Preparations have intensified for the 2026 Alaragbo International Cultural Festival, with organisers unveiling an extensive programme of traditional rites, cultural performances, community services and entertainment scheduled to run from October 26 to November 15.The festival, which celebrates Yoruba heritage, ancestral traditions and cultural tourism, is expected to attract traditionalists, culture enthusiasts, tourists and members of the public to a series of activities designed to promote indigenous values and preserve the cultural identity of the Yoruba people.
Organised under the theme of celebrating tradition as a source of pride, this year’s edition features the feeding of various Orisa, a procession to the sacred grove, a medical check-up programme and a grand finale featuring Fuji music star King Saheed Osupa.
The programme opens on Monday, October 26, with Ilasu Orisa, followed on October 27 by the feeding of Orisa Aje, Ogun and Esu. Activities on October 28 will focus on the feeding of Orisa Yemọja and Osumare, while October 29 is dedicated to Orisa Ayelala and Agbamerindinlogun.
On October 30, participants will observe Imole Wiwe and Bibo Ade, before the programme continues on October 31 with the feeding of Obaluaye and Bayani. Orisa Oko and Obatala will take centre stage on November 1, followed by the feeding of Ayangalu and Ifa on November 2.
The early phase of the festival will conclude on November 3 with Ibori and the feeding of Orisa Oya and Sango, marking another important stage in the programme of traditional observances.
Attention will subsequently shift to the second phase of the celebration in November, beginning with a medical check-up programme and Alaragbo and Osun Night on November 12. A procession to the sacred grove is scheduled for November 13, while November 14 will feature Amala and Omidan Night.
The festival will reach its climax on Sunday, November 15, with a grand finale featuring live music by King Saheed Osupa and another medical check-up programme. The organisers are positioning the closing ceremony as a major attraction for culture lovers, music fans and visitors seeking an experience that combines indigenous heritage with contemporary entertainment.
Beyond its entertainment value, the festival seeks to draw attention to the role of traditional institutions and indigenous practices in cultural preservation, tourism development and community identity. Its programme brings together spiritual observances, communal gatherings and public-facing activities intended to give visitors a broader understanding of Yoruba traditions.
The inclusion of a medical check-up programme also adds a community service dimension to the festival, extending its activities beyond cultural performances and traditional observances.
For the organisers and the Isese community, the event provides an opportunity to celebrate ancestral heritage while encouraging younger generations to appreciate the customs, beliefs and cultural expressions passed down through generations.
The 2026 edition is being promoted as a celebration of tradition, pride and cultural tourism, with the organisers inviting members of the public to participate in the scheduled activities and experience the richness of Yoruba heritage.
With its combination of traditional rites, a sacred-grove procession, community health activities and a headline musical performance, the Alaragbo International Cultural Festival is set to bring its three-week programme to a close on November 15, placing indigenous culture at the centre of the celebration.
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