The Tour du Rwanda returns, but cycling is just one reason to step outside this weekend. From an acoustic set rooted in flamenco poetry to a motorsport simulator with real prize money on the line, here is where to be. Maria Cielos Acoustic Concert Spanish singer-songwriter Maria Cielos brings her debut album ‘Perenne Pilar’ to Kigali on Friday in what promises to be one of the more quietly memorable evenings on this month's cultural calendar. The show, held at L'Espace on KN 297 St, opens with actress and poet Gretta Ingabire, whose set of original poetry sets the reflective tone before Cielos takes the stage with a sound she has described as folk, flamenco, and lyrical introspection. Doors open at 7 p.m. Gate entry is Rwf15,000. Tour du Rwanda Opening Ceremony The 2026 Tour du Rwanda, one of Africa's premier professional cycling races, opens Saturday at KCC Roundabout with a public ceremony running from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ruti Joel, Kivumbi King, and DJs Tasha and Khizzbeat are on the performance lineup, making the opener as much a street festival as a sports send-off. Entry is free. Ahanad Takeover Artistes Kenny K-Shot, Logan Joe, and Deejay June headline the Ahanad Takeover at Crystal Lounge hosted by Patycope on Saturday, a showcase that has become a recurring platform for Rwandan creatives under Skol Malt's partnership program. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is positioned as part of a broader initiative to amplify local artistic voices through live entertainment. Zaria Court Time Attack For those whose weekend begins and ends with a steering wheel, the Zaria Court Time Attack rally simulator competition at Kayli E-Sport Shop on Saturday offers a Rwf100,000 top prize for the fastest lap, with Rwf50,000 for second place and Rwf25,000 for third. The entry fee is 10,000 Rwf. It is a rare setup where the barrier to competing is low, and the stakes are genuinely worth showing up for. Uzima Creative Week Art Residency Opening Saturday and running through Feb. 26, the Uzima Creative Week Art Residency at Envision Rwanda on KG 601 St brings together movement artists, installation makers, fashion creatives, and handcraft practitioners under the theme Mental Health Wellness Through Creativity. Daily sessions run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The residency is structured as a working, collaborative space — less exhibition, more process — with the explicit intention of positioning creative practice as a tool for emotional well-being and community dialogue. Kigali Car Free Day The monthly Car Free Day closes the weekend on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., with public sports activities spread across KCC Roundabout, IPRC Kigali in Kicukiro, ULK Gisozi in Gasabo, and Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyarugenge. Free non-communicable disease screenings will be available to attendees alongside the usual open-road atmosphere that has made the monthly event a fixture for runners, cyclists, and families alike. Stay in the loop with The New Times for the latest from Kigali’s entertainment scene and breaking news. Follow us on social media for curated weekend picks and real-time updates.
