at the RT market rate of about K19.83 per US$ (11 October 2026), so US$1 buys roughly K20. Ticket platforms add booking fees, and card providers add their own exchange spreads.
The weekend festivals of 10 and 11 October, including R&G Oktoberfest, have already taken place and are not listed. Six events remain that we could confirm: business and study dates in the middle of the month, one premium evening, and a Halloween party. Listings that appear only on aggregator calendars are left out, so this guide is shorter than those calendars.
16 and 17 October: jobs, study and a premium evening
Friday 16 October, from 08:00
JOBEXPO Zambia
Showgrounds, Lusaka · Ticket price not published
A career and recruitment expo hosted by HRLeverage Zambia Limited, connecting job-seekers with employers. The Tickethost page gives an 08:00 start and lists registration as guest, delegate, exhibitor, student or speaker, but no price. Confirm the time and entry terms with the host on +260 765 676 314.
Saturday 17 October, 11:30 to 17:00
Zambia International College Fair 2026
Radisson Blu Hotel, 19029 Great East Road, Lusaka · Free, registration required
A study-abroad fair with more than 20 universities from Canada, the UK, the USA, Malta, Egypt, China, Japan and other countries. The organiser, Nigeria International Education Fair, promises one-to-one talks with admission officers and scholarships of up to 30%. Register on Eventbrite.
Saturday 17 October, 10:00
Waxes & Oldies
Rustic Flower Pots, 11104 Mboya Road, near Kabwata Cultural Village · K550 (about US$28) plus K5 booking fee
A hands-on candle-making day run by Bourdine Body and Scents, with drinks, snacks and music included in the ticket. It suits small groups and newcomers who want to meet people. Tickets are on Tickethost.
Saturday 17 October, 17:00 to 21:00
L’Orangerie at Twilight
Amber Grove, Ibex Hill, Lusaka · K2,500 per guest (about US$126)
An upmarket evening with garden cocktails at sunset, canapés, a dessert service and a live performance by Tio Nason. The dress code is “elevated cocktail”. Tickets are limited and sold through Ticket Tailor.
26 to 31 October: technology and Halloween
Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October, from 08:30
Africa Tech-Xpo 2026
Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka · Student pass K100 (about US$5) · Exhibition and Conference pass K500 (about US$25)
The first pan-African edition of an exhibition that grew out of Zambia Tech-Xpo. The organiser says it connects innovation, capital, policy and infrastructure across Africa’s digital economy, with startups, investors, policymakers and technology leaders. Tickets are on Tickethost.
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October, from 18:00
The Haunted Affairs
Lusaka, venue not published · K100 (about US$5), plus K5 booking fee
A Halloween party billed as a night of darkness, mystery, costumes and music, organised by Hidden Agenda.zm. The listing gives no venue beyond Lusaka, so confirm the location before you buy. The K5 booking fee is added at checkout. Tickets are on Tickethost.
What it means for you
Ticket prices are low in dollar terms. The paid events here start at about US$5 (K100) for the Tech-Xpo student pass and the Halloween party, and reach about US$28 (K550) for the candle-making day. Only the Amber Grove evening costs more than US$100 per guest. Check card fees with your bank before you travel.
For US readers with business in Zambia, the most useful dates are JOBEXPO on Friday 16 October and Africa Tech-Xpo on 26 and 27 October. Families weighing study abroad can meet US, UK and Canadian universities on Saturday 17 October at no cost, with registration.
Planning your Lusaka in October
Saturday 24 October is Zambia’s Independence Day, a public holiday marking independence from the United Kingdom in 1964. This year’s theme is “Zambia@62: Our Journey, Our Growth, Our Future”. We found no organiser-confirmed public event for that day, so we list none. Check the Zambian government’s announcements for official ceremonies, and expect some shops and offices to close.
For late nights, use a trusted driver or a ride-hailing service, and agree the fare or check the app price before you set off.
What is not known
Several organisers have not published prices, venues or ticket platforms. These include the price of JOBEXPO Zambia and the venue of The Haunted Affairs. Programmes, line-ups and prices can change, so check the organiser page before you travel.
We did not include the Crocs Summer Festival, the Komboni Radio Independence Marathon, the Africa Risk, Audit & AI Summit, the AI Show and Tell evening, the 90’s Reunion Party Festival, or two gospel and acapella album launches at a “Blessings Centre” on 24 and 31 October. Each is missing an organiser-confirmed date, price or city, and most appear only on aggregator sites.
Related reading: our Zambia coverage, Zambia and its neighbours in Southern Africa and Lusaka street vendors defy a city deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on in Lusaka in the second half of October 2026?
Six events are confirmed: JOBEXPO Zambia on Friday 16 October, the Zambia International College Fair, Waxes & Oldies and L’Orangerie at Twilight on Saturday 17 October, Africa Tech-Xpo on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October, and The Haunted Affairs on 30 and 31 October.
How much do Lusaka events cost in October 2026?
Confirmed prices run from K100 (about US$5) for The Haunted Affairs and the Tech-Xpo student pass to K2,500 (about US$126) for L’Orangerie at Twilight. Waxes & Oldies costs K550 (about US$28). The Zambia International College Fair is free with registration, and JOBEXPO has no published price.
When is Zambia’s Independence Day in 2026?
Saturday 24 October 2026. It is a public holiday marking independence from the United Kingdom in 1964.
Which business events can visitors attend in Lusaka in October 2026?
JOBEXPO Zambia on Friday 16 October at the Showgrounds, starting at 08:00 according to Tickethost, and Africa Tech-Xpo 2026 on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 October at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre. Tech-Xpo passes cost K100 (about US$5) for students and K500 (about US$25) for the exhibition and conference.
Is there a study-abroad fair in Lusaka in October 2026?
Yes. The Zambia International College Fair is on Saturday 17 October from 11:30 to 17:00 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, 19029 Great East Road. It is free with registration and lists more than 20 universities from countries including Canada, the UK and the USA.