Schedule
The festival is scheduled to hold for 5 days at College of education Warri Delta State Nigeria
WARRI ARTS FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL (WAFI) 2026
GIDIGBA ’26 – STRONGER TOGETHER
August 26th – 30th, 2026 Venue: College of Education Field, Edjeba, Warri, Delta State
DAY 1 – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026
ARRIVAL DAY
Morning and afternoon Session (8:00am – 4:00pm)
Arrival and Accreditation of Delegates
Universities, Cultural Troupes and Exhibitors
Media Briefing
Exhibition and Market Expo Setup
Participants’ Orientation
Networking Session
Evening Session (5:00pm – 8:00pm)
Welcome Reception
Meet & Greet
Camp fire night and Welcome party
DAY 2 – THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2026
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY
Morning Session (9:00am – 12:30pm)
Grand Opening Ceremony
# Cultural Parade/Performances
# Drum Exhibition & Display
Afternoon Session (1:00pm – 5:00pm)
Arts Exhibition Opening
Market Expo
SMEs Workshop/Seminar
Actors & Filmmakers Workshop
Fashion Designers Workshop
Book Literature Review & Poetry Session
Evening Session (6:00pm – 10:00pm)
Street Musical & Comedy
Stage play
Live Music Showcase
DAY 3 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026
TOURISM & HERITAGE DAY
Morning Session (8:00am – 12:00pm)
Tourist Site Visitation
Heritage and Cultural Tours
Afternoon Session (1:00pm – 5:00pm)
Arts Exhibition
Market Expo
SMEs Workshop
Actors & Filmmakers Masterclass
Visual Artists Hangout & Creative Exchange
Literary & Poetry Engagement
Evening Session (6:00pm – 10:00pm)
Drum Fest. Festival of Stage Plays
Creative Industry Networking Session
DAY 4 – SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026
YOUTH, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT DAY
Morning Session (9:00am – 12:30pm)
Kids and Teenagers Fest
Talent Discovery. Arts Exhibition
Visual Artists Hangout Activities
Creative Games and Competitions
Afternoon Session (1:00pm – 5:00pm)
Choreography Dance Concert
Dance Competition Finals
Emerging Actors Workshop Session
Fashion Designers Mentorship Session
Evening Session (6:00pm – 11:00pm)
Fashion Showcase
Street Musical & Comedy Concert
Cultural Performances
Open Air Cinema
DAY 4 – SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2026
YOUTH, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT DAY
Morning Session (9:00am – 12:30pm)
Kids and Teenagers Fest
Talent Discovery. Arts Exhibition
Visual Artists Hangout Activities
Creative Games and Competitions
Afternoon Session (1:00pm – 5:00pm)
Choreography Dance Concert
Dance Competition Finals
Emerging Actors Workshop Session
Fashion Designers Mentorship Session
Evening Session (6:00pm – 11:00pm)
Fashion Showcase
Street Musical & Comedy Concert
Cultural Performances
Open Air Cinema
DAY 5 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026
GRAND FINALE & AWARD NIGHT
Morning Session (9:00am – 12:00pm)
Intercultural Exchange Forum
Final Arts Exhibition Viewing
Market Expo Closing Activities
Visual Artists Networking Brunch
Afternoon Session (1:00pm – 4:00pm)
Festival of Stage Plays (Final Showcase)
Poetry Grand Finale
Festival Review and Closing Remarks
Evening Session (6:00pm – 11:00pm)
Award & Gala Night
Recognition of Outstanding Participants
Cultural Performances
Closing Ceremony
Farewell Celebration/fire works
Wed 8th: Festival village 9am till 9pm
Activities morning session: Arrival & Registration of Participants /Media Check‑in & Press Briefing /vendors clearance
Activities/afternoon session: Market drama, Street Art Activation performances, Traditional Dance & Drum Procession (City Tour).
Activities/evening session: : Grand Opening Ceremony
Special Panel discussion
Special Guest Performances
Networking Mixer
Thur 9th: Festival village
Activities morning session: Workshops for actors, directors, script writing, visual artists, models, fashion designers
Activities/afternoon session: How to Attract and Retain Customers in a Competitive Market
Branding for Small Businesses: Name, Packaging & Trust
Customer Service as a Business Advantage
Activities/evening session: Stage Plays & dance , musical Performances, comedy
Fri 10th: local government council other venues
Activities morning session: Workshops continues
Meet and greet
Special royal visitations
Activities/afternoon session: Panel discussion DIGITAL & MODERN BUSINESS
Using Digital Tools to Grow a Small Business
Mobile Banking, POS & Cashless Payments
Introduction to E-commerce for Small Businesses
AI & Technology: Simple Tools for Everyday Business
Activities/evening session: Spoken words, comedy, fashion runway party. Musical performance
Sat 11th: Falcrop park iffie
Activities morning session: Tourist site visitation
Artists hangout/theatre performances/ community performance /Literary Reading & Book Conversations
Activities/afternoon session: Youth Creativity as a Pathway to sustainable Peace in our state
Arts, culture and tourism as a tool for economic development and youth employment.
Kids funfare
Activities/evening session: Gala and award night
Cultural display
Music, fashion showcase, spoken words, Magazine and app lunch
Sun 12th: Festival village
Activities morning session: Community service
Activities/afternoon session: Kids/Teenagers fest
Activities/evening session: Musical concer, drumt./fire works