The week has done what weeks do. Deadlines met, patience tested, group chats muted. By Friday evening, home can feel less like a sanctuary and more like an extension of everything you are trying to switch off. If you are on the hunt for a change of scenery, you share that feeling with many others. Kigali’s calendar is filling out, and the coming days present different routes to recharge. ALSO READ: Six timeless classics to add to your weekend watchlist Cars & Coffee The engines are revving again, and Kigali’s car community is gathering for another easygoing afternoon at Zaria Court. Cars & Coffee returns for its second edition in collaboration with Ride Nation, bringing together sleek machines, music, food and the kind of crowd that bonds over torque and design. It is less a formal showcase and more a social meet-up where enthusiasts can park, admire each other’s rides and talk shop without rush. Expect a mix of standout vehicles, casual games and a rotating soundtrack to carry the afternoon. The invitation is simple: pull up, take it in and stay as long as you like. Cars & Coffee takes place March 28 from noon to 5 p.m. at Zaria Court. Entry is free. Atmosfera: Anniversary Edition Atmosfera marks its anniversary with the Dark Forest Edition, scaling up to the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village for what organizers describe as its biggest staging yet. Headlining the night is South African DJ and producer Dlala Thukzin, known for weaving house and Afro-electronic sounds into high-energy sets. He is joined by Zuba Mutesi, Starving Yet Full, DJ Sonia, K’Ru, Kem Lion, DJ Reyce and DJ Lamper, creating a line-up built for late-night momentum. For the first time at Atmosfera, the African Mirror drummers will take the stage, introducing live percussion anchored by the djembe, a hand drum central to many African musical traditions. The group’s performance is expected to add a rhythmic layer to the electronic pulse of the evening. Abataramyi, a Rwandan traditional performance crew, will also appear, grounding the program in local sound and movement. Gates open on Saturday, March 28, 7 p.m., with the show running until 2 a.m. Tickets are priced at Rwf25,000, with VIP stage access available at Rwf40,000. The Bebop Drop For those seeking something more intimate, The Bebop Drop presents Annie live in concert on March 28, offering a night shaped by live instrumentation and lyrical storytelling. The show pairs the structure and improvisation of jazz with the cadence and directness of rap. Annie’s performance promises a balance of smooth melodies and sharp verses, delivered with a stage presence that leans into both vulnerability and strength. The Bebop Drop takes place Saturday, 7pm. Tickets are Rwf7,500. Incuti Cookout If your idea of a good time includes games, open-air energy and a rotating cast of performers, Incuti Cookout is back with a bigger line up and more interactive fun. This edition features Kid From Kigali and Mutivation, alongside performances from Sema Sole, Rlutta, Haiton, Skid, Joka$h and DJ Riddim. Beyond the stage, the event leans into playful competition, from tug of war to a dedicated PlayStation zone. Virunga Beverages will be on hand to keep refreshments flowing as the evening unfolds. Saturday, March 28, 2pm till midnight at 2KG 5 Ave. Entry is free, and the message from organizers is clear: come ready to play, listen and make a few new memories before the week begins again. Mama, You Matter Saturday, March 28, belongs to the women. Mama, You Matter returns to Norrsken House Kigali with a day built around wellness, self-care and honest conversation, opening from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The program brings together wellness screenings, expert conversations, beauty experiences, photography, storytelling, networking and a women’s wellness exhibition. It is designed as a pause in the middle of busy lives, a space for women to check in with themselves and with one another. After the success of previous gatherings, this edition comes back with a clearer focus on what women often put off until later, their own well-being. Entry is Rwf30,000. Kigali Fight Night Kigali Fight Night returns on Saturday, March 28, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., mixing live boxing with music and performance for a crowd that wants more than a ringside seat. The event brings together international boxers from across Africa and some of Rwanda’s top amateur talent, all framed by DJ sets, live music and the kind of atmosphere that keeps the energy up between rounds. This edition will also feature performances by hip-hop artists Bulldogg and Riderman, adding a local soundtrack to the night. Tickets are priced at Rwf14,000 for general admission, Rwf60,000 for VIP and Rwf120,000 for ringside seats. For fans who like their sports loud, fast and a little theatrical, this one should deliver exactly that. Gakondo Connect Concert Gakondo Connect returns on Sunday, March 29, at M Hotel with Edition 5, a gathering that places Rwandan heritage at the centre of a modern cultural experience. The concert brings together artists, cultural leaders and young creatives in a celebration of tradition, music, art and community. The lineup includes Layan Mpano, Tania Ikirezi, Kellia, Lauritha, Munyana, Indizi Cultural Troupe, Massamba Intore and Mushabizi, a mix that blends established names with fresh voices. Organizers say the event is meant to inspire cultural pride while showing how tradition can sit comfortably inside contemporary expression. Tickets are Rwf10,000 for regular entry, Rwf20,000 for VIP and Rwf250,000 for a table of eight. The event starts at 5 p.m. 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.
